| HIGHLIGHTS |
| •
The highest active volcano in the world.
•
Ecuador's second highest mountain.
•
The most frequently climbed mountain in the Americas.
•
The most accessible high altitude mountain from Quito.
•
Just 2 1/2 hours away from the capital city.
•
Strategic location over the "Avenue of the Volcanoes."
•
All year round climbing.
|
SUGGESTED
COMBINATIONS |
| Although
Cotopaxi is probably the easiest to climb of the high
altitude mountains of Ecuador, it is still a challenging
pursuit. Its
altitude requires a very good level of acclimatiza-tion.
Our
suggestion to our clients is to climb several other
mountains that would provide them with the neccesary
acclimatiza-tion and a practice of the required skills.
Following
is a suggested list of ascents that are progressively
higher.
1.
Pasochoa
4.200 m / 13,776 ft
2.
Guagua Pichincha
4.797 m / 15,700 ft
3.
North Iliniza
5.125 m / 16,810 ft
4.
Cotopaxi
5.897 m / 19,342 ft
|
| OTHER
CLIMBING EXCURSIONS |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
| |
"Cotopaxi’s
shape is the most beautiful and regular
of all the colossal peaks in the high Andes.
It is a perfect cone covered by a thick
blanket of snow which shines so brilliantly
at sunset, it seems detached from the azure
of the sky."
Alexander
von Humbolt, 1802.
|
Cotopaxi
is without any doubt, one of the most beautiful
mountains of the world. Due to its geographical
position it has more clear days than any
of the other high mountains in Ecuador.
Nowadays, it has become the most popular
mountain not only of Ecuador, but of the
whole Andes chain. In Quichua language the
name Cotopaxi supposedly means the "necklace
of the moon".
From the 4.800
m / 15,750 ft hut we ascend moderate glacier
slopes to the summit. Along the way however,
complex crevasse patterns and snow bridge
crossings over deep crevasses make the
climb interesting. After passing through
a heavily crevassed area we reach the
final summit slope. Here a challenging
section of 35-40 degree snow leads to
the abrupt finish of the climb on the
crater rim of the world's highest active
volcano. The climb normally takes six
hours and the descent two hours. The volcano’s
last strongest eruption was in 1877, and
caused serious damages even down by the
coast, hundreds of kilometres away.
|
|
| |
|
| Itinerary
in Brief |
Day
1
• Pick up at Quito at around
8:30
• Travel for 2 hours to the
Cotopaxi National Park
• Skills review and safety
talk during the afternoon
• Early dinner at 18:00
Day
2
• Climb Cotopaxi leaving
at around 01:00
• Descend from mountain
• Rest, lunch and packing
• Return to Quito
Note:
This schedule is subject to
change due to unforeseen difficulties.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Duration
|
2
days |
| Access |
Drive in and
drive out |
| Seasons
|
All year round
|
| Guide-client
ratio |
1:3 |
| Pre-requisites |
Basic mountaineering
knowledge |
| Equipment |
 |
| Accommodation |
Jose Rivas Hut
(4.800 m) |
| Extensions
|
Optional 1 day
weather contingency |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-