Climbing in Ecuador

I'm planning 5-6 weeks in Ecuador in Nov - Dec/04 and am looking for a climbing mate for Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. I'm 57 years of age, very fit and have basic mountaineering skills. Have climbed some USA Pacific-Northwest volcanoes - Baker, Shasta and Rainier and have been to 19 000 ft. in Nepal without difficulty. Anyone interested? For those who have done it independently (commercial outfitters want about $3 000 for this jaunt), I know that there are many licenced guides in Quito, but is it difficult to hook up with other climbers to cut down on costs? Has anyone use the South America Explorer's Club as a source of info? Any recommendations for guides? Ciao.

3 G's sounds very exspensive. I climbed Cotopaxi last year with a friend. We found a guide in Latacunga and we payed 100 us
each for a 1,5 day climb. We got transport, food, gear (basic boots/ice axe), night in the refugio and all in all we very satisified
with this. Guide was great.
Lot's of travel agencies and if your staying in Quito, you should be able to hook up with others.

have fun

I visited their office in Quito few years back. Not being a member I could only walk around and check out a few leaflets. They looked pretty well informed, but prices are very steep. I found me a guide in one of the gazilion agencies in town, just shop around and you'll find what you need. For another thrill you could also bike down the Cotopaxi. There's lots more on my WEBSITE

cheers

I found SAEC to be a good source of information, but prices quoted are for gringos. It would be better to look around once you get there, or find a local one online.

Boodles,

I visited the S Am Explorers in Cusco. They've been very helpful for trekking and mountaineering advice. I know they have a clubhouse in Quito and if you join before your visit you can access trip reports and guide info. Many people use the club and it seems you can find climbing partners through them.

On another note, a friend of mine and I are considering a trip to Ecuador in Nov-Dec this year. It's mostly a matter of airline cost for my friend. We're moderately experienced climbers and we'd be going for climbing. We've been up the Cascade volcanoes quite a bit, and if we went we'd be climbing sans guides and would certainly have a spot for you on our rope. I don't want to make it sound like we're definite about the trip, but perhaps we can keep in touch.

Btw, if you've climbed Shasta you stand a chance of being in California. Are you a Cali guy?

Hey,

If you are still checking this post, and figured out some good leads on guides to use, or non-guided options, please post a follow-up. My husband and I are also planning to do some trekking and easy climbing in Ecuador in December 2004, probably the climbing with a guide, and the trekking on our own. We've both done a fair amount of high-altitude stuff and would like to tackle Cotopaxi and some other options, but don't have a large budget for guiding.

Hope your plans are shaping up...