Introduction

I am going with Mountain Madness on the Cotopaxi Express Trip.  The 9 Day excursion starts in Quito, Ecuador and ends with Climbing Cotopaxi.

http://www.mountainmadness.com/adventures/expeditions/south-america/ecuador/cotopaxi-express#trip-overview/description

Notes

  • No Timezone Change (from Atlanta to Quito)
  • No Power or Plug Changes needed (from the USA  to Ecuador)
  • No Currency Changes needed (from the USA to Ecuador)

The temperature in Quite at beginning of February 54 to 74 degrees.

What goes in the Day Pack on non-mountaineering boot days?

  1. Puffy Parka
  2. Hard Shell Pants
  3. Hard Shell Jacket
  4. Gloves
  5. Outer Mitts
  6. Headlamp (for safety)

What Goes in the pack on mountaineering boot days?

All of the above plus:

  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Crampons
  • Ice-Axe
  • Climbing Helmet

Day 0 – Travel Day & Arrival in Quito

Friday, February 8, 2019

I need to get from my house to the Atlanta airport.  Since I will be gone for 10 days, hoping to find a ride or uber to Marta.  That way I do not have to pay to park my car for all of those days.

Leave Atlanta around 5 PM

Arrive 11:15 PM Ecuador (no timezone change)

Will need to get a ride and a place to stay

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Not much gear needed on this day, since it is a travel day.  Thinking will be just jeans running shoes, shoes with access to a lightweight jacket.

Back Pack: Day Pack
Shoes: Hiking Boots

Accommodations

Name: Not sure, maybe Hacienda Rumiloma

Indoors / Outdoors: Indoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation:

Day 1 – Arrival in Quito

Saturday, February 9th, 2019

Arrive in Ecuador, orientation in Quito, overnight in Hacienda Rumiloma.

A good thing to do today is to pick up a sim card for my phone.  This will help with maps, texting and internet access.

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:  Expected to be between 54 and 74.

Gear Needed

BackPack: Day Pack
Clothes: Probably just jeans, shirt, and a light weight jacket.
Shoes: Running Shoes

Accommodations

Name: Hacienda Rumiloma
Sleep Indoors  with a bed
Expected Temperature:
Elevation:  I think this is in Quito

Day 2 – Gear Check & Quito Tour

Sunday, February 10th, 2019

City tour, equipment check, and hike, overnight in Quito.

Outdoor Temps and Conditions: 54 – 74

Gear Needed

Not much gear needed on this day, since it is a travel day.  Thinking will be just jeans running shoes, shoes with access to a light weight jacket.

Back Pack: Day Pack
Shoes: Hiking Boots

Accommodations

Name: Quito
Indoors / Outdoors: I think this will be indoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation: 9,350 (Quito Elevation)

Day 3 – Climb Guagua Pichincha

Monday, February 11th, 2019

Today we will climb the volcano just above Quito, called Guagua Pichincha. After our climb, we’ll travel to the village of Machachi and head into the foothills of the Illiniza mountains where we’ll spend the night in a cozy mountain lodge.

A view of Guagua Pichincha (4,784 meters (15,696 ft))

Guagua Pichincha is about 7miles (12km) west of Quito.  I think will hike for about 3 hours to a refuge, the hike for about 1 more hour to the summit, then hike a bit more to a 2nd peak. Not positive about the day’s itinerary.

A little about Pichincha Volcano

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Back Pack: Day Pack
Shoes: Hiking Boots

Accommodations

Name: Cozy Mountain Lodge near Machachi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machachi
Indoors / Outdoors: Indoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation: 9,469 (Machi Elevation)

Day 4 – Hike to Illiniza Sure & Norte

Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 

Hike to hut between Illiniza Sur and Norte. Mules will assist with the transport of our equipment so you will not be burdened with large packs. Skills review in the afternoon. Overnight camping.

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Shoes: Hiking Boots should be fine

Accommodations

Name: Hut between Illiniza Sur & Norte
https://www.summitpost.org/illiniza-norte-iliniza-norte/151055
Indoors / Outdoors: Outdoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation: 9,469 (Machi Elevation)
Notes: Illiniza Sur (17,2670) Illiniza Norte (16,818)

Day 5 – Climb Illiniza Norte

Wednesday, February 13th, 2019

Today we will climb the north peak, which provides an excellent acclimatization ascent and an enjoyable rock scramble. Views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes are impressive from here. If time permits, we will review additional skills on the south peak. After the day’s activities, we descend to the comforts of a warm bed and a shower at one of our favorite nearby haciendas.

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Back Pack:
Shoes:

Wednesday Nights Accommodations

Name: Haciendas

Indoors :
Expected Temperature:
Elevation:

Day 6 – Head for Cotopaxi

Thursday, February 14th, 2019

We will wake up early and depart for Cotopaxi. We drive to approximately 15,092 feet on Cotopaxi where we take a short 45 minute hike to Jose Ribas hut. Rest and prepare for our climb. Overnight in a hut. Alternatively, we drive to base camp on Antisana or the hut on Cayambe.

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Shoes: Hiking Boots

Thursday Nights Accommodations

https://www.summitpost.org/cotopaxi-refuge/570813
Indoors / Outdoors: Indoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation: 15748
Notes:

Day 7 – Summit Cotopaxi

Friday, February 15th, 2019

We will depart at 1 a.m. and hike up the scree slopes until we arrive at the glacier. From here we ascend snow and ice, arriving at a steep section just below the crater rim. After ascending this short section, we arrive at the summit where we can peer into the mountain’s crater or enjoy the view of the countryside. If we summit this day we enjoy the night at Hacienda La Cienega.

Alternatively, we will summit Cayambe or Antisana.

Wake up: 1AM

Wake Up

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Back Pack:
Shoes: Mountaineering Boots, Crampons, (not sure if we will start out in hiking boots)

Accommodations

Name: Either Quito if we summit, or the hut again if we do not summit.

Hut without heat or a warm bed.
Expected Temperature:
Elevation:

Day 8 – Optional Summit Attempt

Saturday, February 16th, 2019

Night Time: Fly home.

Outdoor Temps and Conditions:

Gear Needed

Back Pack:
Shoes:

Saturday Nights Accommodations

Name: Quito Airport / Flight Home

Indoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation:

Day 9 – Travel Home

Sunday, February 17th, 2019

Back In Atlanta

Need to get a ride home

This day is a little different for me than the normal trip.  I flyout sunday just after midnight, so I will not stay in quito saturday night.  I think many of the others on the trip will spend the night and flyout Sunday during the day.

Gear Needed

Back Pack:
Shoes:

Accommodations

None Really, I will be back home

Name:

Indoors / Outdoors: Indoors
Expected Temperature:
Elevation: 1,000 (Atlanta)

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