Bill's searches for the Wawa Grande (Ecuador's Bigfoot)

[Bill Ryan]

.
Hello, All --

Some of you may have seen this interesting thread, about the Ecuadorian version of Bigfoot. He's called Wawa Grande (translation: 'Big Baby' :) ).


Bigfoot in my back yard in Ecuador (well, pretty close) (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?92551-Bigfoot-in-my-back-yard-in-Ecuador--well-pretty-close-)

Some of you may also have been part of this little fun trip, a couple of years ago:


THE AVALON GRID : For all vicarious mountaineers: a little adventure to share (The Avalon Cairn, and now the Avalon Crystal) (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?71560-THE-AVALON-GRID-For-all-vicarious-mountaineers-a-little-adventure-to-share--The-Avalon-Cairn-and-now-the-Avalon-Crystal-)

That ended up being The Avalon Grid (a network of crystals planted around the world) -- video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0tcTo_apY) -- but started off as Mara's Big Walk (video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prRx2liK-QA), recommended!), ending up at a very remote high point, on an unnamed nearly-14,000 ft mountain, where I built a little cairn (a pile of rocks, a kind of monument), and deposited the names and printed forum Avatars of over 30 Avalon members who wanted to share the journey.

Okay, so here's another trip. :Party:

Jean-Marie (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?3690-Jean-Marie), who came to visit me a couple of weeks ago, and I planned to go up to the very remote area where the Wawa Grande has been sighted. That's here: (the red circle shows the nearest access point from the road, and the brown area is everything above 4200 meters/ 13,750 ft)

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_map_4200m_areas_marked_sm.jpg

But we never made it: Jean lives near sea level, and was only here for a few days, so the high altitude was too much for the longer period of acclimatization needed. (We went camping up at 11,500 ft instead, and even that proved a little challenging in terms of the cold and the very thin air.)

However, Jean left with me the gifts she had brought for the Wawa Grande, Joan Ocean (http://www.joanocean.com/sasquatch.html) style... here:

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_gifts.JPG

* The two necklaces are Eastern Band, American Cherokee Indian. One of necklaces is the Indian corn, trail of tears. The other necklace is American Indian seed beads from Cherokee, North Carolina. The coral Jean acquired on Lido Beach, Sarasota, Florida and the crystal wands are Selenite.)

So next Thursday, 6 October -- a window when the weather may be ideal -- I'm going to head up there with Mara the :dog:, fast and light, with a dawn start, just for the day.

http://projectavalon.net/weather_forecast_6_Oct_2016.gif

I'll look for a prominent place, like a large flat rock, to lay out the gifts. And I'll build another little cairn, and deposit in a little waterproof container the names and Avatars of anyone reading this who'd like to say Hi and extend their peaceful good wishes to the creature. :star:

Then... I'll return in a few weeks' time and see if the gifts are still there.

No people ever go up there... it's ridiculously remote: very high, no people, no trails, no nothing. This is an area where few people have been. And any other large animals in the habitat (llama, alpaca, deer, puma) wouldn't be interested in the offerings at all.

So, that's my intention. Who would like me to print, take, and leave their Avatars there in the Wawa Grande cairn?

[Ron Mauer Sr]

Please count me in. :Party:

[Foxie Loxie]

Me too! :happy dog:

[Ron Mauer Sr]

I think my current dogs Bruno (Rot mix) and Frodo (Yellow Lab) would enjoy an adventure with Mara after an appropriate rest.
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[42]

Bill
I'd be grateful if you could say hi to the big fella for me. BTW last week i revisited the site where I placed my avalon grid crystal - happy to report that all is well and the intention is still strong.
David

[Nasu]

This sounds like a fun adventure. Please count me in as usual. Love the mission. Hope the "big baby" likes the offerings. Sending warm healing stamina vibes to you and Mara, wishing you both the very best of luck...x... N

[avid]

Me too please Bill, good luck and an umbrella of care over youself and Mara, 'marra' is dialect in Cumbrian for friend, and is used daily, as in "is't thee awreet marra?"
The Cumbrian dialect is heavily norse, due to Vikings etc. Norwegians visiting understand us very well.
Please don't take any risks, as we need you here ❤️

[mojo]

Hi Bill & best wishes, the location you visit has a history so that is in favor plus the remoteness. Is there a spot near your home that would be conducive to return on a repeated basis? It seems like some of the researchers that are doing this have had success in going to habituation sites or creating one using food gifts. Im sure the idea of hiking up there has other reasons and also simply to hike and have fun...;)

[sheme]

I will be with you in spirit Bill and Mara enjoy.

[lightwalker]

in

error message said my reply was too short !

[sunwings]

Please include me too! Let them know we are on their side!

34293

[Debra]

Absolutely !

34294

[kiwikid]

Please include me too. I hope the pair of you have a wonderful adventure.

[kanishk]

Me too, I will be with you two :happy dog:, in spirit..

:angel::pop2:

[Ewan]

Wouldn't miss it for anything. :)

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Oh yeah, lets rock and roll. By that, I mean, I am in :)

Billy.

[Sierra]

Yes, please, include me too! Tell them I say hi from the North!

[markenty13]

Im in, Thanks Bill :)

[animovado]

Please count me in.
"Berg heil!"

[Alberto e Daniela]

Count us in, Bill, how could we miss such a rare chance? Enjoy this trip! Thank you!

[Tyy1907]

Count me in also Bill. Much respect to the people of the mountains.

[ghostrider]

So very cool ... count me in always sir ...

[Gracy]

Please count me in Bill!

[Anchor]

I'm up for this one. I don't expect you to find chewy up there because they are good at hiding, but you might see signs of his presence.

[Bill Ryan]

.
Thanks, Folks :thumbsup:

Thursday (3 days from now) is still the target day. Weather holding and looking good. The list so far (let me know if I've missed anyone!) is


Ron Mauer Sr (+ Bruno and Frodo :dog::dog:)
Foxie Loxie
42
Nasu
avid
mojo
sheme
lightwalker
sunwings
Debra
kiwikid
kanishk
Ewan
Vasili
Sierra
markenty13
animovado
Alberto e Daniela
Tyy1907
ghostrider
Gracy May
Anchor
Jean-Marie

[Stephanie]

However, Jean left with me the gifts she had brought for the Wawa Grande, Joan Ocean (http://www.joanocean.com/sasquatch.html) style... here:

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_gifts.JPG

* The two necklaces are Eastern Band, American Cherokee Indian. One of necklaces is the Indian corn, trail of tears. The other necklace is American Indian seed beads from Cherokee, North Carolina. The coral Jean acquired on Lido Beach, Sarasota, Florida and the crystal wands are Selenite.)

So next Thursday, 6 October -- a window when the weather may be ideal -- I'm going to head up there with Mara the :dog:, fast and light, with a dawn start, just for the day.


Jean-Marie's gifts are beautiful, like her,
and along with a little chocolate.....who could resist!
I hope it's not too late to add my name to the list.

May you and Mara have a wonderful journey,
returning safe and well. Travelers blessings.

[DNA]

In Val Valarian's Matrix II, Sasquatch is often associated with known UFO underground bases.
There is often a correlation between these alien bases that supposedly provide sanctuary for Sasquatch and the David Pualides Missing 411 clusters.
Val Valarian's work preceded the Missing 411 books, so the Matrix II book could not have been influenced by Paulides.


Here is a small snippet I found quite eye brow raising from Matrix II.


This is a typed excerpt from Val Valerian's Matrix II Book.




Inner Earth Species

called Sasquatch

IN April of 1974, psychic Joyce Partise of southern California held a sealed envelope in her hands. Unknown to her, that envelope held a photograph of a Sasquatch footprint taken in a heavily wooded area in the northern part of the state.
Her initial remarks:
"This envelope is like a death certificate! I foresee an impending disaster, yes, now I see what it is. These things are coming from outer space - it's an outer space war! The first area will be Portland, Oregon. There's a mountain with a hole in it. Somebody should investigate this mountain because they're down there already. You know hairy things that run around, the ape man? He's not an ape. they're underground, in contact with outer space and their intentions toward mankind is total destruction".

Excerpts from the rest of the reading

"This gorilla man - there's a civilization of thousands of them - he looks creepy but he's intelligent. Their eyes are extremely sensitive from being underground. It's though they're from another civilization long ago and have mutated because of radiation. This has altered their brains and now they're able to communicate with those in outer space. The sad thing is that these aliens are using them for their work, for laborers, but I can't tell what they're building. These aliens are desperate. Something is happening to their planet and they are preparing themselves for the time when they must leave. They must have a place to go, and right now they are analyzing our planet with the help of those hairy creatures and want to take it over.

[Billy]

Add me please :happy dog:

[sheme]

Bill can you take a little honey for the Wawa Grande- the Universal gift. Thank you -

[Omi]

Count me in too, Bill. My thoughts are with you, Mara and everyone on board. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable journey!

[nomadguy]

I'll throw my hat in the ring, please add mine as well. :yo:

[Bluegreen]

Me three
Be safe - We want to see you again
:nod:

[Shannon]

Me too, me too!

Have fun on the hike with mara! Safety first! :)

[ceetee9]

Please count me in Bill.

[Joe Sustaire]

Glad I checked in today. I would love to go along in spirit with you!
Thanks!

[Bill Ryan]

.
Okay, the list is


42
Alberto e Daniela
Anchor
Angel of the Mists

animovado
avid
Billy
Bluegreen
ceetee9
Debra
Ewan
Foxie Loxie
ghostrider
Gracy May
Jean-Marie
Joe Sustaire
kanishk
kiwikid
lightwalker
markenty13
mojo
Mysteria
Nasu
nomadguy
Ron Mauer Sr (+ Bruno and Frodo :dog::dog:)

Shannon
sheme
Sierra
Sstarss
sunwings
Tyy1907
Vasili

It's raining today, and tomorrow's forecast has changed to look rather more cloudy -- but it still might be do-able. My plan is still to go as scheduled.

[fourty-two]

Oh yes, yes, yes! Me too!

[TEOTWAIKI]

Bill,

This sounds like an epic adventure!
Wishing you safe travels and good luck with the weather.
Oh, how I wish that I could accompany you...
Please take me along in spirit.

[Charles Harris]

I would also like to go, if it's not to late.

[Bill Ryan]

It's raining today, and tomorrow's forecast has changed to look rather more cloudy

In fact, the rain turned into an unforecasted deluge... if I'd been at 14,000 ft, I'd have been trapped in a h*** of a storm up there. (And it might not be the best idea to seek shelter in the nearest cave. :bigsmile: )

My instincts are telling me to hold off until the next window -- Saturday/Sunday, quite possibly, but it's all really changeable. In the meantime, please keep adding your names to the list: everyone is more than welcome.)


http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_expedition.jpg

[seko]

I'm In!!:waving:

[daddy fishwick]

Love the idea! Yes please Bill and I hope you thoroughly enjoy the hike mate!

[Neal]

Hey Bill, sign me up for another trip - I'll join you in spirit! Good luck and Godspeed.

[Bill Ryan]

.
Off now. :thumbsup:

(Mara the :dog: was surprised and delighted to be given a big breakfast at 3 am :bigsmile: )

The list of 38 names, with printed, laminated Avatars, that I'll deposit in a sealed container under a cairn at 14,000 ft:


42
Alberto e Daniela
Anchor
Angel of the Mists

animovado
avid
Billy
Bluegreen
ceetee9
daddy fishwick
Debra
Ewan
fourty-two
Foxie Loxie
ghostrider
Gracy May
Jean-Marie
Joe Sustaire
kanishk
kiwikid
lightwalker
markenty13
mojo
Mysteria
Nasu
Neal

nomadguy
Ron Mauer Sr (+ Bruno and Frodo :dog::dog:)
seko

Shannon
sheme
Sierra
Sstarss
sunwings
TEOTWAIKI
Tyy1907
Vasili
watermunky

[avid]

Take care, look forward to your news on return ❤️

[Bill Ryan]

It's raining today, and tomorrow's forecast has changed to look rather more cloudy

In fact, the rain turned into an unforecasted deluge... if I'd been at 14,000 ft, I'd have been trapped in a h*** of a storm up there. (And it might not be the best idea to seek shelter in the nearest cave. :bigsmile: )

My instincts are telling me to hold off until the next window -- Saturday/Sunday, quite possibly, but it's all really changeable. In the meantime, please keep adding your names to the list: everyone is more than welcome.)

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_expedition.jpg

Hello, Everyone – had a very wonderful day yesterday, with 38 of you all riding in my pocket. :)

*note: high resolution image links are given below each reduced-size photo below. If you have good bandwidth, and are interested, I do recommend you click and take a good look at everything in the fine detail that’s in all the large photos.
It was one of the most stunningly gorgeous places I've ever been. Either that, or I was so awash with endorphins my judgment was impaired. :)

Or, maybe it was the perfect morning… or simply because (as you reading this may know) I’ve been planning to do this for quite some time. So it was all rather like Christmas coming for anyone who loves wilderness like this.

It was quite easy to follow the stream up gradually to where the map said there was an unnamed large lake. It was as beautiful as it all looks here. Twisty quinoa trees and giant house-sized boulders everywhere, where whole families of Wawa Grandes could be living, and you’d never know.

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_the_river_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_the_river.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/On_the_way_up_to_the_lakes_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/On_the_way_up_to_the_lakes.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Heart_Lake_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Heart_Lake.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_the_lake_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_the_lake.jpg

[Bill Ryan]

.
I reached the big lake in 3 hours, and named it Lago Wawa Grande. (Nothing here is named on any maps.)

http://projectavalon.net/Lago_Wawa_Grande_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Lago_Wawa_Grande_2.jpg

Looking around for my target, some prominent place to leave the gifts and to build a cairn (a pile of rocks) with all the Avalon Avatars, my attention was drawn to a prominent rock outcrop overlooking the lake, with a 50 meter wide completely flat top to it. It was ideal, and obvious. I called it ‘The Altar’.

http://projectavalon.net/The_Altar_from_a_distance_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Altar_from_a_distance.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Altar_overlooking%20the_lake_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Altar_overlooking the_lake.jpg

The next thing that captured my attention was a very strange little cave, like a little lookout shelter, that had two anomalous rocks placed in front of it, sticking up vertically like shark’s teeth, that just looked artificial to me, very out of place. In the entire area, there was not one single other rock that stick up like that vertically: all the strata in the area are horizontal.

http://projectavalon.net/The_lookout_cave_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_lookout_cave.jpg

They were way too large and heavy for a human to have moved. A very strong creature could have put them there, though. If they were natural, I have no idea how they ended up there. That was pretty interesting.

[Bill Ryan]

.
So, Mara and I made our way up to the Altar to establish a little camp while I gathered rocks to build the cairn. I left the gifts beside it, laid out on display. A creature with good wild eyesight could see them clearly from the entire mountainside above. No human is ever likely to go up there anytime soon.

http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_1_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_2.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_3_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_3.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_1_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_2.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_3_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_3.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_4_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_4.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Gifts_1_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Gifts_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/The_Gifts_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Gifts_2.jpg

[Bill Ryan]

.
Here's a telephoto shot of the Cairn from about a quarter mile away:

http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_from_a_distance_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_from_a_distance.jpg

And I took this last photo just as we were heading down again.

http://projectavalon.net/Lago_Wawa_Grande_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Lago_Wawa_Grande.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Location_of_The_Altar_sm.gif
http://projectavalon.net/Location_of_The_Altar.gif

The entire area is like a little Shangri-La. The location of the Altar is shown by a little arrow on the map, a few miles south of the red circle. (Barely visible... you'd need to enlarge it.)

As you can also see from the map, there’s much more up there, too. One really needs to set up a camp for a couple of nights, and then one can wander around all over the place, fast and light. My next goal is to go up there again in a few weeks’ time, to see if the gifts are still there.

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/images/smilies/0908%20Star.gif

[Shannon]

Beautiful. Thank you, for all of it. :)

[Foxie Loxie]

Totally amazing!! :happy dog: I have been breathlessly awaiting the photos!! Will be looking at them many, many times! Thank you, Bill, for including all of us along on your adventure! So grateful!! :bearhug:

[Stephanie]

Muchas, muchas gracias!
Thank you, thank you to you both for sharing.


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[TEOTWAIKI]

Thanks for taking us along to such an awesome place; it was the best vicarious hike I've ever been in on :)

Great photos and a very cool altar with gifts; Job Well Done!

Being a topo map-freak, I really got a WaWa feeling when I zoomed in on the high-rez version.

I've never seen so many "Sin Nombres" on any kind of map; it does the soul good to know that such a place still exists.

In my mind's eye, I see all the little WaWa's youngins wrestling over who gets to wear the beaded star necklace.

[Bill Ryan]

Thanks for taking us along to such an awesome place; it was the best vicarious hike I've ever been in on :)



Made me laugh! :)




Being a topo map-freak, I really got a WaWa feeling when I zoomed in on the high-rez version.

I've never seen so many "Sin Nombres" on any kind of map; it does the soul good to know that such a place still exists.



Yes, for sure. (For others reading this, 'Sin Nombre' means the lake or river has never been given a name.)




In my mind's eye, I see all the little WaWa's youngins wrestling over who gets to wear the beaded star necklace.

Like the empty coke bottle in The Gods Must Be Crazy (http://imdb.com/title/tt0080801). :) Not just a joke!

I thought seriously about what to leave again in the off-chance (has to be a non-zero possibility) that the gifts have been taken. I'm clean out of necklaces, so I thought of maybe something practical.

A knife is dangerous, and not a good idea. A solar flashlight would be really useful to them, but there's only one of it, and it'd be rather like the ETs leaving advanced technology to early humans -- maybe not a good idea either.

So I'm settling on a length of thin but strong nylon cord. That can be cut (by them) and shared, it's very cheap, harmless, I have lots of it, it won't rot, break, or ever stop being useful, and would also be really valuable to them in a ton of ways.

The idea would be to keep going up and leaving useful things (assuming they're taken!) ... and then, at some point, set up a trail cam. It's all above the treeline, but I could secure it to a large boulder, or a small stake in the ground.

All wishful thinking, but a lot of harmless fun, and it's a spectacularly beautiful area. I'm intending to go back up there again in the next few days to see if anything's been disturbed or removed. I'd be very confident no humans would possibly have been anywhere near the place in the last week.

[mojo]

That was really nice to see the photos and it was a wonderful thought to be a part. Did you have a feeling this would make good Squatch country, or see any sign on the way? Can you make it a double-header hunting Bigfoot & ufos?...;)

[Nasu]

Thank you Bill, great pics. Fingers crossed that those big babies take the well meaning offering. It looks like amazing terrain to explore, especially with Mara. It was wonderful of you to include us....x.... N

[Anchor]

Thanks - I enjoyed the photos.


... and then, at some point, set up a trail cam. It's all above the treeline

Sounds do-able but there is another angle to that - if you succeed - go and "prove" this way, you might start a chain of events that brings a whole lot more people with whole lot less respect than you have, which could end up ruining the harmony they enjoy and damage to the area.

[Bill Ryan]

All wishful thinking, but a lot of harmless fun, and it's a spectacularly beautiful area. I'm intending to go back up there again in the next few days to see if anything's been disturbed or removed. I'd be very confident no humans would possibly have been anywhere near the place in the last week.
Thanks for taking us along to such an awesome place; it was the best vicarious hike I've ever been in on.

Well, I went back up there again. Lots of photos below. (@TEOTWAIKI: this hike, an extension of the first one to explore more of the area, was even more spectacular.)

First, the important thing: the cairn was completely undisturbed, and the gifts were all untouched. That's the key update. The rest of this account is a photomontage of the hike, which was actually quite something.

I climbed a prominent mountain in the heart of the entire region, and went down the other side into an even more remote valley. In the first valley (where the Heart-shaped lake and the Altar were), I could see a few signs that people had visited there sometime before. In the second valley, to the east, there was nothing. It was like being on another planet, where there had never been any humans at all.

As with the first report (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1104724&viewfull=1#post1104724), below most of the photos is a link to a high-resolution version.

Here's the map.

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_route_map_17_Oct_2016_cropped_sm.gif

I found a 4x4 dirt track (unfenced: would be unnerving for any passenger! :bigsmile: ), which gained me 1,000 vertical ft from the main road.

http://projectavalon.net/dirt_road_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/dirt_road_lg.jpg

From where I could leave the vehicle, and this time knowing exactly where to go, I was able to make it up to the big lake below the Altar in a little over an hour, and was there by 8.30 am.

The cairn hadn't been visited by man or beast in the previous 8 days. A little disappointing, but maybe not surprising -- and further confirmation of how very remote this all is.

http://projectavalon.net/the_undisturbed_cairn_1_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_undisturbed_cairn_1_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/the_undisturbed_cairn_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_undisturbed_cairn_2_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Altar_panorama_17_Oct_2016_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Altar_panorama_17_Oct_2016_lg.jpg

But I was feeling in good shape, and Mara was too :dog: -- so next, we set out to climb the steep hillside above the Altar to where the map said it went up to over 4400 meters, or 14,500 ft.

[Bill Ryan]

.
The last water source before starting the climb was a tiny tumbling creek. There I saw a hummingbird -- which was taking a bath in the stream, just above a small cascade. I watched it for about 20 mins, just a few feet away. It showed no signs of being aware of, or at all bothered by, myself or the dog.

http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_1_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_1_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_2_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_3_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_3_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_4_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_4_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_5_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/hummingbird_taking_a_bath_5_lg.jpg

The haul up to the peak was strenuous: steep, no trail of any kind, and a lot of rough scrambling. This view is from the valley to the east, which I descended to. The route I took was the left-hand skyline.

http://projectavalon.net/the_peak_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_peak_lg.jpg

The summit showed no signs of anyone ever having been there -- though it had surely been climbed before by someone. It's not the highest peak in the park (which I'd first thought it might be), but it's pretty close... it could well be the second highest. No easy way to know.

http://projectavalon.net/the_summit_17_Oct_2016_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_summit_17_Oct_2016_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/the_summit_panorama_17_Oct_2016_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_summit_panorama_17_Oct_2016_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_on_the_summit_17_Oct_2016_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Mara_on_the_summit_17_Oct_2016_lg.jpg

[Bill Ryan]

.
From the top, I could then look down to the east into the next valley. The map is very poor, and until I had a visual I had no idea if it'd be possible to get down there -- there could easily have been no way down without ropes, or maybe hidden cliffs in the way. (When going downhill, cliffs and rock steps can be hard to see from above.)

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_route_map_17_Oct_2016_detail.gif

But it seemed do-able. The route I took is behind the pyramid-shaped mountain to the left of the lake at the bottom of this post (i.e. away from the camera), and it was actually quite straightforward.

http://projectavalon.net/the_view_to_the_east_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_view_to_the_east_lg.jpg

Once I was about 500 ft below the summit I looked back up -- and spotted a herd of wild llamas in the rocks just below the peak. I couldn't see them at all until I was way below them, and could easily have missed them completely. They'd been tracking me (and Mara) all the way.

http://projectavalon.net/llamas_just_below_the_summit_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/llamas_just_below_the_summit_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/llamas_just_below_the_summit_cropped_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/llamas_just_below_the_summit_cropped_lg.jpg


http://projectavalon.net/llamas_at_14500_ft_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/llamas_at_14500_ft_lg.jpg


http://projectavalon.net/llamas_at_14500_ft_telephoto_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/llamas_at_14500_ft_telephoto_lg.jpg

I was amazed. It clearly showed


how even large animals can be almost impossible to see,
how totally impossible it would be to see a large animal that was trying to hide, and
just how much food is up there for a large, clever animal that was hungry!)

