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- Apr 10, 2011
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Success in Mexico and Ecuador!
Ecuador
Cototpaxi. MM photo
After several weeks of gnarly La Niña weather, Mountain Madness climbers were able to summit Cotopaxi! Guide Sebastian Carrasco led 5 clients on what he called “the best summit on Cotopaxi ever!!” Conditions on the mountain have turned many groups away so far this year, but Sebastian’s group benefited from a clear, cold night before their summit attempt, giving them packed snow for easy travel and stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=31c8d087fbe9098b4de3ab4dd7c88cf2 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=42fe4661b20cace856125034577b7b9f 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=80551126ba7f860a5100244e090f6b1a 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=05ed647d0d4645331c584b11060633f0 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=80694872b09d09eaff42ead49a7c21ea 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=6e2e6e6f025a83c3deffd0a1968503ab 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=24eb87fc3b53f744d1d723fd88eae084 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtCIjwGkI%2FAAAAAAAABWs%2Fy-gZTGMyiC8%2Fs320%2FIliniza%2BSur%2B2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=dc45d1d926130c22425113cd68444532 320w)
Climbers on Illiniza Sur — objective of Antisana trip. Herrera photo
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=a1c6bc82f208f64ba620cc0e1e60afd1 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=e96f0124d4de5278f7576425a6a97a07 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=4c6344b7c3d5b0a31843d97fad388f2d 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=514e278eb55206b9186b0cb8a8cec283 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a4cf3885c2401ff40772ac6fb95a99dc 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=fe94de6097d5e31555d7d61fe249ff3e 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=bb9e64a5829f1e9071c3512d22fd3724 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FTQvtF3kUiCI%2FAAAAAAAABWw%2FD9BKutC3gpA%2Fs320%2FIlinizas.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=dc82de973c9caa4693102102ce4ff33b 320w)
Illiniza Sur (l) and Norte — Nine day Cotopaxi trip includes Norte. Herrera photo
Lots of new snow has improved condittions on Chimborazo, with groups now reaching the summit. Our season runs through February with the following trips still available:
- Ecuador School
- 9‑day Cotopaxi
- Ecuador Volcanoes
- Cotopaxi Trek or Climb
Mexico Volcanoes
Looking into Orizaba crater. Mark Ryman photo
Summit day on Ixta. Mark Ryman photo
January 15 departure confirmed — only 9 days!
Great memories were forged on the summits of Iztaccihuatl and Orizaba this month. Guides Hector Ponce de Leon, Alejandro Cruz Rojas and Stephen Webber began the excursion in the ancient Aztec City of Teotihuacan, followed by a hike to the Altozomoni Hut to begin acclimatization. The group temporarily adopted the small black dog from the hut, who ended up following them to the summit of Ixta!
After a day of rest in Puebla, the group moved on to conquer Orizaba. They practiced rope technique, ice safety and basic skills at 14,000 feet and prepared for the coming ascent. Unfortunately, one of the climbers, David, could not join the group to the summit due to the increasing pain from his new boots. Another good climber thwarted from the curse of new boots! Each team made it to the summit with smiles on their faces! The descent back to the hut welcomed them with celebratory tacos and beer.
Don’t miss your chance to climb these Latin American volcanoes! Call us to get your spot on our confirmed January trips! 800−328−5925.