Andeanface: CLIMBING EXPEDITIONS

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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

Our Climbing Expeditions explore some of the most interesting ascents of the Ecuadorian Andes. These intensive climbing itineraries have been designed to allow a progressive elevation gain. We start with some moderate altitude hikes, to end with the summit attempt of Cotopaxi.

NOTE OF ADVICE: Since the summer of 2004 we offer Chimborazo as an extension to our mountaineering expeditions, due to it's changeable conditions. The amount of the snow that Chimborazo gets does not allow safe ascents under the current commercial guiding ratio. Please let us know if you would like to include it in one of our programs.

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.