Went up early in the morning to get the transfer to the lodge where I would meet Babsi and our guide for the climbing of Cotopaxi, which is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. After we got all necessary equipment like helmets, ice axe, crampons, and some warm clothing our guide drove us to the start point of the hike. From there it was round about an hour up to the Refugio at 4800 meter above sea level where we had dinner and went to bed early.

We got up again at midnight and started the hike. Aside from very slight headache that even went away during the climb I felt fine. So all fear was basically unnecessary. After some time we reached the glacier and Fernando, the guide, took us on the rope. Strange feeling that a thin rope is your life insurance for the next hours.

After three hours we reached a point at 5400 meter where a big ice bridge over a crevasse was crashed down in the night, thus the way to the top was not possible anymore. Any alternative route was too dangerous due to heavy snowfall in the last days and the danger of avalanches. Thus we had to return together with all the other groups on this day. Quite sad, as both Babsi and I were feeling totally fine and I guess we would have made it to the top. As it was too cold to wait up there, we did not see much of the glacier and the surrounding mountains as it was still dark. Well, bad luck.

However, Babsi kept her good mood which made it easy to keep mine as well. We had a lot of fun on the way down from the Refugio and took some nice pictures with the panorama function of her camera. After we went down we headed for Cuenca but stopped in Baños for a night to enjoy the hot springs there. On our way there we have been kind of rewarded for the failed summit. ‘Cause the Tungurahua cloth to Baños that Claudia and I hiked a few days ago with was erupting this time. Beautiful ash cloud!

Thanks Babsi for being such a great climbing partner. For keeping your good mood and smiling even on the way down. For asking me if I would like to climb Cotopaxi with you. Awesome! Guess we have to come back sometime and try it again ;-)

Greetings from near the sky!
Michael