Number Two

Christmas was a little different this year when we woke up on rock hard beds with ten other people in a room that was 30´x20´ with sleeping bags that were wet from condensation dripping from the cinder block celing of the refuge. But all three of us got our Christmas present when we made it to the summit of Iliniza Norte mid morning. For the entire climb and the first ten minutes on the summit the visiblity was 30 to 50 feet, but after hanging around a while longer praying that it would clear up our prayers were answered. We had a spectacular view of Iliniza Sur, Cotopaxi, and the valley below for around ten minuites before a cloud enveloped the mountain once again. But the few moments of clear skies were all we needed to lift our spirits.

We planned on climbing Sur tomorrow but after talking to several guides decided that the snow was to soft and thus avalanche prone to attempt a summit so soon after fresh snow fall. While we had clear skies we did notice one very large avalanche that had covered part of the normal route up Sur. We hope to come back at a later date when conditions are better.

Michael should be putting up more pictures once again within the next 24 hours.

Merry Christmas to all,
Jeremy