Entries from Ecuador

Ecuador Volcanoes: Mike Walter & Team Arrive in Quito

June 19, 2013

Posted by: Mike Walter

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 9,350'

The Ecuador Volcanoes climbing (and all of our luggage) has arrived in Ecuador! Everyone arrived in the country by early this morning and hit the ground running. We spent the bulk of the day on an interesting and educational tour of colonial Quito, visiting the Presidential Palace, the Basilica, and various other points of interest in southern Quito, also known as Old Town Quito. Our local city guide, Jorge, is extremely knowledgeable and happy to share the wealth of information he has about the history, culture, politics, and religion of Ecuador. As always, it's a pleasure to work with Jorge. After a typical Ecuadorian lunch of empanadas, locro de queso (potato soup with cheese & avocado), and fritada (fried pork with corn and plantains), we headed to the Equator. We visited an ethnographic museum and stood straddling the Equator, with a foot in each hemisphere (see photo). We're all still a little weary from a long travel day to get here, and I'm sure everyone will sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we had head out on our first acclimatization hike. We'll be in touch tomorrow to let you know how it goes. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Ken! Amazing to read, incredible to SEE!! Great job everyone!

Posted by: Carlo Barone on 6/24/2013 at 10:46 am

Thinking about you Ken! Be super careful. What an experience! Jan

Posted by: Jan Swenarton on 6/23/2013 at 3:23 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team’s Decision on Cotopaxi

February 18, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 18,400'

Greetings from Quito! Early this morning (or rather late last night), our team set off to try to climb Cotopaxi. When we woke there was a little precip, but we knew we could handle it and continued with our preparations to go see what we could do. Breaking trail through the new snow for hours this morning did little to slow down this team and we found ourselves high on the mountain before the sun had risen. At around 18,400 feet above the sea, crossing a reactive windslab above a gaping crevasse stopped us in our tracks, too risky to chance a crossing and our high point today. The team impressed me with their dedication to safety and a good time in the mountains over standing on a summit and Cotopaxi rewarded our judgment with a break in the storm to take in the sights of this beautiful mountain. Crossing crevasses, down climbing ice steps and navigating seracs in the early morning light was a real treat and we appreciated these features of the route even more as the weather rolled in for our last few moments before returning to the hut. A short nap and then down to the bus in the snow, so much for life in the tropics. It has been a real treat to share these climbs with such a good team, thanks everybody. RMI Guide Jake Beren

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Brilliant decision, team and leaders: L’chaim!

Posted by: nsb on 2/19/2013 at 5:41 am

Hurray! Great job, everyone!

Posted by: Caroline on 2/18/2013 at 1:22 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Ready for Cotopaxi Summit Bid

February 17, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 16,000'

Hello, this is Jake Beren in Ecuador calling in for the RMI team down here. We had a fantastic day yesterday just resting and recouping after a pretty big week so far here in Ecuador. And this morning we're going to head up to the hut on Cotopaxi. And with any luck, tonight we will be making our bid for the summit. So wish us luck and keep sending those good weather vibes down here and I will check in tomorrow. RMI Guide Jake Beren

Jake Beren checks in from Cotopaxi's High Hut.

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Best of luck and may the gods and goddesses of good weather smile upon you!

Posted by: Christina Doren on 2/17/2013 at 7:04 pm

Anxious to hear how every thing went
Love, Mom and Dad

Posted by: Dianne and George on 2/17/2013 at 4:58 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Relaxing after a Successful Cayambe Summit

February 15, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Hello, this is Jake calling in from Ecuador. Just to let everybody know that after our successful climb of Cayambe today, we have made it safely, soundly and well fed back to Chilcabamba where we will be spending tonight and tomorrow resting to get ready for Cotopaxi. All's well after a big day and we're looking forward to a little bit of R&R. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from Chilcabamba Eco Lodge.

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So happy to hear the great news! Congratulations! Can’t wait to hear the stories when you return!

Love to you all, LeAnn

Posted by: LeAnn Plank on 2/17/2013 at 9:19 am

Congratulations on the Cayumbe summit! With the bright, ice blue sky, it looked like a perfect morning.

Posted by: Kathy Zuehlke on 2/16/2013 at 9:55 am

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Cayambe Summit!

February 15, 2013

Posted by: Ben Liken, Jake Beren

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 18,997'

Buenos dias from the top of Cayambe! We had an absolutely stunning day for our climb today, first clear day up here in weeks and perfect cramponing conditions all the way up. So we will give you guys a shout on the way down and super proud effort by the team today. Everybody did a fantastic job and we'll give you shout when we're down safe and sound. Alright, thanks. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from the summit of Cayambe.

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Beren & Team Check in from the Cayambe Hut

February 14, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,300'

Feliz Valentine's Day from all of us in Ecuador. We are at our hut on Cayambe. About to bed down for the night after a good day of training up here. And with any luck tonight, we will be giving Cayambe a shot. So wish us luck. And again, Happy Valentine's to everybody back home. RMI Guide Jake Beren

RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from Cayambe's High Hut.

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Those pictures of Cayambe are AWESOME. It looks like heaven. Best of luck for the climb tomorrow. With love, your valentine.

Posted by: Christina Doren on 2/14/2013 at 10:31 pm

Congrats on a good training day! I’m saying a special Cayambe prayer for the team tonight!

Posted by: Caroline on 2/14/2013 at 7:39 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Exploring the Otovalo Market

February 13, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

The team is currently exploring Otovalo, the market town near the base of Cayambe. The sea of brightly colored goods in the town square is a fantastic place for a little cultural souvenir shopping. After our outing, we will head towards our next climbing objective, Cayambe. With a positive trend in the weather, it seems as though all the crossed fingers up North have made a difference. Keep it up amigos and we will check in from the hut! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Happy Valentine’s Day, Dan and friends!! Love the updates, following y’all daily! Wishes for good weather, good health and happy hiking!

Posted by: Patsy on 2/14/2013 at 5:12 pm

Yes, Happy Valentines day to Dan and friends! Following you daily, love the updates! Wishing good weather and successful hiking!

Posted by: Patsy on 2/14/2013 at 5:08 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Acclimatizing on Cerro Fuya Fuya

February 12, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 14,000'

The rain was borderline torrential in Quito last night, but as we got closer to our acclimatization hike, it let up for us. We had a great hike today, topping out on Cerro Fuya Fuya at over 14,000 feet! The team again did a great job climbing up this mountain and making the most of our time up high. Tomorrow we will head to Otovalo and do a little exploration of the market town. Afterwards it's up to the Cayambe hut! So far so good down here. RMI Guide Jake Beren

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

I swear that is the rare specie of Ecuadorian houli in the red jacket.

Posted by: John Loschky on 2/12/2013 at 8:02 pm

Hurray! Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Caroline on 2/12/2013 at 4:39 pm

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Hike to Top of Rucu Pichincha

February 11, 2013

Posted by: Jake Beren, Ben Liken

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Elevation: 15,696'

What a day! After breakfast the rain let up for a bit and we boarded the teleferico for a ride up to 13,200 feet. Nice way to travel. We caught a quick glance at Cotopaxi before the clouds rolled in and enjoyed perfect walking temperatures up to the ridge of the extinct volcano Rucu Pichincha. With a weather window to work with, we roped up and climbed to the summit, everyone standing tall at 15,700 feet above the sea. The team did great and we even managed to get down to the trail before the rain came in. The rain stayed with us until we got back to town, but everyone's spirits remained high and now we are relaxing before dinner. Tomorrow we leave Quito and head for even higher ground. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Hi Mark, we are glad to see you with your team. We hope you will continue to have a good trip and we will follow your adventure via this blog!!

Posted by: Wally Rappe on 2/13/2013 at 5:58 pm

Looks like you are doing well and should I say, even “rested”. hope you are keeping a log so we can hear all about the climb. Push your limits!!! jL

Posted by: John Lind SR on 2/13/2013 at 4:18 pm

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Team Explores Quito

February 10, 2013

Posted by: Ben Liken, Jake Beren

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador

Buenos Dias from Ecuador! The team arrived last night ahead of schedule, with all our gear and we hit the town running today. After a team meeting this morning, we loaded up on coffee and breakfast and took a short drive to the equator to perform a few experiments. After some testing we were able to verify the precise location of the Middle of the World and head to lunch. Post traditional Equadorian food, we returned to the Southern Hemisphere to explore the Old Town of Quito. We were able to get some great views of the city from the ramparts of the Basilica before an afternoon lightning storm encouraged our descent. The Guilded Church, Presidential Palace and Virgin of Quito followed and we returned to the hotel for some rest before a gear check and dinner. Off to a great start down here! RMI Guides Jake Beren & Ben Liken

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congrats to the team for a successful climb today, complete with a Carunculated Caracara sighting! Very cool bird! Keep up the good work!

Posted by: Caroline on 2/11/2013 at 2:36 pm

Me too—sending good thoughts to my hubs and friends on this adventure. Keep us posted!

Posted by: Christina on 2/11/2013 at 9:26 am

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Entries from Ecuador

Ecuador Volcanoes: Mike Walter & Team Arrive in Quito

On The Map

Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team’s Decision on Cotopaxi

Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Ready for Cotopaxi Summit Bid

On The Map

Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Relaxing after a Successful Cayambe Summit

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Cayambe Summit!

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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Beren & Team Check in from the Cayambe Hut

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Exploring the Otovalo Market

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Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Acclimatizing on Cerro Fuya Fuya

Ecuador Volcanoes: Beren & Team Hike to Top of Rucu Pichincha

On The Map

Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Team Explores Quito

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