Hi, this is Pedro reporting from Tambopaxi. Yesterday and today are rest days. At midnight we will start the ascent attempt to Cotopaxi.
Alexander von Humboldt is quoted to say “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…” Cotopaxi is the most climbed volcano of South America. That has the advantage that others have found the proper and safest route to climb it. Also some parts are very steep. Zigzag routes have been marked by others to make it easier and safer to climb.
This afternoon we will drive to the entrance to the park and from there we hike for an hour to the Jose Ribas hut. There we rest for eight hours or so; we try to eat and sleep and start our attempt around midnight. When we start the climb we will be at 15,750 feet and to the top of the volcano 19,347 feet, which means we need to climb 3,597 feet at high elevation. It will take some eight hours or so to reach the top. The team is extremely strong and clearly committed and I feel honored to be with them. All of us are stoked, very excited, and very positive about this climb.
Ecuador itself is a beautiful country. In every direction you see nothing but green lands and mountains. If you ever have an opportunity to come here, do not let it pass. From Ecuador, Pedro finished.
