South America - Page 21

Alexander Abramov, President of the 7 Summits Club: The team of the Round-the-World Automobile Expedition has prepared all the necessary equipment. And on the 5th of December in the morning we fly to Antarctica on the Union Glacier. We also take skis and sleds with us to conduct reconnaissance from the last point where the cars will reach.

We decided to make two flights at once, to Union Glacier 3,500 km and without delay another 1,000 km to Sky Blue. To the place of our start.  A lot of bags and trunks are flying with us. We will send photos and news daily, as we have new Iridium equipment for satellite Internet. The team is healthy and happy. We passed 3 tests for the COVID. Today we met a new team of the 7 Summits Club, which is flying to the Vinson Massif. These are 12 participants led by Volodya Kotlyar, Artem Rostovtsev and Nirmal (Nims) Purji. Hello everyone and see you soon!

Join our groups, become participants of the "Russian camp" on the highest mountain of South America! Aconcagua is waiting! The programs of the 7 Summits Club will begin on January 3, 2021.

Since November 1, the Argentine authorities have been opening the borders to all vaccinated tourists, including travelers from Russia. It is allowed to enter the territory of the country with a vaccination certificate with any drug recognized in the country where the vaccination was received. Tourists with this document are exempt from the antigen test and quarantine upon arrival. At the same time, at least 14 days must pass from the moment of receiving the vaccine.

The group's guide Lyudmila Korobeshko: Hello everyone from Ecuador!  From the group "Toropygas and Tortugas". This morning we were standing at the top of Cotopaxi - the highest active volcano in the world!

Even yesterday we could hardly believe it - when we drove up to the national park of Сotopaxi, a heavy downpour began and, accordingly, snowfall at the top. The bad weather continued until almost midnight. And in the previous days there were heavy snowfalls.

But our group was lucky - after midnight the snow stopped (all because in Quito we were given change with a few pieces of paper for $ 2). And by dawn, even the clouds parted and the stars appeared. There was still some avalanche danger after the snowfall, but our valiant Ecuadorian guides led us through safe paths. So at 7.30 we were standing at the top, tired but happy.

Now we have arrived in the town of Baňos - the gateway to the jungle. We listen to the murmur of waterfalls and relax in the spa. We are thinking what to do next…

News from Ecuador from the slopes of the highest peak - Chimborazo (6310 m)! Today there was a day of the assault for Boris Manevich and guide Franklin. The weather decided to surprise and show how it can be different in Ecuador. This time there was a lot of snow, wind and snow rain - a fairly common natural phenomenon in Ecuador. Not the most optimal conditions for climbing! Under these conditions, the climbers reached the level of 5700 m . Now they are resting already downstairs. Chimborazo is not an easy peak.

Hello everyone from Ecuador! This morning our team climbed on the second peak in our Ecuadorian program - Iliniza Norte volcano with a height of 5126m.  Yesterday morning we left Quito and arrived at the national park at the foot of the mountain. We started from a height of 3900. After lunch we reached the Nuevos Horizontes refuge at 4700. Here we met two Andean wolves here, had a great dinner with special Ecuadorian dishes and went to bed early. Today we left at 5.30. The route was heavily covered with snow, the rocks were icy, but this did not prevent our team from climbing to the top. We were at the highest point at about 9 am.

Now we have come down and settled in one of the old Ecuadorian haciendas. We will prepare for the next ascent.

Greetings from Ecuador! Yestoday Boris Manevich and guide Franklin Cardenas stood at the top of the Cotopaxi volcano (5897 m) - the second highest peak in Ecuador and the highest active volcano in the country. Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes on the planet.

Two days ago Boris Manevich climbed on the top of Iliniza Norte, 5126 m. After the descent, he had a day of rest and excursions in the Quilotoa crater lake area. Lake Quilotoa is one of the most beautiful places in South America, located in the Ecuadorian Andes. An amazing and original corner created by nature itself. It was formed here as a result of a strong volcanic eruption about 800 years ago. Locals believe that the lake has no bottom, but geologists estimate its depth at 250 meters.

Lyudmila Korobeshko, Director of the 7 Summits Club and the group's guide: Greetings to all from Ecuador!  Today we made our first ascent of Guagua Pichincha (4800) according to the program. With a sinking heart, we stood on the edge of the huge Pichincha crater, from where a powerful charge of volcanic ash burst out several decades ago, covering the whole of Quito. On the descent from the summit we were caught by a small snowfall, which quickly ended. On the way to Quito, we tried some firewater (aguardiente) and returned to the hotel satisfied and almost not tired.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Quito and leave for mount of Iliniza. We will have a high-altitude overnight at 4700 and in the morning we will storm Iliniza Norte.

Lyudmila Korobeshko, director of the 7 Summits Club and guide of the group from Ecuador:

October 16. Hello everyone from the Center of the World!!!

Today our Ecuadorian team with the working name "Mitad del Mundo" visited the Equator Line. On the way, we attacked a fruit stand and arranged a tasting of the most exotic fruits - tasted cherimoya, naranjilla, granadilla, taxo... you won't remember everything.

On the equator line, they admired the scalps of people (the inhabitants of Amazonia loved and knew how to cook them); they learned to determine the time of planting, harvesting and resting by the sundial, put eggs on nails (some even received diplomas of Egg Masters), turned the water in different directions and dropped 1-2 kg of weight each.

