Trip Reports

Antisana - 20 Dec to 3 Jan '10

Written by Leader Felipe Jacome, January 2010

I don't know where to start my report, even though throughout our entire trip we could live many experiences that I think all of which were positive.

Our team members were: Mark, Thierry, Ruth & Angus, Tony and myself. Later we had the valuable support and help of the two assistants guides, Ramiro Garrido and Domenica Dammer.

Our acclimatisation started with a nice sightseeing tour of Quito and walks on Ruco Pichincha and Rumiahui volcanoes. The weather put the expectation element into the expedition, due to a little change in conditions during our crampon and ice axe skill practice on Cotopaxi Glacier and Iliniza Nortes climb. It was set fair!

Finally, after all of the acclimatisation days, we drove towards Antisana to set our base camp up on the old moraine at 4,600m. Unfortunately, two members had to go down due to the fact that one of them had AMS and had to be driven down to the valley. Thanks to Angus and Ruth for being such a nice example of solidarity in the mountains!

With a beautiful full moon, the three teams crossed the crevasse labyrinth at the base of the volcano until the steeper part, where in a fast and efficient understanding between guides and clients, we reached the crux of the route very early in the morning and afterwards the good prize of the summit to finish a good year.

On the last day of 2009, all team members gathered together again in a nice a cozy hacienda to celebrate the end of the year but at the same time the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Congratulations to every expedition member for a wonderful trip and beautiful summits.

P.S. All Antisana expedition team members would like to say MANY THANKS to Mother Nature for a wonderful weather conditions!

Felipe Jacome
IFMGA GUIDE
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