One Miserable Night!

The Cotopaxi attempt was a bust. The weather was HORRIBLE. After a long an miserable slog up an ash filled slope to the mountain hut (man what a pigstye); we got up at midnight with a raging blizzard outside. The wind was howling at 40 mph, and conditions were near whiteout. We struggled to make it to the glacier, about a 2 1/2 hour climb, with conditions worsening every step. We finally gave up after a big wind packed snow slab gave out on us. The struggle back to the hut was uneventful; but the night there was long wet and miserable. Eventually all 5 of the rope teams trying to climb were forced back.

Our schedule does not allow for another summit attempt on Cotopaxi. And the high mountain weather seems to be taking a change for the worse. So we are trying a non-glaciated peak Iliniza (16,850) tomorrow. Basically, this is a long snow and rock scramble. Hey!  its still 2400 ft higher than Mt. Whitney.

Iliniza Norte

If the weather clears we'll try to hike in the the Chimborazo hut on the 29th, and climb on the 30th (If the weather breaks). But I not really optimistic. Basically, I'm cold,wet, and tired; Like all great adventures ... I'm ready for this one to end!

Buenas Noches