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Cotopaxi Summit!

Posted by: | June 12, 2009
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Ecuador
Elevation: 19,600 ft.

Bueno dias from Ecuador. Yesterday our team reached the summit of (the nearly 20,000’) Cotopaxi! When we awoke at midnight, it was snowing lightly. By the time we had breakfast and were ready to start climbing, the snow had let up; some clouds lingered, but stars were visible. The weather for our climb remained excellent: mostly clear skies, calm wind, and relatively mild temperatures. Our team stood on the summit at 7:15 a.m., and was treated to excellent views of the 20,700’ Chimborazo, the Ilinizas, and the active volcanos, the Pinchinchas, which rise above Quito. After descending, we traveled out of Cotopaxi National Park to our current location of the hacienda La Cienega. This beautiful hacienda was built in the late 16th century, and has a rich and interesting history, including having housed the first volcanological study of Cotopaxi, and a European geographical expedition to measure the meridians.

We all enjoyed hot showers and a great dinner, before getting some much needed rest. Today we will travel north to our next hacienda, Guachala. We’ll rest our legs today before starting our next climb, Cayambe. Tomorrow morning before heading to the climbers’ hut on Cayambe, we’ll visit the world famous market at Otovalo.

We’ll keep you up-to-date with our whereabouts.

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