Today, our group had a day of altitude acclimatization on the Cotopaxi Glacier. We reached the mountain slopes and ascended to approximately 5,000 meters. The weather was unfavorable—wind, sleet, and the possibility of a thunderstorm—so we decided to descend earlier than expected.

A little later, the weather improved, and even the summit was open, but here, things can change every 15 minutes. Generally, the weather in Ecuador is very changeable and diverse, just like the rest of the country! It's never boring!

Guides - Alexander Dorozhukov and Victor Volodin.

Guides: Viktor Volodin and Alexander Dorozhukov.

Afterward, we traditionally visited the "Place of the Equator." Everyone was thrilled to watch the water swirl in different directions as it drains, on opposite sides of the equator. Today, we'll have a welcome dinner, and we'll discuss plans for tomorrow and beyond.
Guides: Viktor Volodin and Alexander Dorojukov.

We climbed to the refuge, where we will spend the night before the climb. Then from there we climbed even higher - to the snow and there we practiced the skills of using mountaineering equipment.

And today on the way to the refuge we saw many huge condors that were soaring very close to us. And an Andean wolf that came to the refuge. But the wolf turned out to be very timid and immediately ran away.

For the night we went down to a comfortable hotel, but tomorrow we will return to the refuge again to go on the climb at night.
Guides Olga Rumyantseva and Boris Egorov.

Tomorrow we are going to look at the snow on the slopes of Cotopaxi. We will conduct snow lessons and walk in crampons.
Guides Boris Egorov and Olga Rumyantseva.

Guides Boris Egorov and Olga Rumyantseva.

An amazing place where thousands of different butterflies fly, but the most beautiful are the big blue ones. You can also feed the butterflies there and see how they hatch from their cocoons.

And finally, the final event of the day is a visit to the equator line in Quito. We visited the Museum of the Middle of the World, where we learned a lot of interesting things about Ecuador and the equator.

This is such a wonderful acclimatization. But tomorrow we will finally go to the mountains.

Greetings to everyone from Ecuador, from the group that has not yet found a name for itself! Today, all the participants finally got together and early in the morning we went to get to know Ecuador, acclimatizing at the same time.

We climbed to the observation deck of the Pululau crater and, having looked at it from above, went down to the crater where people live. Previously, they were engaged in breeding cattle, but now they mainly receive tourists, organizing small hotels and offering various types of activities.

Having risen from the crater, we continued on our way to the area of the "cloud" forest of Mindo. And although the forest promised to be cloudy, and not rainy, on the way, when we went to see the waterfall, we got caught in a downpour. But we saw a very beautiful waterfall and walked through the jungle, which everyone also really liked.

And finally, we arrived in Mindo, where we visited a chocolate factory. We watched the entire process of making chocolate, and then tasted it. This is how we acclimatized.

That is, first they walked around the city center, and then went up to the observation deck, where the statue of the Virgin Mary is located. We looked at Quito from above, at the statue towering over the city from close by, and even looked inside the statue.

At the same time, we combined the walk with acclimatization. After all, Quito is located at an altitude of 2800 meters, and in order to climb to the observation deck, we had to gain another 200 meters in altitude.
Tomorrow, when all the participants of our adventures gather in Quito, we will begin an exciting journey and acquaintance with the country.

The couple did it! And now they are waiting for a well-deserved rest at the thermal springs surrounded by blooming mountains.

Yesterday, there was a deeper penetration into the history and culture of the colonial center of the capital and, of course, it was not without closing several gestalts: standing on the equator line simultaneously in different hemispheres and trying a local delicacy - kuya (guinea pig, in our language).

Cotopaxi (the second peak of Ecuador and one of the most popular volcanoes in the world for guided climbing) turned out to be a difficult and interesting volcano with a relief that changed after the eruption - open cracks and rocky areas, requiring technical training and experienced guides.

The ascent to the summit was successful, but it required incredible efforts and a long, exhausting return to civilization. Thoughts arose about the advisability of continuing the program.

 But, after two days of rest, recovery and further acclimatization in the atmospheric lodge Marco Cruz at 4000 m, everything fell into place and at the appointed time the team reached the base camp of Chimborazo at an altitude of 5300 m. The move and night at 5300 was easy, the body was already ready for all further tests.

But, on the night of the assault, a storm wind arose (up to 100 km / h) and our group turned after 200 m of ascent. An attempt to climb was made, but the mountain did not let us this time!

But everyone is healthy and happy and are already making plans for next year, how to make another attempt to climb Chimborazo 6310 m. This highest peak of Ecuador and the most distant point from the center of the Earth has a harsh character. It is necessary to select an acclimatization program so as not to repeat the ascent of any of the previously descended volcanoes over two years! This is not an easy task!

And a very interesting plan has already been outlined, where volcanoes not only of Ecuador will be involved! A super-non-standard mega-trip is planned, which apparently no one has done before! So - To be continued!

Cotopaxi is the second peak of Ecuador, one of the most popular and beautiful volcanoes in the world and already the fifth peak of Rustam in Ecuador this time.

Also, this is the first representative of the 7 Summits Club, who climbed the summit of Cotopaxi with the changed relief after its last eruption.

It was not easy and not without adventures. But now two of the three highest peaks of Ecuador are already in Rustam's piggy bank.

