Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition Dispatch
November 16, 2010 – A Long but Beautiful Summit Attempt on Cotopaxi: Part I
At 5897 meters (19, 347 feet) Cotopaxi is the second highest peak in Ecuador. It is an iconic mountain to adventures because of its symmetrical shape, and its domineering presence in Ecuador’s Andean landscape. Our team left Jose Ribas hut at 1:30 AM this morning, with their headlamps on and their hearts full of determination to reach the summit. About five hours later Osvaldo called the Berg Adventures Headquarters in Canada by satalite phone to report that deep snow at 5750 meters was going to turn the team back from reaching the very top. Nonetheless as the photos below will show the team had an amazing climb.
Photos of our early morning climb:
We set off from Jose Ribas Hut at 1:30 AM.
The new snow was quite deep as we began to climb.
Left: Headlamps helped us see.; Right: But when the real snow began the headlamps did little good.
As we climbed higher the weather did improve.
Taking a break. There’s always lots to do, organize, drink, eat.
Time to move out again
As the morning began to dawn, the terrain around was beautiful.
Left: Hugo with our objective behind;
Right: Dawn found us high on the mountain.
The climbing was spectacular.
We saw intricate, beautiful ice features in the early morning light.