volcan chimborazo

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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 air thin enough that a short rest was needed after several steps up.
I´m taking a break for a couple of days

after the climb, i went to the small town of Banos where i intend to hang out for a couple of days, just do some rest and recuperation, see what the weekend nightlife brings to town.

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Photos

sunrise on volcan chimborazo
about 1000 feet from the top, soft snow conditions made upward progress difficult, so we turned back here. furthermore, with a rising sun, snow would be even softer, increasing the avalance danger for the return trip

whymper climbing refuge
arriving at the refuge the afternoon before our summit attempt, visibility was poor. elevation 5000 meters=16400 feet

inside whymper refuge
the refuge accomodates around forty people but this day there were only a few. no electricity, unless the hut guardian runs the generator...he didn´t this night.

shadow of chimborazo
that dark triangular shape extending above the horizon is the shadow of the volcano we were climbing

chimborazo
here is a rare clear view of the volcano. the snowline starts at about 16500 feet.

bus accident
driving back from the climbing refuge we encountered this sight. note the sign in the background.

Comments

[Karen]

Chimborazo
The photo of Chimborazo is beautiful. That is a great shot of you too! Glad you made it down safely and are spending some time recuperating.

[Dick]

Awesome
Even at 50 you are still the man. Sounds like your guides are smart enough to get you home.

[greg]

sign
can't read the sign in the background - what does it say? greg

[Greg]

fire?
with no electricity in that hut - did you guys at least burn a fire. looks pretty clean in there... greg

[Kevin12358]

background sign
it says conduzco con precaution, which means drive carefully

[Kevin12358]

fireplace
no fire because we got in about four p.m. and after eating dinner we retired for the noche to ty to get some rest before 10 p.m. wakeup time, for an 11 p.m. departure for summit