December 25th Dispatch
Climbers: Michael and Justice Hamson and Aimee Lake
Guide: Diego Zurita
Diego called this morning to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from Ecuador!
He was also happy to report that we have had our first successful summit of Cotopaxi in 2 years! Cotopaxi was recently reopened to the climbing community, so the climbers on this December trip elected to give it a try.
Diego said the weather was, again, absoulety perfect and the sulfur smell at the summit was very minimal and did not affect climbing conditions at all!
Aimee departed from Quito today, but the Hamsons are continuing on thier ascent of Chimborazo in the next few days. Stay tuned for more updates!
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
2017 Ecuador Cayambe/ Cotopaxi Skills Expedition (December 15 - 24, 2017) Dispatch 2
December 20th Dispatch
Climbers: Michael and Justice Hamson and Aimee Lake
Guide: Diego Zurita
Climbers: Michael and Justice Hamson and Aimee Lake
Guide: Diego Zurita
Diego called today with a brief update on the Cayambe-Cotopaxi Skills Expedition. He said yesterday two members of the group successfully summited Cayambe (one member elected to stay at the hut for the day). The weather was perfect for the climb!
Michael Hamson elected to give us his update as well. Michael reported that they are having a fantasitc time in Ecuador. The weather has been unbelievably favorable, providing amazing views everywhere they go. He was also happy to report the itinerary was designed perfectly to allow for easy acclimitization to the area.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
2017 Ecuador Cayambe/ Antisana Skills Expedition (December 15 - 24, 2017) Dispatch 1
Diego left a brief message this morning.
The team is now on their way to Cayambe. They intend to climb the standard route and get back down on Thursday. They will report back about the conditions and the climb then...
The team is now on their way to Cayambe. They intend to climb the standard route and get back down on Thursday. They will report back about the conditions and the climb then...
Monday, December 18, 2017
2017 Ecuador Cayambe/ Antisana Skills Expedition (December 1 - 10, 2017) Dispatch 3
December 10th Dispatch
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called again this morning to let us know that Lara, Jason, and he had summited 18,891-foot Antisana.
"We want you to know we had an incredible day today on the mountain and a wonderful time together.
The snow conditions were perfect and the weather was perfect. Wow – what a day! We couldn't have asked for anything better. We left at about 10 pm last night; we climbed at a medium pace and enjoyed ourselves the whole way.
We had an incredible display of stars - of course because there are no towns or villages nearby to put light into the sky. Some people say they never knew there were so many stars before coming here, because they have never been away from light pollution. Also, because we are at altitude, the atmosphere is of course thinner, and that helps us see more of the smaller and more distant stars. It's a carpet of white dots!
We summited by eight o'clock, and had a beautiful sunrise. We enjoyed our time on the summit a lot because we see all the peaks of Ecuador, and it was nice to look so far out over the Amazon basin. Just so beautiful - every part.
So we are now back in Quito resting and soon we'll have some great food. It's been a wonderful trip with Lara and Jason, and we are all extremely happy that we made every summit we attempted! What a good time.
Cheers to family and friends from the three of us in Quito!"
.
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called again this morning to let us know that Lara, Jason, and he had summited 18,891-foot Antisana.
"We want you to know we had an incredible day today on the mountain and a wonderful time together.
The snow conditions were perfect and the weather was perfect. Wow – what a day! We couldn't have asked for anything better. We left at about 10 pm last night; we climbed at a medium pace and enjoyed ourselves the whole way.
We had an incredible display of stars - of course because there are no towns or villages nearby to put light into the sky. Some people say they never knew there were so many stars before coming here, because they have never been away from light pollution. Also, because we are at altitude, the atmosphere is of course thinner, and that helps us see more of the smaller and more distant stars. It's a carpet of white dots!
We summited by eight o'clock, and had a beautiful sunrise. We enjoyed our time on the summit a lot because we see all the peaks of Ecuador, and it was nice to look so far out over the Amazon basin. Just so beautiful - every part.
So we are now back in Quito resting and soon we'll have some great food. It's been a wonderful trip with Lara and Jason, and we are all extremely happy that we made every summit we attempted! What a good time.
Cheers to family and friends from the three of us in Quito!"
.
Friday, December 8, 2017
2017 Ecuador Cayambe/ Antisana Skills Expedition (December 1 - 10, 2017) Dispatch 2
December 8th Dispatch:
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called this morning to report that the team just completed an ascent of Cayambe. After making the report, Jason got on the phone.