Chimborazo is still waiting!

Even yesterday we could hardly believe it - when we drove up to the national park of Ñotopaxi, 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…

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

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.

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.

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

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.

News from Ecuador. On the last night of the Super Cuy team, the group members were awarded for climbing three peaks. The highest of which was Cotopaxi 5900m.

The gala evening was held at the hotel in Papayakta, where we lived for the last days and swam in the hot springs. So we said goodbye to Ecuador.

 News of the group "Super Cuy" from Ecuador. At 10 PM, we started climbing Mount Chimborazo from camp 5300. The snow continued to fall. We walked for a long time, trampled the path through the complicated terrain of the volcano, climbed on 6000 m. There, local guides who have been here on the mountain 100-200 times, determined that the slope is avalanche-prone. They said it was suicide to go further. Of course, all members were upset. We went down. And finally we decided to eat the local Guinea pig "Cuy", which gave the name of the group.

Then we settled in another wonderful hacienda.

 News of the Super Cui Team. We climbed up in a thunderstorm to camp 5350 on the slope of Mount Chimborazo. Here we were waiting for tents in the snow. We were caught in a thunderstorm on the way. Lightning struck the ridge, we threw all our things and lay in the snow for 30 minutes. Then it got better and we continued climbing.

Now we have dinner and at 11 o'clock p.m. we  plan to start a climb the highest peak in the World, if you count from the center of the Earth. It's snowing now. The forecast is bad. Wish us luck!

Snow is falling. The mountain is avalanche-prone. Tomorrow we will decide whether to go further, depending on the weather. The team's mood is cheerful. We feel  fighting…

News of the Super Cuy team from Ecuador. Today, in difficult conditions, the entire team, 100%,reached the top of Mount Cotopaxi (5856m) - the highest active volcano in the World.

The glacier is partially destroyed, as 4 years ago there was an eruption. Movement on the glacier is very confusing. 100 m from the top, we began to choke on the sharp smell of hydrogen sulfide.

When dawn broke, we saw huge cracks. It is quite possible to get lost in them, especially after a heavy fog has settled. Now the team is resting in the town of Banos. There are gorgeous hot springs here.

Today our team "Super Cuy" climbed on Iliniza Norte 5200m. The climb was not simple. The rocks were covered with snow. All the team members reached the top and on the descent we were covered by bad weather. Tomorrow we plan to leave for the refuge under Cotopaxi.

We have a unique program. For 12 days we will climb on 4 volcanos.  Including the highest active volcano in the World  Cotopaxi. And the highest volcano in Ecuador is Chimborazo. It is probably the highest mountain in the World that can be climbed in November.

The team of the 7 Summits Club "Super Cuy" made its first ascent in Ecuador today. We climbed Mount Rucu Pichincha 4700 m, in bad weather. It was a great test for us. And today Sasha Brichkin had a great birthday, with a cake and a watermelon on the top.

A team of 12 people arrived in Ecuador. The goal:  first of all, have a good rest, then climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The meeting of old friends took place at the airport…

Alexander Abramov, President of the 7 summits Club from Ecuador:

I spent two days in the Galapagos Islands. An interesting lost world of legendary Islands in the Pacific ocean. Great time before an expedition on the highest volcanoes of Ecuador. Just two days and  I have a million of impressions!

Our beloved friends Galya Rossova and Edgar Parra met me in Quito. And I'm going straight to the Galapagos for a turtle ride. I'll have one day to do it. On November 18, the program of climbing volcanoes in Ecuador begins. Cotopaxi and Chimborazo are waiting for us!

Today we climbed the volcano of Cotopaxi (5,897 m), which is considered one of the most beautiful in Ecuador. But, it was not up to the beauty! Again we were covered by icy rain. The thought slipped through several times to turn back. But there was enough strength to go to the end, to the top.

Tomorrow begins the ascent on the highest volcano of Ecuador and the most remote object of the earth's surface - Chimborazo (6 310 m). We hope that the weather will be more favorable! It’s good that the plan has a reserve day ...

Next in our plans – Chimborazo!

 We left the cozy lodge and Cotopaxi National Park  and moved to the National Park of Mount Iliniza. We drove to the parking in 3850ì with very scenic views on the way, we saw several herds of llamas. Then we loaded rucksacks  on horses and reached  a mountain hut at 4750ì. Here, we plan overnight, and tomorrow going to the top of Iliniza Norte! All memberss feel good, everyone is eager to fight!

 Hello, dears! This morning enjoyed a wonderful view of the Cotopaxi for breakfast.  We even watched a fly of a hummingbird, but did not have time to take a picture of it. After breakfast we went to the parking  at 4600m on the slope of volcano Cotopaxi, reached the glacier, held ice-snow classes for the guys and reached a height of 5200m. On road down was greeted Andian wolf and again local hares. The nature of Ecuador never ceases to amaze!

Hello!  Me and Edgar Parra climbed the highest active volcano in Ecuador (and the world) Cotopaxi 5870 m. the Weather was great. The views were stunning…

In General, to the highest point, we missed 200 m.

So, we will have to come back to Ecuador! And not only on Cotopaxi!

While driving to the airport to meet the group it opened Cotopaxi in all its glory. A lot of snow.

Wellcome drink for Our big Group