From then on, the way down the valley was easy and pristine. Not the tiniest sign on the ground that humans had ever been there. Mara and I both drank a lot of the very beautiful water there. (It was hot!)

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_one_of_the_lakes_to_the_east_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_one_of_the_lakes_to_the_east_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_in_one_of_the_lakes_to_the_east_detail.jpg

We were back at the vehicle by 1.30 pm. Although I left all the 38 printed Avatars untouched under the cairn, you all came with me on this trip, too -- and I do hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

The Wawa Grande? Well, it’d be a piece of cake for a large, intelligent animal to stay concealed, anywhere it wanted to. There could have been a whole bunch of them watching me and Mara, every minute of the way: we’d never have known. Food? Well, maybe that's why the llamas were way up at 14,500 ft, and not down in the valley where you’d think they’d be. And will we return? Most certainly.

http://projectavalon.net/selfie_sm_17_Oct_2016.jpg

[Foxie Loxie]

Thanks, Bill! These pictures are like Food for the Soul!! :happy dog: It is most kind of you to share these trips with us. :bearhug: I've been wondering how old Mara is? Again...MuCHIsimas Gracias!! :highfive:

[Iristar]

Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. It is beautiful there! I love the hummingbird :highfive:

[Jean-Luc]

Wonderful report, thanks a lot for these great pictures and this breath a fresh air in the middle of so many crazy international tensions :thumbsup:

[mojo]

intelligent animal to stay concealed

Hi Bill, some of the photos show small woody shrubs for concealment but most show a treeless landscape. Does the change in vegetation type happen shortly below this elevation?The reason being if you are or going to explore by traveling along the edge of vegetation types for instance grasses to woody shrubs & trees is usually a good spot check for sign. Imagine if you spot one, what would Mara do?...

[Shannon]

Muchas, muchas gracias!
Thank you, thank you to you both for sharing.


34372

One of my favs
:)

[Bill Ryan]

I've been wondering how old Mara is?

She’s about three and a half, I think. :cake: :cake: :cake:


Wonderful report, thanks a lot for these great pictures and this breath a fresh air in the middle of so many crazy international tensions :thumbsup:

Yes, and this is a serious point. I spent hours every day tracking international news (and other stuff) like a laser beam. So every now and then it’s really healthy to get out, connect with nature, re-balance, and get grounded.



intelligent animal to stay concealedHi Bill, some of the photos show small woody shrubs for concealment but most show a treeless landscape. Does the change in vegetation type happen shortly below this elevation? The reason being if you are or going to explore by traveling along the edge of vegetation types for instance grasses to woody shrubs & trees is usually a good spot check for sign. Imagine if you spot one, what would Mara do?...

There are thick patches of Quinoa Forest (interestingly, this is officially the highest forest in the world (http://gadling.com/2012/05/27/legends-and-myths-in-the-worlds-highest-forest/)) spread over the entire park, in a band at pretty much exactly the same altitude in each valley, 13,000—13,750 ft. That's really pretty high.

Here’s some forest I passed by on Monday’s hike, but didn’t venture into. You can see how dense it is.

http://projectavalon.net/lake_at_13,600_ft_with_trees_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/lake_at_13,600_ft_with_trees_lg.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/lake_at_13,600_ft_with_trees_detail_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/lake_at_13,600_ft_with_trees_detail_lg.jpg

And the trees are really quite large… here’s another photo of myself in a different tract of the same forest (i.e. in a different area, taken last year). This is exactly where I’d seek refuge if I were caught in a storm up there. It'd be very sheltered, and quite warm… there’s a LOT of moss and soft vegetation all around.

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_Ryan_in_the_Quinoa_Forest_sm.jpg

One could easily improvise a kind of cozy nest even if one didn’t have a tent or sleeping bag. There are house-sized fallen boulders everywhere, with overhangs, caves, hollows, and all kinds of places a large creature could call home. Next time I'm anywhere close to that lake again, I’ll venture in and take some photos.

[Bill Ryan]

.
Here’s my plan for the next trip (maybe at the end of next week)… heading up on to a long, high north-south ridge to the east of where I was last. It looks quite do-able.

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_route_map_2_detail.gif

The views might be spectacular if the weather is good, and from there I could see where else I might go rather than just retrace my steps.

I think — consulting my memory, and trying to analyze this photo! — that the ridgeline is the one which I've marked. (It’s possible, though, that that’s the one on the map further east. I’ll know when I'm there.)

http://projectavalon.net/the_view_to_the_east_far_ridge.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/the_view_to_the_east_far_ridge_detail_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/the_view_to_the_east_far_ridge_detail_lg.jpg

Not much chance of seeing a Wawa Grande up there (llamas way up in the rocks are more likely, it seems), but it’d be fun to do, and I’m learning a great deal more about the area each trip.

:star:

[mojo]

Pardon all the questions Bill...

Never heard of this kind of forest type, a Quinoa forest? Is Quinoa a grain, does it grow there?

Could not tell if conifers?? or deciduous?? but definitely they have the cover you mention. The advantageous root growth up the tree speaks of a changing environment like along beaches in sand where you see the same pattern of roots up the tree, perhaps wind blown silt up this altitude.

Do you happen to have a game cam for placing there near the gift site? ...glad we can join you vicariously...;)

[Bill Ryan]

Pardon all the questions Bill...

Never heard of this kind of forest type, a Quinoa forest? Is Quinoa a grain, does it grow there?

Could not tell if conifers?? or deciduous?? but definitely they have the cover you mention. The advantageous root growth up the tree speaks of a changing environment like along beaches in sand where you see the same pattern of roots up the tree, perhaps wind blown silt up this altitude.

No worries! I love the questions. :thumbsup:

I think that 'Quinoa Tree' is a colloquial name. (There appears to be no relation to the grain... but anyone with botanical knowledge is welcome to clarify! I'd be interested to know more.)

The scientific name is Polylepis. Here's a good page...


These Fairytale Trees Only Grow at Incredible Altitudes
http://atlasobscura.com/articles/these-fairytale-trees-only-grow-at-incredible-altitudes

This photo is from that page: not mine. But I've been in places exactly like this. You can see what I mean about shelter. (They're deciduous, not coniferous.)

http://assets.atlasobscura.com/article_images/19639/image.jpg

Here's a photo I posted earlier, of a few old trees right up at the treeline (Mara the :dog: is in the middle right): a most gorgeous place.

http://projectavalon.net/On_the_way_up_to_the_lakes_sm.jpg


Do you happen to have a game cam for placing there near the gift site? ...glad we can join you vicariously...;)

I don't! If I did, I'd certainly place it overlooking the cairn. I might be able to save up and get one... they're weatherproof, use almost no power, and are only triggered by local movement. It'd sure be a fun thing to do.

[mojo]

Beautiful...The tree you posted reminds me of a tree here called the Pacific Madrone...a most amazing tree...no pitch and the burls that grow on it are highly sought after...

[nomadguy]

What a wonderful world this is. This series displays a character of the place we live quite nicely I find.

[Ewan]

What interesting trees amidst an interesting region.

Now, re the trail cam, my opinion, which could be entirely worthless and completely erroneous, is that it would be a waste of money and time. (Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained). I believe you could camoflauge that thing to be be invisible to a human but it would still stick out as a discordant note to a being such as we hypothesise the 'bigfoot' family to be. Further, if as some suspect, they can see, even partly, in infra-red or other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that we are blind too then it would literally stick out. Zoom lenses, high magnification from distance, may be the best approach but that is hardly practical.

I'm sure we are all familiar with the sense of being stared at, when you turn and look at someone that is studying you. I imagine they are way more sensitive than us in that particular area too.

All that said, I really hope you catch a glimpse of one Bill.

[Ron Mauer Sr]

What interesting trees amidst an interesting region.

Now, re the trail cam, my opinion, which could be entirely worthless and completely erroneous, is that it would be a waste of money and time. (Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained). I believe you could camoflauge that thing to be be invisible to a human but it would still stick out as a discordant note to a being such as we hypothesise the 'bigfoot' family to be. Further, if as some suspect, they can see, even partly, in infra-red or other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that we are blind too then it would literally stick out. Zoom lenses, high magnification from distance, may be the best approach but that is hardly practical.

I'm sure we are all familiar with the sense of being stared at, when you turn and look at someone that is studying you. I imagine they are way more sensitive than us in that particular area too.

All that said, I really hope you catch a glimpse of one Bill.

My experience with a trail cam is that deer sometimes sense its presence. Perhaps they notice the low intensity red light on the camera, or perhaps they notice my residual scent. The ex used to mention the scent to me but I think she left for other reasons. :bigsmile:

If the camera disappeared it would be another piece of the story but an expensive loss.

[Foxie Loxie]

Too funny, Ron....you made me laugh out loud!! :ROFL:

[mojo]

Interesting Ewan...It's good point about what Sas might be able to sense, and good synchronicity in your point as earlier PM'd Bill on just that thought and about concealment/protection for the trail cam and by the reply its sounds like there are good places. We can assume that by the other evidence out there some of SAS's modis operande such as leary of any changes and extremely aware of surroundings. Likely he will know something is there, but other trail cams have paid off and there's a lesson for us maybe about placement. If all goes well and a trail cam becomes part of Bill's toolkit we can see many rewards with him capturing other wildlife...
Looking at Tom Freeman's video and others it shows just how much Sas does wish to remain elusive. Yet he still showed a little knowing that he will be curious yet cautious and probably want to know Bills motive too , probably even will recognize Bill's smell and maybe vice versa. So placing the trail cam will be important as in what distance from gifting site also to consider safe approach for him.
Hopefully Bill can also put some open sky in the cam shot just in case... ;)

like this placement distance safe enough way and left there fore 7 days...
6EhOvHe0ypQ

[Bill Ryan]

I PM'd Bill on just that thought and about concealment/protection for the trail cam, and by the reply it sounds like there are good places.

Yes, I think there are. mojo had also asked if there'd be a wide angle view. I replied:

Yes, re a wide angle view... here's the cairn (telephoto shot from quite a distance), and you can also see the large boulders a little higher on the hillside where a camera could be concealed.

http://projectavalon.net/The_Cairn_from_a_distance_sm.jpg

This below is a different angle (90 degrees rotated), but it shows the kind of thing it'd capture, if there was any movement on the flat surface of 'The Altar'.

http://projectavalon.net/Building_the_Cairn_3_vsm.jpg

The trail cam might be something like this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EY1ISP4), which attaches with a strap...

http://projectavalon.net/trail_cam_5_sm.jpg

... either directly to the rock, if there was a suitable place, or to a stake firmly hammered into the ground.

mojo (and others!), thank you for all your help with this. http://projectavalon.net/forum4/images/smilies/0701%20Yes.gif

[mojo]

This below is a different angle (90 degrees rotated), but it shows the kind of thing it'd capture, if there was any movement on the flat surface of 'The Altar'.

That's a great angle showing side profile and more. Too bad you didnt have a small Hollywood workshop and create a small rock structure like this image...

[TEOTWAIKI]

While reading the last several posts, I had a strange shift of perspective to that of a WaWa living in that beautiful forest:

When the trail cam appeared, I felt disappointment, suspicion and anxiety. I had been curious about the lone human and the dog when they first appeared.

Humans of course must be avoided at all cost because of their violent and unpredictable nature but this one had seemed different. He had an aura of peace and gentleness and even brought gifts for us.

But we felt a sense of betrayal with the trail camera was concealed and directed at the altar. The human had manifested a spiritual place from nothing more than a rock where we would sun ourselves. The imprint of his aura had created a feeling of sacredness that we had felt when we visited.

Now with the camera in place we had to avoid the rock at all costs. It was disruptive to our daily routine as we had to ensure the children never wandered near the camera when out playing. They had enjoyed the gifts and the altar had become one of their favorite places to frolic with their friends; now they were very disappointed that it became a forbidden place to visit.

[mojo]

Certainly can appreciate having a sacred place and there is wisdom in your counsel. From a personal experience of another kind of contact had often thought about the intrusion of the camera in what was felt a very spiritual moment at the time. Perhaps there's a place that can be created nearby that does not intrude on the alter ie a public place for the WaWA where he decides to enter the frame....

[Bill Ryan]

While reading the last several posts, I had a strange shift of perspective to that of a WaWa living in that beautiful forest:

When the trail cam appeared, I felt disappointment, suspicion and anxiety. I had been curious about the lone human and the dog when they first appeared.

Humans of course must be avoided at all cost because of their violent and unpredictable nature but this one had seemed different. He had an aura of peace and gentleness and even brought gifts for us.

But we felt a sense of betrayal with the trail camera was concealed and directed at the altar. The human had manifested a spiritual place from nothing more than a rock where we would sun ourselves. The imprint of his aura had created a feeling of sacredness that we had felt when we visited.

Now with the camera in place we had to avoid the rock at all costs. It was disruptive to our daily routine as we had to ensure the children never wandered near the camera when out playing. They had enjoyed the gifts and the altar had become one of their favorite places to frolic with their friends; now they were very disappointed that it became a forbidden place to visit.

I really wanted to thank you for this beautifully-written post. Not just superficially -- it grabbed me, stopped me in my tracks, and made me think.

The last reported encounter, in 2013, was written up here (below). Most fascinating article, do read. The hikers who took the photos, including one who was a scientist, never did release the images.

I can genuinely imagine the dilemma. If I did get any pictures (unlikely, of course, but theoretically possible: I do believe I'm in the right area), I might find myself rethinking everything if I had them in my hand. Thinking about it is very different from crashing into the actual situation. What I do know is that I'd certainly not reveal the location.

The very sensitive issue of whether to honor the sovereignty of the creatures is quite another one. In this extraordinary account (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?38338-Face-of-Bigfoot&p=401578&viewfull=1#post401578), of the 1999 Nevada Battle Mountain forest fire, an adult Bigfoot was badly burned and emerged from the forest in front of all the firefighters. A vet and a medic were both summoned. The vet attended to it first, but withdrew, feeling the creature was human, and not an animal. It was treated by the medic. The creature was then transported to another location, and everyone involved was sworn to secrecy.

I'm convinced this story is fully accurate. The significance there (apart from the cover-up by the Bureau of Land Management) is that it's a human, not an animal. That of course exactly corresponds with the recent DNA analysis by Dr Melba Ketchum (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?89321-The-story-of-Zana-Zanya-Zena-a-female-Alma--wild-man--captured-in-1850-in-Georgia&p=1052282&viewfull=1#post1052282).

Okay, back to topic here: :) Here's the article, for those who have not seen this:

http://cuencahighlife.com/another-monster-sighting-in-the-cajas-mountains-british-hikers-and-guide-debating-whether-to-release-photos




Another ‘monster’ sighting in the Cajas Mountains; British hikers and guide debating whether to release photos

(May 2013)

He is called Wawa Grande by the indigenous people living in the Cajas Mountains west of Cuenca. He was called the Monstruo de las Cajas in a 1997 German magazine article.

He can also be called the monster that won’t go away, despite the best efforts of Ecuador’s national park service and a number of scientists.

A Quito television station reported three weeks ago that two British hikers and their tour guide spotted the elusive creature in Cajas National Park during a three-day trek. The trio claimed to have observed the over-sized humanoid animal for several minutes in a remote area of the park in early April.

“I have no idea what it was other than to say it was quite large, with light colored fur and had human characteristics. It was able to stand on two legs but also came down on all fours,” said Sean Worthington, one of the hikers. He added: “I am a scientist by training and not prone to make fanciful claims, but I cannot deny seeing the thing.”

Worthington and his companion, Roger Chrisma, and the guide, reported that they watched the creature for several minutes from a distance of about 100 meters. Worthington said they took pictures but don’t know whether they will release them to the media.

It is the first publicly reported Wawa Grande sighting since 2008 and 2009, when there was a rash of them. Tour guides then said that the sightings were concentrated in a small area, in the higher elevations of the park.

Wawa Grande, which takes its name from the Quechuan word for 'baby' and the Spanish word for 'big', reportedly stands upright on two legs and has thick, light gray or reddish hair. The Wawa legend dates back at least 200 years in Ecuador’s southern Andes but several reported sightings since the 1980s sparked international interest.

Wawa made headlines in July, 1988 when a Scottish hiker claims he was attacked by a pair of the creatures. Robert Burns, who sought shelter in a cave from a late afternoon snow storm, says he was mauled by the Wawas and tossed from the cave. Burns was treated for a broken arm, deep lacerations and bite wounds at a Cuenca hospital. His story was reported on Cuenca television as well as in newspapers in Great Britain.

In 2009, two Swedish hikers say they saw the creature and reported that it stood between seven and eight feet in height and weighed 300 to 400 pounds. Their story, along with a picture that they claimed to have taken, appeared in a Stockholm newspaper in July of that year.

Quito-based guide Carlos Castro, who says he took video of the creature during a 1997 hike with three German tourists, claims to have seen Wawa on two occasions.

According to Castro, many Cajas guides are aware of Wawa, either from personal contact or through reports from hikers. “Some people don’t like to talk about it because their friends will think they’re crazy,” he says. “Even if they haven’t seen Wawa, almost everyone who has spent much time in the mountains has seen the footprints and other evidence.”

Castro says he has seen plaster castings of Wawa footprints, some measuring almost two feet in length. “These are kept at the University of Cuenca, as well as pictures and other items, but it is impossible to gain access,” he adds, “In fact, it is official policy to deny that they even exist.”

A retired national park service biologist, who worked in the Cajas Park when it was established in 1996, agrees that there is an official policy of denial and that park employees are told not to talk about the alleged monster. “It does not exist. That is what we told anyone who asked about it.” He also says that the science department at the University of Cuenca has some “objects” and photos connected to Wawa, but these are off limits to the public.

While he worked at the park, the biologist, who asked not to be identified, said that the park office routinely turned down media requests for information and assistance regarding Wawa. “There was a U.S. television show called Monster Quest that kept asking for help, but we refused. We told them there was nothing up there and no reason to do a TV show.”

The biologist says he has seen the creature personally. “I am a very skeptical person but I am very sure that I saw something. It was very big, with light colored fur, but looked like a little like a human being.”

He adds: “Something that is important to say, however, is that the area where I saw this thing and where other people have too, is very high. It is above 4,200 meters and is often foggy and sometimes snowy. It could be easy to imagine something up there.” On the other hand, he says it is ideal terrain for avoiding contact with the outside world. “It is very isolated with caves and hot springs, so something could survive there without being seen.”

Worthington and Chrisma, both from London, say that they are not sure what they will do with the pictures. “Only us, our guide, and another hiker we met in Cuenca have seen them. We may end up simply keeping them to ourselves. We’re not looking for publicity, and, in fact, would prefer to avoid it.”

[Bill Ryan]

Wonderful report, thanks a lot for these great pictures and this breath a fresh air in the middle of so many crazy international tensions :thumbsup:

Yes. (Again!) So true. I have a vast amount of everyday attention on matters of great global seriousness. So this fun adventure here (in search of the Wawa Grande) is for me most definitely a breath of fresh air -- lots of it! -- and also the chance to entertain some of the members reading this who'd love to be part of such a thing if they were here on the ground with me.

So, continuing the blog, here's another thinking-aloud update. The weather here at the moment is gorgeous (exceptionally so! :sun: :sun: :sun: ), and I'm planning the next trip. That's likely to be in the next few days.

I outlined that in my post #67 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1107325&viewfull=1#post1107325), following a long ridge line to another high peak, where there should be spectacular views. I noted that of course, the Wawa Grande wouldn't be anywhere up there... he'll surely be down among the lakes, huge boulders, and patchy but dense forest cover.

(And, separately, because he could see Mara and myself coming from miles away, the best chance of bumping into him would actually be in bad weather, when he's often been encountered before. But, that's not for just now: the weather doesn't break here till mid-January.)

So my plan now, emboldened by both feeling in quite good shape and also doing a number of short, vigorous daily hikes with a 28 lb pack (kind of like lifting weights in the gym), is to set out before dawn and do a really long counter-clockwise circuit that might look like this (the red dots to the peak, and then the yellow arrows to complete the loop):

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_route_map_3_sm.gif

This is ambitious, and it'd be a long day. Those of you familiar with topo maps can see that there's also a second climb, to cross the high ridge to get over to the valley where the cairn is. But it'd venture into new country, even more remote, and also give a chance to check out the cairn, one more time, on the return leg.

I have no idea how easy it might be, as there's no way to tell from the map if there are hidden cliffs in the way -- or hidden anything, for that matter. I considered doing an overnight trip, but then that means a full, twice-as-heavy pack including tent, sleeping bag, extra food for me (and Mara!), and so on.

Best to keep it all fast-and-light and travel quickly and easily... if possible. I've mentioned once or twice before (we do need a specialist off-topic backpacking thread, maybe) that I always prefer to travel absolutely as lightweight as I can all the time. My day pack weighs 13-14 lbs, and that's fine to carry all day.

If there's an emergency, I have a survival blanket, a super-light fleece sleeping bag liner, and a light foam mat... ...and then, I'd take my chances among the large sheltered boulders where the Wawa Grandes are probably already hanging out.

:)

[Ewan]

Saw this a few days ago and thought of you up there on your lonesome.

https://i.imgsafe.org/740b226f84.jpg

(I believe the artist is Igor Tovstogan, the image was freely viewable on Deviant Art)

[Bill Ryan]

Saw this a few days ago and thought of you up there on your lonesome.

https://i.imgsafe.org/740b226f84.jpg



Made me laugh. This does look a little like the Altar Lake. :) (The 'Altar' and the Cairn are in the distance, just a fraction left of dead center in this photo)

http://projectavalon.net/The_Altar_Lake.jpg

[mojo]

Hi Bill,
Can people camp out there? In another experiment that Sasquatch Ontario did was to be in a place and let the Sas come to him. If Mike of Sas Ontario is authentic which I think so, is it possible you might be able apply that technique somehow? A stationary spot perhaps different than the gift site but where you visit that still allows the SAS to approach behind some cover like the patchy shrubs and trees. It may sound crazy to have cover but in Mike's videos SAS seems to utilize any cover when moving near...






Quick reply from Bill: Yes, one can camp anywhere out there at all. The only hassle, of course, is carrying the extra weight. But see my update in the next post below... if Warren Light (wnlight) is correct about the accurate location, then an overnight trip would very probably be needed even to get there.

[Bill Ryan]

.
Hello, All -- quite a major update here, in several parts. I went out again last week on really quite a long hike, but all the excitement and the drama of the US election rather took my attention away from posting all this.