"We had absolutely excellent conditions on the mountain," Jason said."There was another team on the mountain that tried to summit the day before. They got turned around because of weather. We didn't have any problems like that. It was an easy six hour romp. The snow was good. The summit was good. It was all good! It was a bluebird day and we could see both Antisana and Cotopaxi!"
Jason noted that they are going to continue on to a hacienda near Antisana today. The plan is to hike up to high camp tomorrow and attempt a summit the next day...
Until next time...
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
2017 Ecuador Cayambe/ Antisana Skills Expedition (December 1 - 10, 2017) Dispatch 1
December 4th Dispatch:
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called this afternoon after the group completed their acclimatization hike on Rucu Pichincha. He passed the phone to Lara for her Comments on the past couple days of climbing.
"The trip is fantastic so far! Ecuador is a beautiful country and Jason and I are so happy to be here! We arrived a couple of days early and were able to explore the “New Town” and “Old Town” before the expedition started, so we appreciated Fredy rearranging the first day so we could see something new. Our visit to Papallacta was a lot of fun. We enjoyed the hot springs, but we also got some exercise on a hike that included two alpine lakes and amazing views of the surrounding volcanoes. It was a perfect first day for us."
Today we hiked Rucu Pichincha (15,413 f / 4697 m) and the weather and timing of the hike were perfect. We're both feeling great with the acclimatization process and can’t wait for the days to come!
Until next time!"
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called this afternoon after the group completed their acclimatization hike on Rucu Pichincha. He passed the phone to Lara for her Comments on the past couple days of climbing.
"The trip is fantastic so far! Ecuador is a beautiful country and Jason and I are so happy to be here! We arrived a couple of days early and were able to explore the “New Town” and “Old Town” before the expedition started, so we appreciated Fredy rearranging the first day so we could see something new. Our visit to Papallacta was a lot of fun. We enjoyed the hot springs, but we also got some exercise on a hike that included two alpine lakes and amazing views of the surrounding volcanoes. It was a perfect first day for us."
Today we hiked Rucu Pichincha (15,413 f / 4697 m) and the weather and timing of the hike were perfect. We're both feeling great with the acclimatization process and can’t wait for the days to come!
Until next time!"
2017 Ecuador Cayambe/ Antisana Skills Expedition (December 1 - 10, 2017) Dispatch 1
December 3rd Dispatch:
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called Sunday evening to let us know how the first couple days of the Expedition has gone:
“Yesterday I with met Jason and Lara, a great couple from San Francisco. We are looking forward to doing some great acclimatization hikes over the next few days before climbing Cayambe and Antisana.
We had a really nice chat in the morning when we reviewed the program and gear to make sure we were all set, and after that we left for a little day trip out to Papallacta. Were had planned to do a city tour (which is good acclimatization in itself because we are at 9500 feet here) but Jason and Lara wanted to see some countryside. So went headed out to Papallacta, which is a very pretty town that is also well known for its hot springs.
We went on a short hike and after the hike, Jason and Lara enjoyed some time in the hot springs. So yesterday was a great day to start acclimatization processes, with a good level of easy activity but not too much. it was just right!
Today we hiked Pasachoa (13,776 ft / 4198 m). We met at 8 am after breakfast and drove 1.5 hours to the trailhead. It only took us 3 hours round trip climbing to the summit and hiking down. Lara and Jason are doing really well and are very fit and strong. And both appear to be acclimatizing quickly.
I will call you tomorrow and let you know how our next hike goes.”
Climbers: Jason Sloan and Lara Kelly
Guide: Fredy Tipan
Fredy called Sunday evening to let us know how the first couple days of the Expedition has gone:
“Yesterday I with met Jason and Lara, a great couple from San Francisco. We are looking forward to doing some great acclimatization hikes over the next few days before climbing Cayambe and Antisana.
We had a really nice chat in the morning when we reviewed the program and gear to make sure we were all set, and after that we left for a little day trip out to Papallacta. Were had planned to do a city tour (which is good acclimatization in itself because we are at 9500 feet here) but Jason and Lara wanted to see some countryside. So went headed out to Papallacta, which is a very pretty town that is also well known for its hot springs.
We went on a short hike and after the hike, Jason and Lara enjoyed some time in the hot springs. So yesterday was a great day to start acclimatization processes, with a good level of easy activity but not too much. it was just right!
Today we hiked Pasachoa (13,776 ft / 4198 m). We met at 8 am after breakfast and drove 1.5 hours to the trailhead. It only took us 3 hours round trip climbing to the summit and hiking down. Lara and Jason are doing really well and are very fit and strong. And both appear to be acclimatizing quickly.
I will call you tomorrow and let you know how our next hike goes.”
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