Ecuador - High Altitude Expedition - November 2nd - 16th, 2012

Guide: Gaspar Navarrete

Climbers: Joel Dice, Jennifer Engelhardt, Jennifer Hale, Joseph Hale

Guide Gaspar Navarrete called at 4:30pm (PST) on November 11th with the following dispatch: 

"Today we reached the summit of Cotapaxi. Two climbers, Jen and Joel summited today. 

After leaving Cayambe refuge we headed to Hacienda Porvenir. We had no communication service there, so I didn't call from the hacienda, but we had a very nice stay there.  Some of us enjoyed horseback riding on our day off. We used some different muscles than we have been using in the moutnains!

Yesterday we hiked to the refuge on Cotopaxi and after a good dinner, we headed to bed early to get some rest before another alpine start.  We left the refuge at 1am this morning and summited about 5:30am. We made very good time.  Jenny and Joe did really well but needed to stop at 18,537 feet / 5650 meters due to fatigue. They descended back to the refuge and after a break and some food they headed back to Quito as planned to get ready to fly home.  I think they had a great trip.

After summiting and descending we headed back to Puerto De Luna. I just woke up from a well deserved nap  (I slept for 4-hours after lunch) and Jenn and Joel are still sleeping. I will wake them up for dinner soon. 

Tomorrow we will head to Chimborazo area. We are looking forward to good weather like we've had in the last week. I will call again to report our progress.

We all had a great time on Cayambe (on which everyone summited) and on Cotopaxi.  All four members of our team heave been really great people to climb with.  It's been a lot of fun together. "

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