...Cayembe Summits and on to Hot springs...
The team battled high winds, some moisture, and cold temps to stand on top of Cayembe. This climb took a lot of heart by the entire crew and they all did very well adapting to the changing conditions. Cayembe is a challenging climb that demands respect.
The team made good time up and back down to the hut before packing up and descending into the jungle to Thermas Papallacta, a hot spring resort. There's nothing like resting and soaking weary bones after a long climb. This luxury resort is built around dozens of natural hot spring pools in the lush forests of Ecuador. Despite the other amazing accommodations we had throughout the climbs, Papallacta seems to be a crowd favorite.
We're now back in Quito safe and sound. Some of our team is headed on to climb Chimborazo, Ecuador's giant, in the coming days. Some are being joined by their significant others for a live-aboard tour of the Galapagos Islands. Others are headed home. No matter the destination over the next few days, a nice celebration dinner and a beer will be a welcome luxury tonight.
Cheers,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Onto Cayambe...
After their successful ascent of Cotopaxi, Our CTSS Ecuador team have moved successfully to the hut on Cayambe which is a volcano in the Cordillera Central, a range of the Ecuadorian Andes. It's about 70 km northeast of Quito and the third-highest mountain in Ecuador standing at 5,790 m.
Tomorrow they will do an acclimatization hike before getting some well-earned rest and then leaving early the next morning for their summit bid the next day.
Everyone is doing well & the climbing is excellent. We've got eagle eyes on the weather as being on the equator naturally leads to some fluctuations - all to be expected.
Cheers CTSS Team
...Cotopaxi Summits...
The team had an amazing day on Cotopaxi today! The weather was absolutely perfect with sun, warm temps, and a fresh layer of snow which made for safe cramponing. The crew made great time to the top and back.
The views with the good weather were absolutely phenomenal as you can see from the photos. Clear skies and the other Ecuadorean giants were peaking through the clouds. Below is a pic of the sunset the night of the summit bid.
We're now safely down at the luxurious 400 year old Hacienda La Cienega enjoying hot showers and fine cuisine. Tomorrow we make the drive north to Cayembe for a summit attempt in a few days.
Cheers,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Training Day...
We're following up our acclimatization hike of Pasachoa yesterday with more acclimatization and training on the mighty glaciers of Cotopaxi today. We've moved from our Boutique hotel in Quito city center to the Tambopaxi Hacienda right at the foot of Cotopaxi itself. In fact, if you look closely enough you can probably see our accommodations in the lush, green valley in the photo below. We are in the high alpine now and out bodies are working hard to acclimate to the thin air.
We'll train at roughly 16,500ft/5,000m today, dusting off the cobwebs and refreshing skills. This team of veterans hardly needs much training but it's a great excuse to get a little altitude. Our client's experience ranges from the summit of Everest, to the slopes of Vinson Massif, to technical ascents in the Pacific Northwest, and to the heights of Aconcagua. It's rare to have such an experienced crew!
We almost escaped the rain yesterday on Pasachoa but with the ominous sound of thunder we decided to pass on the summit and get down to avoid any chance of lightning. Today, Cotopaxi appeared almost in full with a fresh coat of snow before benign clouds again descended to 15,000ft/4,600m. Fresh snow bodes well for good climbing on Cotopaxi in a few days time after the direr conditions over the last few weeks.
Cheers,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Ecuador Begins...
Our 2018 Ecuador climbing team has arrived in Quito and it's time to climb! It's great to be back in this amazing country. This is truly one of my favorite climbing trips and not just because most of the nights are spent in luxurious hotels and haciendas as we traverse the lush countryside. The infrastructure is great and the food is fresh and local. Oh, and the climbing is world class.
It doesn't hurt that the past President was a climber and decided to revamp the mountain hospitality to more closely mirror that of the European Alps by reconditioning the mountain huts and providing comfortable sleeping mats and excellent food. There are few places in the world that offer a better climbing experience.
In almost every way Ecuador seems to be made for climbing. Perhaps my favorite stop on our journey is to celebrate our climbs with a beer in the natural hot spring pools of Thermas Papallacta.
We enjoyed a fun cultural city tour today to the Equator Line just north of the city and of historical Quito before grabbing a traditional Ecuadorian Welcome Dinner in La Mariscal.
Tomorrow we head to Pasachoa to acclimatize to 14,00ft/4,200m before, you guessed it, a few more nights in a beautiful hacienda at the foot of Cotopaxi. The suffering continues...
Cheers,
Mike Hamill
CTSS Owner
...Kili Team enjoying Safari...
We just received word from the Kilimanjaro team that they are having a great time on Safari and really enjoying some of the amazing game lodges along the way. This is a great time of the year for wildlife viewing in the Taringire Park and in Ngorogoro crater. If you haven't checked out Ngorogoro, it is a must see!
The team has one more day on safari before returning to JRO international for their flights onwards. There's no better way to celebrate a Kili climb than relaxing and taking in the impressive game viewing and lodges on the African plains.
This is our last Kilimanjaro expedition of the year but we will be back at it in August, 2019. If you would like to join is for an unparalleled African adventure then come join us in August!
Cheers,
-CTSS Team
...Kili Summit...
The team hit the roof of Africa in great form and with weather on their side yesterday. They have already made their way safely off the mountain to enjoy a final few days unwinding on Safari.
They are at Mweka Gate celebrating with a few cold beers right now before heading to Tarangire national park & Ngorongoro Crater to spot the Big 5!
Congratulations to you all on a wonderful expedition.
Cheers
CTSS Team
...Kili Team at High Camp...
We just received word from guide Sasha Sak that the team is doing well and is safely settled in to high camp. She said that they will start climbing around 11:30pm tonight in order to reach the summit and make it back down to a lower camp the same day. She reports that the weather is sunny. The theme this trip has been clear and sunny mornings with clouds and a bit of precip in the afternoon.
We will keep you updated on their progress. So far so good. Wish them luck on the summit bid!
Cheers,
CTSS Team
...Shira Plateau...
We received a text from CTSS guide Sasha Sak saying the team is doing great and they have had excellent weather so far. The crew climbed strong to Machame camp the first day and are headed up to Shira Plateau today.
At the Shira Plateau the team is starting to really get up to altitude. This is where some people start to feel the affects of the thin air. Typically this doesn't result in anything more serious than slight shortness of breath upon exercise and a small headache at night at these moderate altitudes. It'll be enough to let them know they are now at altitude, however!
Tomorrow the team heads to Barranco Camp which sits at the base of the mighty Barranco Wall. We'll keep you posted on their progress!
Cheers,
-CTSS Team
...Kilimanjaro Starts Today...
Our October Kilimanjaro Expedition starts today!
The team has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania and are all set to hit the trail. They did gear checks yesterday and will make the drive to the Kilimanjaro gate today where they will check in an begin their climb.
It is a relatively short day of climbing to Machame Camp, the team's first camp. They will ascend from the plains below Kilimanjaro up through lush forest en route to their high point.
We will keep you posted on the teams progress as they gain altitude on the Machame route! Our amazing Kilimanjaro lead guide Sasha will be checking in with us every day or so.
Cheers,
-CTSS Team