update
02/01/07
The
group have just sent word of summit success on Chimborazo (6310m),
the highest summit in Ecuador. In the event Ben, Cath, Chuci (the
local guide) and Phil all summited. However the top eluded them
on Cotopaxi (5693m) where in horrendous conditions and an increasing
risk of wind slab avalanches they were forced to turn back from
around 5300m. A sensible decision which the ten other teams on the
mountain also made.
Everyones
now safe and back in Quito having a well deserved rest.
update
27/12/06 - 10am GMT
The
latest information from our leader Phil is that everyone is doing
fine but unseasonably bad weather is making many of the ascents
more demanding than usual. Chris, Robert, John, Ben & Alison
all summited Cayambe on Christmas Eve which is the most technical
of the summits on the itinerary. They had a day off for Christmas
day and should have attempted Illinizas Norte (5116m) yesterday.
At present they should all be at the Cotopaxi refuge preparing for
their summit attempt tomorrow.
update
18/12/06 - 9am GMT
Well
the team are all together now and everything's going well. Everyone
seems to be coping fine with the big increase in altitude. Quito
is at 2850m so they've had a couple of easy days while their
bodies adjust but it's off to the mountains tomorrow.
update
16/12/06 - 5pm GMT:
The
last members of the team flew out to Quito today. After having a
couple of rest days to recover from the flight and a guided tour
around Quito they will head for the hills on the 19th, starting
with Fuya-Fuya (4200m).
Stu Peacock.
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