Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition Dispatch

December 12, 2008 – Summit Success on Chimborazo

It’s now about 12:00 noon and everyone on our team is safe back down at the hut. Our driver, Marcello, is waiting just below to take us all the way back to the Chimborazo Resort for some rest and relaxation.

Today we had success; Richard reached the top of Chimborazo. We all started climbing at 12:30 am and it was one of the most beautiful mornings of climbing that I have experienced in my life. I think everyone on the team will also agree. There was a big full moon, clear skies and not a breath of wind, but the altitude and the challenge of climbing on the steep slopes of Chimborazo did take its toll on the group.

At about 5,750m/18,865ft, Line realized that she was not going to be able to get warm. We had been trying to get her warm for most of the morning; she would shake and swing her feet as she walked; we tried to keep our pace up to keep her metabolism going but even though she was wearing two down jackets, her double plastic climbing boots, and a full array of climbing gear and clothing, she just couldn’t keep warm. So her rope team turned back.

A little bit higher at about 5,900m/19,357ft, Steve, who climbed three other volcanoes on this expedition and summited two, realized that he was running out of gas and he was not going to be able to make it down if he continued further. So his rope team turned back.

Two hours later, Richard stood on the summit! We are really proud of him. He just walked back into camp with a big grin on his face. He looks tired but he has a remarkable sense of accomplishment. Richard’s looking very toned and fit, as he always is, but he’s really shed some extra pounds this trip. He bounced back from a stomach disorder that disrupted his summit attempt of Cotopaxi and then reached the ultimate high point, the closest point to the sun on the earth. Great work!

We will keep you informed as we head back to Quito and enjoy our final days in Ecuador.