In brief
Ushca's unique contributions as an ice merchant in Ecuador showcased both cultural heritage and the diminishing traditions against modernity. His story is a poignant reminder of the human connection to nature and survival.
For six decades, Baltazar Ushca performed an extraordinary vocation: he was an ice merchant who trekked up Ecuador's majestic Mount Chimborazo—the highest peak in the country—twice a week to extract ice from glaciers using just a pickax. Weighing roughly 60 pounds, these blocks of ice were meticulously wrapped in hay and transported by his donkeys, destined for villagers who relied on his product for refrigeration in a region largely without electricity.Born into a family of ice merchants, Ushca continued the tradition established by his father Juan, and later joined by his brothers Juan and Gregorio, despite the advent of modern refrigeration methods that had slowly rendered their trade nearly obsolete. Standing at 4-foot-11, Ushca's stature belied his resolute spirit and determination to uphold a legacy of his ancestors. He gained a reputation as the “last of his breed,” selling blocks of ice for just a few dollars each to market vendors in Riobamba, Ecuador. These vendors used the natural ice from Chimborazo to enhance fruit drinks and produce ice cream, highlighting Ushca's pivotal role in the local community. "The natural ice from Chimborazo is the best ice,” he expressed in the documentary “El Último Hielero” (2012). “The tastiest and the sweetest. Full of vitamins for your bones.”Even as his family and contemporaries retired, Ushca persisted with his arduous work, prompting concerns from his children about the hardship of his labor. This touching dynamic showcases Ushca's commitment to a trade that symbolizes an era barely lingering in modern memory. Ushca's life journey and the profession he revered illuminate deep societal changes, transitioning from local, nature-based practices to contemporary conveniences. His story serves as a cultural reminder not only of the struggles he faced, but also of the resilience of traditions being overshadowed in a rapidly changing world. His legacy will continue to resonate as a tribute to the simplicity and toughness inherent in old-time trades and the raw connection between humanity and nature.
