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