December 9, 2013

Cotopaxi from the gardens of Hacienda San Augustin (Phil Ershler)

IMG Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, arrived in Ecuador Saturday evening with a custom trip of 2 climbers.  Pretty nice, huh?  They should have a sweet time.  Both climbers are quite fit and Mike’s got them on a schedule which hopefully allows for 3 summits, enough time for acclimatization but not a lot of ‘relaxation time’.  Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana are on their agenda.  I’ll let you know what we hear from Mike.

Phil Ershler

November 27, 2013

Chimborazo in good conditions (Jorge Anhalzer)

Chimborazo remains problematic.  The guys made the big push last night.  At just shy of 19000 ft., they decided discretion was the better part of valor and pulled the plug.  No summit but no one was injured, either.  Tonight in Banos, at the edge of the high jungle, and Thanksgiving dinner at Romulo’s house tomorrow.

Phil Ershler

November 26, 2013

A hot bath (Luke Reilly)

Part one is done.  After the entire team stood on the top of Cayambe, they headed down to Papallacta.  Papallacta is a resort famous for its hot springs, right underneath the mountain Antisana.  Cold beer and hot water was the perfect combination to relieve sore muscles.  Then it was time for dinner and repeat the process.  The crew drove to Quito early Monday, had their final dinner together and then members who were there to climb Cotopaxi and Cayambe headed for the airport and flights home.

Four members are staying to take a closer look at Chimborazo, the tallest mountain in Ecuador.  This is an ambitious project.  All the stars will need to align in order to make the ascent possible.  We’ll see if conditions allow the team to climb.

Phil Ershler

November 21, 2013

The team’s being lazy today.  Oh well, I guess they earned it.  We put them up at the Hacienda San Augustin last night.  The hacienda’s owned by an old friend and noted for amazing food and the ambiance of being surrounded by original Incan walls.  Nice.  Luke sent us a photo from last evening.

Today’s a rest/clean-up day and they’ll squeeze in a visit to a locals market in the town of Saquisili.  Another night at the hacienda and then it’s back to work.

Check out the photo Luke sent of the team on the summit yesterday.

Phil Ershler

November 20, 2013

Cotopaxi. Note the hut with the yellow roof.

Cotopaxi is cold in the morning, especially when it’s clear.  However, when there’s minimal wind, it’s not nearly as bad.  Just heard from Luke.  The team is back at the hut!  Good morning, good snow, good weather, team did a good job and they had a good summit.  10 fingers and 10 toes still had by all!

They’re furious throwing stuff together and heading for the Hacienda San Augustin.  Way too nice for a bunch of scruffy climbers but they will be impressed.  They’ll be dining tonight surrounded by the original Incan walls at the hacienda.

Congratulations, team.  Luke will get a photo of the crew to us as soon as he has wi fi this evening.  Nicely done, guys.

Phil Ershler

November 17, 2013

Luke and team have had a busy weekend down in Ecuador.  Saturday morning was fun, with a visit to the world famous Otavalo Market.  Nice introduction to the handicrafts of Ecuador.  The crew was in Quito by early afternoon.  Packing/prepping/last minute shopping and a nice lunch were the order of the day.  Dinner was in Old Town, on a street called La Rhonda.  This is one of the oldest streets in Quito.  The area used to be pretty “rough” but it’s now been renovated and is a nightly hot spot these days.

Sunday morning saw an early departure from Quito to the home of my Ecuadorian partner, Romulo Cardenas.  Romulo’s wife, Patricia, had made the team a lovely (and early) breakfast so they could get an early morning start up Pasochoa, another acclimatization hike.  About 3000 vertical feet make for the perfect climb at this stage of the trip.  Less than 3 hours up, maybe an hour and a half down and they were off to the Hacienda Tierra del Volcan.  This beautiful working ranch is located right at the base of Cotopaxi, at about 12,300’.  Perfect place to spend 2 nights prior to their climb.  Sunday night dinner was family style at the hacienda.  They do seriously nice meals.

Monday the group heads to the refugio on Cotopaxi, and above, to get in more acclimatization and a refresher of the mountain techniques needed for Cotopaxi.

Phil Ershler