Table of Contents
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?
- Puffy Parka
- Hard Shell Pants
- Hard Shell Jacket
- Gloves
- Outer Mitts
- 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
- Pichincha Wikipedia Page
- Hiking to Guagua Pichincha
- Oregon State Volcano Page
- Guagua Pichincha on a Quito Travel Site
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)