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Climb Chimborazo
Challenge yourself and break the 20,000 ft barrier and stand on the furthest point from the centre of the Earth. This is a physically challenging but non-technical Climb.
Located 150 km (93 miles) south/southwest of
Quito, Chimborazo is the highest peak in Ecuador and the point
on the Earth's surface closest to the sun due to the Earth's equatorial
bulge of more than 8000 metres.
Climbing Chimborazo will present a challenge to even the most
experienced mountaineer; it is not very technical (easy to moderate),
but the long approach to reach the peak will certainly push you
to your physical limits. In addition to adequate acclimatisation,
excellent physical condition is required to cover the 1300 meter
altitude gain between Whymper Refuge and the summit, a 9 - 12
hour climb.
Good planning, careful supervision by our guides and acclimatisation
are essential to avoid the problems of Altitude Sickness and frostbite.
There are five summits on Chimborazo, Wymper 6310 m / 20,703 ft,
Veintimilla 6267 m, Northern 6200 m, Polytechnic 5500 m and Nicolas
Martinez 5500 m. The standard routes are the Veintimilla and Wymper
routes from the refuge on the western side of the mountain. Only
4 groups have reached all 5 summits in one trek, how about taking
up that challenge.
The best weather is from June to January.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Day 2 Acclimatise to the altitude at first whilst taking
it easy in Quito and then some gentle trekking on the hills that
line the Avenue of Volcanoes. We start from Lloa village (south
west of Quito) to climb the summit of Guagua Pichincha (4794m).
From Lloa to the rim of the crater is about 4 hours. We descend
to Lloa in about 3 hours. Then we will drive to Quinta Colorada
(3000m), our acclimatisation centre at the foot of the Cotopaxi.
B, L, D.
Day 3 The extinct and eroded volcano El Corazón
is situated about 40 km south west of Quito. The word Corazón
means "heart" and this name was given as there are two
hills on the north west slope, which appear heart shaped when
seen from a distance. El Corazón (4788m) is perfect for
acclimatisation. Drive back to Quinta Colorada. B, L, D.
Day 4 Early in the morning we will drive to “Ilinizas”.
These twin peaks of rock, ice and snow were once a massive volcano
that shared the Páramo with Cotopaxi. A great explosion
split the mountain in two, creating the Illiniza sisters: North
and South. In 3 to 4 hours we will reach the refugio “Nuevos
Horizontes” at 4,650m. From here we will climb Ilinizas North
(5126m) in about 3 hours or less. If the weather conditions are
good, we will have a wonderful view of Cotopaxi and other summits
of Ecuador. In the late afternoon we will return to Quinta Colorada.
B, L, D.
Day 5 We drive to Cotopaxi National Park and take a short stop at the museum. After a further 3 hours we reach the car park at 4600 m. From here we walk about 1 hour to the Jose Rivas Refuge at 4800 m. After lunch we hike to the glaciers and then we go back to the hut where we will have dinner and get an early night. B, L, D.
Cotopaxi
Day 6 Wake up
at midnight for a light breakfast and the final equipment check.
We leave the refuge at about 01.45, passing a group of uniform
slopes and ice ramps of 30 / 35 degrees, later reaching a glacier
platform. We will start climbing its slopes of 35 / 45 degrees,
from the top of which there is only a 15 minute climb to reach
Ecuador's second highest summit: Volcan Cotopaxi. After an ascent
of about 7 hours, we rest and take in the view (maybe) and rest
a while beofre descending to the refuge. In the afternoon we go
back Quinta Colorada. B, L, D.
Day 7 Rest Day. Quinta Colorada. B, L, D.
Day 8 We will move on to Chimborazo and arrive at the refuge
(4800m / 15744 ft) on Chimborazo at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. From
here a forty minute walk with full packs will take us to Whimper
hut (5000m / 16400 ft) for dinner and sleep. B, L, D.
Day 9 We rise at 00.30 for breakfast and the final equipment
check, leaving the hut just after 01:00. We move immediately to
the massive glacier on Chimborazo's south west face where we first
traverse moderately angled ice slopes. We climb through a series
of ice falls and up steep ice ramps, climbing freely on moderate
grounds and belaying up the steep pitches. We will rope together
to cross crevasses before finally making it to the summit. From
this vantage point we have magnificent views of the eastern and
western Cordillera. Climbing time is 8 to 9 hours and we will
be back at the refuge in the early afternoon. Return to Quito.
Day 10 Move on to your next Muir's Tour. How about a jungle
trek, or perhaps some warm beach ?
Scheduled
start dates: 15th
July and 5th August 2008 – The normal route to Whymper Peak.
Price Indication per person: USD800 - USD1900 / GBP500 - GBP1000 depending on group size.
Excluding International airfare and Quito accommodation, which we can arrange. Email for current price
You can book as an individual, with the price you pay being dictated by the group size, 8 weeks away from departure. The maximum size of the group on this trek is 8.
What is included
Transportation to and from the
trek and climb area. Transportation to and from the airport. English
speaking guide and ropes are supplied. All meals whilst trekking
and climbing. Mountain huts as detailed for food and lodging.
What is not included
The price allows for joining in
Quito and does not include international airfare and departure
taxes. Accommodation
in Quito (but we can arrange this for you - to suit your budget).
Food whilst in Quito and during travel from Quito to the
trek / climb area and the return. Personal insurance, visa fees,
vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items
of a personal nature and all drinks. Personal climbing equipment:
Harness, ice axe, crampons, climbing helmet and boots etc. These
items can be hired, please ask for details).
Visas
A visa is not currently required
for UK or USA passport holders.
Personal Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance,
including search and rescue is required on this trip. We recommend
the BMC policies www.thebmc.co.uk