First, the cairn and gifts are still totally unvisited and undisturbed. The thought occurred to me to consult Avalon member wnlight (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?22770-wnlight) (Warren Light), who is a very able dowser. (Extremely able, in fact! See this thread here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?94125-And-the-winner-is---), where he announced -- to his own surprise, on 28 October-- that his dowsing had told him that Trump would win the US election.)

That quite impressed me, and so I asked Warren to dowse the map for where the Wawa Grandes really are. I was meeting him for coffee locally, and his immediate reaction was that I'd been in the wrong place.

I then sent him a map, and here are his results.

http://projectavalon.net/Cajas_Wawa_Grande_new_areas_sm.gif
http://projectavalon.net/Cajas_Wawa_Grande_new_areas.gif

The yellow square marked '1' is the area I've been exploring, all described in this thread. The yellow square marked '2' shows where I went earlier this year in my thread The Impermanence of All Things (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88989-The-Impermanence-of-All-Things).

The main area Warren said the Wawa Grandes are hanging out (about 50 of them, he dowsed), is the central red-colored square to the east of the second largest lake in the park. He also pinpointed for me the exact location of the cave where Scottish hiker Robert Burns was attacked by several Wawa Grandes (the Goldilocks factor! :) ) back in 1988, and escaped with severe injuries. That rather dramatic story is reported here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?92551-Bigfoot-in-my-back-yard-in-Ecuador--well-pretty-close-&p=1089594&viewfull=1#post1089594).
Wawa made headlines in July, 1988 when a Scottish hiker claims he was attacked by a pair of the creatures. Robert Burns, who sought shelter in a cave from a late afternoon snow storm, says he was mauled by the Wawas and tossed from the cave. Burns was treated for a broken arm, deep lacerations and bite wounds at a Cuenca hospital. His story was reported on Cuenca television as well as in newspapers in Great Britain.And there's a secondary area, he said, to the SE of the park, where he said there are also a few living there.

Now, this is pretty interesting. Notes to self:


The large lake (called Laguna Osohuayco) has several trails near it -- although they're not often used: this is not like Yellowstone or Yosemite! -- but none in the area where Warren said the Wawas were. (Warren did NOT know where the trails were when he dowsed the map.)
Laguna Osohuayco is a full 5 hour hike from the road. To visit there and return in one day would be quite an undertaking. It'd almost certainly mean an overnight trip.
I did go quite near that area in February of this year (2016) -- see this thread (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88989-The-Impermanence-of-All-Things). (That was a two-day trip, too.) But that was in a different valley, to the north-east of the lake... I never even saw it.

Here's a picture of the lake (not mine). The high viewpoint appears to be the top of the mountain I've marked on the map below, with the red arrow pointing to the lake.

http://especiales.elcomercio.com/2013/07/EcuadorTuEcuador/pictures/modal/1308062320587451375849258.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Laguna_Osohuayco_photo_viewpoint.gif

The locations of the Wawas were indicated by Warren here (not visible on the photo itself… they’re all off to the right of the viewpoint). The Inca ruins that I visited earlier this year (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88989-The-Impermanence-of-All-Things) are also marked.

http://projectavalon.net/Laguna_Osohuayco_Wawa_locations.gif

So, that's all pretty interesting. The very next thing to do, of course, is to visit that area and see if there really is a cave there. :)

[Bill Ryan]

.
In the meantime, here (in purple) is the hike I went on last week -- quite a long and exiting day. (The red route was my previous one (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1106822&viewfull=1#post1106822).)

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_route_map_4_detail_sm.gif

I have so many high quality photos, I really can't show them all. If you've been following this thread, you'll already have a good idea what this all looks like... really quite stunningly barren and beautiful.

This may be my favorite from the day:

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_lake_panorama_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Mara_lake_panorama_lg.jpg

I encountered wild llamas again, way up high...

http://projectavalon.net/more_llamas_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/more_llamas.jpg

... and so did Mara. :)

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_and_the_llamas_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Mara_and_the_llamas.jpg

And, marked by the purple-and-yellow star on the map above ^^, after a bit of careful exploration, I found a safe way up this tricky, rocky peak (larger than it looks).

http://projectavalon.net/un-named_14000_ft_mountain_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/un-named_14000_ft_mountain.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_on_un-named_14000_ft_mountain_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Bill_on_un-named_14000_ft_mountain.jpg

[avid]

Much as we are excited by your discoveries, there is great trepidation, as these 'ancient folk' have no awareness of your honest and caring observances, they are desperate for their survival, so your intrusion may cause harm to you.
Please let them live in peace, without any publicity, thanks.

[Bill Ryan]

Much as we are excited by your discoveries, there is great trepidation, as these 'ancient folk' have no awareness of your honest and caring observances, they are desperate for their survival, so your intrusion may cause harm to you.
Please let them live in peace, without any publicity, thanks.

Thank you -- I really get that! :bearhug:

Meanwhile, I'm capable of causing harm to myself, all on my own, if I'm not too careful. :)

On the return leg, at the end of the day, after I'd made the long haul over a high ridge and then down the other side to the lake where the Altar and the Cairn were, I hit a problem.

I made a bad call, because by then I was a little tired. I was picking my way round the edge of the lake, but there was no trail of any kind, and the ground all around me was steep. I could have climbed up 200 ft to avoid the steep banks, but I thought I could get away without that extra effort. My mistake.

I got myself into a tricky place where, after I was committed, I saw that I could go no further. The only way out was to climb up a very steep vegetated gully, full of loose rocks, loose plants, and insecure everything. I was facing a 150 ft fall straight into the lake (and so was Mara).

It was an exciting 20 minutes... I had to fight quite hard to get out of it, and thought a couple of times it'd have been nice if I'd had a partner there with a climbing rope. (Mara had it a little easier... she had no heavy pack on her back, and has four legs, claws, and a lower center of gravity.)

Of course, all was well (or I'd not be writing this now!) -- but it did give me pause for thought about the risks I was taking simply being out in this very remote place on my own. I didn't take any photos (sadly!)... I was rather preoccupied. :)

So, that was my day, the biggest mountain day I'd had for some 10-12 years. All good. (But next time, I think I really will take a rope with me, even though it adds weight and there's no-one else around: with even a short length of good rope, there are ways I can make things safe for myself if I get myself into a tight spot.)

***

I posted earlier on the thread (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1107462&viewfull=1#post1107462) about the Wawa Grande's possible habitat. I was describing the thick patches of forest that are sporadic everywhere, even up high -- and large, house-sized boulders, too, with plenty of sheltered room-sized hollows all around for anything large to make a comfortable home in. I took a few photos of these areas: interesting food for thought.

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_forest_1_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_forest_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_forest_2_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_forest_2.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_forest_3_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_forest_3.jpg

Finally, I've ordered the trail cam (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1108285&viewfull=1#post1108285) -- and my thanks to all of you who chipped in (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?94025-Let-s-get-Bill-a-Trail-Cam) to make this possible. :heart: I should have it at the end of the month, when a good friend comes to visit here from the US. (And we'll be heading out there to camp overnight -- for sure.)

What I think I'm going to do is to go back up to the Altar -- now a fairly quick half day in-and-out, as Mara and I know the way very well now -- to retrieve the Avatars under the cairn, and also the untouched gifts. I can then relocate it all somewhere near where Warren dowsed the cave to be. (A different area: see my post #85 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071) for all the details.) Do stay tuned for more... maybe in a few weeks' time, when my friend and I have the trail cam in hand.

:star:

[Foxie Loxie]

So glad you were able to get out & refresh your soul a bit! We all need that! :happy dog: Personally, I truly appreciate all the photos you have posted which give us a sense of the beauty; allowing us to breathe a little as well!! :bearhug: Your life's work has been truly amazing, so please don't get bogged down in the details! You have given of yourself to so many people & we DO appreciate all you have done! :flower:

[avid]

Next time, I can't stop worrying, but you are on your mission, and just hope desperately you will get back well.
OK, wawa grande is there, just please let it be, put yourself in its position, place your trail cam, but don't betray.....
Love and safety to the 'Wawa Grande'.

[mojo]

Really happy to hear the cam is on it's way. The more I see those beautiful photos the more the realization that Wawas will probably be moving in periods of darkness in areas of mostly open terrain. The trail cam will be a great asset at those times of low light conditions favorable for movement and stealth. You should be able to dial in the settings on the cam to work in darkness conditions and narrow down best methods. It's neat that your open to other ways of searching such as dowsing. Though please don't give up on your known alter site and knowledge of the terrain you have already gained by visiting. If it's closer to you than the other recommended spot it still might be worthwhile checking especially getting in and out fast. Thanks for taking us with you. I know if you got the video proof you would totally respect the wawas privacy and keep it secret from others. That was how Mike Patterson of Sasquatch Ontario kept his location safe too....

[Iristar]

Yeay! :thumbsup:

[Iristar]

Beautiful pictures!

[Iloveyou]

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_and_the_llamas_sm.jpg


Someone was watching (over!) you :)

(detail from the picture above)

[mojo]

Hi Bill,
The recent thread of the alien mummy found in South America and showing the body in xray is a huge discovery and hope the mainstream reports it. There is that rich history of ET probably where you live and made me think again to ask you something? Have you heard of anything by the locals? Anyway once you have completed your exploration of WaWa Grande location will you be able to set up the trail cam where you live? Maybe there's is a nice secluded spot by you? I think you showed us a picture of your home a while ago and it looked woodsy.

[Bill Ryan]

.
The trail cam has now arrived with me here: :thumbsup:

http://projectavalon.net/trail_cam.jpg

I went up to the area I've been exploring again a few days ago, this time with Avalon member Iristar (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?30856-Iristar), an old friend who came to visit for a week. We didn't visit the Altar and Cairn -- we went to the next valley over, camping out for two days -- but again, there was no sign of any Wawa activity. (We did see llamas again, way up high, and also some puma scat.)

When camping, Mara sensed something in the darkness, and went frantic with barking that had quite a touch of fear about it. But it could have been a puma (or a llama, or anything else!).

The next thing I'll do, maybe sometime next week, is to make a fast-and-light trip up to the Cairn to retrieve the gifts (and the Avalon Avatars) -- assuming everything's still all undisturbed. Then, on a separate trip, I'll head into the area Warren (wnlight (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?22770-wnlight)) defined through dowsing (see this interesting post (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071)) to set up a new Cairn there, complete with trail cam. That'll require an overnight trip, I think, as it's quite a way from the road.

[Bill Ryan]

The next thing I'll do, maybe sometime next week, is to make a fast-and-light trip up to the Cairn to retrieve the gifts (and the Avalon Avatars) -- assuming everything's still all undisturbed. Then, on a separate trip, I'll head into the area Warren (wnlight (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?22770-wnlight)) defined through dowsing (see this interesting post (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071)) to set up a new Cairn there, complete with trail cam. That'll require an overnight trip, I think, as it's quite a way from the road.

Well, that first part is complete. :) Mara and I went up to The Altar yesterday with new Avalon member DebJoy (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31106-DebJoy) (Deb) and her husband Michael, both recently arrived Ecuador residents, and found everything still totally untouched after nearly 11 weeks.

http://projectavalon.net/Deb_and_Michael_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Deb_and_Michael.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara.jpg

I retrieved all the gifts and avatars, and here's everything (and everyone :) ) on the coffee table back home in my old farmhouse.

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_gifts_and_avatars_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_gifts_and_avatars.jpg

As mentioned in my post #96 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1117604&viewfull=1#post1117604), the next step in the project is to embark on the long (overnight) hike into the center of the park, to the area that wnlight (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?22770-wnlight) (Warren Light) identified (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071), and also set up the trail cam there. :thumbsup:

Who knows what that might capture if I left it in place a couple months. Yesterday, I found this: pretty sure it's a puma print. It wasn't Mara, who was exploring elsewhere when I spotted it. I've seen puma scat before, but this is the first pawprint I've seen... :cat:

http://projectavalon.net/cat_track_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/cat_track.jpg

[Foxie Loxie]

Nice to see DebJoy & Michael....and a REAL puma print....awesome! :dog:

[mojo]

awesome Bill....love what your doing and sharing.

[Bill Ryan]

An update for anyone following this fascinating story, who may be wondering what progress is being made. :)

The rainy season here started last month, and clear breaks in the weather aren't that frequent. For a long trip into the Wawa Grande possible habitat (see my post #85 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071)), two good back-to-back days are needed.

Michael (see post #97 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1122219&viewfull=1#post1122219): he's now joined the forum, with username boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)) and I are planning to head out there to set up the trail cam maybe in mid-March — weather always permitting. We went on quite a strenuous one-day training hike a few days ago... here he is at 13,500 ft, the highest he's yet been, and close to as high as it gets in these mountains. Our trip into the very heart of the area will be quite demanding, carrying overnight packs into quite rough terrain.

http://projectavalon.net/Michael_in_the_Cajas_19_Feb_2017_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Michael_in_the_Cajas_19_Feb_2017.jpg

[boolacalaca]

An update for anyone following this fascinating story, who may be wondering what progress is being made. :)

The rainy season here started last month, and clear breaks in the weather aren't that frequent. For a long trip into the Wawa Grande possible habitat (see my post #85 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071)), two good back-to-back days are needed.

Michael (see post #97 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1122219&viewfull=1#post1122219): he's now joined the forum, with username boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)) and I are planning to head out there to set up the trail cam maybe in mid-March — weather always permitting. We went on quite a strenuous one-day training hike a few days ago... here he is at 13,500 ft, the highest he's yet been, and close to as high as it gets in these mountains. Our trip into the very heart of the area will be quite demanding, carrying overnight packs into quite rough terrain.



Thanks to Bill, I pushed my limits on our day-hike, following his guidance to the Avilahuayco ridgeline, no doubt a place I would not have ventured on my own. :no:

Our upcoming trek to the Wawa Grande spot central to the Cajas Park will be another unique experience and expanding adventure for me. I'm very much looking forward to it and seeing what Bill's trail cam will capture (and yes, I expect this means we will need to go all the way back to the same spot to retrieve the camera some weeks later - doubly fun).

Here are some shots of Bill at the ridgeline along with one pic I managed to capture of Mara chasing a Gavilán (Hawk) at 13,500 ft.

35013

35014

35012

35011

[Foxie Loxie]

What gorgeous pictures!! It does the soul good to gaze upon such beauty & seems to refresh one's soul! :sun:

[boolacalaca]

The next thing I'll do, maybe sometime next week, is to make a fast-and-light trip up to the Cairn to retrieve the gifts (and the Avalon Avatars) -- assuming everything's still all undisturbed. Then, on a separate trip, I'll head into the area Warren (wnlight (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?22770-wnlight)) defined through dowsing (see this interesting post (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071)) to set up a new Cairn there, complete with trail cam. That'll require an overnight trip, I think, as it's quite a way from the road.

Well, that first part is complete. :) Mara and I went up to The Altar yesterday with new Avalon member DebJoy (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31106-DebJoy) (Deb) and her husband Michael, both recently arrived Ecuador residents, and found everything still totally untouched after nearly 11 weeks.



While posting pictures I thought it might be fun to add a couple more shots from our visit to The Altar to retrieve the gifts:

Arriving at Altar Lake (the Altar is on the right side of the lake in this photo):
35016

On The Altar examining the Cairn:
35017

Surveying future climbs?
35018

[Bill Ryan]

An update for anyone following this fascinating story, who may be wondering what progress is being made. :)

The rainy season here started last month, and clear breaks in the weather aren't that frequent. For a long trip into the Wawa Grande possible habitat (see my post #85 above (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1113071&viewfull=1#post1113071)), two good back-to-back days are needed.

A further update: heavy and persistent rain has continued. It's been the wettest rainy season on record, both in Ecuador and in Peru. Not a show-stopper for a mountain expedition, but certainly not very pleasant. And way up high, in clouds and rain, we might not get to see a thing except our hands in front of our faces. :)

This might not abate for several weeks yet. Michael (boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)) and I are planning to do the trip in mid-April (2-3 weeks' time), if a 2-day weather window happens to open — which it might.

Of some mild interest might be a strong (but trivial!) 'vision' I saw, crystal clearly, when using the Vielight intranasal laser, which appears to activate and/or stimulate the pineal gland. For anyone who doesn't know what I'm referring to here, please see this interesting thread:


The Vielight intranasal laser: kickstarting the pineal gland? (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?96544-The-Vielight-intranasal-laser-kickstarting-the-pineal-gland)

I didn't even report this on that thread, but one 'future memory' I saw very clearly was Michael and I on this hike (I believe on the first day, going in, and certainly in the fairly near future), caught in an utterly torrential sudden cloudburst that lasted for about 20 mins.

We were able to shelter just a little (but not very effectively!) against/by a large, sloping rock, but still got pretty wet. Mara, meanwhile, was running around, and was soaked to her skin, like she'd just been swimming. All was fine, and we were both laughing.

It had the very clear quality of a memory, except that it's not happened yet. Most interesting. If this event actually occurs, it'll be a pretty neat test of what felt like a vivid precognition.

[Bill Ryan]

Folks: Michael (boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)) and I are finally planning to head off early tomorrow morning for our two day trip into the heart of the area. The trail cam is safely packed, with batteries to last for two months or more.

http://projectavalon.net/trail_cam.jpg

We do seem to have a weather window where at least we won't get drowned in the rain — or, at least, may be a little less likely to. :)

This has been the wettest rainy season on record here, so the entire area will be sponge-saturated, with deep mud in places, and all the lakes and creeks very full.

But Mara the :dog: doesn't care, and in fact, neither do I. It'll be great to get out there again. It's been a while.

I'll take the Avatars, and gifts, once again, and will lay them all out on a prominent flat rock.

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_gifts.JPG

http://projectavalon.net/Wawa_Grande_expedition.jpg

Having Michael there as well will make it all rather easier to document, to share in full when I return. I'll likely be able to write it all up on Thursday or Friday... the weekend at the latest. :thumbsup:

:waving:

[Bill Ryan]

Well, we're back. The trip took an unexpected turn, because just as were setting off early Tuesday morning, Mara (who, like all other dogs, is officially verboten there), was spotted by a ranger, and we were ordered to leave the park. The guy was really quite upset. OMG.

So, we were stymied and prevented from going to the Wawa Grande lake. The challenge now will be how to get to that area from another more isolated direction. It'll be possible, but certainly even longer and more arduous. It was going to be a long hike as it was.

We regrouped, and as we were all packed and set up and ready to camp (and so was Mara), we headed west out of the park and went again to the Altar area (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1104729&viewfull=1#post1104729), which is all super-beautiful and a real delight to be in. Michael (boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)) had never camped before (never slept in a tent, never lit a campfire), so it was all quite a memorable experience for him. And this is real wilderness camping: no Yosemite drive-in campground here.

It was cold, but dry, and in the evening over the campfire the clouds dissipated and we were greeted by a zillion stars. Mara and I went off for an hour on our own to visit a high valley which we'd not been to, or seen into, before: all pristine and beautiful, but not a sign of any Wawas. A great trip, but (again!) back to the drawing board.

And, I still have the trail cam.

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_Mara_and_the_campfire_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Bill_Mara_and_the_campfire.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Michael_Mara_and_the_campfire_sm.jpg
http://projectavalon.net/Michael_Mara_and_the_campfire.jpg

[norman]

That's best photo of you Bill I've seen for years.

[7alon]

Was there any rain? I see a little grey in the clouds behind you :)




From Bill: none at all.

[boolacalaca]

Thanks, Bill, for the adventure, the trail guidance, and your ongoing companionship. :thumb:

35311

35312

35313

[Debra]

Marvellous photos! What a treat. That is a great fire too, a great one to talk around. Love how Mara is taking time out fireside as well to ruminate the day's adventures - and maybe some big life questions too. She looks very thoughtful :)

[Omi]

Thanks Bill for sharing your adventures with Mara the :dog: and Michael the boolacalaca, with some photos, you look great with Mara by the campfire!

Your cowboy hat looks to me like it's got a face on it, a very serious look..! I actually had a funny dream last night that your hat was talking to me about something with the weather :sun::star:

Pity the ranger caught you with Mara and was upset about it, I'm sure you'll manage to find your way through to the Wawa Grande lake the next time :)

Pardon me for the lack of knowledge, but can you describe what a 'boolacalaca' is? I tried searching on the web but couldn't find much info on it.. I'd be interested to know about it.





From Bill: Michael explained his interesting username here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?59685-What-does-your-Avalon-Username-mean&p=1142381&viewfull=1#post1142381). (I hadn't known, either. :) )


What does your Avalon Username mean? (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?59685-What-does-your-Avalon-Username-mean)

[mojo]

Great to hear the news Bill. I was thinking about your trail cam and wonder if you had a chance to test it out? Recently where I worked there was theft happening and someone set a trail cam up to protect the equipment. It was a big success and captured the person on the cam and turned out to be a co-worker. When viewing the individual frame shots you could notice the two thieves spotted the trail cam by their eye flash and where they were looking. The wavelength of the IR illuminators produce a small amount of red light and they spotted it. Fortunately they could not reach it. I found two types of diodes for the trail cams, the more more powerful diode covers a larger area but produces the redness. I'm not sure if this would bother a bigfoot to know there's something like a camera or even if it matters but if you you have the red one the flash will be recognized.

[Bill Ryan]

Hi, Folks:

Half a day short of three weeks after an appendix operation (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?98258-Bill-left-hospital-last-week----and-is-never-going-back--), on Saturday I celebrated what felt like a full return to active health with a kind of stress test, in my own way: a high mountain hike with local friend Michael (boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)), that turned out to be strenuous, exciting, and most successful.

We were out for 10 hours, and ended up navigating a two mile, 14,000+ ft ridgeline, with all kinds of rocky obstacles. My daypack was light (just 10 lbs), and I had no trouble.

My main problem was that in the last couple months, after I’d optimized my diet, I've lost about 10-12 lbs in weight, and was feeling the cold! (The strong wind was icy. OMG.)

Here are some photos… a route map (for those following these explorations) is below. No wild creatures sighted on this trip, though, just Mara the :dog:. (And yes, this really does look like Scotland, but I promise you it’s Ecuador. :) )

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_the_Eskimo_1_vsm.jpg
Hi-res photo: http://projectavalon.net/Bill_the_Eskimo_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_the_Eskimo_2_sm.jpg
Hi-res photo: http://projectavalon.net/Bill_the_Eskimo_2.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_the_Eskimo_3_sm.jpg
Hi-res photo: http://projectavalon.net/Bill_the_Eskimo_3.jpg

Here's Michael on the spine of the ridge... we were way up on the peaks behind photo #2 above:


http://projectavalon.net/Michael_on_the_spine_of_the_high_ridge_sm.jpg
Hi-res photo: http://projectavalon.net/Michael_on_the_spine_of_the_high_ridge.jpg

And this was the view. The long rainy season is over now, so we stayed dry all day. Magnificent country. (If I was a Wawa Grande, I’d be up here all the time. :) )


http://projectavalon.net/Michael_on_the_high_ridge_sm.jpg
Hi-res photo: http://projectavalon.net/Michael_on_the_high_ridge.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_map_high_ridge_loop.gif

[avid]

Wellies!!! Aren't they a bit slippery and -er- sweltering in that mode of use?
Denim jeans!!! Surely not warm or flexible enough unless they're the stretchy kind?
Chino's!!! Boolacalaca boolacalaca......
Almost Gig-fest attire :cool: :happy dog:

[Bill Ryan]

Wellies!!! Aren't they a bit slippery and -er- sweltering in that mode of use?
Denim jeans!!! Surely not warm or flexible enough unless they're the stretchy kind?
Chino's!!! Boolacalaca boolacalaca......
Almost Gig-fest attire :cool: :happy dog:

Wellies (British for rubber boots :) ) are de rigeur in that kind of environment... not so much up high, among the rocks, but in the valleys, which can be squelchy-wet with ground water or deep mud, and often require athletic stream crossings.

