Ecuador has one of the world's greatest concentrations of volcanoes of which a considerable number are still active. Chimborazo, the highest peak at 20,703 feet, is higher than any mountain in the America's north of it, and is also the highest mountain in the world measured from the center of the Earth. The weather is often uncertain in Ecuador, and reading about facts such as these gives one something to do while waiting out storms in a tent. Typically, people acclimatize a few days in the picturesque capital city of Quito, at 9,300 feet in a lovely mountain setting. They then hire a jeep to drive them to a hut, often above 15,000 feet, spend one or two nights, and then do a one day ascent of a peak hoping to get back to Quito before altitude sickness sets in.
Ascents usually start in the early hours of the morning.
Ecuadorian guides are often used, since it is difficult to route-find on a strange mountain in the dark and detailed route descriptions are often hard to find. After much discussion, John, Andy, and I decided to climb 19,350 foot Cotopaxi. The second highest and most popular peak, Cotopaxi may also be the most aesthetic due to the huge semi-active crater at the summit. Several nights spent at these altitudes allowed us to acclimatize before attempting Cotopaxi. We spent half a day traveling from Quito to a 12,500 foot lake called Limpiopungo using public transport, which in Ecuador is efficient and inexpensive.