In brief
Baltazar Ushca, known as the last ice merchant of Ecuador, has passed away at the age of 80. His lifelong dedication to harvesting glacial ice offers a glimpse into a diminishing artisanal trade that is largely faded in the face of modern technology.
For six decades, Baltazar Ushca trekked up Ecuador's highest mountain, Mount Chimborazo, where he extracted ice from the glacier despite the rise of refrigeration technologies. This labor-intensive practice began as a family trade, with both his father and brothers involved. Despite the challenges posed by modern convenience, Ushca maintained the craft, traveling to local markets to sell his specially harvested ice.His customers, mainly villagers without electricity, relied on him to improve their food preservation. Ushca's craftsmanship earned him recognition and respect, leading to his portrayal as a cultural symbol in the documentary "El Último Hielero" (The Last Ice Merchant). He was known for his belief that the natural ice from Chimborazo was unparalleled in quality, calling it “the best ice” for its taste and health benefits. Ushca’s life was marked by perseverance, even as his children questioned the merits of such a physically demanding profession with little financial reward. Despite the challenges and declining demand for his product, Ushca's legacy as the last practitioner of his trade remains an important chapter in the cultural tapestry of Ecuador, reminding us of the beauty and difficulty of traditional work that connects communities to nature.
