From December 1 through Dec 15th climbers John, Jennifer, and Heather along with TMG guide Joe Owens and Ecuadorian guide Edgar Vaca spent two weeks climbing a series of peaks in Ecuador. The team started with Pasachoa (13,776’), and then climbed Guagua Pinchincha (15,700’) and Imbabura (15,190’) as preparation for the first glaciated peak Cayambe (18,993’).
At 10pm on December 7, the team got up for the ascent of Cayambe (18,993’) seeking to take advantage to take advantage of clear overnight skies. At 7am, when Heather and Edgar made the top, it was clear, but my 9:45 the weather had become windy with poor visibility. Both teams had made it back to the hut by 1:30 pm, 14 hours after departure time.
The next objective was the famous Cotopaxi (19,347’), a nearly symmetrical volcanic cone. In the late evening of December 10 again at 10pm, the team began their preparation for another long ascent. A few hours into the climb, both Jennifer and Heather didn’t feel well, and the team decided to descend to the hut.
After some deliberation and rest day in Quito, the team decided they wanted to return to Cotopaxi (19, 347’) and finish their business on such a beautiful peak. Again, rising early at 10pm on the evening of December 13, the team headed out under clear skies and good conditions, making the summit at 7:50am on December 14. If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.Congratulations go out the team for summiting all these fantastic peaks! Great job everyone! TMG will be offering this fantastic trip again in December, 2009.
