Kevin12358

I cut my time in colombia short and flew home early, got back a couple of days ago. those climbing tours were more costly than I'd anticipated, stretching that budget constraint, and my lack of basic spanish proficiency made me jump at the chance to return to where english is spoken. i'll be doing some climbing in the sierra nevada mountains out from whitney portal tomorrow. i'll post photos when i return.... read more

the countries second largest city is quite a sprawl indeed. ... read more

the climbing refuge at 5000 meters (16400 feet) was the starting point for the guide and I. we started climbing at 11 p.m. and soon ecountered soft snow that resisted the grip of crampons, sort of two steps up and slide back down one step. also we there were frequent areas of snow where you could hear water running underneath the snow surface...so we detoured to avoid these areas and this didn´t make for the most direct route to the summit. as the sun rose, after seven hours of climbing, we had reached 6000 meters (19700 feet) and the guide and i decided to forego the summit and turn back. the top was about 1000 feet further. the climb was not technical, just long and steep and high enough to cause a painful headace, and with ... read more

I arrived Quito midnight and started acclimatizing at 10,000 feet where the capital lies. Today I arranged for for guide service to volcan cayambe (5700 meters) leaving tomorrow morning. after that two day trip i intend to rest up for two days before leaving going to volcan Chimborazo, at 5900 meters, its the point furthest from the center of the earth. both climbs are non technial, but require ice ax, crampons, and roped up to climbing harness at times.... read more