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- Feb 08, 2018
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The Elusive Obispo
El Altar, a group of nine summits connected by the same base, is one of the most iconic mountains of Ecuador. For local climbers, its ascent represents the entry exam to the “real deal” league. This “little” range presents a spectacular combination of intimidating cliffs, long ice waterfalls, and broken glaciers — all surrounded by remote highlands and hidden lakes. It is no wonder the indigenous and spanish cultures always treated the mountain with a respect reserved for the divine.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=bd059b8b3c6342f9ea18ebe1e71a2bfe 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3419b804ae43b118a726d8d4a2e54f5f 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=573caf3ac8905a70c06ed93efe6abd47 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=61fe4d478d80c2d24a09bbdd2f660048 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=68615fc5143735e8581e3ebebee9516a 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=53614ffb60c3f1410938e5dc842cf1b9 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=d8bff7ade383175e2e2a9f942dd43113 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FThe_Altar_from_Riobamba_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=528e50d29c28aaf5713bf0788ddd3229 1600w)
The Altar from Riobamba.
These nine peaks create a horseshoe shape facing the open caldera to the west, towards the city of Riobamba. The Obispo is the tallest of those summits. It rises high on the south end, and offers no easy way to the top. It took the Italians Ferdinando Gaspard, Marino Tremonti, and Claudio Zardini ten days to determine a possible line for conquering the summit on July 7th of 1963. This was certaintly quite late in the history of alpinism.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=af1f8c901bb98016aef322fe0925a104 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=dd392b2bb59485da0c0010777c453c45 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=26c794e0d17b28d4e1c7f80e36c83297 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f888db9376b1624be5803e4f636fedcb 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=b14d0a2433bcf1eb31357943c4630b3a 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=214f1ef0cfb49dceb26f9e0c8e59ac40 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=7132fcb97aa325002527ab33222a04e2 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_route_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=01a3288273f7c7299832080ed18a93a1 1600w)
Obispo route.
Nowadays, climbing Obispo is still not an easy task. After dealing with a 4X4 road that ends at the Bocatoma de Ingisay, climbers must hire mules to transport equipment, and then approach by muddy trails for six hours to the base camp. Most times this is done in rainy conditions. The mountain is very close to the amazonian basins where convection works fast; it confirms, more than other peaks, the established saying: “If you don’t like clouds, you have no business in Ecuador.”
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=57d00ba6f66ed2267c5d803d1ea6bf92 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=7c1fdecf5e109ad5b30b3f5f191d0ccc 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=14471bbc22a82783d6abd71baa2f7606 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=dfc321914f39266be47e5464ed17d198 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=98f96cfeb5aaa19d9f4e1e567cae0551 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=cf4dc60fc4a572ca66bfcaa40466e8b3 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=d039a6cb589275c5526d09af441829c8 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FObispo_during_approach.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=e4e73004ebeb02b079eb10a5037f4406 1536w)
The ever-cloudy Obispo during approach.
Robert R. a long time MM climber, learned that well eleven years ago, on his first trip to the volcanoes of the middle of the world. That time, the weather didn’t work to the advantage of the climbers and they were able to reach only one of three attempted mountains. The purpose of the trip was a mountaineering school, trip so the goal was still completed. The participants incorporated the necessary skills for enjoying the high mountains, and in the case of Robert, that experience lead him to climb many other summits in the Andes throughout the years. Now he returns to Ecuador for his well-deserved chance on El Altar.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=cd700042dc3cb4d4b7ac418d1650de22 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3ca55f8ef80ce251f9dd6d028c265f72 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=5fb065bd91bbf747a530fd7f8d2b2292 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=abb86aae80dce42650b69228c007e09b 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=d006054a3cf8222c086daf167cd92e6a 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=4c5ab4b7950a683a3d60245cf3753c45 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=8950dd3036b297193408960e83079854 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFrom_BC-_Pulpito_Carmelo_Obispo_Monja_Grande_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=6a0ac55d206e397b2bc271a0ad639c6c 1600w)
The view from base camp, with Pulpito, Carmelo, Obispo, and Monja Grande from left to right.
