November 7, 2018
Luke and a smiling rope team on the summit of Cayambe
Its always nice to get the satellite phone call saying all’s well, weather was great and, oh yeah, we reached the summit and are already back at high camp. Pretty much Luke’s words exactly when he called this morning. Almost no wind up high. Route had to bank far to the left near the summit to get around the summit bergschrund. Longer, but safer, is just fine.
Team should already be at the hot springs in the town of Papallacta. Life’s tough – climb a 19,000’ glaciated peak in Ecuador in the morning, with almost no wind, and spend the afternoon/evening in the hot spring tubs, with a beer in hand and starring at the summit of Antisana. And, of course, sharing a few war stories about the climb.
All’s just fine in Ecuador.
Phil Ershler