Ecuador (1994): Volcano Ascents

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I did this trip in January 1994 with Kathy Cosley and Mark Houston as guides. Ecuador is a land of many volcanoes. During that trip we successively climbed three of them: Pichincha (4784m), Cayambe (5790m), and Cotopaxi (5897m). At the end of the trip I climbed Tungurahua (5016m) alone, a long but easy ascent. It was my first solo climb above 5000m. Cotopaxi and Cayambe are the second and third highest peaks in Ecuador, behind Chimborazo (6263m), which I did not climb.

Cayambe (5790m).

Hacienda La Cienega (also a nice hotel and restaurant), located near Cotopaxi.

Landscape near la Hacienda La Cienega.

Cotopaxi.

Chimborazo (6263m). I did not climb this one.

Tungurahua (5016m). The long climb (one day) starts in tropical forest and ends on barren volcanic terrain with snow and ice. It gives views over the valley of the city of Banos de Agua Santa. Fortunately, at the end of the day, this city has many hot springs reputed for their healing properties.

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