Our Ecuador Skills Seminar certainly began with its challenges.  Missing bags, canceled flights and the works tested us early but once in the mountains things began to fall into place. The clouds held their releases for what seemed to be a private dry spell solely for us on both Pichincha and Fuya Fuya.  On the way up to Cayambe, it was raining from the turn off to the parking area.  When it was time to pack our bags and walk to the hut, the faucet turned off.  On top of weather luck, our local guides Jaime and Diego secured the only working hut on the mountain.  All of the large mountain huts we are used to staying in are under major construction.  Three other teams are here to climb and they are all in tents.  Only the best for us!

This hut helps tremendously with meals, packing and relaxing.  Which we are all doing now after a great hike up to the glacier for some basic review of mountaineering skills.  Again the weather was perfect and we have had stunning views of the upper mountain and lower valleys the entire time.  Excitement is building for our alpine start tonight.  Most people would cringe at waking up at midnight but when a mountain like Cayambe looms above, it’s hard to even get to sleep.

Wish us well. 

RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Nick Hunt

On The Map