AED343, Welcome to the TLB Forum <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Ecuador is a great place for backpacking and visiting IME. Been there, Done that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You make very valid points that I reiterate in some posts when foks inquire about travel to certain parts of the World. But your points apply to places that we seek out as you mentioned, because we like solitude. With solitude comes the danger of isolation from help whether it's with regard to an injury, animal attack, or thieves <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Keep posting here as it's nice to have folks from outside the USA to give another side to opinions and topics. You could probably chime in on cold weather camping as it does get quite cold up there from what I recall <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />