| CLIMBING
DIFFICULTY LEVELS |
| The
following scale reflects the difficulty of the climb
considering the technical specifications, experience
required, altitude and duration of the ascent. The grades
are roughly estimated and you have to take into account
the difficulty varies depending on your personal fitness
and experience.
Intermediate
No previous mountaineering skills are required. Climbers
should be in acceptable physical condition and it is
highly recommended that participants have some backpacking
experience. In some cases a rope may be used to belay
some exposed places.
Advance
Basic mountaineering skills required, experience in
high altitude and use of climbing gear such as crampons,
rope and ice axe is preferred, but not required. A moderate
climb usually is on a glacier, you may have to cross
some crevasses, the slopes are not so steep (max. 40%)
and full gear is used on all climbs. Very good physical
condition is required.
Strenuous
More than 6.000 m / 19,600 ft technical climbs with
steep snow slopes and exposed ridges, you may encounter
some crevassed sections. Experience in high altitude
and proper use of equipment as well as some knowledge
of mountaineering techniques are required. Climbers
should be comfortable on snow and ice up to 50 degrees.
An excellent physical condition is a must.
|
ASCENSION
SUCCESS RATE
of the 4 highest volcanoes |
| The
following information is based on our own records since
2002. It represents the percentage of trips in which we
have taken at least one client to the summit.
Next
to the percentage, is a brief description of the most
common cause for not been able to reach the top.
Chimborazo:
20%
Icy conditions on the mountain and rock fall.
Cotopaxi:
90%
Strong winds.
Cayambe:
55%
Bad Weather.
Antisana:
60%
Not being able to cross the bergschrund around the summit. |
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Our
Climbing Excursions have been
designed as independent ascents to six of Ecuador's
ten mountains above 5.000 m / 16,400 ft. All of
them are to be done in two days if departing from
Quito, but we can arrange to pick you up from
another town or city that might be closer to the
mountain you choose to climb.
The
idea of creating your own itinerary, gives you
the advantage of combining some of this single
ascents while you are exploring a certain area
of the Ecuadorian Andes. In any case we would
suggest specific combinations based mostly on
the fact that to climb some mountains, you need
to have a very good acclimatisation and a fair
knowledge of mountaineering techniques. The
climbs we suggest can be single day Trekking
Excursions that are in order of ascension, so
you can develop an ideal acclimatisation process.
Additionally
we would suggest some cultural tours or other
activities as complimentary extensions depending
on the area where the mountain is.
Remember
that our speciality is the organisation of well-developed
itineraries, so we can design you an exclusive
expedition. Let us know your requirements and
ideas.
Each
one of the following options presents its own
challenges, from long journeys to technical
terrain. Please click on an image to select
a climbing excursion.
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| CHIMBORAZO |
| 6.310
m / 20,702 ft /
strenuous |
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| COTOPAXI |
| 5.897
m / 19,342 ft /
intermediate |
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| CAYAMBE |
| 5.790
m / 18,991 ft
/
advance |
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| ANTISANA |
| 5.758
m / 18,886 ft /
advance |
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| NORTH
ILINIZA |
| 5.125
m / 16,810 ft
/
intermediate |
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| CARIHUAYRAZO |
| 5.020
m / 16,465 ft
/
intermediate |
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