Well I made it! The highest i have ever climbed 5897meters (19,460´) It was a cloudy drive in and i was bummin a bit. However as we arrived at the north approach to the Refuge the clouds parted and we got our first look! It is a very round looking mountainand an active volcano with a glacier cap. We drove to 4500m and then hiked up to Jose Rivas Refugio at 4800m. The afternoon consisted of carb loading, pictures and lots of tea. The refuge is quite big, but simple with bunk beds and a few tables to eat. Baño was sketchy, but most of them are here. I tried to sleep from 7-12 but with limited success due to excitement and ever calling bathroom calls (i drank a toñ of water and tea). There were 5 of us 2 Gias and 3 climbers, One swiss the other an Aussie. We geared up at about 12;30 am and were hiking by 1;15. We hiked to the glacier, put our crampons on and then up, up and more up. I was roped with a guide and the Aussie, we were all in great shape and passed the few other guides that started before us very quickly. All crampon climbing, with a climbing axe. The air was thin and crisp and the stars were incredible! We hiked so fast we made it to the summit 5897m in 3hours17min! Even the guide was amazed. But that did not fit the sunrise schedule we were hoping for, it was before 5am and we needed to be there at 6. It was cold, windy and all of our gear was coated in humid sugar. We could not stay there for an hour it was too cold, so we descended. About 300m down we saw the swiss climber and our other guide, i decided to join them for round 2 hopefully for the sunrise. Well the second time was the one, we saw the sun coming to life and got some great pics. Not enough light to see into the volcano crater but iwas a beautiful morning. A long slog down with great vistas and cold everything. We were truly blessed with awesome weather amd great guides.
Emily hung back at papaguyo, read and rode horses. Naturally i had the camera.
All in all it was an awesome experience, but that is enough mountain climbing for awhile, on to the thermal pools at lower elevation.
3 comments:
don't you mean a swede? not a swiss....i know it's confusing but Sweden and Switzerland ARE two different countries ;)
Actually the Swede was only the guy to arrange it, he did not make the climb. He truly was Swiss
Actually the Swede was only the guy to arrange it, he did not make the climb. He truly was Swiss
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