And Michael can speak for himself, but I think those were 'proper' mountain pants: light but windproof. I wear Helly-Hansen fiber pile salopettes whatever the weather (the pair I have are 25 years old and show zero signs of wear), and my core is never cold. (Nor are my legs or feet!)

Helly Hansen don't make them any more, alas... they look a little like this, but made of the same material a fiber pile jacket is made from. Totally warm and comfortable in any conditions at all. Just beautiful. :flower:

(and probably a bit like being a dog... :) )

http://images.the-house.com/oakley-rio-bzs-wmns-overall-bib-snowaboard-pants-jet-black-17-prod.jpg

[avid]

Good, suitably attired for conditions then! I used to do ads for HH late-70's, great quality.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Bill Ryan]

Michael (boolacalaca (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?31225-boolacalaca)), Mara and I went on another exploratory trip a couple of days ago: this time to a valley far to the west, which neither of us had been to, or seen, before.

We got a little lost (meaning, the map was so poor we didn't really know for sure where we were) — but eventually we arrived at three beautiful unnamed lakes, up at 13,400 ft. There, we figured out our location from their shape and orientation.

The green-area boundary is the Park boundary... and while the map makes it looks like there's a road there, on the ground that's absolutely nothing at all. :)

http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_map_western_valley_sm.gif
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/cajas_national_park_map_western_valley.gif

No Wawa Grandes here, either, though the area was really very beautiful. (If I was a Wawa, I'd really not mind living up there... though my only chance of much to eat would be to raid the little local farms outside the park to the west.)

A few photos... Enjoy. :sun:

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_among_the_quinoa_trees_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Mara_among_the_quinoa_trees.jpg

Our destination — where we admired the stunning scenery, calculated where we surely were, and turned round:

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara_by_the_final_lake_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara_by_the_final_lake.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Michael_and_Mara_by_the_final_lake_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Michael_and_Mara_by_the_final_lake.jpg

And if I were a Wawa Grande, I'd make my home among the trees right by one of these gorgeous little meadows. :)

http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_on_the_way_up_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_on_the_way_up.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Another_grassy_meadow_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Another_grassy_meadow.jpg

[Bill Ryan]

Talking about Wawa Grandes (and how hard they are to find!), this interesting news piece was published last month:


From https://cuencahighlife.com/cuenca-azogues-freeway-nears-completion-hernan-illescas-exhibit-cajas-park-cameras-capture-rare-animals





Cámaras trampa (trap cameras) – The 40 cameras that ETAPA installed in the Parque Nacional Cajas and 12 adjoining forests have captured photos of 19 types of medium and large mammals. 8 of them were unusual in that they weren’t previously known to inhabit those areas and included the spectacled bear, puma, pudo (like a deer), tigrillo, cabeza de mate (kind of a badger?), guatusa de la costa, coatí de la costa and Andean tapir which is in danger of extinction (and looks as if it couldn’t decide whether it wanted to look like an elephant or a pig).
No Wawas, though. But I have to say, I'd give a lot for a close sighting of a tapir, a tigrillo, or a spectacled bear — or even a puma, at a fairly safe distance. :)

http://projectavalon.net/Cajas_rare_animals.jpg

We've seen puma scat (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88989-The-Impermanence-of-All-Things&p=1047821&viewfull=1#post1047821), for sure, and I've met someone who's seen a tigrillo (which is like a cute, small bobcat). And Mara and I have seen (and chased :) ) wild llamas (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1106831&viewfull=1#post1106831), way up high at 14,000 ft. The tapir and spectacled bear are super-rare, though, and I was as surprised as the Park Rangers must have been to find that they've been captured by their trail cams.

But no Wawa Grandes. (Unless their cover-up is a Park conspiracy...)

[Foxie Loxie]

Such grand vistas are refreshing to the soul! Thanks! :sun:

[Bill Ryan]

This short video (5 mins) shows the central area beautifully... 1001 little lakes, truly, and quite a few big ones. The entire place is a genuinely remote wilderness. :sun:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBmmf-Zh78o

[Billy]

Wow. It looks like the mountainous wilderness in Ecuador and Scotland are twins. :bigsmile:

[Foxie Loxie]

Maybe they ARE twins!! Thanks for the video, Bill! :dog:

[Bill Ryan]

Wow. It looks like the mountainous wilderness in Ecuador and Scotland are twins. :bigsmile:

Yes, it really is astonishingly like Northern Scotland. (Maybe that's why I feel so much at home here.)

Remarkably, I also found this video: see below. This is EXACTLY where we were on our last trip a couple days ago. The largest of the lakes you can see in the YouTube thumbnail there is the same lake I posted photos of here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1172895&viewfull=1#post1172895), a few posts earlier.

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara_by_the_final_lake_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara_by_the_final_lake.jpg

It's just a few minutes, and spectacular... do watch.

(I should somehow get a drone with a camera. It might save us hours of time trying to find the best route when lower down in the valleys, lost among the quinoa trees. Might be good for spotting large animals, too. :) )


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXGuyhS1hBs

[avid]

Excellent, now we have our bearings, it feels more 'familiar'. Bill and Mara sitting exactly where drone flies over lake.
Is there going to be a 'drone' fundraiser, and if so will it not weigh a lot for long treks? However, seems a great idea..... 👍

[Bill Ryan]

Excellent, now we have our bearings, it feels more 'familiar'. Bill and Mara sitting exactly where drone flies over lake.
Is there going to be a 'drone' fundraiser, and if so will it not weigh a lot for long treks? However, seems a great idea..... 👍

Well, I guess a drone could be flown all the way, so apart from spare batteries and the controls, there'd be no weight at all. :)

The trial cam is still a definite project that I think about all the time. I was excited to read about the sightings of rare animals (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1172906&viewfull=1#post1172906) on the park's own hidden cameras. (Wow.)

But ever since Mara was busted for illegally being in the park, OMG — see here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1155246&viewfull=1#post1155246) — the problem has been how to access the central area. That's why all our recent trips have been to areas way to the west, which are remote and very beautiful, and also quite easy to get to (though 'easy' is a relative term! :) ) without being seen by the rangers, who just never ever go there. But there are many other valleys to check out.

When we find what seems like a great place for the trail cam, then I'd love to set it up. One of those little meadows I photographed on our last trip — see below again — might be a perfect spot. There's water, shelter, trees, large rocks, vegetation of all kinds, lots of small wildlife for predator food, few humans ever go there (we only found them when we were lost! :bigsmile: ), and open views for the camera. The hike up from the trailhead is maybe an hour and a half. It's really not a bad idea.

http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_on_the_way_up_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_on_the_way_up.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Another_grassy_meadow_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Another_grassy_meadow.jpg

[mojo]

Hi Bill,
I was wondering if the trail cam ever worked out with any images? Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

[Ewan]

But ever since Mara was busted for illegally being in the park, OMG —

(just as were setting off early Tuesday morning, Mara (who, like all other dogs, is officially verboten there), was spotted by a ranger, and we were ordered to leave the park. The guy was really quite upset.)



It's completely crazy isn't it, unless to do with the risk of disease spread such as rabies it really makes little sense, and even if that - not sure it makes sense anyway. Do you know the actual reasoning?

It can't be to do with chasing wild game can it? Picture the Llama..

"Psst, Leon, don't look now but there's a dog coming."
"Heh, pretend you haven't seen it Cynthia, wait till its almost on us and then scoot." (snigger)

-compared to-

"Sh*t, Puma, RUN!!"
"...Arghhhh.." (mega-stress)

---

I had the kids out for a walk just a couple of weeks back in the 'outback' of Northumberland, forestry land. On all the gates there were new signs about dogs - 'Take it home' and "Don't let your dog foul" or similar.
So the Deer, badger, fox, sheep, weasels, rabbits, pigeon and pheasant can crap where they like but god forbid a dog should need to go. Understandable on urban pavements but graded forestry roads, come on!

[Bill Ryan]

But ever since Mara was busted for illegally being in the park, OMG —

(just as were setting off early Tuesday morning, Mara (who, like all other dogs, is officially verboten there), was spotted by a ranger, and we were ordered to leave the park. The guy was really quite upset.)



It's completely crazy isn't it, unless to do with the risk of disease spread such as rabies it really makes little sense, and even if that - not sure it makes sense anyway. Do you know the actual reasoning?

It can't be to do with chasing wild game can it?

No formal statement of the reasoning. I can kind of imagine, though: not all dogs are the same (by any means!), so they have to play safe and ban them all.

It's a very delicate alpine ecosystem, and any big dog that was good at chasing or catching ducks or ducklings on the hundreds of lakes, or even finding and eating eggs (or, for that matter, digging out small rodents, etc), might create a lot of impact. The llamas can certainly take care of themselves, but smaller animals might not be so able. Meanwhile, Mara's never come close to catching a single thing, big or small, and she's also pretty well-trained. So my own conscience is clear (and hers is, too!) ... but we still have to negotiate the rules.

I've still not found a workable way into the central area, by-passing the park authorities. In theory we could hike in from the western perimeter, which is outside of the park, but it'd be a heck of an expedition, crossing several 14,000' mountain ridges. That might be a full 4 days, in and out. And the longer the trip, the heavier the pack. (I've not yet found a way for Mara to carry her own food. :) )

It's the western area which is easily accessible without any hassle ('easily' being a comparative term!), and where I've spent almost all of my time. It's profoundly beautiful and very remote, and my plan is to set up the trail cam in one of the gorgeous little meadows shown in the photos a few posts above. Wawa Grandes might be unlikely there, but it'd be fun to catch a puma, or even — just maybe — a tapir or a spectacled bear.

:sun: :flower: :dog: :flower: :sun:

[Bill Ryan]

It's the western area which is easily accessible without any hassle ('easily' being a comparative term!), and where I've spent almost all of my time. It's profoundly beautiful and very remote, and my plan is to set up the trail cam in one of the gorgeous little meadows shown in the photos a few posts above. Wawa Grandes might be unlikely there, but it'd be fun to catch a puma, or even — just maybe — a tapir or a spectacled bear.

Done. :thumbsup:

The day needed an early start, but in the end, having set my alarm for 4 am, I decided to turn it off and not use it. (Alarm clocks tend to wreak havoc with sleep metabolism.) I woke up on my own, at exactly 3.59 am. :)

It was a two and a half hour drive to get to the trailhead, half of that on a high dirt road ending at 12,000 ft. The meadow was a further thousand feet up and two miles away, and Mara and I reached it in 55 minutes without stopping. (A good workout! :muscle: ) It was extremely quiet, sunny and beautiful, and we stayed there for quite a while.

I set the cam to record HD video, for a maximum of 90 seconds per clip. The meadow is a small, flat natural clearing about 100 yds across, and should be exactly the kind of place where animals come to drink. I'm thinking I'll retrieve it in maybe 2-3 weeks or so. If it's been successful, one option is simply to exchange the memory card and leave the cam right there. We'll see. :)

http://projectavalon.net/The_trail_cam.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_on_the_way_up_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_on_the_way_up.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_at_the_high_meadow_with_the_trail_cam_sm.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/Bill_at_the_high_meadow_with_the_trail_cam.jpg

[mojo]

hi Bill,
Is the middle picture what the trail cam will be seeing? If so it looks like a great spot, water and cover and possible food sources. How exciting to find out what might visit there! If a Wawa shows up and you capture one on the camera what would you do with evidence, other people might want to know where you caught them. Would you try and habituate yourself by visiting the Wawa and bring food gifts etc back for more contact?

the shaggy bark of the tree almost hides the trail cam...

[Bill Ryan]

hi Bill,
Is the middle picture what the trail cam will be seeing? If so it looks like a great spot, water and cover and possible food sources. How exciting to find out what might visit there! If a Wawa shows up and you capture one on the camera what would you do with evidence, other people might want to know where you caught them. Would you try and habituate yourself by visiting the Wawa and bring food gifts etc back for more contact?

the shaggy bark of the tree almost hides the trail cam...

The cam's on the right, looking left, so the field of view is the direction of the arrow, 90º to the photo viewpoint.

http://projectavalon.net/Grassy_meadow_trail_cam_direction.jpg

A Wawa visit right there seems unlikely, but hey, one really never knows.

There are arguments that the Wawas would all be hiding away somewhere very distant from any local villages, but another guess is that they're not too far away, and make periodic nocturnal raids on remote homesteads for chickens, ducks, goats, and maybe even dogs or cattle. (Some cattle do graze freely on the more remote lower slopes of the national park area, where there are no rangers and no fenced boundaries. I'd be sure they occasionally go missing, and the farmers may just assume the predators are pumas.)

The big biological question is what the heck the Wawas live on. The ecosystem is pretty thin up there, but large animals like pumas and spectacled bears do survive. (Deer, lamas and alpacas graze, of course, but they have a different digestive system.)

Pure speculation! If one did turn up, I'd certainly release the video, but NOT state exactly where it was taken. (I'd reference the previous reports from the wider general area, and just corroborate them.) I'd then try to make some kind of contact, for sure. It's quite a nice thought to consider a platter of little gifts, and then a video of a Wawa taking them. :)

[mojo]

... agree on your point about the high elevation ecosystem, the Wawa might have to travel greater distances for food sources so he might travel through the valley and the camera is at a good angle to catch anything following the water source. Since this is an experiment data will indicate how active the valley is but since your also an avid hiker I bet you have already inferred things about the location by the tracks and other indicators on what fauna is there and how populated. If I may make suggestion on the next location if you continue and if this local does not pan out to find a spot just above the forest biome at the ecotone where a travel corridor and food resources are nearby. An example might be the road travelling up from the valley bottom and just as it exits the rain forest to higher elevations would be the spot where two biomes meet and usually highly productive in terms of wildlife...

[Bill Ryan]

a travel corridor

Yes, exactly. :thumbsup: The clearing where I placed the cam is on the only travel corridor for that valley... there's no other easy way to get from the expansive alpine terrain much higher, down to the lower more fertile, farmed areas, without negotiating thick vegetation, rocks, or steep ground.

It makes perfect sense to place the cam on a corridor 'bottleneck' like that, contained in area but also open enough for good views of anything that passes by.

There's another similar little meadow in the same valley, but in all the other valleys I've explored so far there really aren't that many places that seem so ideal. The combo, I think, is that it needs to be


reasonably accessible (for me!)
near water, ideally (but not critically)
on a travel corridor
focused, yet open enough for good video or photos (where animals would need to come quite close to the cam)
remote, i.e. NOT near where many humans would ever come, or else I'd just get a bunch of battery-draining false triggers.

It may take some experimentation to learn more about what works best. It's designed to operate and record unmaintained for 2-3 months or more, but I need to understand how fast the 32 Gb card fills up, and how fast the batteries would drain using HD video. I also need to know how easily it'd be triggered by (e.g.) small creatures like birds or rodents, or whether it's really only sensitive to larger animals.

The more I think about it, the more I think I'll go back up there in a couple weeks to check it out. I'm very curious already. :)

One thing I did learn immediately is that in very bright light, the little LCD menu screen is almost impossible to see. (Not a design fault! The day I set it up, the sun was extremely bright, and I had to improvise a makeshift 'darkroom' with my clothing to know exactly what I was doing.) Next time, I'll bring a large black garbage bag to make that much easier. And I'll be able to see what's been recorded right there and then by swapping the card to my regular camera, which has a large, bright screen.

:thumbsup:

[mojo]

Wish I was there exploring the possibilities but at least this way many viewers including myself can be a part of the experience through what you share along the way. The notations in the above post sound right on. Im excited that your having a fun time doing this as that is part of the journey. You might be surprised they find you first...;)

[Ron Mauer Sr]

The trail camera I have was way too sensitive, taking pictures whenever the wind moved nearby vegetation. Perhaps some trail cameras have a sensitivity adjustment. Mine did not and often filled the memory card with vegetation moving with the wind. It may help to trim vegetation closest to the camera within the field of view.

[Joe from the Carolinas]

What a beautiful area and great idea. If initial results are successful, Many trail cameras have optional accessories, such as larger external battery packs that are weatherproof and can recharge on solar, “security cages” to prevent theft, and things like this.

Some of my trail cameras that take HD videos with infrared motion detectors and have a flash will drain AA and C batteries within just a few days worth of wind blowing branches at night.

[mojo]

JoefromtheCarolinas,
Is there any advantage to pictures over video? Maybe that saves batteries and less data storage? Looking forward to the first test results but perhaps there will be necessary learning curve...

PS: Im also looking for a trail cam and here's a helpful video of newer cams and surprised what they can do...
-zAT8M3MsJg

[Joe from the Carolinas]

JoefromtheCarolinas,
Is there any advantage to pictures over video? Maybe that saves batteries and less data storage? Looking forward to the first test results but perhaps there will be necessary learning curve...

PS: Im also looking for a trail cam and here's a helpful video of newer cams and surprised what they can do...
-zAT8M3MsJg

I find that pictures never quite get the movers. The cam gets motion tripped, and the flash goes off. Maybe you get a nose or a hoof. The animal gets scared and runs, and you’re lucky if you get a blur of something running away by the time the trail cam shoots another picture and flash. Often pictures will capture decent images of birds.

When I’m trying to probe an area on the land here, I always use video- this also gives me an idea on the animals behavior in the area cuz I can see it moving. Real helpful for coyotes that are super smart and learn my movement patterns. I always carry an empty card and a full set of recharged batteries. I swap them out every time I pass by. I set the video setting to record for 10 seconds. Its long enough to save memory card space while getting what you need, and not burn an entire card with windy branches.

Thanks for the video btw.

[Bill Ryan]

I find that pictures never quite get the movers. The cam gets motion tripped, and the flash goes off. Maybe you get a nose or a hoof. The animal gets scared and runs, and you’re lucky if you get a blur of something running away by the time the trail cam shoots another picture and flash. Often pictures will capture decent images of birds.

When I’m trying to probe an area on the land here, I always use video- this also gives me an idea on the animals behavior in the area cuz I can see it moving. Real helpful for coyotes that are super smart and learn my movement patterns. I always carry an empty card and a full set of recharged batteries. I swap them out every time I pass by. I set the video setting to record for 10 seconds. Its long enough to save memory card space while getting what you need, and not burn an entire card with windy branches.



Yes. My post here may be a little premature, but it's an interesting discussion!

I set mine (ours!) to video only, for 90 second lengths — the maximum option. It has 8 new AA batteries and a 32Gb card, so I'd be confident it's still going strong, unless there was a whole family of Wawas up there all having a party. :)

I'm heading up there again on Wednesday morning to retrieve the card, and I'll swap it out for an empty one. I'll only move the cam if for some reason I've barely got anything at all.

[Joe from the Carolinas]

I find that pictures never quite get the movers. The cam gets motion tripped, and the flash goes off. Maybe you get a nose or a hoof. The animal gets scared and runs, and you’re lucky if you get a blur of something running away by the time the trail cam shoots another picture and flash. Often pictures will capture decent images of birds.

When I’m trying to probe an area on the land here, I always use video- this also gives me an idea on the animals behavior in the area cuz I can see it moving. Real helpful for coyotes that are super smart and learn my movement patterns. I always carry an empty card and a full set of recharged batteries. I swap them out every time I pass by. I set the video setting to record for 10 seconds. Its long enough to save memory card space while getting what you need, and not burn an entire card with windy branches.



Yes. My post here may be a little premature, but it's an interesting discussion!

I set mine (ours!) to video only, for 90 second lengths — the maximum option. It has 8 new AA batteries and a 32Gb card, so I'd be confident it's still going strong, unless there was a whole family of Wawas up there all having a party. :)

I'm heading up there again on Wednesday morning to retrieve the card, and I'll swap it out for an empty one. I'll only move the cam if for some reason I've barely got anything at all.

Oh yeah, 32 gb is definitely enough space for that size video. Most of my cards are old 8gb's. I always move the cam if nothing was captured, I call it "fine tuning" :)

[mojo]

Best wishes Bill, also know that you will capture other possibly interesting wild critters and maybe make a detailed enough image for a nice photo but if you end up with a Wawa well all I can say will be wow wow... ;)

[Bill Ryan]

Well, that was an anticlimax, I'm afraid. There was nothing at all.

I'd set it to video mode — see the discussion in the last few posts — and I got a whole bunch of videos over a 5 day period of blowing grass, with the camera shaking around quite vividly. Although the tree I fastened it to was totally solid, there were clearly storm winds up there that moved everything around violently and triggered the sensor each time. No animals whatsoever.

But it seems that I must have misunderstood how the camera works. The videos I got — all very clear — were only daytime movies. I was expecting night-time IR videos, too, but now I understand those are only when in photo mode. I may well have missed all the nocturnal action.

So, I brought it back down to experiment more. This afternoon I'm going to take it up the river here — where it's still pretty wild, but really not too far from the house — and set it to what's called 'hybrid' mode: that's video and photos together. That activates both the IR sensor and the motion sensor. Then I can check it out literally every other day and see how best to toggle all the different settings.

This is the tree I fastened it to. The winds must have been very high... the cam was rock solid on the tree, and all the videos were shaking around as if they were hand-held. :facepalm:

http://projectavalon.net/The_trail_cam_sm.jpg

So here's what it's like just up the river from where I am. The altitude is lower, and the ecosystem is very different, but it's still quite a jungle. All this is just about 30-45 mins away.

I've never seen any large animals apart from deer, but as most of you experienced in the wilderness will know, if you get to see just 10% of what's watching you, you're doing pretty well. :) I do know there are predators there, as I once came across a fresh deer carcass that had been mauled and eaten by something pretty big.

http://projectavalon.net/the_river_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/the_river_2.jpg

[Foxie Loxie]

Thanks for the gorgeous photos! Hope you have better luck next time! :sun:

[mojo]

... wonder how far away the camera photo will still work? If motion sensor it must be about 100 feet less? It was a great idea to move it nearby and figure out the best settings, and how crazy would it be if he was near your home? ;)

[Bill Ryan]

Hello, Everyone — a general update, with a few end-of-year thoughts.

In the last couple months (November-December) I've been on quite a few more high-altitude hikes, mostly in the western area of the park. Some of them have been long ones, venturing into some very remote places. I have a bunch more good photos... but after a while there seems no point in posting them all!

But here's what I've found myself thinking. And these really are new thoughts.

I'm sure the Wawa Grande reports are for real. One unfortunate hiker, 20 years ago, was hospitalized after a direct physical encounter with one:


http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1108906&viewfull=1#post1108906

But here's the rub. I do know these mountains really quite well now. I know the ecosystem, the weather and the environment.

