Mountain Cotopaxi

In Quito

I arrived in Quito on January 21 and stayed in Hotel Sierra Nevada ($35 per one person for one night. They will also meet you at the airport for $12 ) in El Mariscal district. Quito has two major tourist districts El Mariscal and Old Town. One must be careful in both places as robberies do occur.

Rucu Pichincha

Next day I took a taxi ($6) to teleferique ($8.5) which takes you to a nice open area from which one can hike to Rucu Pichincha (about 2-3 hrs). Rucu is an extinct volcano 4,784 metres (15,696 ft). It is good as an acclimatization hike. I went again to Rucu on January 25 to continue acclimating.

Laguna

On January 25, Freddy (from Sierra Nevada expeditions) gave me a ride to Laguna Limpiopungo, 3830m. I camped there for one night to relax before the climb and to rest from fumes of Quito.

Refugio

Next morning I hiked to the main road and an Ecuadorian guide gave me a ride to the parking lot (4500m). From there, it is an easy hike to the refugio (4800m).

Summit day

Following general recommendation by guides, I started shortly after midnight around 1am. The reason for an early start on Ecuador volcanoes is that sun is so strong there that descent becomes problematic if you are not off the glacier (and snow) by noon. Avalanches are also more likely to occur and the clouds are more likely to appear.

The snow condition was perfect and the weather was great too. Quite warm and slightly windy. I was at the summit shortly before 6am and it was too early as the sun was not up, yet. I went down after taking a few pictures and I was at the hut around 8. I took a nap for an hour or so as Freddy was going to pick me up along with two other guys around noon.

Banos

After another night in Quito, following Freddy's advice, I took a bus to Banos. Banos is a popular resort town in Ecuador. There are hot springs and unlimited number of hikes. One popular activity is to rent a bicycle ($5-8) and to ride down to Puyo (about 60 km downhill). There are magnificent views of waterfalls in the tropical forest. There are many possibilities on this ride of leaving the bike and hiking along the rivers.

Back home

January 31. I am flying back to NYC. Quito-Miami-Washington DC-NYC. I am a few minutes late for a jetblue plane which would take me to Boston, so I have to take a bus.

I first ride in subway for half an hour and then I am walking around Times Square till 3:30 am when I can get on my bus. I have to carry my backpack with all the staff as I cannot leave it anywhere. Fortunately, NYC feels much safer than Quito.
Around 8am I am at the South Station in Boston. A short pleasant hike to the North Station and the commuter train takes me finally to Swampscott.