The first picture is of Cuicachi, a crater of an active volcano. The lake is freezing so you wouldnt want to swim in it. Also of interest is there are no fish due to the chemicals that come from the volcano. The others are of Cotopaxi one of the highest active volcanos snow capped!! The actual hike itself was probably one of the hardest things I have done.We made a slow drive up to 4500m. From there there is a steep incline to 4800m to a refuge, for a short break and then made a further hike to 5000m. All in all we were walking (or in my case falling) for around two and half hours. The altitude had an effect on my balance, so the higher I went the more time I was on my bottom, to the amusement of my fellow trekkers. I was really impressed with Cotopaxi it is very beautiful volcano. Hiking at the angles we did is hard normally but combining that with an altitude of 5000m enough to make you breathless and weak at the knees and high winds with a freeze factor to have the ti...