There's just nothing there. Nothing for a large animal to eat, unless it's a llama (which grazes) or a puma (which eats llamas).

Wild llamas are very quick and nimble up there. My dog Mara can't catch them, and it's hard to imagine anything on two legs that could. (Pumas, though, can run very fast indeed for short periods, like lions or cheetahs.)

It's biologically almost impossible to imagine a 300-500 lb humanoid creature finding anything at all that it could live on. It'd be starving within a week. It'd have to make regular raids on farms and villages outside the park for livestock. And if that was happening, with what biologists call "a breeding herd" (i.e. a sizeable family group, allowing them to procreate and survive in small but stable numbers), one would think this would definitely be regular local news.

Some domesticated horses and cows are set loose into the edges of the park to graze freely on the lower mountain slopes. But if they were getting routinely picked off, the farmers surely just wouldn't do that.

It's a mystery. It seems impossible for them to exist. But the sighting reports seem to be real.

So — I'm just daring to start entertaining the thought, which I'd previously always dismissed out of hand, that just possibly these creatures may somehow be interdimensional. Or, something like that. Appearing, and disappearing, and re-appearing. Not based here... but visiting here, in remote places, very occasionally. So to encounter one, one would have to be very very lucky — if that's the right word!

Many of the places I've been offer wide-ranging, crystal clear views from high viewpoints. I can see llamas half a mile away (and so can Mara!). I've seen puma scat quite a number of times now. And it's often very muddy, down near the many rivers, lakes and streams... but there's not one single footprint of a large bipedal creature.

Go figure.

[Rawhide68]

Funny thing, how this relates to one of my very first paranormal experience's

i can remember was when I was about 4 or 5 years old.
Lights out and I was going to sleep, but before I went into sleep I noticed a blacked out silhouette of something just beside my bed ,It was so close so I could have reached out my arm to touch it. but I was booth paralyzed and petrified!

I asked (In my mind) who are you? and the answer was "I'm vava " or "wawa" (same word phonetically) , then I can't remember anything more of what happened.

It was such a scary incident so I had to sleep in my parents bedroom for weeks after it happened, and I had to sleep with lights on, for years after.

but that name stuck into my mind forever "I'm vava "
Maybe this is irrelavnt to the thread, but I just couldn't shut up about it.

[Foxie Loxie]

For anyone who hasn't seen the gorgeous photos on this thread.....you're missing a Real Treat!! :sun:

[Bill Ryan]

For anyone who hasn't seen the gorgeous photos on this thread.....you're missing a Real Treat!! :sun:

Well, thank you! I have to say, it really is fantastic up there. I never take any kind of vacation, but every few weeks I do head up to the mountains for a day. That really is food for the soul, and it's really all I ever need.

I've made a number of further trips since my last major post here, and I've continued to explore the very remote high wilderness. Mara (my dog) and I are getting to know it all really quite well. We can travel fast and light, and cover a lot of ground.

Here's a nice panorama from a trip we made just a couple of days ago. You can just see Mara standing like a mountain goat on the ridge to the high left. :)

http://projectavalon.net/June_2018_hike_panorama.jpg
Hi-res image: http://projectavalon.net/June_2018_hike_panorama_lg.jpg

No signs of any Wawa Grandes, of any kind. Not a single footprint in the mud (and there's often quite a lot of mud down in the valleys, especially near water), not a single broken tree branch. And almost nothing for them to eat, except deer and wild llamas.

(They'd be a great food source, of course, but you have to catch them first: no easy task for anything with only two legs. Mara chases llamas for miles, when she sees them, but they always outdistance her quickly. And she's a lot faster than Usain Bolt. :) )

Of minor interest though, we did see a rabbit, ridiculously high... at 13,850 ft (I checked it on Google Earth when I got home). Has to be a world record. I just managed to snatch this hilarious photo: :)

http://projectavalon.net/Mara_and_the_rabbit.jpg

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Only just found this thread, thank you so much Bill. I am quite envious of those stunning landscapes, the pictures are wonderful. I'd hike them with you any day.

[Foxie Loxie]

Cute rabbit & Mara picture!! :dog: What an amazing panorama picture!! :highfive:

Please DO take a day off to refresh your soul as needed! :bearhug:

[Bill Ryan]

I thought I'd mention this story here. The media in Ecuador is following an intensive local rescue effort closely every day, the biggest for many years.

A local hiker, Wilson Serrano, experienced and well-equipped, who knew the area well and has climbed all over South America, failed to return from a solo hike 10 days ago. Since then, here's been a huge co-ordinated search for him, and they can't find him anywhere. He's completely disappeared.

The most comprehensive story of the rescue effort is here: (in Spanish)


https://ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/2018/08/15/dificultades-durante-intensa-busqueda-de-persona-extraviada-en-el-cajas

... and this is a pretty good Google translation of the page.


https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/2018/08/15/dificultades-durante-intensa-busqueda-de-persona-extraviada-en-el-cajas

https://i2.wp.com/ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1-2B-4-coles-2.jpg

https://www.radioespectaculo.com/imgnoticias/147477_4-2B-3-coles.jpg

Here's Wilson Serrano, the missing hiker. He looks like he could survive well, but after 10 days of very cold nights up high he'd be in a lot of trouble now, unless he had good equipment with him or has somehow found a dry natural shelter.

https://i2.wp.com/ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/9a8c688902096b917a36391446496a33_M.jpg

This is VERY interesting for me because anyone who's been following this thread from time to time knows that I regularly go on long, high solo hikes in this area with my dog Mara, and I've got to know the mountains pretty well myself. It's wild, rugged and remote, and in all my trips I've never once seen another hiker. It's a genuine wilderness.

But I always carry emergency gear to survive a night out, and always leave a route map on the Avalon server which I don't deviate from. It's probably also a lot easier to find a hiker in trouble if they had a dog with them!

What is also interesting, and kind of grimly reassuring, is that the local authorities clearly have the means to launch a major rescue effort, though the area is too high for most helicopters. (They use small drones with cameras instead.)

When I'm up there myself, I often consider what I'd do if I found myself injured, like with a broken leg or a badly twisted ankle. There are large boulders in some places, leaning together and with person-sized spaces beneath that could offer a makeshift shelter from wind and rain. A little lower, there are patches of dense quinoa forest where one could also make a kind of shelter — maybe. The problem then is if one gets stuck there, hiding not only from the elements, but also from the rescuers.

I took a psychic 'look' at him yesterday, and felt that I could perceive him under one of these rock shelters, drifting in and out of consciousness. Still alive, but maybe only able to make it for another day or two. I did NOT know where it was, but I could 'see' him. And I still can, this morning.

24 hours ago I placed a kind of 'psychic beacon' there to draw the attention of any nearby rescuers to the spot. I 'painted' it with a lot of intention, as well. But sadly, I do think the odds of him being found alive are pretty low.

[Foxie Loxie]

Please, DO be careful, Bill when you are out alone....we would hate to lose you!! :heart:

Let us know if Wilson is found. :pray:

[wnlight]

The problem with the newspaper accounts is that there is a lot of unconfirmed 'information' about Wilson Serrano. I read that he used his cell phone to call for help. Yet I wonder if such a phone would even work up there. Yet there is no information on his state of health at the time of the calls - if it ever happened. Why did he not make some kind of visible marker and stay there? Most likely, he was wandering about for the first few days. I read that he had no compass nor map. What an expert! Why not follow water downhill to get out. He is supposed to be an expert mountaineer. Why not bring some kind of fire starter? I always carried two kinds of fire starter when in the mountains of Colorado, Utah and others. If he had fallen and broken a leg, then why did he not report this when he made those calls? Perhaps most of what has been written of this man and his situation is a combination of BS and hysterics.

I do wish Wilson the very best and hope they find him alive. According to my dowsing, he is alive right now. My dowsing just now tells me that he has been stuck in a crack for seven days. If so, then that would explain a lot.

[Bill Ryan]

The problem with the newspaper accounts is that there is a lot of unconfirmed 'information' about Wilson Serrano. I read that he used his cell phone to call for help. Yet I wonder if such a phone would even work up there. Yet there is no information on his state of health at the time of the calls - if it ever happened. Why did he not make some kind of visible marker and stay there? Most likely, he was wandering about for the first few days. I read that he had no compass nor map. What an expert! Why not follow water downhill to get out. He is supposed to be an expert mountaineer. Why not bring some kind of fire starter? I always carried two kinds of fire starter when in the mountains of Colorado, Utah and others. If he had fallen and broken a leg, then why did he not report this when he made those calls? Perhaps most of what has been written of this man and his situation is a combination of BS and hysterics.

I do wish Wilson the very best and hope they find him alive. According to my dowsing, he is alive right now. My dowsing just now tells me that he has been stuck in a crack for seven days. If so, then that would explain a lot.

Yes. I 'tuned into' Wilson as well... but I picked up that he'd injured his ankle or leg (a fracture, most likely: a sprain would be better after a few days, and the remedy for a sprain is to keep walking on it anyway, and just not stop) — and for shelter, he'd crawled into a kind of little open 'cave' between, or underneath, a couple of large boulders. (Some boulders up there are as large as small houses, and many of them are overhanging on one side by quite a long way.)

I also picked up he was still alive, but was drifting in and out of consciousness, and might not hold out for too much longer. For some reason, he's barely able to move, and his position is one that could only be seen if the rescuers were right there on top of him. Poor guy... that's a very tough position to be in.

But there'd have to be a really bad overlap of circumstances for him just not to be found. If he'd injured a leg or ankle, and couldn't walk, he could still crawl downhill to the valley bottom, where (a) there'd be water, and (b) he'd be FAR more likely to be seen and rescued. He may have tried to do that, but if he was up high in a steep rocky area, he might have hurt himself AGAIN while trying to get to the valley floor.

He'd not have gotten lost. I always carry a compass up there, but have never once used it, or needed to. And there are no maps worth the name. But if he knew the area, he knew the area. In any serious emergency at all, as long as you can move, you just follow the valley — any valley! — down and out. If you can walk, and are in reasonable shape, unless there's a bad storm or it's dark, you can get yourself to relative safety from anywhere there at all within about 6 hours, certainly 8.

But if I'm all wrong about that, he might have had a heart attack or a stroke, and that'd be very serious or probably fatal. Even if he'd tripped or slipped and hit his head on a rock, he'd have recovered enough to move again within half a day, even if he'd been concussed and knocked out cold.

And as I mentioned, with a sprained ankle (not a broken one) the thing to do is lace up your boot as tight as possible, keep walking and just not stop. If he needed a crutch or a walking stick (or even a splint!) there's usually enough wood near the valley floors below 12,500 ft for him to have been able to improvise something. So something happened that really conspired against him, assuming he was experienced (as he was reported to be) and knew what he was doing.

Re the cellphone call, he might have tried to make a call, but failed. Someone might have picked up on him, but heard nothing, or the call maybe just cut out. There are places where that might be possible, depending on where he was and how high he was. Usually, though, one can send an SMS when a voice call can't quite be made, and that didn't happen.

Rather like flight MH370, the worst thing would be if he's just NEVER found. It has to be said, that's entirely possible. If he died up there in a remote place, even after hanging in there for a couple weeks just hoping, a puma would find him long before any person might possibly stumble on his body years later.

[Bill Ryan]

An interesting, but rather grim, update. The huge search for Wilson continues, now in its 12th day. Meanwhile, wnlight (Warren) and I have been following this closely, and we're also reasonably experienced Remote Viewers... maybe not military grade, so to speak, but each definitely after a fashion and also with quite a few successes to our names.

Last night, we both agreed that he was alive, but very weak, and stuck somewhere where he was unlikely to be found easily. Warren felt he was physically stuck, while I felt he was immobilized because he'd broken something. Otherwise, we were 'seeing' exactly the same thing.

This morning, we both independently 'saw' that he'd not survived the night. He was somewhere with very little or no water, and that was the factor. If he'd been able to move, he'd definitely have made his way down to water of some kind, even if he had to crawl, where the rescue team would certainly have been focusing their efforts.

They're still looking, but I think they'll soon call off the search. They'll know that as he was evidently nowhere near water, he'd be unlikely to have survived this long.

His body may never be found. Even if his location was known to within one grid square (a square kilometer), 20 people searching every day for a week still might not find him. It's that kind of terrain. It's a reminder, if anyone needs it, that mountain environments can turn from attractive, stimulating companions to life-threatening enemies in an instant of a bad decision, or just one bad step.

:flower:

[avid]

Please dowse the vicinity, in the hopes that even the poor man can be recovered. Are there any more dowsers out there, or remote viewers who can help? Thanks so far to Bill and Warren for all your efforts. I remember that man who cut off his own arm whilst being trapped https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston
Terrible things happen to adventurers, so hopefully the missing can be found soonest.

[Bill Ryan]

Please dowse the vicinity, in the hopes that even the poor man can be recovered. Are there any more dowsers out there, or remote viewers who can help? Thanks so far to Bill and Warren for all your efforts. I remember that man who cut off his own arm whilst being trapped https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston
Terrible things happen to adventurers, so hopefully the missing can be found soonest.

It's almost hopeless.... really. Although I truly hate to say that.

There are no maps worthy of the name to dowse from. The best map of that area that I know of is this one (which is only useful because you can see the general shapes of the lakes and the directions of the rivers and streams). Heights are in meters, so it all goes up to about 14,500 ft. The lakes themselves are at about 13,500 ft. The grid lines shown are 5 kilometers apart. The red thing is the nearest road.

http://projectavalon.net/The_Enchanted_Lagoons.gif

Detailed topo maps, like UK Ordnance Survey maps, are unavailable except to the military, and the terrain is VERY rough, complex and difficult: to traverse it is tricky even in good weather when one's in good shape. And it's certainly a worst-case nightmare to search for someone there. There are no trails; and someone could be 50 yards away from you, unconscious or injured, and you'd just probably never know unless you heard them.

They don't appear to be using dogs, though. If so, I don't know the reason why.

This little video shows the exact area Wilson was going through when he failed to return. He could be anywhere (or even 10 miles away from there, trying to get down). It's all hauntingly beautiful, called the Enchanted Lagoons. But as I mentioned above: if one's hurt, and the weather turns bad, and one's on one's own, then it can become a battle to stay alive REALLY fast. If one makes a bad call, the gorgeous natural environment can quickly morph into a deceptive, dangerous enemy.

Do watch the short video. See if in high-definition if you can. Highly recommended. It's a very, very wild place.

Sometime this next week, I'm planning to go up there myself with Mara the :dog: to look around. As I always do, I'll be taking adequate equipment with me as a safety backup. (Just to reassure everyone!) I do know what I'm doing, and I'll be sure to report back. I'll keep my eye open (and so will Mara), but the odds on stumbling over Wilson are way less than tiny. I do have to say, though, if I did happen to pass near him, I'd be fairly confident that I'd sense it strongly.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKsc_RE2lgk

[Foxie Loxie]

Do be careful, Bill!! :heart:

It really IS such gorgeous country! So sorry about Wilson....just hope he didn't have any prolonged suffering.

I'm sure we'll all be watching for your posting upon your return! Have a good "refresher"!! :star::star:

[James Newell]

Say Hi to Mara and Wawa for me and Susi...

[Bill Ryan]

Say Hi to Mara and Wawa for me and Susi...

I will! :sun::flower::dog::flower::sun:

Here's the Google Earth image for The Enchanted Lakes, the area where Wilson disappeared and where Mara and I will head up to as soon as the weather looks stable. The co-ordinates are 2°46'6.35"S, 79°17'39.16"W. (Just paste exactly that into the search bar.)

Interestingly, they're known as 'The Enchanted Lakes' because the locals claim there's a tradition in that area of strange experiences and weird phenomena, even (apparently) a UFO once seen to appear out of the largest lake. The locals call these kinds of apparitions las brujitas, which translates as 'little witches'.

There have been many of them over the years, all over the region. Combine that with the Wawa Grande, the topic of this thread, and this entire mountain range becomes very interesting indeed.

http://projectavalon.net/Enchanted_Lakes_Google_Earth.jpg

[Bill Ryan]

Here's an interesting, beautifully written and moving article, published in one of the Ecuador Sunday papers this morning. It was written by a lifelong friend of his for 50 years, who also feels sure he must now have died.


https://ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/2018/08/19/montanas-encantadas

Here's my slight clean-up of a Google translation. Wilson's friend stated that he was asked not to go alone, two weeks ago today, but he set off anyway because he was so confident.

Haunted mountains

Hola. Aló, Wilson... Hola, Chico, what have you done? You never answer, you never answer.

You went to the mountains. And who did you leave with? You went alone. How crazy. Then you get lost. And remember: I will not go looking for you.

How come? I never get lost. That's true, and this time Wilson wasn't lost either. He knew exactly what he was doing. His goal was to hike through the Cajas on the edge of El Tablón to the coast. But in his plans he never counted on the impressive slope of descent with an inaccessible, humid montane primary forest full of abysses with dreadful cliffs, creepy ravines, impenetrable rocks.

On Sunday 5 August, two weeks ago, his friends told him not to set off alone. But Wilson left without respecting the mountain, fully trusting in his knowledge and in his extraordinary power of orientation. Instead, he found a madness of forest. It's impossible to walk in it, and in my estimation, he accidentally went off his route.

Wilson Serrano was my lifelong friend. Every since we were young, fifty years ago, we went to the mountains together. So many routes, so many peaks, so many landscapes, so many dazzling dawns, so many laughs, so many tears.

Other mountaineers have aged with us. But the ice axes, the walking poles, the ropes, the backpacks, the tents are always waiting for us there for a new adventure. If Wilson is already ahead of us, I do not want us to find him because it would be nice for him to rest forever in the mountains that we both love so much.

When driving to Cuenca on the road from Guayaquil, from Molleturo we see imposing mountains on the left. We see Santa Rosa at 3850 meters, El Tablón at 4025 meters. Both really beautiful, they're like watchtowers at the western foot.

Then below that, hostile, impenetrable forest, ferocious as he alone descended almost vertically to the towns of Huigra, Arquillo and San Antonio at 1800 meters above sea level, almost on the coast, behind a dozen lagoons of the Cajas National Park where the Pampeadas, the Enchanted Lagoons, Las Chorreras and La Negra all stand out. This is truly an overwhelming, very cold zone.

Wilson Serrano took part in many rescues, and found many people. He loved to hike alone because he knew the Cajas, and all these mountains of the south-central Andes, like the palm of his hand.

About a year ago, we were both alone on Chimborazo. He was a simple man, with an immense and noble heart, good, kind, and as a teacher he was a friend of hundreds of students. When they went to the mountains with him, they never got lost. He never needed GPS. He had great physical strength, and a deep knowledge of the mountains.

Today is the fifteenth day of his loss. Deepak Chopra says that matter is a captive moment of space in time, that the body is like a river that flows in the processes of life. This world that teaches us to believe, shows us a life full of experiences and tells us that the ultimate limit of human life is death and that behind it shines a clear perception of immortality in this world in which we live every day full of activity governed by everyday thought and emotions.

The spirit transcends, full of peace and joy, and now Wilson is perhaps in that timeless world, with space open to the spirit, in a now-permanent dialogue with the mountains.

[Bill Ryan]

21 days after Wilson Serrano disappeared, they've now brought in Zeus, a search-and-rescue dog.

It seems hard to understand why this hadn't been done much earlier. But Zeus is from Quito, 10 hours drive away, and I presume they have no local dogs with that experience. (But even Mara would find an injured person pretty quickly if she happened to be anywhere close.)


https://ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/2018/08/26/continua-busqueda-de-wilson-serrano-en-el-cajas

https://i0.wp.com/ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2-7A-2-coles.jpg
Rescue teams hold regular meetings to coordinate Wilson Serrano's search.

On Cerro Arquillo in Cajas National Park, search efforts have been extended for climber Wilson Serrano, who remains lost in the area after 21 days.

The Fire Department of Cuenca reported that yesterday morning the Canine Unit of the Fire Department of Quito joined the search with a German Shepherd dog named Zeus, trained to locate missing people in large areas.

David Durango, firefighter from Quito, reported that they will try to get a trace of the missing person, or identify a place on the mountain where the climber could be.

He explained that Zeus specializes in locating people lost in the mountains. Their new search starts from the Rancho de los Hermanos Prado, in El Cajas.

Joining them were the Fire Department of Cuenca, the Fire Department of Quito, the Sangay Mountaineering Club, and the Group of Intervention and Rescue (GIR) of the National Police.

Patricio Lucero, head of the Fire Department of Cuenca, said that everyone involved in the search is monitored for safety from the command vehicle located at the top of Cerro Santa Rosa, in Molleturo. They meet regularly with Serrano's relatives to inform them of the progress of the search.

Some 500 people have participated in the search, combing through more than 50,000 hectares — 200 square miles — of páramo (high altitude, treeless tundra), and in areas of pajonal (wetlands with reeds and cattails), chaparro (low bush and shrubland), dense forest, rocks, streams, rivers, and zones bordering the different lagoons. Nothing has been found.

[Bill Ryan]

Well, today they called off the search. 664 people had searched an area of 200 square miles for a month. Not the slightest trace of Wilson Serrano was found.



:flower:


https://ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/2018/09/05/suspenden-la-busqueda-de-wilson-serrano-en-el-cajas

The search for Wilson Serrano has been called off.

https://i2.wp.com/ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2-2B-3-coles-copia.jpg
Rescuers descended cliffs, and other areas that were difficult to access; but they found no trace of Wilson Serrano.

Today is one month since mountaineer Wilson Serrano, 68, became lost in ​​El Cajas. The institutions in charge of the search, despite great efforts, were unable to locate him. They have made the decision to suspend the search. His relatives expressed their gratitude to all the groups and individuals who collaborated in the difficult and dangerous attempt at rescue.

Julio Rosendo Solís Prado, resident of the Gülag sector of Sayausí, recalls that on Sunday, August 5, at about 9 am, he saw Wilson Serrano for the last time. "He was heading to El Cajas on his motorcycle, and when he saw me he stopped to say hello. He was my great friend," he said.

Then he said goodbye, and continued his journey.

Solis regrets that he could not join the search because at the time of the disappearance he'd suffered a fall from a horse, which left him with some difficulty in mobility. "I cried for my friend. I lost hope of finding him alive," he said.

It's known that Wilson arrived in the area of ​​El Cajas, parked his motorcycle, secured it with a chain, and walked into the mountains.

Climber Nicanor Merchán, who also went to the search, had a conversation with Pablo Pulla, a person who was camping in El Cajas that Sunday. Around noon, he met Wilson Serrano when he was walking along the path of the Pampleadas lagoons.

Wilson inquired: "What are you doing?"

Pablo answered: "We're camping here. Where are you going?"

"I'm not heading in any special direction," Serrano told him.

In the same conversation, they discussed that bad weather was on the way, and it was going to be very cold.

Without much more delay, Wilson continued walking; but he didn't head for ​​the lagoons of Playas Encantadas. Apparently he took the path leading to El Tablón, a high mountain in the area. That was the last time he was seen.

