Mountaineering Journal
Here is where I document some my achievements of the sport.
Cotopaxi: "2/10 Day"
Volcán Cotopaxi Assent - 19,348 feet
Cotopaxi is an active Volcano. For my two prior seasons, the mountain had been closed to climbers as it was actively erupting. However, this season we got the chance to get on the mountain. To reflect on the experience of the climb, I would like to quote my guide Fabian "2/10 conditions today". On this climb the blizzard conditions made it incredibly challenging and cold. We also had no view. It was essential to complete, however, to cross off the mountain from my list.
summit success! (me third from right)
trying to keep from freezing before summit push, failing.
Chimborazo: "Ramp of Doom"
Volcán Chimborazo Assent - 20,564 feet
As the title of this section might suggest, this was a physically difficult climb. Given that Chimborazo is the furthest point from the center of the earth and the tallest mountain in the region, you'd expect a 4,000+ foot climb to over 20,000 feet to be tough. That's to be expected. But this was on another level: it was just really, really difficult. It sucked. The nice and beautiful part about this mountain? Absolutely nothing. The entire climb is spent on the "ramp of doom," which is 8 hours of slogging up a single 30-degree slope. Imagine walking up a skateboarding ramp for 8 hours straight. Boom. You have now experienced Chimborazo. Still, what I do appreciate about this mountain was that challenge. Ultimately, I was pushed to my physical limits in a way I had never been and haven't been since. This was the epitome of "type 2" fun. My greatest regret for this trip was a massive logistical error: we decided to stay in a hacienda with an incredible spa the day before the climb. That spa would have been greatly appreciated after the 12+ hour ordeal, not before. Great trip overall, very successful.
Antisana: "Magnum Opus"
Volcán Antisana Assent - 18,875 feet
Antisana is my favorite of all the mountains. It's a stunning peak, and we were particularly fortunate to have perfect weather, giving us a crystal-clear day. This mountain is rarely summited due to its frequent weather issues and difficult glacial conditions. The challenge was very real: while crossing an ice bridge over a 10-foot-wide crevasse, the bridge collapsed from under me. I had to jump to the far side of the crevasse and plant my ice axe into the wall to catch myself. Our climb ended up being one of only three successful summit days that entire season, which makes the memory all the more special.
Cayambe: "breaking ground & ground breaking?"
Volcán Chimborazo Assent - 20,564 feet
Since this was my very first mountaineering experience, it was what really got me hooked. Particularly, the feeling of capacity and accomplishment were. As someone who has never been particularly athletic, finding a sport that I just clicked with was an exhilarating feeling. Our time, start to finish, was a little over 5 hours. Which is not record breaking, but considering I was 15 at the time and it was my first attempt, I am incredibly proud of it.
