Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Climbing the Cotopaxi in Ecuador: 5897m (19347')

The Chimborazo covered with ashes from the Tungurahua volcano is no more climbable
So our target is the beautiful Cotopaxi
Our first hike was around the Laguna Moranda
The Iliniza Norte,5125m(16814") was our target for the day
from the refuge we started climbing
it was freezing!
from the summit we admired the Cotopaxi
the next day after a good night in a hacienda we went to the local market
with spectacular display
and local garments

after a rainy night we started a long climb to reach the refuge at 4740m (15.551')
We enjoyed to rest in the sun at the refuge
Our guide explained to us what to morrow will be: depart at 3 a.m.
after 6 hours with crampons and ice axe and head lamp we reached the top

by luck the clouds had not yet reached the beautiful caldera 
We had to start climbing down because the wind was getting stronger and stronger
A last look at  the glacier we climbed up and down for more than 10 hours
A few hours after we were back to our tents with a rainbow
The last day we relaxed on top of the train at Rio Bamba down to the"Nariz del Diablo"