Cotopaxi

Hiking to the hut on Cotopaxi is popular due to the easy access

Refugio José F Ribas at the northern slope of Cotopaxi.

Our path to Cotopaxi summit as seen from the glacier tongue. It looked so simple during daytime...

Beginning of the glacier on Cotopaxi

Sunset by the Cotopaxi hut.

Night view from Cotopaxi. No time for another photo, but above us the Milky Way shines brighter than we have ever seen. It feels like being closer to the universe.

On our own track, just after the sun has begun to rise.

Finally, we found a track!

It may look calm. But the winds are about storm strength, and this is the only good shelter on the route.

Cotopaxi ascent

Both main routes have gone together and the track takes a slight detour to avoid the crevasse zone below.

Cotopaxi ascent

Cotopaxi ascent

Hurricane summit

At the edge of the summit plateau on Cotopaxi, 5897 m. Fighting full storm over so many hours has taken it's toll; the last few hundred meters we have been forced by the wind to a constant crawl on elbows and knees. We have never been this exhausted before. As we summon the last reserves for a summit photo, the camera immediately dies from the cold.

Starting our way down from the summit of Cotopaxi.

One of the ladders on descent from Cotopaxi. As we are quite late after the morning events, we go unroped, crossing this ladder on our knees and hands.

Approaching a crevasse and serac dense region of the glacier.

View from descent of Chimborazo

Our group decies to abort the attempt on Chimborazo, Peter before the great shadow of Chimborazo, 6268 m. On descent, as the sun rises in the east, Peter is standing very small against the shadow of the mountain.

Chimorazo, 6300 m.