Chimborazo Archives

Ecuador 2026.06

Cumbre on Chimborazo!

And again! It comes with much excitement to report that the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes team has successfully reached the summit of Chimborazo and returned back to Quito, safe and sound. It was a near perfect day on Ecuador‘s highest peak. Standing at 6263m/20,549ft, the team basked in the sunshine and took in the 360 degree views before shouldering their packs once again and turning back towards camp. We’ll say our goodbyes this evening as another remarkable trip to Ecuador comes to a close. We’re back again this November! Reach out to our team to learn more. Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez checks in with this dispatch from the summit of Chimborazo:

Hey, hello to everyone! This is Estalin calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition, directly from the summit of Chimborazo (6263m/20,549ft), 6,268 meters, the farthest point from the center of the Earth!

So we got a glorious day, beautiful, beautiful day. We can see all the volcanoes around, no wind at all. The snow is pretty good.

Yeah, so… Stay tuned for the pictures later. Bye!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

June 11, 2026/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2026.06

Back in Ecuador with summits on Cotopaxi!

We are psyched to be back in Ecuador! The Madison Mountaineering team has been hard at work acclimatizing on smaller peaks that surround Quito. And now, we are excited to share that the team successfully reached the summit of Cotopaxi with 100% summit success! The team had an excellent day on this iconic mountain; clear skies, no wind, and good route conditions made for smooth climbing to the summit. Now that they are off the mountain safely, it’s back down to lower elevations to rest up, recover, and get ready for their next big objective: Chimborazo! Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez checks in with this dispatch from the summit of Cotopaxi:

Hello, World!

This is a Estalin calling for Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition. We are at the summit of Cotopaxi (5897m/19,347ft), 5,897 meters!

So, it took us a little bit more than seven hours to reach the summit, but worth it! We got that really, really beautiful day, zero wind, clear sky. The snow, it was pretty pretty good.

So Travis and Rob, they’re feeling really great! Yeah, so stay tuned for the photos later.

Nearing the summit of Cotopaxi while above the clouds

Aerial shot above Cotopaxi

Drone shot of climbers taking the final steps towards the summit of Cotopaxi.

Climbers, Rob and Travis on an acclimatization day on one of the many peaks surrounding Quito.

Above the clouds on the Illinizas.

Sunrise while climbing Illiniza Norte.

Summit! Illiniza Norte

Cumbre on El Corazon!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

June 7, 2026/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2024.01

Success on Rumiñahui Volcano!

Another summit in Ecuador! Today the team reached the north summit of Rumiñahui Volcano as part of their acclimatization while they build up before Antisana and Chimborazo. During the climb, the team basked in the sunshine and took in the 360 degree views of surrounding peaks and beautiful Ecuadorian country. Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez checks in with this dispatch from Ecuador:

Hello! This is Estalin calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition. Today is January 28.

We did our second climb for the acclimatization. We did the Rumiñahui Volcano (4721m/15,489ft) north summit, which is 15,500 feet about. We had a really great day, sunny day, we could see all the volcanoes surrounding such as Cotopaxi (5897m/19,347ft), Antisana (5753m/18,875ft), Sincholagua (4899m/16,073ft). It was a really, really great day! It took us about eight hours up and down – a little bit of a long hike, but it was a really, really nice day. The guys are resting now because tomorrow, we’re going to start early for our next hike.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned!

Navigating the rocky slopes of Rumiñahui on the way towards the summit!

Nearing the top!

A beautiful day in the Ecuadorian highlands!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

January 29, 2024/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2023.11.18

Summit Success on Illiniza Norte!

Climbing Illiniza Norte with Illiniza Sur seen behind (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

The Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition team has completed their acclimatization hikes and are primed and ready for their upcoming attempts on Cayambe and Chimborazo! Weather and climbing conditions have been outstanding so far, and will hopefully continue for the climbs ahead. Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez checks in with this dispatch from Ecuador:

Hello! This is Estalin calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition.

Today, we summit the Illiniza Norte which is 16,800 feet with the summit. We finished our acclimatization process! The group is feeling pretty strong and motivated. We had a great day on the mountain and some really nice views of the other peaks around! Now everybody is resting at the lodge.

Tomorrow we are going to move to Cayambe volcano which is our first big mountain on this expedition. Stay tuned… Bye!

Summit photo on Illiniza Norte! (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

Ascending the ridge which leads the way towards the summit of Illiniza Norte with Cotopaxi behind (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

November 23, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2023.01.02

Rest Day in Baños!

The team had a wonderful day exploring the beautiful city of Baños! In an effort to recover after their successful summit of Cayambe, the team returned to lower elevation to rest their bodies, eat good food, and take in the sights and sounds of this must-visit place. Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez, checks in with this dispatch after a fun and restful day in Ecuador:

Hello! This is Estalin calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition – today is January 10.