Later that evening, Wilson used his cellphone to try to communicate with his nephew Nicolás Astudillo, with whom he lived and is closest. The call was diverted to voicemail. His message said: "I'm looking way down at a road, and I'm sleeping in a cave. Early tomorrow I'll be at the road, so there's no problem. I can see lights on the road right now."

However, in a second message he revealed that the situation was more complicated. He said: "I'm going further down the mountainside to Molleturo. I'll just keep going." Nothing more is known.

https://i2.wp.com/ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1-2B-4-coles-cortesia-copia.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1

The search

Sixto Heras and Felipe Camacho, both from the Fire Department, emphasized that the rescue effort was carried out 100% professionally. The search was conducted by 664 people for 27 days.

Jorge Serrano and Nicolás Astudillo, representing Wilson Serrano's family, expressed gratitude to all those who participated in and supported the search. They stressed that it had been a very difficult time for the family, combining continual anxiety at the same time as unshakable hope of finding Wilson alive — or at least locating his body.

The rescuers

Juan Apolo, member of the High Mountain Search and Rescue Unit of the Cuenca Fire Department, explained that in the 27 days he combed some 50,000 hectares. "Everything humanly possible was done," he said, expressing regret at the failure of the search.

For the work in El Cajas, search techniques known as parallel patterns (straight line trekking) and circular patterns (surrounding the mountains) were used, taking into account the saying: "Before shooting, it's best to circle the target" — since the whole area is one of difficult access and high altitude.

The rescuers moved through inhospitable places to areas with thick vegetation, where from the ground only the tops of the trees are observed. On the way they found traces of pumas and spectacled bears.

The brigades reached the summit known as Diablos Cocha, at 4,400 meters [14,450 ft] above sea level, where the Atlantic wind currents meet those from the Pacific. The area is characterized by hurricane winds with speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, which can easily lift a person.

The search teams formed triangles of search from the edge of El Tablón, where they descended to Arquillo and San Antonio, areas bordering Molleturo, and also other trails that lead to the Coast, such as Chacanceo.

The massif of El Cajas has steep ravines and rock walls of an altitude of 4,400 meters above sea level, that descend to 2,500 meters with rough vegetation and humid subtropical forest. On that descent, there are many completely impenetrable areas along the cliffs, through the ravines and the primary forest.

https://i0.wp.com/ww2.elmercurio.com.ec/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3-2B-3-coles-copia-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1

Groups of climbers from Cuenca and Quito descended with ropes through the rock walls to the bottom of the ravines to try to find Serrano, but they found absolutely no trace. Likewise, Ernesto Arbeláez with his drones searched in the deepest part of the river gorges... finding nothing.

Not one of the 664 searchers, in 27 days, found a single clue that might start to explain what had happened to Wilson Serrano.

[Bill Ryan]

A little more on the story of the total disappearance of Wilson Serrano, reported in some detail in the posts above.

Yesterday I went up there myself... but not to where he vanished, but to the other side of the valley where there was a spectacular viewpoint way up high on a small dirt road. I was able to take this panorama photo, one the Ecuador media never had or ever showed. It's the best possible illustration of the area, and what occurred.

http://projectavalon.net/Wilson_Serrano_search_area_sm.jpg

A high resolution image is here. With no trails anywhere, you can see what the searchers were up against.


http://projectavalon.net/Wilson_Serrano_search_area.jpg

I'm pretty sure I know what happened. He left two phone messages very late on the evening of his planned one-day hike, way after dark. In the first, he said that he was fine, but was "going to spend the night in a cave". In his second message, he said he'd seen the lights of a road, so he was going to keep going down.

No-one saw or heard from him again.

As many experienced hikers and mountaineers reading this will understand, he made a literally fatal mistake. There are no trails up there, and the maps are non-existent or very poor. He was skilled and confident, and he knew the area "like the palm of his hand". But it's still really easy to get disoriented in the dark, especially if you're in rain or fog and the visibility is low.

The #1 rule for anyone who gets caught out at night in the mountains, unless you know exactly where you are and are on a good trail (or are wet through, have no shelter, and it's below freezing) — is to STOP.

You might have an uncomfortable sleepless night to remember for all the wrong reasons, but you'll make it through to sunrise. Then, even if you're hungry and tired, you have a whole fresh day ahead of you to figure everything out and get down slowly and safely.

Wilson didn't do that. He kept on going in the dark — and then hit a really serious problem: maybe a fall over steep rocks, and/or a broken leg. And the lights he said he saw may have been something quite different, or a different road entirely in a different direction.

On the photo above, the road he said he saw was to the west, where the rescuers focused their search. But if he was disoriented and had no compass (it's actually unknown whether he had one with him or not), he could have headed to the north (away from the camera viewpoint) or even to the east.

He didn't mean a real 'cave', of course. He'd have meant some kind of person-sized shelter under a large rock, like this one here. (I took the photo yesterday; there are many around, all over the place.) Something like that would be quite adequate to protect yourself from wind and rain. You'd curl up in there, safe and dry, and maybe make a kind of big nest from grass and vegetation.

Hardly a Five Star hotel, but you'd get through the night just fine and might even snatch an hour of sleep. I've done this myself in the past, after a similar misjudgment. And I'm still here with the memories, which, paradoxically, become happy ones years later.


:flower:



http://projectavalon.net/rock_shelter.jpg

[Satori]

I truly am reluctant to touch a nerve here, but is everyone suggesting that which may not have been said publicly? That is, that Wilson has moved on to the next phase of life after physical death.

Is it possible for any person, Wilson or otherwise, to survive out there for a month with, as I understand it, no water, no adequate shelter and clothing, and no food to speak of?

If he has passed, my sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and friends.

[Bill Ryan]

I truly am reluctant to touch a nerve here, but is everyone suggesting that which may not have been said publicly? That is, that Wilson has moved on to the next phase of life after physical death.

664 people searched 200 square miles for a whole month, the biggest mountain rescue ever attempted in Ecuador. It was a major thing here, as Wilson was very well-known and extremely well-liked. They didn't find a trace of him, and in the end they just had to draw it all to a close. It's VERY wild and remote up there, and his body, wherever it is, is unlikely ever to be found.

My next trip, though, will be to the area where he was last seen. It's called 'The Haunted Lakes' (Las Lagunas Encantadas), which has been known for generations for weird happenings, ghostly sightings, and even a UFO appearing out of one of the lakes. I've never been there, and it promises to be an interesting experience.

[Ron Mauer Sr]

I truly am reluctant to touch a nerve here, but is everyone suggesting that which may not have been said publicly? That is, that Wilson has moved on to the next phase of life after physical death.

664 people searched 200 square miles for a whole month, the biggest mountain rescue ever attempted in Ecuador. It was a major thing here, as Wilson was very well-known and extremely well-liked. They didn't find a trace of him, and in the end they just had to draw it all to a close. It's VERY wild and remote up there, and his body, wherever it is, is unlikely ever be found.

My next trip, though, will be to the area where he was last seen. It's called 'The Haunted Lakes' (Las Lagunas Encantadas), which has been known for generations for weird happenings, ghostly sightings, and even a UFO appearing out of one of the lakes. I've never been there, and it promises to be an interesting experience.


An experienced dowser or kinesiologist may be of help to locate Wilson but I suspect that has already been tried.

[Bill Ryan]

To happier things: yesterday Mara and I climbed Cerro Arquitectos, the highest peak in the area. I'd been up there before, but this time I set out to make a little 5 minute video. It's not very fancy! But you'll get the idea of what it's like up there — and what it takes to get there, too.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dMFYX-X3TM&feature=youtu.be
The YouTube text:



Mara (my dog) and I climbed Cerro Arquitectos on 25 Sept 2018. At 14,600 ft, it's the highest peak in the Cajas National Park in Ecuador. It's quite a little expedition even to get near there, picking our way for an hour along a precipitous 4x4 dirt road.

We'd been up there several times before, but this was the best and brightest day... though the wind was HOWLING, as you can hear, and it was just as cold as it sounds. The highlight (not very well captured on video!) is just after the half way mark, when I had to do a short rock climb (one-handed, holding the camera), to reach the summit. Mara of course was already there... she has four legs and a low center of gravity, so for her it was all considerably easier. Enjoy! :)

[James Newell]

Now that sounds Interesting! I did a hike like Wilson not long ago. It wasn't that remote though. The moral of that story is don't overestimate your abilities and always factor in the age factor.

[Foxie Loxie]

Thanks for taking us "to the top"!! :dog:

Good you could get out & "blow the stink off", as my Mother used to say! :sun:

[RunningDeer]

* crackerjack = expert

https://i.imgur.com/1LM1qGx.jpg
♡

[RunningDeer]

♡
https://i.imgur.com/zqX8aBn.jpg

[Valerie Villars]

Thank you Paula. I noticed the shoe and so loved the video. But, I confess, my favorite part aside from the gorgeous terrain was Mara. She is just so happy and alert. She just made me smile. Queen of the world.

Bill, wouldn't a hiking person bring along a lighter or something which they could build a fire with, in order to alert a search party to their presence? I am NOT a hiker and no little about those kinds of survival skills.

[Bill Ryan]

Bill, wouldn't a hiking person bring along a lighter or something which they could build a fire with, in order to alert a search party to their presence? I am NOT a hiker and no little about those kinds of survival skills.

Well, that particular area is way above the treeline (though there are hardy grasses and shrubs), and in bad weather a fire is a tough proposition. But yes, a lighter only weighs an ounce and has to be worth carrying. A whistle works better for attracting attention, though. (And never goes out!)

For anyone who's interested (and who might care about my well-being!), I personally always carry


A weatherproof survival bag that reflects 90% of body heat
A thin reflective space blanket
A fleece sleeping bag liner
Spare wool socks
Warm gloves
Waterproof overmittens and overpants (if it looks like it'll rain)
A stormproof mountain jacket
An insulating foam sleeping mat
Two hats (my leather hat + a warm beanie)
Fleece salopettes and jacket, both warm when wet
I also always take a knife, cord, plastic bags, elastic strapping (for knees/ankles), safety pins, iodine, suncream, bandaids, lighter, toilet roll, compass, whistle, emergency energy drink, headlamp, phone (though in most places there's no signal), water bottle, spare food, ID card, blood group card, and camera.
And a dog. :)
No maps. There aren't any. (But I always leave my route details on the Avalon server each time, and never vary from the plan.)

All that (apart from the dog!) weighs a featherweight 13 lbs, including the backpack and a liter of water but excluding the salopettes which I wear whether it's hot or cold. I always aim to travel fast and light, but I'm confident I'd be just fine if I was stuck somewhere up high for a couple of days and nights.

[Bill Ryan]

♡
https://i.imgur.com/1LM1qGx.jpg


Lovely. :heart:

Not quite a Crackerjack Shoe!

http://projectavalon.net/crackerjack_shoe.gif

They're a VERY old pair of Columbia training shoes, that are super-light to wear — because there's not much of them actually left. :)

Here's the last time (of many!) that I re-glued them. They may yet last another few months. The contraption you see is thick elastic wrapped round it all while the epoxy glue sets, all held in place by honey jars. Winnie-the-Pooh would approve.

http://projectavalon.net/Bill's_shoes_being_glued.jpg

:)

[RunningDeer]

*crackerjack = expert

https://i.imgur.com/YugEwpS.jpg
♡

[DNA]

664 people searched 200 square miles for a whole month, the biggest mountain rescue ever attempted in Ecuador. It was a major thing here, as Wilson was very well-known and extremely well-liked. They didn't find a trace of him, and in the end they just had to draw it all to a close. It's VERY wild and remote up there, and his body, wherever it is, is unlikely ever to be found.

My next trip, though, will be to the area where he was last seen. It's called 'The Haunted Lakes' (Las Lagunas Encantadas), which has been known for generations for weird happenings, ghostly sightings, and even a UFO appearing out of one of the lakes. I've never been there, and it promises to be an interesting experience.


This had my eyebrows rising. And then I read your other entry.





Here's the Google Earth image for The Enchanted Lakes, the area where Wilson disappeared and where Mara and I will head up to as soon as the weather looks stable. The co-ordinates are 2°46'6.35"S, 79°17'39.16"W. (Just paste exactly that into the search bar.)

Interestingly, they're known as 'The Enchanted Lakes' because the locals claim there's a tradition in that area of strange experiences and weird phenomena, even (apparently) a UFO once seen to appear out of the largest lake. The locals call these kinds of apparitions las brujitas, which translates as 'little witches'.

There have been many of them over the years, all over the region. Combine that with the Wawa Grande, the topic of this thread, and this entire mountain range becomes very interesting indeed.

http://projectavalon.net/Enchanted_Lakes_Google_Earth.jpg



WaWa Grandes and UFOs cause my eyebrows to rise even further. A lot of the same stuff is said about Mt. Shasta and this is of course is a Missing 411 cluster. I'm sure the lost hiker must have just lost his way, and this is a damn shame because no one should have to die like that.
Dying from the elements is not a pleasant way to go.

Are disappearances something that happen in the "haunted lakes" often?

[Ol' Roy]

Bill, that is all a beautiful adventure! Mara certainly looks content! I know you are a very experienced climber! And you are well equipped! Just worry if you had a fall! I know you like your seclusion, but if you had friends in the area to go with you, that would be nice! I know you have taken several people with you on your trips! Just say'n!

[Bill Ryan]

Here's the best (and only possible!) telephoto image of the Haunted Lakes area. The lakes themselves can't be seen, but they're nestled in the valley floor there. My next goal is to see if I can climb the prominent peak overlooking them. My provisional plan is to go there on Monday.

http://projectavalon.net/The_Haunted_Lakes_sm.jpg



My next trip, though, will be to the area where he was last seen. It's called 'The Haunted Lakes' (Las Lagunas Encantadas), which has been known for generations for weird happenings, ghostly sightings, and even a UFO appearing out of one of the lakes. I've never been there, and it promises to be an interesting experience.

This had my eyebrows rising.


I am interested in the Haunted Lakes — Wawa Grande connection. As I mentioned here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1198168&viewfull=1#post1198168), I've now explored a large part of the area within the Cajas National Park which is (a) remote and (b) over 4,000 meters/13,000 ft high. There's not the tiniest sign of a large hominid creature like that (lots of mud near wherever there's water, but not even a big toe print)... and almost nothing up there for them to eat. It's a paradox.

But the 'Haunted Lakes' aren't actually within the formally defined park boundary, so it's entirely possible that all the Wawa Grande reports have come from there. My plan is to make a dawn start to give myself a ton of time, I'll be well-equipped, and I'll spend the whole day filming.

:sun:

[Bill Ryan]

Are disappearances something that happen in the "haunted lakes" often?

I really don't know: local web articles are only in Spanish, so that leaves me rather handicapped, even when trying to search intelligently.

But I did discover this, just a few minutes ago. One of the mountains overlooking the Haunted Lakes is known locally as Cerro Diabloscocha, which translates as The Devil's Pool or The Devil's Swamp. Dave Paulides (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88574-David-Paulides-research-over-1600-inexplicable-abductions-in-National-Parks-wilderness-and-urban-areas) would be pretty interested in that.

[Rawhide68]

I´d just want to comment with, It IS a fascinating story ! , and I love the :photo: photos!!
Maybe someday could be a book or film ?
:thumbsup:

[Jean-Marie]

Bill, wouldn't a hiking person bring along a lighter or something which they could build a fire with, in order to alert a search party to their presence? I am NOT a hiker and no little about those kinds of survival skills.

Well, that particular area is way above the treeline (though there are hardy grasses and shrubs), and in bad weather a fire is a tough proposition. But in theory, yes, a lighter only weighs an ounce and has to be worth carrying. A whistle works better for attracting attention, though. (And never goes out!)

For anyone who's interested (and who might care about my well-being!), I personally always carry


A weatherproof survival bag that reflects 90% of body heat
A fleece sleeping bag liner
Spare wool socks
Warm gloves + waterproof overmittens
A stormproof mountain jacket
Two insulating foam sleeping mats
Two hats (my leather hat + a warm beanie)
Fleece salopettes and jacket that are warm when wet
I also always take a knife, cord, plastic bags, elastic strapping (for knees/ankles), safety pins, iodine, suncream, bandaids, toilet roll, compass, whistle, emergency energy drink, headlamp, phone, water bottle, spare food, ID card, blood group card, and camera.
And a dog. :)
No maps. There aren't any. (But I always leave my route details on the Avalon server each time, and never vary from the plan.)

All that (apart from the dog!) weighs a featherweight 13 lbs, including the backpack and a liter of water but excluding the salopettes which I wear whether it's hot or cold. I always aim to travel fast and light, but I'm confident I'd be just fine if I was stuck somewhere up high for a couple of days and nights.

When I visited Bill in Ecuador we went camping at a spot at a much lower altitude than the Cajas Mountains. If I remember right the area we camped at was at 11,500 feet. During the day, I collected pieces of kindling/brush. There are no trees at that altitude, just small brush. We had a small fire that night. Everything at night becomes wet and damp, soaked by morning. So if you know you will have to start a fire you need to start much earlier collecting/preparing before night sets in.

[Valerie Villars]

As a safety, now knowing, isn't there something light weight one could carry that would alert a search team, both day and night, of one's whereabouts? I thought Bill's use of a whistle was ingenious, but perhaps something longer lasting where one wouldn't have to blow a whistle every few minutes for all of daylight hours so one could be found.

The presumption being, of course, that searchers generally don't search at night. Flares would do the job in the darkness.

[Bill Ryan]

As a safety, now knowing, isn't there something light weight one could carry that would alert a search team, both day and night, of one's whereabouts? I thought Bill's use of a whistle was ingenious, but perhaps something longer lasting where one wouldn't have to blow a whistle every few minutes for all of daylight hours so one could be found.

The presumption being, of course, that searchers generally don't search at night. Flares would do the job in the darkness.

Yes, there are now Personal Locator Beacons (https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-locator-beacons.html) that work worldwide and communicate via satellite.

The principle is like a kind of reverse GPS. Instead of you using a satellite to figure out where you are, the satellite can use it to figure out where you are — and then tell others who are searching.

They cost from around $300 to well over $1000. Dave Paulides (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88574-David-Paulides-research-over-1600-inexplicable-abductions-in-National-Parks-wilderness-and-urban-areas), having researched a couple of thousand cases of bewilderingly vanished people in National Parks, states that there's not a single person who's ever gone missing who had both a gun and a locator beacon.

A whistle really does work, though. The idea, like with the beacon or a ship sending out a mayday, is that you DO NOT USE IT EVER unless there's a genuine emergency. Any mountaineer hearing a whistle knows there's someone in serious trouble, and it can be heard several miles away.

They weigh less than an ounce, they're indestructible with no moving parts, and cost about $1. :) If Wilson Serrano had had a whistle and was alive and conscious, he'd have been found.

I did blow my whistle once. (Just once, in several decades of carrying it.) This below is quite some story, and many readers might not be aware of it.


A day in the mountains: a tale of forgiveness (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?14409-A-day-in-the-mountains-a-tale-of-forgiveness)

[Joe from the Carolinas]

Well, that particular area is way above the treeline (though there are hardy grasses and shrubs), and in bad weather a fire is a tough proposition. But in theory, yes, a lighter only weighs an ounce and has to be worth carrying. A whistle works better for attracting attention, though. (And never goes out!)

For anyone who's interested (and who might care about my well-being!), I personally always carry


A weatherproof survival bag that reflects 90% of body heat
A fleece sleeping bag liner
Spare wool socks
Warm gloves + waterproof overmittens
A stormproof mountain jacket
Two insulating foam sleeping mats
Two hats (my leather hat + a warm beanie)
Fleece salopettes and jacket that are warm when wet
I also always take a knife, cord, plastic bags, elastic strapping (for knees/ankles), safety pins, iodine, suncream, bandaids, toilet roll, compass, whistle, emergency energy drink, headlamp, phone, water bottle, spare food, ID card, blood group card, and camera.
And a dog. :)
No maps. There aren't any. (But I always leave my route details on the Avalon server each time, and never vary from the plan.)

All that (apart from the dog!) weighs a featherweight 13 lbs, including the backpack and a liter of water but excluding the salopettes which I wear whether it's hot or cold. I always aim to travel fast and light, but I'm confident I'd be just fine if I was stuck somewhere up high for a couple of days and nights.

As an outdoors person, I appreciate you listing that out Bill :) That's a very tested, reliable list. :) I normally pack a balaclava to keep my face shielded. Lightweight is my favorite way to move on the land. People don't understand why salopettes are preferable over pants until they wear them. And 3 cheers for the whistle!!

While fire is often thought about from a comfort standpoint, I've found that the times when I have really wanted a fire was exactly the wrong time for me to have one (extreme cold, extreme wind).

While I'm huddled and covered, conserving energy and body heat, and making sure my water doesn't freeze... I'm not burning myself out trying to keep a fire going or (worse) trying to boil water.


Anyway, I'm really looking forward to learning more about the Haunted Lake region, that looks like some really unforgiving but extremely fun terrain ! :sun:

[Bill Ryan]

My next goal is to see if I can climb the prominent peak overlooking them. My provisional plan is to go there on Monday.

So, here we go. Mara the :dog: is super-excited. I'll take some more video of my shoes, :) and I'll report back late this evening US time.

http://projectavalon.net/Bill's_planned_solo_hike_route_1_Oct_2018.gif

[Hervé]

Mountaineers Summit Fashion Hats:



https://www.sott.net/image/s24/485292/full/5b843adadda4c8881e8b460e.jpg



... and exchanges on boots' pros and cons... for happy trekking :)

[Bill Ryan]

My next goal is to see if I can climb the prominent peak overlooking them. My provisional plan is to go there on Monday.

So, here we go. Mara the :dog: is super-excited. I'll take some more video of my shoes, :) and I'll report back late this evening US time.



Well, WOW. It was very long day, strenuous and spectacular, with a bunch of tricky exposed climbing thrown in for good measure. It was quite something, but also on the edge of extreme for what I should really have been doing on my own.

The route I took to get there was NOT the optimum one at all: in fact, it was probably the most arduous possible option. I'd be sure it wasn't Wilson Serrano's route. But if he went OFF-route (and more on that tomorrow), the kind of terrain I was in would make it really almost impossible for him to be found. I may be able to show that quite well on video. (I have quite a lot to edit!)

The most interesting thing was that I had a most curious and unusual experience as soon as I arrived at the first Haunted Lake, which I'll describe in detail tomorrow also. It was very intriguing... and I'm still processing that. More later. :)

[Bill Ryan]

The most interesting thing was that I had a most curious and unusual experience as soon as I arrived at the first Haunted Lake, which I'll describe in detail tomorrow also. It was very intriguing... and I'm still processing that. More later. :)

The anecdote needs a little background context first. If you'll allow me to say this, I'm highly experienced in the mountains, and I also have an exceptional sense of direction. I never get lost, disoriented, or mixed up, even in bad weather. I cut my apprenticeship in Scotland in winter, and that may say something. :) I'm a formally qualified mountaineering instructor, and I've often taken responsibility for groups as a guide, sometimes on extended expeditions. I know what I'm doing up there, I really do. I wouldn't have lived this long otherwise!

