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Title image - BAI takes you to: Ecuador

Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition Dispatch

November 16, 2010 – Snowy Conditions As We Prepare For Chimborazo

This is Leila Silveira reporting from Estrella de Chimborazo, also known as Chimborazo base camp. The rain continues...

Before I mention the impact the rain is having in our summit attempts, I would like to mention that the rain is also having serious consequences in the daily life of everyone living here in Ecuador. Yesterday, driving to Chimborazo, we witnessed some serious flooding. It came to a point that the road was like a lake that was too deep to attempt to cross. Cars had to drive a long way around to get past the washout.

After four hours of driving in heavy rain, we arrived here at Chimborazo Base camp, my favourite mountain lodge. It is a small lodge decorated with mountaineering motifs where the staff hasn’t changed in a long time, so it is always nice to see the same friendly faces.

The weather here is much colder than the other places we have been. Chimborazo should have a lot of snow due to this rain we've been having. This may actually improve our chances of success, since Chimborazo becomes a very technical climb when there is no snow to walk on. We will have to wait until tomorrow to find out. Osvaldo is hoping we won't have the same conditions we had on Cotopaxi, where there was snow up to his waist.

Whatever the conditions, we have to respect the mountain, since she will always have the last word.

The urban lake. Even an ambulance can't get through.

The urban lake. Even an ambulance can't get through.

The main lodge at Estrella del Chimborazo

The main lodge at Estrella del Chimborazo

Our cabins

Our cabins

Chimborazo in clear weather

Chimborazo in clear weather

A llama that welcomed us to the lodge

A llama that welcomed us to the lodge

Helvecio and Steve, warming up with cinnamon tea and rum Hugo is always in a great mood

Left: Helvecio and Steve, warming up with cinnamon tea and rum;

Right: Hugo is always in a great mood

Joaquin and Lynette enjoyint tea and french onion soup Osvaldo has been doing a great job keeping our team safe.

Left: Joaquin and Lynette enjoyint tea and french onion soup;

Right: Osvaldo has been doing a great job keeping our team safe.