Cotopaxi  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  19,347' Lat, Long:  -0.6806, -78.4378 Map Page Views:  2,280. Good page?    Administrators:  TYeary, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  John Ross on Oct 2, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Shadow of Cotopaxi from the regular route, a very ...

Description 

At 5,897 m (19,347 ft), Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and is the second highest peak in Ecuador. Cotopaxi’s first recorded summit was in 1872 by Wilhelm Rajss and A.M. Escobar. Most parties climb the peak via the Northern Route after staying in the José Ribas Hut. Cotopaxi’s glaciated cone shape is a wonder to see rising out of the plain below. The views are spectacular when climbing on a clear day.

Starting Elevation (José Ribas Hut): 4,794 m (15,729 ft)
Summit Elevation: 5,897 m (19,347 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,103 m (3,618 ft) from José Ribas Hut
Volcanic Status: “Active” (currently in a tranquil period)
Most recent major eruption: 1904

Getting There 

Cotopaxi is located 45 kilometers (28 miles) to the south of Ecuador’s capital city of Quito and is easily seen on the Quito skyline. To get there follow the Pan-American Highway to the main entrance of Cotopaxi National Park, followed by graded dirt roads to the car park at 4,603 m (15,100 ft). It is a 45 minute walk up dirt/rock switchbacks to the José Ribas Hut. Be prepared to pay park entrance fees and hut fees.

The Classics

Featured Route For Cotopaxi

Regular Route Mod. Snow  International : South America : ... : Cotopaxi

This standard climb to the summit of a beautiful volcano deals with moderate snow, some mild glacier problems, a few crevasses, and the expected variability expected of such ascents. The last 500 feet is occasionally steep, but snow/ice conditions will have more effect on technical difficulties than anything else. It takes an average party roughly 8 hours for the round trip from the hut. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in International

Photos of Cotopaxi Slideshow

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Cotopaxi, Ecuador	At the refuge	Where the glacier starts
Cotopaxi seen from Iliniza Norte	Climbing out of the clouds and into the sun on Cot...	Summit of Cotopaxi in nasty weather
Dawn breaks on the way up	Sea of Clouds at Sunrise on Cotopaxi looking towar...