Archive For November 3, 2025
Landing in Quito in the rain, we wondered if we’d done the right thing by coming to Ecuador and by bringing our original dates forward. For the first two days the rain didn’t stop and nervous laughter accompanied weather talk.
We didn’t know what to expect though we did have hopes for some sunshine, some skiing and for a fun time. Mountaineering boots were on the kit list should there be insufficient snow. To begin with we couldn’t even see the tops.
Thankfully on day three the clouds parted and the equatorial sun bore down. The summits were clear and so creamed up and with sun hats we began our first acclimatisation hike to 4200m. All went to plan until we got caught in an afternoon electrical storm with torrential rain which is no fun at all. This weather pattern continued throughout and meant that safe and successful ski mountaineering required very early starts.
The breakfast challenge and golden sunrises
The early ski mountaineer catches the sunrise and on our summit days we were treated to an amazing light show with the shadow of our volcano projected on to the valleys and clouds below. Being in the right place, high on the mountain, meant breakfast at half past midnight for Cayambe, midnight for Antisana, and at a delightful 10pm for Cotopaxi. Most of the up was therefore done in the dark and skiing finished by 10am which is roughly when the warming clouds from the Amazon obscure the mountains, turning the visibility to near zero.
Summiting Cayambe 5790m and Cotopaxi 5897m
These two iconic summits were the highlights of our trip. On them we were happily surprised by the quality of the snow and by the terrain which is perfect for ski mountaineering. The team were all well acclimatised so uphill progress was good and as excellent skiers they made the very most of the lovely snow on the down. I rate our day on Cayambe as one of the best ski mountaineering days I have ever had.
Such good skiing at a little short of 6000m is a very rare thing indeed, perhaps only possible in Ecuador? You should go.
Oh and if you haven’t come across Guayasamin, look him up.