In brief
Baltazar Ushca, a remarkable figure in the world of traditional ice harvesting, has died at the age of 80. A stalwart of Mount Chimborazo’s glacial ice trade, he climbed Ecuador's highest peak for over sixty years, providing essential ice to those in rural communities long before modern refrigeration took hold.
Born into a family of ice merchants, Ushca made a life of hauling and selling blocks of ice, often wrapping them in hay and transporting them by donkey. Despite the advent of refrigeration, he remained resolute in his craft, becoming a symbol of cultural heritage in his region. He was revered as the last ice merchant in his village, selling his prized blocks for use in refreshing beverages and ice cream."Natural ice from Chimborazo is the best ice," Ushca declared in a short documentary titled "El Último Hielero." His journey, however, was not without challenges, and his family often questioned the toll it took on him. Tragically, he had to cease his work about five years ago due to an injury.Ushca's legacy as a custodian of ice harvesting will endure, exemplifying dedication and a connection to ancestral customs that many have long since abandoned. His story emphasizes the importance of cultural traditions in an evolving world, marking an era of both reverence for the past and acknowledgment of changing times.
