Reader: Donna Childress, 40, of Arlington,
Virginia
The Spot: Ecuador's 18,996-foot (5,790-meter) Cayambe, an extinct Andean volcano
The Moment: We had been climbing since the wee hours of the morning when we stopped near this giant frozen wave of snow and ice. Above us, two climbers plodded down the steep slope we'd just descended. Far below us, we saw a layer of white clouds and rolling green lowlands. We were perched near the top of the world, tired and content, sneaking a quick rest in the warm morning sun.
Do-It-Yourself: International Mountain Guides (www.mountainguides.com) runs an excellent Ecuador volcanoes trip that mixes climbing and culture. For reading, try Ecuador: A Climbing Guide, by Yossi Brain.
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