Then we returned to the historic center of Quito, where we found an excellent restaurant in the bishop's palace with a stunning view of the central square and delicious Ecuadorian cuisine. Of course, we tasted locre de papas (thick potato soup with avocado and cheese), ceviche, fritado, empanadas.

And finally we walked around the historical center of Quito, looking at the numerous churches. The Church of San Francisco was especially impressed. The walls are made of volcanic stone, the ceilings are made of mosaic without nails or glue, huge organs on the walls, a wonderful courtyard with tall palm trees, orchids and talking parrots. And from the bell tower there is a breathtaking view of the historic center of Quito.

Walked up, in general. Tomorrow we will have the first ascent - Guagua Pichincha (4800). Getting ready.

Climbing in Ecuador by Boris Manevich. Today is the second day of acclimatization, climbing the volcano from the Pichincha group. Rucu Pichincha (4698 m) hangs over Quito, it can be called a home volcano.  Stunning panoramas of the city open from its slopes. For greater comfort and time saving, you can climb to a height of 4200 m by the Teleferico cable car. The ascent was made in a sporty style. We left the hotel at 9.00 and already had lunch there at 15.00. There's still a free evening left to do something interesting! Tomorrow we say goodbye to Quito and drive towards the main volcanoes.

 Boris Manevich travels according to the program of the Gornyashka project of the 7 Summits Club - climbing with local guides.

The 7 Summits Club heartily congratulates Ilya, Mikhail and Sergey on the ascent of Huayna Potosi - the most beautiful six-thousandth mountain of Bolivia!  Yesterday, on 5th of October, Mikhail and Ilya successfully reached the top! Sergey, despite feeling unwell, reached the assault camp located at an altitude of 5250 m. Keep it up, guys! We wish you new heights and good luck!

The authorities of the Aconcagua National Park are in doubt as to how they should behave in a pandemic. On the one hand, they cannot afford another missed season. And they need income, and hotels, and guides, and mules need food. However, you also need to show your concern about the possible spread of infection through the base camp. The example of Everest shows that this is not fiction.  The body's defenses weaken at altitude and it is easier for the virus to penetrate it.  It is extremely difficult to separate people, to ensure social distance. No one will seriously do this.

Local guides and tour organizers strongly object to the shortening of the season. In their opinion, this will only lead to more dense accommodation of tourists, which will have the opposite effect. After all, there are willing, given the delayed demand due to the missed season.  There is still a little time to change something. But for now, the season is officially shortened and will begin on January 1, 2022.

The schedule of programs of the 7 Summits Club on Aconcagua

Greetings from Ecuador from the group of the 7 Summits Club!  We made it - tThere is the summit  of the Cotopaxi volcano! Although it was very difficult! But it was worth it! And it's not for nothing that Cotopaxi is called the most beautiful volcano in Ecuador! See for yourself!

News of the Mount Fever project from Ecuador. There is a Peak Ilinitsa Norte! The group of the 7 Summts Club coped with the next task and reached the top of this extinct volcano. Further along the program, two other volcanoes are planned: Cotopaxi and Chimborazo - the highest in Ecuador, the most remote peak from the center of the Earth.

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club:  Hello everyone from Bolivia! Yesterday, our group climbed Mount Huayna Potosi. It wasn't easy, but we tried very hard.

On the way to the summit, our group finally found a name and now it is not just "the group on Huayna Potosi", but "Bulba pistols". Tomorrow, all the participants of the Bolivian adventure will fly home.

Olga Rumyantseva, guide of the 7 Summits Club: Hello from Bolivia! Today, our group was miraculously transported to the Island of the Sun, which is located on Lake Titicaca. On the way, we took a cable car ride over the city, visited the museum and saw what Thor Heyerdahl used to build boats for his expeditions. In the evening, we watched the sunset at the highest point of the legendary Island of the Sun.

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club: Hello everyone from Bolivia! Our group "Red Hot Chickas and Pepper" climbed the most beautiful six-thousandth peak, Mount Huayna Potosi. It wasn't easy, but the view from the top made up for all the difficulties. We very successfully managed to slip before the beginning of the snow storm to see these very beautiful views.

In the evening, we returned to La Paz to continue our adventures in Bolivia.

Olya Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club from Bolivia: Last night, completely exhausted, but not broken by the long journey, the second group of participants in our adventures arrived in La Paz. During the night, they recovered a little, adapted to the local time and altitude of 3600. Therefore, early in the morning we went to get acquainted with the most interesting places in La Paz.

We looked at the Moon Valley, collected potions at the witch market, fed pigeons in the main square of the country. Along the way, they came up with a name: Red hot chicas pepper. 

Tomorrow we will go to Lake Titkaka and the legendary Island of the Sun.

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club from Bolivia: Today, "Hola-team"  made the ascent on the Mount of Huayna Potosi. As usual, we were very lucky with the weather. As a reward for the difficult climb, we were given gorgeous views.

Olga Rumyantseva, a guide of the 7 Summits Club from Bolivia:  The acclimatization of the group of the 7 Summits Club "Hola-team" on Lake Titicaca is over. We stayed on the island of the Sun, walked on the island of the Moon and tasted fresh trout. Now we are going to the mountains, for the ascent on the top of Huayna Potosi.