Cayambe and Glacier School Express

6 days – 4 mountains

Ecuador´s third highest mountain (5790 m/18,991 ft.) and the highest summit of the Andes range at the north of the equator.

Is located 70 km / 43 mi north east of Quito, is an active volcano with unique characteristics such as: the only place on earth where the equator line directly “touches” snow and a permanent glacier and the highest point on the surface of earth where the equator line directly passes.

Its enormous glacier and easy access makes the perfect “playground” for our mountaineering and glacier school.

If you are considering an introductory-brief mountaineering course plus a less frecuented mountain this program might be a good option.

Itinerary

DAY 1: QUITO - CUICOCHA – HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS (OTAVALO). We leave Quito early and after two hours we will reach the Reserve Cotacachi – Cayapas for our acclimatisation hike around the lake Cuicocha (3200 m/10,498 ft) on the flanks of Cotacachi volcano. Overnight in Otavalo outskirts. Hostel accommodations. (BL) DAY 2: OTAVALO – FUYA FUYA – ST. CLEMENTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY. (4263 m/13,986 ft). First acclimatisation peak on Fuya Fuya. This extinct volcano is climbed from inside of the Mojanda crater and is a very comfortable climb. After two hours of ascent we will return to our starting point and drive towards the foothills of volcano Imbabura for a very interesting cultural experience in the indigenous community of San Clemente. Overnight at the community. (B/BL/D) DAY 3: IMBABURA VOLCANO – (15, 190 ft/4630 m) RETURN TO SAN CLEMENTE. Imbabura is excellent for acclimatisation and fitness and is a moderate physical strength hike/climb last for approximately 5 to 6 hours. This extinct volcano rises above Lake San Pablo but the easiest and most convenient route stands on the opposite side. Leaving San Clemente before sunrise is mandatory for its five hours ascent. We will follow an old path straight up on the ridge until we find a non-complicated scramble just before the summit ridge. The descent is exactly on the same path. Afterwards return to our previous hotel accommodations. (B/BL) DAY 4-5: SAN CLEMENTE - CAYAMBE (15, 188 ft/4600 m). In the morning we will drive up towards the upper hills of the Cayambe volcano. Depending on the road conditions we can reach the refuge on our vehicle but if the road is not in good condition, a short hike will be necessary. Once at the refuge we start our training plan. Overnight at the refuge. (B/BL/D) During the glacier training we cover the following subjects: - Snow walking techniques, ice axe positioning, moving in balance and rest-step - Self arrest techniques - Snow and ice security methods and techniques - Crampon techniques - Basic knots and prussiks - Roped glacier travel and route finding After each session you return to the refuge for a comforting meal. (B/BL/D) DAY 6. CAYAMBE SUMMIT DAY - QUITO At midnight we will get up to prepare ourselves for the first BIG ONE, the summit of the Cayambe volcano. The ascent will take around 7 hours of steady pace-climb on snowfields crossed by a few crevasses which are easy to identify and avoid. If the weather is clear we will have the opportunity to admire some far away rivers flowing into the deep Amazon Forest. Return to the refuge and drive back to Quito. (B/BL)