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- Nov 26, 2012
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Ecuador School Summits Cayambe!
ConÂgratÂuÂlaÂtions to the Ecuador MounÂtaineerÂing School team in the midst of their expeÂdiÂtion. Six of our nine clients reached the sumÂmit of Cayambe this weekÂend and are already lookÂing forÂward to their sumÂmit attempt of Cotopaxi!

Cayambe acclimaÂtiÂzaÂtion hike (from preÂviÂous expeÂdiÂtion). Javier Mora photo
Jaime PolÂlitte checked in over the weekÂend to give us the scoop on the group so far.
“The trip has been great so far! The clients are overÂwhelmed with the luxÂuÂry of the accomÂmoÂdaÂtions. Our South AmerÂiÂcan advenÂtures startÂed out with a tour of the beauÂtiÂful city of Quito, beginÂning with the giant VirÂgin StatÂue that overÂlooks the city. We also visÂitÂed the stunÂning IgleÂsias de la ComÂpaÂnia Catholic church and two popÂuÂlar squares, Plaza de IndeÂpenÂdenÂcia and Plaza San Francisco.
“Our team was anxÂious to set out on our first acclimaÂtiÂzaÂtion hike the next day. We startÂed with a gonÂdoÂla ride up some 1000 meters and then on foot to the sumÂmit of Rucu PichÂinÂcha. Our first test of the EcuadoÂriÂan Andes altiÂtude left everyÂone exhaustÂed and hapÂpy to dive into bed at the HacienÂda La Carriona.

OtavaÂlo MarÂket (from preÂviÂous expeÂdiÂtion). Javier Mora photo
“Before movÂing up into the mounÂtains, we got to enjoy a deliÂcious traÂdiÂtionÂal lunch at La MaqueÂsa in the OtavaÂlo MarÂket before hikÂing up to the beauÂtiÂful crater of Lago CuicÂocha (or Guinea Pig Lake, approÂpriÂateÂly named for the local traÂdiÂtionÂal cuisine).
“After comÂpletÂing our skills trainÂing, we were joined by the othÂer memÂbers of our Ecuador VolÂcaÂnoes team and we headÂed off to our first sumÂmit attempt: Cayambe! On SunÂday mornÂing at roughÂly 7am, 6 of our team memÂbers reached the summit!”

MM guides SebasÂtÂian CarÂrasÂco and OswalÂdo Freire at the sumÂmit! SebasÂtÂian CarÂrasÂco photo
ConÂgratÂuÂlaÂtions to Joaquim, Luiz Ernesto, Farkas, EriÂka, Kurt and FranÂco for a great first sumÂmit! Also, conÂgratÂuÂlaÂtions to Claire and KeiÂth who reached 5100 meters before they were turned around. We wish them luck as they look forÂward to their Cotopaxi ascent. We also wish Matt, who stayed in camp, a speedy recovÂery from a stomÂach illÂness. Stay tuned for more updates!
“It’s my third trip with the MadÂness and the stanÂdards keep surÂprisÂing me!” ~ Joaquim O.