From base camp, the route navigates class 3 to 4 terrain to the entrance of the glacier. Then, a traverse to the east beneath the secondary summits of Pulpito and Carmelo is necessary to arrive at the beginning of the climb. A couple of pitches on steep snow lead to the first rock band, and on the higher part, some mixed terrain has to be negotiated to arrive at the Calvario ridge. After this, it’s necessary to navigate the second (hanging) glacier in order to access the final gully.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=ca0943d3f235ce1c8ac56ff9c94136c0 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=fe3fc4e00b27237e05ad7d60dec2d816 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=1f08977e2ecb9af2bcf2d76af90f01af 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=d7367b90fe67499618598da3545e0a9a 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=9da857ea9d56c6501883c4f5b97c5a47 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=743b648b44156f984398b42dda7213f6 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=2cdab15852296d419469dff8101ebc72 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FAscending_the_final_snow_gully_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9d69cfdc3dec307b39f0ab57b49897e9 1536w)
Ascending the final snow gully.
Until this point, the climb is delicate but nothing new for Robert. He has accumulated enough ‑TD- ascents in Peru and Bolivia to deal with the climb calmly. However, the Obispo has a final challenge near the summit. Two pitches of loose vertical rock are the gate to the top. The crampons scratch the rock, and the hands search for tiny corners to hold onto for progress. The view is jaw-dropping. To the left, the 1000 meter cliff of the north face drops aggressively, and the direct view into the caldera is intimidating.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=20f37cfbbc0dcb47c46319d8ed6a7b64 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=7ee0002ea47db8d326440253aaea8457 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=71106d4bcaf8a613f0f044c1551b7067 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=3c26b3deba2e2c0bdd4ff277d9c70f6b 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=4d1d517790628dabd88e79429f1cd3e0 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=012631d6d7ff71e5fa794bc3de85e18d 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=d3ce0fed4478bb6f313e9da2e2728ae2 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FFinal_rock_pitches_before_summit_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=2c8f8efa633a6b194e47a7ed4f82a9ee 1536w)
Climbing the final rock pitches before the summit.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=515d9680a49165d2aa2342c2fffa1b03 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=6a63e9e9216567a1f7b0d317ff762e4d 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=5c0bc8abd2082b62488dda01d2d31497 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=d3dc3e056e95080a9e39917b6ec5093b 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a525799b3748666cac96ebf04e33b430 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=3749e9e89d3a62ab489869b469e52ce8 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=70e90da5f5700b021373e61a8a08a6d6 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FSummit_of_Obispo-Altar_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=ebcafe3e522fef9818522dd142279b28 1600w)
Robert and Joshua on the summit of Obispo.
The effort pays off. The Mountains Madness team reaches the summit to enjoy a magical morning. From the top, it’s possible to see Canonigo on the north side of the massif, and in the distance, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi. To the east, a mattress of clouds makes the team feel taller than anything, and they allow themselves a moment of pure joy. However, those clouds are also a silent reminder. The game is not over; it’s important to set up the rapels and quickly descend to the tents before a storm arrives.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=726a376c55872cb90cd21d3311a60e0c 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=ff20f7f26c1142513371817910a907d4 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=14620754cf057267ef53eb498038ecf6 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f03951ef91fb9634df9a532b28eac57d 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=edbd97612dc9a1ca5aee2cacb0bfcf4b 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=1442388e8f50adbc1fb414ab60228bc1 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=7f82dd9268d8ec5673e55ba782208eb7 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FNegotiating_hanging_glacier_on_descent_-_JoshuaJarrin.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5ce74ed79cb239c0e24c89b25ea93e2e 1536w)
Negotiating the hanging glacier on descent.
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On the final rappel to lower glacier.
Back in camp, the arriero’s (mule driver) dog has been waiting for the team. He is happy seeing people back. They represent the meal of the day to him, and for the climbers, it’s a way to materialize that they have touched the “altar” of gods and returned to the world of humans.
~ Words and photos by MM Guide Joshua Jarrin