Here's what happened. I have the entire thing documented on video.

Everything was just fine till I descended from a high ridge down to the first main Haunted Lake. And, uncharacteristically, I immediately got confused which way to go to return home.

This never never never happens to me. It was like a blanket of confusion descended on me, even though I was in good shape and the visibility was perfect. I noticed what was happening, and recorded it all in real time on video, talking to the camera, working to figure it out.

The video will show it (I have quite some editing to do), but basically I was being tempted off in quite the wrong direction. And even though I'd looked down on my return route a couple hours earlier from a high vantage point, I'd somehow forgotten that, or that had been at least partially blanked out.

I had to get out my compass, for the second time in three years (the first time was just for a few moments to check I was going in the right direction in some fog, and indeed I was) — and as every hiker knows, you trust that. (And I did.)

At the same time as this was happening, Mara got spooked. I captured all that on video, as well. She was on high alert (I know her well), and she was trying to see something up on the hillside that seemed to be invisible. It was like she sensed something was there, but couldn't figure out what it was, or where it was.

And she has excellent eyesight... she can spot a llama or deer half a mile away, and will always go haring after it immediately. But she didn't move: she just kept on looking around, all tense and alert.

And she was frightened... her teeth were chattering. She does this when she gets anxious (like when the local farmers in the valley where I live are setting off fireworks). And she even whined a couple of times. I scanned the hillside myself, but couldn't make out a thing.

In the end, of course, all was well. I trusted my compass, and when I was about 200 yards/meters from the lake, and about 100 feet above it, my confusion lifted like the sun coming out, and everything felt 100% clear again. And Mara was once again frolicking around as if there was nothing ever wrong.

Whatever it was, was very strong. For anyone with less experience, or who didn't have a compass, or if the weather was bad, they could have been really messed up. My guess is that this may have been what happened to poor Wilson Serrano. If I was there in the dark, and wasn't totally sure where I was, there's NO WAY I'd have moved an inch till morning.

My guess is that he didn't have a compass, and didn't have any overnight equipment worth the name... he was just too confident, simply because of all his experience, and was tempted off into a fatal wrong direction in the dark. It's like a modern Aesop's Fable. Confidence is a wonderful asset, but over-confidence can be a killer. :flower:

I have a LOT of video. Some of it is really quite good quality, I have to say. I think I'll just stitch it all together as best I can, but (warning!) it's over an hour long. If anyone's remotely interested, they can fast forward through it, or jump around, and I'll timestamp the various different interesting segments.

98% of the time, I never even encountered an animal trail, let alone a human one: it was really wild and remote. And, you'll be able to see from the video quite how impossible it would ever be to find anyone up there who had wandered off any safe route.

Sierra just asked me if I'd ever plan to be going back there. The answer is no. :)

[DNA]

Dang Bill I was reading your post #189 the same way Joaquin Phoenix was watching the news in the closet from SIGNS.

With Mara seeing or sensing a presence I wonder if this wasn't being done to you on purpose.

I've read that some UFO's will pull energy out of the earth's magnetosphere in certain spots and this will affect a compass and people's sense of direction, but your compass was fine.

I wonder if Mara was sensing your areas WaWa Grande, if so they may have been zapping you.

Sasquatch seem to have two methods they can affect consciousness, one is through infrasound, and the other is through something called zapping.

It doesn't sound like you got infrasound from what I've read they need to be pretty close to use that, but zapping is something they can do at some distance.

I'm just spit balling here, you should read up on some stories of folks who claim to have been zapped by Sasquatch like Scott Carpenter.

I'm glad you're alright Bill. You and Mara both. :happy dog:






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtUUXJhoMUc

[Ron Mauer Sr]

I feel it was manipulative interference. Intentional or not for specifically you, I feel not so. Something wants to keep people away.


Always trust your instruments, all pilots know this.

[Mike]

I know I'm always blabbing about John Keel, but he covered so much that there's bound to be some overlap with other people's paranormal experiences..

Reading Bill's post I was immediately reminded of one of Keel's experiences in the TNT area in Point Pleasant while searching for the Mothman.

There were areas, or zones, maybe 20 feet wide, that elicited great fear and disorientation out of Keel. For example, he'd be walking along and suddenly he would feel tremendous fear and anxiety and confusion. If he had the courage to keep going, about 20 or so feet later he'd sort of pop back in to normalcy...the fear would vanish just as quickly as it had arrived. Sometimes he'd do a little experiment - he'd turn around and walk thru the area again to see if the fear returned. Sure enough, it did.

It was kind of like a psychic fence, designed to cause all kinds of discomfort and confusion to anyone who happened to walk thru it. It made me wonder if the same type of impersonal force was at work in the Haunted Lake area.

[Nasu]

Thank you Bill, I trust your and Mara's good judgement.

In a similar vein, I too have some experience climbing past the clouds, I used to have my MLTB for both summer and winter so can attest to all that you say. Fear is a strange one, in my experience, when we lose it, we lose our sense of real danger and bad things often happen or follow. I started rock climbing and mountaineering to get over my fear of heights, but found out the hard way that we must keep some small level of fear in order to stay alive. Fear makes you double check your kit, fear makes you think twice, fear keeps us alive up there.

That being said, it is interesting how the locals have named this valley. Again, in my experience, when a place is named after scary or spooky or other worldly things, there is a reason. Glad your back safe. Perhaps it's time to find a local climbing buddy??....x... N

[Magnus]

Bill, thanks for sharing your delightful adventures with us, it's both very interesting and beautiful, I'm grateful.

It won't add much value, but I'd like to mention an event of mine, maybe similar to yours.

In 2008, in dense urban environment, in a foreign country, in the middle of a small side street, returning to my hotel, I experienced a distressful overwhelming sense of strong disorientation, it came over me in a flash, I couldn't find my hotel even though I knew it was within thirty meters reach. Eventually I found my way, shocked and upset about what had just happened. Back in my hotel room, I struggled to understand what was wrong with me, an hour later I hardly couldn't believe that it had actually happened.

Never before, and not since.

On a second thought, it's surprising this state of mind haven't been weaponized, but then again, maybe it have.

[James Newell]

A very exciting briefing about your trip Bill. Looking forward to the video. Sounds like a misdirection emanation coming from the lake.

[avid]

Something in the rocks causing magnetic disturbances, which could confuse orienteering species like birds and bees to get lost? An electromagnetic glitch? Glad you’re not going back anyway. Phew!

[Dennis Leahy]

I was thinking of some sort of gas emanating from the lake or nearby. Could a layer of air in the area, high in CO2, cause confusion?

[Bill Ryan]

I have a LOT of video. Some of it is really quite good quality, I have to say. I think I'll just stitch it all together as best I can, but (warning!) it's over an hour long. If anyone's remotely interested, they can fast forward through it, or jump around, and I'll timestamp the various different interesting segments.

Here it is. Enjoy. :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ol5ALBqDD8
The YouTube text:

~~~



Our trip in October 2018 to climb Cerro Negro (or something!), and our visit to the Haunted Lakes... where Mara (my dog) and I both got spooked. :) A very long and very interesting day. There's a running, real-time commentary throughout.
~~~

Because it's so ridiculously long, here are the timestamps of the various component mini-events, so anyone who's interested can just go to any small part they want to. There is a real-time commentary from start to finish, though — some of which may be quite entertaining — so you're not just watching silent images go by.

Caveat: I still don't know for sure which mountain is Cerro Negro. (No maps.) I may have identified it towards the end of the day, but the first, large pyramidal peak that we climbed is certainly worthy of the name.

:)

~~~

0:00:00 — Intro, views of Cerro Negro, speculating whether it’s climbable

0:01:57 — Higher on the long whaleback ridge, first glimpse of one of the lakes, more telephoto views of Cerro Negro

0:03:51 — My shoes, my knee bandages, and what it’s like walking on this terrain

0:05:05 — Close-up shots of tiny alpine flowers

0:05:56 — A hummingbird

0:07:14 — Closer to Cerro Negro, now at 14,200 ft, 9.15 am, view of more lakes, why I'm wearing gloves (very high UV)

0:09:53 — Starting the climb (broken rocks and steep, loose talus/scree)

0:14:19 — Picking the easiest way up through the steep, broken rock, looking back down the ridge where I came from, and looking up towards the summit, wondering how easy it might be to get down the other side, wondering whether there’ll be water anywhere

0:16:53 — My feet, climbing the steep loose rocks

0:19:25 — At the summit, Mara doesn’t know the way down, and neither do I, distant view of another Haunted Lake (and other lakes in a different direction that aren’t haunted), wondering what happened to Wilson Serrano, spectacular views

0:23:04 — Down from a tricky dangerous descent, views back towards the rock wall that I downclimbed (“What am I doing here all on my own?”), still thinking about water, clear views of two large Haunted Lakes 1,500 ft below, (“This has evolved into quite an adventure, more than I thought it would be”), time is 10.30 am

0:28:53 — Selfie clip of walking along the high rocky ridge

0:29:50 — Scat of a mountain fox (very high, 14,400 ft), clear detailed view of the return route (which when I get down to the lake at 0:41:54, I unaccountably completely FORGET about)

0:32:10 — Another alpine flower, thinking about water, throat is now very dry

0:34:16 — A whole bunch of alpine flowers, a really beautiful little ‘garden’

0:36:29 — Mara finds some muddy water at last, small deer prints nearby, another large, imposing mountain now visible in the distance, and maybe that’s really Cerro Negro

0:38:38 — Following up a dried-up stream, Mara finds a tiny bit more water

0:40:20 — Mara is now swimming in the highest of the Haunted Lakes, very happy to have found real water (and so am I), time is nearly 12 noon

0:41:54 — Now at a larger Haunted Lake, I am CONFUSED (having unaccountably completely forgotten my excellent clear view of the return route at 0:29:50)

0:45:41 — I get my compass out, speculate about whether Wilson Serrano got confused also, and have some home-made chocolate

0:50:20 — Mara, in alert mode, is very clearly spooked by something invisible

0:52:50 — So tempting to head off in quite the wrong direction

0:55:00 — Now 200 yards from and 100 ft above the lake, and my confusion has now suddenly lifted (“like fog”), Mara is back to normal

0:57:20 — View up the slope, checking direction with my compass again

0:59:03 — 3/4 of the way up, it’s taking longer than I’d thought, getting a little tired now

1:01:24 — The steep and loose last few feet, in real time, to where I can see what’s actually on the other side, and whether I'm correct or not (and I find that I am), part of the sole is peeling off my old shoes, quite a lot of heavy breathing (that was hard work)

1:06:07 — Down at a lake on the home straight, views back up to where I came down, filling my water bottle again and adding iodine drops, Mara and I are both tired now

1:08:15 — More scat, quite large for a fox, but probably a little too small for a puma

1:08:45 — Beautiful emerald colors in the lake, more views of where we came down

1:09:28 — Over 9 hours later, finally back at Pandora (my old 1986 Isuzu Trooper), and all is well. :)

[DNA]

That was thoroughly enjoyable, I'm convinced Bill would make a top notch nature narrator.

I swear to God I was waiting for the moment when Bill would introduce the mountain lion in it's native habitat. :)
I've got to admit, at 29 minutes in I was horrified, my sense of propriety and instincts for laziness were appalled.

It was here that Bill was filmed walking down the mountain a good distance and all I could think of in my head was, "oh my God, Bill you're going to have to climb back up there and get that camera, for the love of God Bill stop walking!". :)


In regards to the first lake you hiked to where the weird stuff started with yourself and Mara it was absolutely evident that Mara was indeed looking for something and was also in distress. She appeared to be looking in a specific area, but her head was bouncing back 180 degrees as well, almost as if you were surrounded by something. If it was indeed the WaWa Grande it would appear to me that they had you surrounded.



Did you feel as if something was watching you? I know you mentioned feeling off kilter with your sense of direction but did you feel as if something was observing you? I might also add that you held up fairly well for that predicament, you didn't seem like you were freaking out or nothing.

I've got to be honest, if that was me I would be talking into the camera like it was the "blair witch project" and telling my wife and kids I loved them and not to come visit daddy's resting place because the boogey man lives there.

Which by the way, I was watching some Sasquatch videos on the Bigfoot Outlaw Radio youtube channel and they were saying that folks back in the 1800's and pioneer days used to refer to the Bigfoot as Boogers, and they used to tell their kids that if you weren't good that the boogers would come and get you, and that this turned into the Boogie Man.

I don't know why I'm mentioning that. Oh well. :becky:


Loved that video Bill, big hugs to you and Mara.

You are the man, I would never do what you did. No way. I'm out of shape, I have a horrible sense of direction, I'm far too addicted to human companionship and I'm afraid of getting eaten by a Sasquatch that goes by any name including WaWa Grande. But I'm glad you don't share any of these fears and make some absolutely entertaining adventure videos. Loved it. :clapping:

[Bill Ryan]

That was thoroughly enjoyable, I'm convinced Bill would make a top notch nature narrator.
Loved it. :clapping:

Well, thank you! I enjoyed putting it together. (And enjoyed the hike, too.) :)


...it was absolutely evident that Mara was indeed looking for something and was also in distress. She appeared to be looking in a specific area, but her head was bouncing back 180 degrees as well, almost as if you were surrounded by something.
Did you feel as if something was watching you? I know you mentioned feeling off kilter with your sense of direction but did you feel as if something was observing you? I might also add that you held up fairly well for that predicament, you didn't seem like you were freaking out or nothing.

I started to definitely feel something might be watching, when I saw Mara clearly getting alarmed. A couple of days ago, I wondered about infrasound — of some kind. (As some may know, there's speculation that Bigfoot/Sasquatch may deploy infrasound.) And as Mara was looking around everywhere, as you noted, that sound (if it was a sound) might have had a 'coming-from-everywhere' quality about it.

I understand that infrasound is meant to make people (and animals) intimidated, but with myself it might just have been a confusion factor. (Both Wilson Serrano and myself were unlikely to get intimidated by anything in the mountains, I dare to say. But we might well have gotten our logic somehow scrambled.)

[avid]

Wow! I was so relieved to see the car, my nerves have been well and truly dithered, well done!!!

[Chanie]

What a great adventure! I’ve walked about half the Camino in Spain which has a bit of climbing, but that seems like a stroll in the park compared to your hike. The loose rocks, diminishing water supply, disintegrating shoe soles, disorientation etc. added dramatic elements. It kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. I was especially nervous about the water. I’m glad you made it home safely. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Valerie Villars]

I meant to tell you Bill how much I enjoyed the video. I just love watching Mara and seeing the strange to me countryside. I had a real hankering to go to Ecuador in 2013, but couldn't swing it.

Generally, I love the Hispanic culture and the craftsmanship in Ecuador fascinates me.

I also found the compass morass fascinating. Such a beautiful place.

[Flash]

I truly enjoyed the video and the strange (to me) mountains and countryside.

But one comment I thought all along: You are in f good shape man!!! as good as Mara for sure... you are both the description of excellent health.

You always say: will be easy - well, for you!!! lol

[RunningDeer]

https://i.imgur.com/aR8kNbV.jpg

All is Well…

Bill, I’m late to post this because my internet is mostly down… Fortunately, I was able to download the video on Friday. Yeah! It’s up again. I’ll have to be quick here just in case it goes out. :wave:

A couple of fun lines from your 9.5 hour monstrous workout:

Mara’s got a bit of mountain goat DNA in her.
The very heroic crackerjack shoes.

Thanks for sharing.
You and Mara rock!

♡

¤=[Post Update]=¤


I truly enjoyed the video and the strange (to me) mountains and countryside.

But one comment I thought all along: You are in f good shape man!!! as good as Mara for sure... you are both the description of excellent health.

You always say: will be easy - well, for you!!! lol

Ditto, Flash. Exactly what I thought, too.

[Magnus]

This is a real feelgood video, confident skilled wilderness exploration at it's best, witty joyful narrative.

I enjoyed every moment! Thank you.

If Wilson Serrano's corpse resides in that other confused direction you sensed, maybe it was him urging you to go find his remains or what's left of him. Just an idea that came up while watching.

Was the confusion by the lake, at all covered by a blanket of gloom sensation? (for the lack of a better expression)

The solitude that this virgin rocky landscape have to offer, appeals to me a great deal.

[James Newell]

Very Well Done Bill! I have hiked at plus 14000 ft also and I know how exhausting it is at those altitudes.
You and Mara are a good team and it was great watching a REAL adventure. Much better than an action movie.
Btw I think it is time to buy a new pair of shoes.
If you or anyone would like to see a few pictures of my hike and camp in Yellowstone this year I could send a few. I was at 11000 ft and it was an assbuster.

[Angel of the Mists]

Oh my goodness! What a stunning video and documentary. I was sitting on the edge of seat! The beautiful interludes with the different flowers helped me to remember to breathe :) Thank you so much for sharing it Bill, and how good to have a climbing companion like Mara. My love to you both.

[Bill Ryan]

Thanks, everyone, for the very positive and even enthusiastic responses... I was worried it was WAY too long. (But it was a long hike! :) )

I was thinking the last couple days what Mara and I might possibly do as an encore. The criteria for a real-time mini-documentary like that seem to be


It's entirely unrehearsed
The outcome is not certain
I may not know exactly where I am. :)

I think I may have a good follow-up. Way in the distance in these two screenshots below (taken at 26:18 and 33:02 respectively) is a mountain called Quitahuayco, which, though it doesn't look too imposing, is just a few feet short of 15,000 ft (4560m) and apparently is the very highest peak in the area.

Furthermore, as best I can understand, there's a long, dramatic, thin ridge extending from it, called El Filo de Quitahuayco, and that does seem impressive from what little I can gather. Mara and I might be able to teeter along that, and our audience could teeter along with us vicariously. :)

As mentioned earlier (several times!) there are no maps worthy of the name, but I'm confident I've identified Quitahuayco correctly. (Unlike Cerro Negro. I'm still not 100% sure which one that was!) The added entertainment for another 'live' video would be that Mara and I would probably have to camp, maybe somewhere near the [non-haunted] lakes in the second photo.

And the more I think about it, the more I think all this really IS the Wawa Grande's territory, not the officially defined National Park which is where I've done almost all my explorations so far.

http://projectavalon.net/Quitahuayco_2_sm.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Quitahuayco_1_sm.jpg

More later, as I continue to consider whether this is a viable two-day trip. But at the moment, I think it may be. :sun:

[avid]

Please - no, not without a team. Your first instinct on the last trip was sensible, now you are taking chances, and especially in your ancient shoes! Older and wiser....? What about water...? You are now making me very nervous, take others for safety. 🤞

[Bill Ryan]

Please - no, not without a team. Your first instinct on the last trip was sensible, now you are taking chances, and especially in your ancient shoes! Older and wiser....? What about water...? You are now making me very nervous, take others for safety. 🤞

Hey, thanks. I'm not used to people worrying about me! :)

The thing here that actually does make a difference is that a planned two-day trip, with tent, sleeping bag, food, and all the rest, affords a lot more safety and comfort than an in-and-out one-day trip with the necessity to always pace the clock to make it back by nightfall.

With my home on my back, maybe 20 lbs rather than 12 lbs, I can stop anytime I like, anywhere I like, for any reason. So it becomes much more like a vacation than a mission.

I'm not averse to having a companion! (Especially one that can talk. :) ) But there are none, or none that I know. Almost everything I do here is solo.

:flower:

[Ron Mauer Sr]

Bill, In the area you plan to visit, do you know if a smartphone can determine your location using GPS? Might be a worthy experiment. Iphone has an application FindFriends. I can find family anywhere in the US. If you partner with someone they can see where you are, similar to Google Earth. There is also a similar program for Android phones. Resolution is excellent, withing a few meters or better.

I am sure you can find many friends to pair with using either an iPhone or Android.


You need to get permission from your friend(s) to track each other. And it is very easy to cancel.

[Bill Ryan]

Bill, In the area you plan to visit, do you know if a smartphone can determine your location using GPS? Might be a worthy experiment. Iphone has an application FindFriends. I can find family anywhere in the US. If you partner with someone they can see where you are, similar to Google Earth. There is also a similar program for Android phones. Resolution is excellent, withing a few meters or better.

I am sure you can find many friends to pair with using either an iPhone or Android.

You need to get permission from your friend(s) to track each other. And it is very easy to cancel.

Thanks, Ron, and that's a nice idea. But I don't have a smartphone, never want to have one, and out there there's almost no cellphone signal of any kind.

Here's a fun (and true!) anecdote, from something like 25 years ago. Way up high on Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, there's a famous obstacle called Tower Gap. It's a deep notch in the precarious narrow ridge, immediately behind the climber in this photo. It can be very tricky to negotiate sometimes, especially in bad snow conditions or bad visibility.

https://cdn.ukc2.com/i/77993.jpg

A new guidebook had just been published, and two novice climbers, encountering the intimidating Gap for the first time, got stuck in the gathering dusk and called up the guidebook writer on their cellphone to ask him what they should do. :)

The author hung up on them, and later wrote about the episode. His view was that if they had to phone him for advice, they had no right being up there anyway — and would just have to learn a lesson from their experience. The worst thing that could happen would be that they'd have to retrace their steps in the dark (a long way!), but safely, if with little comfort of any kind.

The mountains are a tough school sometimes. But there, one can learn a lot. If we had every possible modern safety convenience with us (and where do we draw the line?), then all the challenge — and soul-stirring remoteness — is taken away. We do need wild places, and wild places where we can all go: to see what we can find, both there and also within ourselves.

[Valerie Villars]

A new guidebook had just been published, and two novice climbers, encountering the intimidating Gap for the first time, got stuck in the gathering dusk and called up the guidebook writer on their cellphone to ask him what they should do.

The author hung up on them, and later wrote about the episode. His view was that if they had to phone him for advice, they had no right being up there anyway — and would just have to learn a lesson from their experience. The worst thing that could happen would be that they'd have to retrace their steps in the dark (a long way!), but safely, if with little comfort of any kind.

The mountains are a tough school sometimes. But there, one can learn a lot. If we had every possible modern safety convenience with us (and where do we draw the line?), then all the challenge — and soul-stirring remoteness — is taken away. We do need wild places, and wild places where we can all go: to see what we can find, both there and also within ourselves.


This sounds like a metaphor for life on planet Earth. :bigsmile:

[Bill Ryan]

This sounds like a metaphor for life on planet Earth. :bigsmile:

Yes, it is. That's one of the points I've been making on this thread. :)

[avid]

Still doesn’t stop me from worrying though...
Ever since all brakes failed near the top of Honister Pass necessitating crashing into a rockface as opposed to falling off sheer drop, I am very nervous of heights, so although I am in utmost admiration of your fearlessness, I can’t help sitting on the edge of my chair in trepidation until you and Mara are in a safe place. Mara is your ‘extra sense’ thank goodness. Take care, and may loads of ‘pozzi-vibes’ go with you both. :bearhug::bearhug:

Off topic, but my Dad was fearless driving on Wry Nose and Hard Knott passes after jolly family pub-lunch outings, Mum had eyesight problems so was unaware, but I had to lie on back seat due to severe panic attacks until I felt level ground...

[Bill Ryan]

Ever since all brakes failed near the top of Honister Pass necessitating crashing into a rockface as opposed to falling off sheer drop, I am very nervous of heights

Wow! Understood. (To others: The Honister Pass is an infamous English Lake District 1 in 4 (25%) incline, with a bunch of hairpin bends thrown in for good measure. Dramatic and beautiful, and NOT the place for a brake failure. :) )

[Magnus]

Please - no, not without a team. Your first instinct on the last trip was sensible, now you are taking chances, and especially in your ancient shoes! Older and wiser....? What about water...? You are now making me very nervous, take others for safety. 🤞

Hey, thanks. I'm not used to people worrying about me! :)

The thing here that actually does make a difference is that a planned two-day trip, with tent, sleeping bag, food, and all the rest, affords a lot more safety and comfort than an in-and-out one-day trip with the necessity to always pace the clock to make it back by nightfall.

With my home on my back, maybe 20 lbs rather than 12 lbs, I can stop anytime I like, anywhere I like, for any reason. So it becomes much more like a vacation than a mission.

I'm not averse to having a companion! (Especially one that can talk. :) ) But there are none, or none that I know. Almost everything I do here is solo.

:flower:

If there is such a thing as a vote in this matter, I'd vote for solo. A winning concept is worthy of preservation. Imo, you going solo equals unimpaired quality of your experience and of your video. Any company would likely just slow you down, impede your focus on details, train of thoughts and narrative, as well as adding an extra load of responsibility.

[Bill Ryan]

Thanks, everyone, for the very positive and even enthusiastic responses... I was worried it was WAY too long. (But it was a long hike! :) )

I was thinking the last couple days what Mara and I might possibly do as an encore. The criteria for a real-time mini-documentary like that seem to be


It's entirely unrehearsed
The outcome is not certain
I may not know exactly where I am. :)


I think I may have a good follow-up. Way in the distance in these two screenshots below (taken at 26:18 and 33:02 respectively) is a mountain called Quitahuayco, which, though it doesn't look too imposing, is just a few feet short of 15,000 ft (4560m) and apparently is the very highest peak in the area.

Furthermore, as best I can understand, there's a long, dramatic, thin ridge extending from it, called El Filo de Quitahuayco, and that does seem impressive from what little I can gather. Mara and I might be able to teeter along that, and our audience could teeter along with us vicariously. :)

As mentioned earlier (several times!) there are no maps worthy of the name, but I'm confident I've identified Quitahuayco correctly. (Unlike Cerro Negro. I'm still not 100% sure which one that was!) The added entertainment for another 'live' video would be that Mara and I would probably have to camp, maybe somewhere near the [non-haunted] lakes in the second photo.

And the more I think about it, the more I think all this really IS the Wawa Grande's territory, not the officially defined National Park which is where I've done almost all my explorations so far.

http://projectavalon.net/Quitahuayco_2_sm.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Quitahuayco_1_sm.jpg

More later, as I continue to consider whether this is a viable two-day trip. But at the moment, I think it may be. :sun:

Some more detail. Here's a dramatic aerial photo of El Filo de Quitahuayco (The Edge of Quitahuayco). It's what mountaineers call a knife-edge ridge. (Meaning, it's quite narrow.)

I'd be planning to camp at or near the small high lakes to the right of the photo, and then climb Quitahuayco (and traverse the 'Edge') the next day, carrying a very light pack. Not sure when yet: it'll depend on the weather, how I'm feeling, and (importantly, no joke!), my own intuition. I listen to myself quite carefully about things like this.

http://projectavalon.net/El_Filo_de_Quitahuayco_1.jpg

And an enlargement.

http://projectavalon.net/El_Filo_de_Quitahuayco_2.jpg

[DNA]

Hey, thanks. I'm not used to people worrying about me! :)
The thing here that actually does make a difference is that a planned two-day trip, with tent, sleeping bag, food, and all the rest, affords a lot more safety and comfort than an in-and-out one-day trip with the necessity to always pace the clock to make it back by nightfall.
With my home on my back, maybe 20 lbs rather than 12 lbs, I can stop anytime I like, anywhere I like, for any reason. So it becomes much more like a vacation than a mission.
I'm not averse to having a companion! (Especially one that can talk. :) ) But there are none, or none that I know. Almost everything I do here is solo.
:flower:


Bill, your climbs make for invigorating viewing. I for one would absolutely love to watch this.

I'm the kind of guy that buys folding shovels and machetes when they are on sale and I dream of doing something as cool as this.

For all those out there like myself who purchase kayaks with absolutely no chance of ever actually using them you need to do this.

But please take a tent of some kind, napping in a sleeping bag under the stars next to a campfire might make you look like a tasty tight wrapped sausage to any WaWa Grande's cruising the mountain top for a snack. No feeding the WaWa Grandes, :no: especially not with yourself and little Mara. :llama:

[Hazelfern]

Not sure if you know this but the super convenient store in PA is Wawa.

[James Newell]

Looks like an exciting hike!! Always good to test the old abilities every now and then. You must have got new shoes.:)

[Bill Ryan]

Looks like an exciting hike!! Always good to test the old abilities every now and then. You must have got new shoes.:)

Well, not yet! Though a little birdie tells me that a new, very generously gifted pair is on its way.

This was the damage after the last hike — and the epoxy I applied to three areas where the soles were totally coming apart. (That pink thing sticking out the hole is my [U]finger. The staples were just to hold it all together while the glue set, but I'll probably leave them in there!)

http://projectavalon.net/Bill's_hiking_shoe_sm.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Bill's_hiking_shoe_repair_sm.jpg

In lightweight testing so far, they've held together fine. On Thursday, I'm going for a [relatively] gentle day hike, on familiar ground and in a totally safe area, to test the shoes properly for a few miles. But I'll take the epoxy with me, plus a slice of rubber truck tire inner tube, just in case any running repairs are needed. (Barefoot in that environment isn't recommended. :) )

Then a few days after that I'll go for Quitahuayco (see my post #219 (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?93672-Another-vicarious-adventure-and-another-Avalon-Cairn--for-the-Wawa-Grande-this-time-&p=1254018&viewfull=1#post1254018)), which will be a major trip. I think I've found a way to do it in one long day, though, rather than sleep out. Camping up there would be fun and interesting, but it's extra weight to carry. Once I know that new terrain a little I might do an overnight trip later, just for the experience — and the good chance of seeing or encountering more.

[RunningDeer]

This was the damage after the last hike — and the epoxy I applied to three areas where the soles were totally coming apart. (That pink thing sticking out the hole is my finger. The staples were just to hold it all together while the glue set, but I'll probably leave them in there!)

25 Awesome And Clever Uses For Duct Tape (3:55 minutes)


# 18 - fishermen sandals
# 17 - emergency flip-flops


# 3 - day care
https://i.imgur.com/1seVXQP.jpg

Om6-zylycs4

[Ol' Roy]

I hope you get your new shoes soon! Then you can retire your old shoes and keep them on a shelf! Maybe even a plack! Thanks for the memory's (Bob Hope quote)!

[Debra]

Bill, that lake ...

The one that sat in the direction that you felt compelled to follow OMG I wanted to go into it myself. And I wasn’t even there.

All I can add is I am so glad that you and Mara made it back to Pandora. Beautiful, beautiful video. Thank you so much for sharing for a whole lot of other layers as well. I was gripped from beginning to end and yes, I almost fell in.

[Bill Ryan]

Hello, Folks: 2 am here, wide awake, and Mara and I are heading for Quitahuayco. The weather looks perfect, we're in good shape, this will be the final swansong for my faithful old shoes (still glued and holding up :muscle: ), and we should be back for Dolan vs Church (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?97313-The-Truth-about-Corey-Goode&p=1255277&viewfull=1#post1255277) this evening (which is a little like Ali vs. Frazier :) ). There should be a video tomorrow.

:sun: :dog: :sun:

http://projectavalon.net/Bill's_planned_solo_hike_route_22_Oct_2018.gif

[avid]

Take care, enjoy the views, looking forward to the next video, and of course hoping those ghastly shoes don’t let you down!

[Dennis Leahy]

Bill, when you return, take off your shoes carefully, set them down, ... and back away slowly.

There is an alien living in your shoe!
http://projectavalon.net/Bill's_hiking_shoe_sm.jpg


If these shoes could talk, they'd have a lot to say.

Actually, it makes me nervous for you, that you take these hikes alone. I love that you are filming segments/vignettes along the hike, "taking us with you", but wish you had a hiking buddy. (As I'm sure you sometimes do, as well.)

Looking forward to seeing you type, "I'm back!"

[Bill Ryan]

Looking forward to seeing you type, "I'm back!"

"I'm back!"

(... and so is Mara :) )

http://projectavalon.net/Bill_and_Mara_on_Quitahuayco.jpg

[Spellbound]

That's some heavy duty hiking, Bill. Congrats sir!!

Dave - Toronto

[avid]

Thanks for the ‘top dog’ pic. Today, I envisaged an excited Mara in Pandora-truck woofing “Are we there yet?” on the way to the dizzy heights, and then a tired wee doggy asking the same on the way home. She’ll be having a ‘cozy-bobies’ now thank goodness. Apologies for daft dialect. Looking forward to the video of the latest man-doggy expedition, enjoy your rest :dog::highfive:

[Bill Ryan]

There should be a video tomorrow.

:sun: :dog: :sun:



Indeed there is. :thumbsup: Here's the YouTube text:

