Cotopaxi

Hitchiking on the Panamerica highway to get to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and then we hired a truck to get to the refugio. Pretty exciting to be hitchiking with an ice axe and crampons.
Our best view of Cotopaxi, it was always covered in clouds.

Michelle on the 35min hike from the trailhead to the Refugio at 15,750ft. After about a week of acclimitization, it actually wasn´t too hard of a hike, we were surprised to find out.

Jose Rivas Refuge. A nice little place with two wood stoves to keep it warm. Unfortunately the place was packed with groups of guided climbers (we were the only independent climbers!), consequently we didn't sleep much the evening before the climb.

Starting the climb at 1:00 am, Alex kicks steps in the frozen snow.

This photo was taken at 1:10am and 16,000ft when the whole climb still seemed like fun! Notice the smile, it wasn´t there at 18,000ft. Seriously, we were pretty excited and moved fast to show the guides what we were made of. We even led the way for awhile, then we realized that was stupid and let the guides kick all the steps! Thanks guys!

At 19,250 ft, Alex struggles towards the summit. After we finished the climb, a guide told me that if we wanted to climb Chimborazo (Ecuador's highest peak at 20,000 ft) Alex needed to be in better shape! Check out that face. From about 18,000 ft on we walked five steps and stopped to pant a while. It was like breathing through a straw. We almost turned around at this point, due to really cold feet (leather boots at altitude aren´t all that great), but pushed on anyway.

The sunrise at 19,350ft. We reached the summitt at 6:00am, five hours after leaving the hut, and were rewarded with a great view.
Alex celebrates! Take that you lousy guide.

Quite possibly the nerdiest photo of Michelle on the internet, but when you have just climbed Cotopaxi, you really don´t care about much, except getting down where its warmer and there is more air. We were cold and wasted by this point, and I´m not sure why that climbing rope is around my neck like a giant´s necklace.

The descent. After fighting past several groups coming up, we seriously began plunge stepping back to the refugio.

Michelle, after descending a thousand feet or so felt alot better, and ice climbed up this giant ice formation. Pretty impressive, huh? Actually, we were making our way very slowly down and getting passed by the guides who were short roping their clients down steep snow slopes at reckless speeds.

Alex enjoys a last clear look at Cotopaxi, reflecting on the past eight hours of climbing. We made it safely back exhausted but excited. After sleeping (14 hours straight for Michelle) we are even more excited about the experience.