Got robbed at gunpoint today in the backcountry

Well, what a crappy day. My wife and I went about 6 miles into the Ecuadorean backcountry near Loja today with another American couple to scope out a huge rock wall (we've been bumming around Ecuador since the beginning of the month climbing our way south). We had gained a ridge via a shoulder that extended down near a small today and were able to scope out a 250' wall. Turned out to be boulders held in place by kitty litter.

So... Headed back down and finally hit a clearing in the woods where we stopped to drink some water and get a small snack in the woods. While I was packing it up to keep moving my wife says, oh crap we're going to get robbed. Two Ecuadorean guys with masks were stealthily approaching, one with a six shooter and one with a beretta. They were making the universal sign for hush and get down. We obliged (they had guns!). They searched us all EXTREMELY thoroughly. Like to the point of molesting. Took 3 iPhones, a tablet, my Patagonia ascensionist pack (highly recommended btw), my spyderco, headlamp, and some rudimentary basic climbing gear I'd brought. All in for the four of us near $4500 worth of crap. Oh, and $45 cash. They then made us take off all our shoes, took the shoelaces out and tied is up with our hands behind our backs. Then they tied all our hands together and poured some water on the laces (thank you 5.10 for not having shrink able laces when wet!). At the time we thought it was lighter fluid and we were in for the last ride. They went up the hill, spied on us (told us to be quiet and not to move for an hour). Then they came back and went down the hill. We waited maybe 10 minutes before trucking. Their knots were pathetic and we untied ourselves super quick. Made a police report and all.

Anyway, be careful in the backcountry. We were hoping to find something sweet and open it up, but instead got robbed. Crappy trip report, I know. Just ticked they took my phone with the the pics. And my backpack and my spyderco and my favorite headlamp. Crappy.

Glad you're OK. Reminds me not to go in the backcountry in Central or South America without an armed security force!

I agree man, shitty day. Sorry to hear it.

no bueno

F#CK That's scary

That's shit. At least you're ok.

Glad everything is turned out relatively OK. I will certainly keep the Patagonia recommendation in mind. Sure puts a damper on things though.

Jesse, glad youre okay.

I read this aloud to my family. They enjoyed your positivity.

Oh, and my wife and I are both sun burnt for the first time since we've been here because we had another 2 miles back to civilization in the open on the equator with no coverage as they took our hats AND our sunscreen. What are they going to do with the sunscreen? They have masks. They don't need sunscreen. The chief cop offered to escort us on anymore hikes, so that's nice.

Gunks Jesse wrote:Oh, and my wife and I are both sun burnt for the first time since we've been here because we had another 2 miles back to civilization in the open on the equator with no coverage as they took our hats AND our sunscreen. What are they going to do with the sunscreen? They have masks. They don't need sunscreen. The chief cop offered to escort us on anymore hikes, so that's nice.

Wow! So glad all are okay! This last bit made me smile, you've got a super attitude!

Gunks Jesse wrote:They have masks. They don't need sunscreen.

Priceless. So so glad everyone is alright and thank you for sharing!

You're full I shit. Tied up ad robbed and you're worried about sunburns and recommending Patagonia products? Jesus Christ.

Glad you're around to tell the tale - which by the way will long outlast the swag they stole.

Here's to more adventure, get after it.

Too bad you weren't packing. I bet these guys don't even have ammo. They wouldn't know what to do if met with firearms.

Our thoughts exactly Susan. We all kept our cool and followed their instructions and we are all ok because of it. Yes, it's all just stuff. Just was trying to not sink into hopelessness and look for the goodmpoint: we are all ok. Researched robberies in Ecuador this morning and realized it could have been way worse...

Another lesson learned: make sure your pics are backed up on your devices. Thought they were but some weren't. Bummer

And yeah, we kind of wonders if they even had ammo but not worth the risk

Glad everyone is OK, but I have to say it: rummaging around in Latin American backcountry with nearly five grand in 'stuff' is pretty dumb.
Usually on recon missions in unknown, possibly dangerous zones bringing water (and possibly a firearm) is about good.
If I were to take the time to rob a bunch a gringos, I sure as shit would take everything also. Including your sunscreen.

Sucks being robbed, sorry to hear it. 3 I-phones and a tablet though on a 6 mile hike?

Because the first thing I would do the day I got robbed at gun point and tied up in the Ecuadorian jungle is write about it on Mountianproject.

Brassmonkey wrote:Really getting tired of the assholes on here. Sorry to hear man, thankfully its all replaceable.

No doubt. Seriously did someone shite in Mediocre or Andy Novak's Lucky Charms this morning? (perhaps someone should?)

Glad you are okay Jesse.

Greg D wrote:Too bad you weren't packing. I bet these guys don't even have ammo. They wouldn't know what to do if met with firearms.

Oh Greg. I always love your posts because for every 5 comments that I nod my head in agreement to, you always post a gem like this that makes me shake my head and think "whaaa?!?" Greg my friend, getting robbed in a third world country isn't a wild west novel man. If you pull a piece or try to defend yourself, you will end up dead. Its really that simple. I have a Brazilian family member who has been robbed a number of times while growing up in both Sao Paolo and Rio....robbed by little kids (like sub-ten year olds). I asked her if they were just little kids, then why didn't she just say no and kick there little arses to the side. She laughed at me like I was a naive moron and more or less told me that resisting results in getting stabbed...like as if it was just common knowledge that you just hand them the cell phone and five bucks in your front pocket and move on with your life. Eight year olds dude.

J. Albers wrote:like as if it was just common knowledge that you just hand them the cell phone and five bucks in your front pocket and move on with your life. Eight year olds dude.

That's incorrect, the standard procedure when you get your I-phone stolen in Rio is to grab the closest old lady and use her as a human shield.

g1.globo.com/videos/v/camer…

Christian wrote: That's incorrect, the standard procedure when you get your I-phone stolen in Rio is to grab the closest old lady and use her as a human shield. g1.globo.com/videos/v/camer…

Ho.Ly. Shit. That was awesome. Thanks for that, I will most certainly be sending that along to my relatives with some taunts about Brazilian chivalry!!