Chimborazo Summit

This morning Steve and I stood on top of the 6300m Chimborazo summit. The highest in Ecuador.
Unfortunately Alex and Billy couldnt join for the climb as they were both fighting flu like symtoms from the day before. However they were troopers by joining us at the 5000m refuge and supporting from there.
It was a tough climb. Depite being on Chimborazo before, I guess I didnt recall just how long and tough the West flank push really is. About 4 hrs. of relentless steep climbing put us both to the test. Regarless it was a great day with amazing weather and views from the top. We reached the Whymper summit at 5:55. Less than 6 hrs. from leaving the refuge.
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The massive Chimborazo 6300m, 20,300ft.


Our route straight up the West Flank


On the summit

Cotopaxi summit

Yestarday between 5:30 - 6:00 and before the sun was even up, we all stood on top of Cotopaxi. At 5897m it was a tough climb as always. It actually never seems to get easier. This year the route appears to have even more steep sections and a very large crevased area to pass directly through. Although this section was a bit hair raising it had some of the most amazing view of crevases and ice formation I have ever seen. Another bonus was a clear view of the amazing 800m wide crater. Still active and smoking.

Awsome job to Alex and Billy who reach their new highest point PR. Sherpa Steve was also as strong as ever leading the way to a speeding ascent just over 4 hrs.
Everyone is feeling good today. Our trip to Chimborazo, Ecuadors highest, begins tomorrow.
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The amazing Cotopaxi Volcano


Crater view from the summit (800m wide x 200m deep)


On the summit


On the way down


Alex, Billy, me, and Steve after the climb

Storm on Illinizas

We started off great on Illinizas N. today. moving fast and feeling good we stopped around 4900m to take in the view (although foggy) and have a drink. After moving for about 5 min. a strange pulse came over my head. It felt like a wave of energy all the way through my forhead and down to my neck. At first thinking something was wrong with me I stopped. Within what felt like 2 sec. later a huge boom of thunder shook us all. We looked at eachother and realized an electrical storm was near. Strange things started. Hair was standing on end, static was building up in our hiking poles, and it was time to move. now running down we bolted (no pun intended). As I caught up to Steve I heard a very noticable buzzing. I thought is was my mp3 player. Asking him if he heard it I took out my earbuds. Billy came behind me, he heard it clearly. It was the rocks buzzing with static due to the ferrous material within them. Now we were scared. taking an alternate gully than our up route we literally ran down, throwing poles as we couldnt hang on to them when the static built up. dropping to the ground each time we felt the electricity and heard the thunder. Finally we made it safely to the refuge for relief after our ordeal.
We are all back safe now at Pappagayo. Unfortunately we didnt summit, but did get high enough for acclimatizing in order to go for Cotopaxi on Tuesday.
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Our view going up Illinizas N. just before the storm

First days in Ecuador

Alex, Billy, Steve, and I are now settled in at Pappagoyo. Our hub for the next climbs. We had a great time in Quito. Especialy an acclimatization hike on Rucu Pinchincha. about a 6.5 hr. round trip by taking the direct route up and the normal route down. Pretty easy going however the paso de la muerte (pass of death) was a bit sketchy but fun. Everyone is acclimatizing well and we are set for Illinizas N. tomorrow.
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Rucu Pinchincha during the approach


Paso de la Muerte while clear


Paso de la Muerte while the fog rolled in


I was the lucky one leading over the pass


Alex crossing the pass