Good days - Bad days in Ecuador

Well, the Ecuador trip is now concluding. Day 2 of the acclimatization plan went well. We climbed Illinizas N. on Saturday. It was great, a relatively short trip to 5100m. All of which I felt great.
Started the Cotopaxi climb on Sunday. Went to the refuge at 4800m in the afternoon to rest until midnight. Still feeling good we set of a 1:00 am. The wind from the time we arrived at the refuge was relentless. sudden gusts capable of knocking one over. This also starting making things pretty cold. The entire time in Ecuador right up until about 5300m on Cotopaxi I was feeling great. Acclimatizing in just 3 days to go above 5000m was the goal. But unfortunately Cotopaxi was also a goal. At around 5700m it was time to turnaround. Between the wind and a newly experienced sense of tiredness, Cotopaxi will have to wait.
Of course this is disappointing. Could I have pushed the last 200 vertical meters?, how dangerous would the last traverses really be with the wind?. I´ll never know for sure. But I will be back to avenge.

sP

Ecuador acclimatization day 1 complete (Rucu Pinchincha round 2)

Just finished hiking Rucu Pinchinca. Went to 4700m. Felt good all day, but a bit tired. Tomorrow I´ll try 5100m on Illanizas North.
Back in Quito now, going to rest for tomorrow.
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Ecuador trip

Since I'll be leaving Houston Sept. 3 and trying to summit Cotopaxi Sept. 6, there's not a lot of time for acclimatization. However with the availability of good day hiking and lesser challenging volcanoes around Quito, I can maximize the days between to acclimatize. First on Sept. 4 Rucu Pinchincha (a relatively easy day hike/scrample) then on Sept. 5 Ilinizas North (a good climb to > 5000m). Then, depeding on how I feel at that point, a Cotopaxi summit attempt can be made around midnight Sept. 6.
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Mt. Indefatigable round 2

Had a great weekend hiking in the Kananaskis. Still had the North summit of Indefatigable on the to-do list from last time. Started with a South summit then traversed to the North. Great day, great weather. Missing Calgary and the Kananaskis all over agin.
Thanks to Steffen for the photos.
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Return from Rainier

Back in Houston now. The Rainier trip was excellent! A great combination of learning new skills, climbing activities, and working as a team with new friends. We hit the summit of 14410' at 08:00 (mountain time) 01-July-09.
Here is a summit photo of myself and Luke (former professional bull rider now turned climber). I'll always give credit were credit is due, he handled the climb well despite never being near 14,000' feet before.

A few other pics here, our camp on the Winthrop Glacier and the summit view from it.
Rainier really impressed me. Both esthetically and the technical
challenges involved. Its definitely a place to visit and climb again.
A real gem of the west coast.
Once again thanks to everyone who donated to the Alberta Children's hospital prior to this climb. You contribution is greatly appreciated. sP

Departure for Rainier

Ready to go. Flight to Seattle in the morning. Should be on the mountain by Thursday.
Special thanks again to everyone who contributed to the Alberta Children's hospital. By the way, I know the pictures not that exciting, but its getting late.
sP

Rainier prep

Nearly ready to leave for Rainier. Gear it set. Perhaps one of the hardest things is to decide what to eat for 8 days. Here's my selection of oatmeal, bars, dried fruit, tea, jerky, etc.
sP