~~~



For those of you who enjoyed our Haunted Lakes expedition earlier this month, here's the sequel. This time, we headed to Quitahuayco, just 40 ft short of 15,000 ft and the highest mountain in the area. Our goal was not only to climb that, but to traverse El Filo de Quitahuayco, the long ridge extending from the mountain to the west.

This time there was no navigational confusion, but there WAS one unexpected moment where it would have been really easy to end up in quite the wrong valley... interestingly, back at the Haunted Lakes again. But I was able to spot what was happening straight away, and make the right decision.

It was a shorter trip than the last one, and not quite so dangerous, but higher and just as spectacular. We saw wild llamas and alpacas, and a whole bunch more little alpine flowers. And for those of you who may be wondering: my shoes did survive all the sharp rocks… just.

:)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR-R3Juarbc
This video is proportionally shorter than the last one. (It was a shorter day! 6 hours rather than 9.) But it's still 41 mins long. For those of you who'd like to jump around a little, or just see bits of it, here are the timestamps of the various clips. Those also illustrate the sequence of the day's events.

~~~

00 — Intro, and the first view of Quitahuayco.

03:11 — Mara chases a llama

04:54 — Large herd of llamas and alpacas high on the slopes of Quitahuayco, way in the distance

06:40 — Rest stop, another view of the llamas and alpacas, panoramic views of El Filo ("The Edge") de Quitahuayco, spotting potential ways down for later, and looking back to where I was in my previous video

10:31 — Half way up the long slope. panning round to more views of El Filo, and more consideration of the likely ways down

12:31 — The summit, spectacular panoramic views, good views of El Filo and seeing that it's not really an 'edge' at all

16:02 — Selfie summit shots

17:45 — Controlled slide down the talus/scree slope towards El Filo

19:27 — Looking back up the slope we slid down, and a botanical interlude (a surprise patch of little purple and yellow flowers)

20:54 — On El Filo, all very easy, deciding to go further than I'd thought originally

23:31 — Fox scat, way up high

24:31 — Views ahead towards what seems like a likely way down, photogenic shots of Mara against the clouds, the ultimate photogenic dog

26:55 — We accidentally end up on a thin edge but can easily get down again, another view of what seems like our likely way down

28:07 — Looking back towards the edge we climbed up on accidentally, my voice is getting hoarse from the dry air

29:21 — A new development, an echo of my strange experience at the Haunted Lakes on my previous trip when I was tempted to go the wrong way. The ridge ahead looks nearly the same as what I'd been previously viewing, but it's not... I've actually gone past my descent target, and now I can look back at it. But unlike the previous experience, I instantly see what's happening and there's no confusion at all. However, if I'd not been alert and paying attention, I could have ended up in the wrong valley, back at the Haunted Lakes... again. I take stock of the best thing to do.

31:00 — I decide on an alternative way down, and to reach it I need to retrace my steps a short way

32:20 — A short way down the safe descent, reflecting on how easy it is to be lured into taking a wrong turn

33:15 — A large, scattered, alpine flower rock garden part way down the slope towards a lake, really delightful to see

35:22 — Mara is in the lake, panning back up towards the ridge to see where we came from, and Mara is still in the lake

36:46 — Looking back to Quitahuayco, seeing in the distance where we climbed up and slid down the talus/scree, more views back towards the ridge

39:13 — At the next lake, and we see three probable puma scats, it's now very cloudy and misty but still dry, and we know we'll be back at the road soon. By the time we get back, it's been six and a half hours... three hours shorter than the last trip.

[avid]

A nice day out! Wondrous views, glad you got back before the mist descended. What a happy doggie :dog::clapping:

[Orph]

What I like best about these pictures and videos is Mara. We've all seen nature pictures in magazines and the internet. Beautiful pictures of nature and wilderness. And we see whatever local animals inhabit that area. It could be lions and elephants in Africa, or dolphins and whales in the ocean, or eagles soaring high in the sky.

But where else do we get to see a dog gleefully romping around the mountaintops.

[James Newell]

Thank you for a wonderful video tour of your amazing backyard.
Country like that can make your heart sing. A man with his dog at 14940 ft. Good Stuff!

[Dennis Leahy]

Let's start a list of what to take on the next hike:

□ Shoes. (No staples, no duct tape, no "Barge" cement or epoxy, and no holes for the alien to escape from.)

□ Book: Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Quitahuatco

□ Book: Field Guide to Minerals of the Quitahuatco

□ Book: Field Guide to Amphibians of the Quitahuatco

□ Book: Field Guide to Scat of the Quitahuatco

□ Book: Short Phrases to Yell in Mountainous Echo Chambers of the Quitahuatco

□ Book: Skiing the Scree of the Quitahuatco in Sneakers

□ New filter for your water bottle. (I'm assuming you must have a Katadyn or something like it - you didn't mention it, so some may think you drank water directly from the lake.)

□ Non-nano zinc based sunscreen

□ Project Avalon flags, so you can plant them on mountaintops and say, "I claim this land for Avalon!"


A drone with camera:
(Hey, someone else is scouting the territory, looking for places to plant their flags!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM-e30KfvsA

(The blurb from the above video, translated from Spanish by google:
"Quilico in another of his trips to the Northwest of Cajas National Park, he made an obligatory step in a very special place. On this occasion it was the Filo de Quitahuayco, a mountain range with summits that exceed 4500 m.snm., Being one of them the highest elevation in the province of Azuay with more than 4580 m.snm. In the foothills of the Filo de Quitahuayco are important lake complexes, among which we can mention Pampiadas and Enchanted Beaches, the latter being a site full of mysteries. Located in a deep glacial cirque with more than 25 permanent bodies of water, one of them being the large lagoon of Playas Encantadas, a site that keeps stories of the locals, attributing events related to UFOs, as many are the people who tell about strangers Lights that enter and leave the large lagoon. Whatever the truth, Playas Encantadas is still a place with its magic, because the echo here has several returns, which is explained by the high walls of the mountains surrounding the lagoon complex, listening in some cases up to 5 times the return of the sound emitted. Quilico shows us an overflight in the sector that has strong winds and is habitat of the Andean condor, puma, black jambato of the Boxes among other threatened species."

Looks like the "jambato negro" is this black toad:
39351

[Bill Ryan]

Let's start a list of what to take on the next hike:



Hey, that's so great. Really made me laugh. :bigsmile:

A tiny note! Never seen any amphibians (frogs, newts, etc). Nor a condor, yet. (I was watching.) And I add iodine drops to my mountain water. (10 drops per liter, then wait for half an hour.)

Moreover, the height of Quitahuayco differs in different accounts: in the one you translated, 4580 m = 15,025 ft, so maybe we did crack the 15,000 ft ceiling.

And an Avalon flag is a wonderful idea. :)

http://projectavalon.net/Avalon_flag_smiley.gif

[avid]

Are there any other stories of doggy-visits to vast oxygen depleting heights? Mara may be the best canine-climber in the world. :Avalon::dog:

[Bill Ryan]

Are there any other stories of doggy-visits to vast oxygen depleting heights? Mara may be the best canine-climber in the world. :Avalon::dog:

It's a great question! I'd wondered that myself. Even at that moment on the summit (let's average it out at 15,000 ft) I'd briefly wondered if Mara was right then the highest dog in the world.

But there are some slightly higher human settlements... though not many. One presumes there are a few dogs there. This is an interesting page:


https://worldatlas.com/articles/the-highest-urban-settlements-in-the-world.html

My pure guess: of all the dogs in the world (estimated population 50 million, see this interesting page (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201209/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-the-world)), there were maybe a few dozen higher than Mara right then. Maybe less.

The highest peak climbed by a dog seems to be Hanuman Tibba (5932m / 19,462 ft) in the Indian Himalayas.


http://blankonthemap.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-dog-who-climbed-mountain.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MokXB0RJ0sY/UFXAfa7X1TI/AAAAAAAAEc0/1oWn6dZNzXo/s400/P1000948.JPG

I have absolutely no doubt Mara could beat that. She's in fantastic shape. A wild thought strikes me that maybe we could go climb Chimborazo (in Ecuador, not too far away), which is 6,310m / 20,703 ft. I'd need good snow boots, though, and an insulated jacket and hat, and so might she. :)

https://cdn.britannica.com/s:700x450/55/193755-004-F7B0CCC3.jpg

Chimborazo is an interesting mountain. Although it's lower than Everest in terms of height above sea level, because of the Earth's equatorial bulge the summit is actually the one point on that's the farthest from the Earth's center.

So, for a dog (or a human!), that's kind of impossible to beat. The only dog that would EVER have been higher would be Laika, the dog the Russians put into orbit in 1957, 61 years ago. (Actually, rather a tragic tale. Do read here (https://listverse.com/2017/01/14/10-tragic-facts-about-laika-the-first-dog-in-space/).)

http://projectavalon.net/Chimborazo_highest_mountain.gif

~~~

Here's a true story about the highest CAT that ever climbed a mountain. Rather than copy it from a web page, I'll tell it from memory as best I recall.

:cat:

Quite a while back, in 1950, some Italian mountaineers were staying in the famous Hörnli mountain hut, below the Matterhorn in Switzerland, on the Swiss side. (The Matterhorn (4478m / 14,692 ft) is right on the border between Switzerland and Italy.) It's a large hut, and in the summer there's a live-in custodian who maintains the place, provides meals, and so on.

When the Italian mountaineers set off to climb the mountain the next morning, the custodian's cat followed them. It was just 10 months old, little more than a kitten. They tried to shoo it away, but it was insistent. The climbers couldn't do anything to stop it.

Several hours later, the cat reached the summit — exhausted. (Understandably!) The Italian climbers picked it up, put it in a backpack, and then descended down the other side to Italy, which had always been their plan.

Hearing what happened, the custodian demanded his cat back. But it was now in Italy, and had been totally adopted. The climbers refused to return it. It stayed there for the rest of its life, and having departed this world years later, its body is now stuffed and in a glass case where Italian mountaineers gleefully continue to tell the story to this day.

https://cdn.britannica.com/s:700x450/32/75732-004-5A472A67.jpg

:sun:

[Innocent Warrior]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR-R3Juarbc

Some stills...

https://i.postimg.cc/wvdH5HpC/CE46-EA35-810-D-42-DC-BDF0-575-AC969-ADF5.png (https://postimg.cc/Y48Jk5jR)
https://i.postimg.cc/CMPXSY2w/91277300-AACD-4950-81-AE-2-BD285-DABB05.png (https://postimg.cc/14FJKxPd)
https://i.postimg.cc/63Qcm4tn/0-B5892-EC-30-D9-4-F78-885-E-F138121-C2625.png (https://postimg.cc/94vy4M4Q)
https://i.postimg.cc/FsSMZ8Pm/2284-EFDA-46-AD-4-A84-8645-B797-C5-BEC9-E0.png (https://postimg.cc/svVHf6d0)[/url]
[url=https://postimg.cc/2V8TN1hs]https://i.postimg.cc/fTYPXXLR/C2905-B37-AB42-4-E2-F-A853-AB904-E015975.png (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/TPs0BYws/33-B09943-2-E2-D-4-CC5-96-A7-5455-BE39-D91-E.png (https://postimg.cc/qt823r2c)
https://i.postimg.cc/RC71LTcy/52201470-495-B-40-D5-AA1-A-0-CF43-E2-A8798.png (https://postimg.cc/F1KJ93CV)

Gorgeous place. Mara’s a pro.

[Magnus]

:heart: the sequel video is... beyond words. Thank YOU!

[Bill Ryan]

Hello, Folks: fully aware of the many truly important things being discussed on the forum, I did think I might share these two photos, from a two-day trip I did returning to Quitahuayco on Monday-Tuesday.

These landscapes were straight out of the camera; the only thing I did was stitch together the panoramas. I claim no credit... the light was fantastic. That little brown speck you see in the middle of the second one is Mara, admiring the spectacular view.

The images are high resolution, compacted automatically to fit on the page. Do enlarge them to take a good look round. Enjoy. :)

http://projectavalon.net/Quitayuayco_12Nov_2018_Panorama_1.jpg

http://projectavalon.net/Quitayuayco_12Nov_2018_Panorama_2.jpg

[avid]

Ahaa - I wondered if your absence was due to another adventure high up somewhere. You slept in a bivvy? Any sightings of wild beasties? Lovely pictures as always, and glad you’re home safe 😀

[Valerie Villars]

Every single time I see Mara, queen of the world, looking around it brings a huge smile to my face.

[Bill Ryan]

Ahaa - I wondered if your absence was due to another adventure high up somewhere. You slept in a bivvy? Any sightings of wild beasties? Lovely pictures as always, and glad you’re home safe 😀

Yes, here's the bivvy — I was all warm and cozy tucked into the very tiny one-man tent on the left, while I improvised a five-star shelter for Mara, complete with a comfy grassy nest, where you can zoom in and see her tucking into her meaty bones for dinner. :) (Another high-resolution photo: do enlarge it to see it all.)

My concern, and reason for her shelter, was that the weather would be stormy, wet and cold overnight, and we were very high. But it was actually clear, calm, and starry, with meteors all around. She and I were both really fine.

:star:

http://projectavalon.net/Quitayuayco_12Nov_2018_bivvy.jpg

[Flash]

That Mara is ready to reincarnate into a human being (a nice one). Ascension for the dogs;)

[RunningDeer]

https://i.imgur.com/qQXyB5O.gif
♡

[Orph]

That Mara is ready to reincarnate into a human being ....Are you kidding me? I want to reincarnate as Mara!!! :dog: :bounce:


:llama: :happy dog:

[Pam]

That Mara is ready to reincarnate into a human being (a nice one). Ascension for the dogs;)

I think ascending into Mara's situation would be the greater blessing. Ah, the life of a well loved dog.