We are at the city called Baños de Agua Santa (1820m/5,971ft) – a really nice place for rest! We came after Cayambe (5790m/18,996ft) just to recover here. It’s not as high as Quito (2850m/9,350ft) – we are at 1,800 meters about.

We spent the day doing the water pool tour. Now everybody is just resting getting ready for our main summit push, which is Chimborazo (6263m/20,549ft)!

Everything is going great with this expedition. Stay tuned!

Th team high above the river below!

Taking in the beautiful waterfalls around Baños!

Climber, Stephane Mayer, enjoying the increased oxygen at lower altitude!

The team taking a break from the alpine, and enjoying the jungle!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our guide’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

January 10, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2023.01.02

Success on Cayambe!

We are excited to announce that the entire Madison Mountaineering team reached the summit of Cayambe and is safely off the mountain! The team experienced perfect weather and relished in the moment while standing at nearly 19,000 feet, with views above the clouds. Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez checks in with today’s dispatch from Quito:

Hello! This is Estalin calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition.

I’m very, very happy to announce that the whole team reached the summit of Cayambe Volcano (5790m/18,996ft) in the perfect weather! So, at the moment the whole team is in Quito (2850m/9,350ft) resting, and tomorrow we’re going to drive to Baños (1820m/5,971ft) to have a couple days for rest. Then we’ll push to our main goal which is Chimborazo (6263m/20,549ft)!

Stay tuned…

Ascending the final few steps towards the summit.

Aerial photo of the summit of Cayambe, sitting above the clouds.

The team descending Cayambe after a safe and successful summit!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

January 9, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2022.03.01

Chimborazo Summit!

Yesterday our team reached the summit of Chimborazo (6263m/20,543ft) – Ecuador’s highest peak and the closest point to the Moon and furthest from Earth’s center! Garrett, Victor (@VictorVescovo), and Estalin left their high camp on Chimborazo (5304m/17,400ft) at midnight and climbed through a mild electrical storm (lightning) to reach the summit at 6 AM on a clear morning.

They had some nice views at the top of this massive glaciated volcano, then made their way down and are now safely back in Quito. They feel very lucky as the previous week the weather and route conditions (snowstorms, deep and unstable snow) made it impossible for climbers to reach the summit of Chimborazo.

This concludes our private expedition to Ecuador, next up is our Mount Everest and Lhotse expedition in Nepal that kicks off in a couple of weeks! Stay tuned!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our guide’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

March 11, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2022.03.01

Cotopaxi Summit!

Victor V. and Garrett on the summit of Cotopaxi!

The Madison Mountaineering team of Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo), Estalin Suarez, and Garrett Madison had a great climb of Cotopaxi (5897m/19,347ft)! Despite some challenging weather conditions over the last few days their summit morning was nice with some great views from the top!

Victor’s ice axe has been with him to the top of Everest, the bottom of the ocean (Mariana Trench Challenger Deep) during his Five Deeps Expedition and now the summit of Cotopaxi. The climbers were also able to test out their Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches on the climb, the first watch worn on the Moon! Thanks to Omega for helping sponsor the climb!

The team is resting in Banos for a day before heading off to Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak and the closest point to the sun. Fingers crossed for good weather and route conditions, as recent teams have turned back on their Chimborazo summit attempts due to deep snow.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our guide’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

March 8, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2022.03.01

Greetings from Ecuador!

Our team of Garrett Madison, Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo), and Estalin Suarez have begun their mountaineering program by acclimatizing on some ancient and extinct volcanoes before heading to their first objective, Cotopaxi (5897m/19,347ft)! They’ve trekked up Pashachoa, Ruminahui, and are heading to Cotopaxi tomorrow evening to make their first summit attempt. Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano, the second-highest peak in Ecuador and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

So far the team has enjoyed some cool and moist weather in the lush countryside.

Stay tuned as they make their way up Cotopaxi and later Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak and also the furthest point from the center of the Earth.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our guide’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

March 4, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ecuador 2021.02.20

Corazón for more acclimatization

Acclimatization continued today with the Ecuador team climbing the inactive and eroded volcano Corazón (4790m/15,720ft.). The plan was to get an early start and the team was ready to go at 5 AM, but no weather was not so good with continual rain coming down. They tried to wait it out but the rain won, so they finally hit the trail at 7:30 AM with it raining all the way to the summit.

Still, it was a great day, tons of fun, and everyone is feeling strong and having a great time. Pushing hard they made it to the summit and back down in just about six hours. Motivation is really high!

The guys are back at the Chuquiragua Lodge in El Chaupi and laying out the plans for what’s next: Iliniza Norte (5126m/16,813ft)!

Ecuador – Day 03 Corazón 01

Ecuador – Day 03 Corazón 04

Ecuador – Day 03 Corazón 05

February 22, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

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