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stubrit2
Mar 7, 2006, 6:00 AM
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Registered: Mar 7, 2006
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Hi,
I'm off to Ecuador this summer, and would love to climb Cotopaxi. I have no previous mountaineering experience but have read that Cotopaxi is doable for beginners. I would greatly appreciate any advice on acclimatisation and any known guides.
Thanks,
Stuart
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bergo
Mar 7, 2006, 5:53 PM
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Registered: Mar 31, 2003
Posts: 109
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Cotopaxi is a must do in Ecuador.
It's doable for begginers but you must climb with an experienced guide. Please drop me an e-mail telling me when are you expecting to come and I'll send you all the information you want. I hope I'll be able to help you this summer.
Here is an usefull link:
http://www.summitpost.org/object_list.php?object_type=0&object_name_0=cotopaxi&page=1
Cheers!
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heinreichharrier
Mar 8, 2006, 6:34 AM
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Registered: Feb 21, 2006
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Cotopaxi is more or less the "tourist" mountain in Ecuador, which owes largely to its proximity to Quito, the high snow line at certain times of year, and the fact that it's just a "walk-up", much like Rainier. That said, you do need the usual mountain gear: cold-weather clothing, boots, crampons, ice axe, and glacier travel gear. A guide is good if you've never gone up a glaciated mountain before on your own, but if you've done something like Rainier or any of the crevassed routes on the Cascade volcanoes, Cotopaxi is definitely doable without a guide. The biggest problem we had when climbing it in December was altitude. We tried to get in Cotopaxi and Chimborazo all in 8 days. That, and the recent snow fall which caused us to post-hole up to our waist on the route definitely hurt our summit chances.
You might also think about Chimborazo. It's less touristy and the route is actually easier to follow and less crevassed.
Check out our posting on those mountains:
http://mitoc.mit.edu/gallery/album153
Cheers,
Ian
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alpinismo_flujo
Mar 8, 2006, 8:11 AM
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Registered: Jan 13, 2006
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Hey -
Coto is not technically challenging but the altitude makes it impressive. Slow acclimitazation will definetaley increase your chances of success. Try http://
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epoch
Moderator
Mar 8, 2006, 8:24 AM
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Registered: Apr 27, 2005
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In reply to: Hi, I'm off to Ecuador this summer, and would love to climb Cotopaxi. I have no previous mountaineering experience but have read that Cotopaxi is doable for beginners. I would greatly appreciate any advice on acclimatisation and any known guides.
Wouldn't a winter ascent be a bit more difficult, even if it IS a gravel trail to the top??
Ahem: I dare say WINTER due to the assumption that the OP is in the other hemisphere, thereby making a summer trip a winter excursion...
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whipperman
Mar 8, 2006, 8:34 AM
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Registered: Feb 23, 2005
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Uh, Ecuador means equator in spanish.
There is no winter in Ecuador...just a rainy season and a dry season and Cotopaxi can be climbed all year round.
The climb is no problem but if you have no experience on glaciers hire yourself a guide who can teach you a thing or two.
The guys at www.cotopaxi.com run a good business and have certified guides. Owner is an expat American and an old friend.
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