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Banos Zoologico Sport
International
> S America
> Ecuador
Access Issue: Private property, small day fee for access.
Details
Climbing area is now part of an "adventure park" with a zip line through the gardens, cable car across the 250m high gorge and trails down to the climbing area.
Ecuador's Best Crag
This northwest facing cliff stays in the shade most of the day which is key even at these moderate altitudes so close to the equator. The Banos area can be closed due to volcanic eruptions of Tungurahua and the Rio Pastaza which connects to the Rio Maranon that feeds into the Amazon to the Atlantic in Brazil can flood on occasion making this climbing area inaccessible.
The rock is river polished basalt that has a layer of dust in many spots and most routes are 20m high on this 90m overhanging wall that is 60m wide. The majority of the routes are in the 5.10+ (6+) range up to 12+ (7b+) and all bolted with anchors mostly 15-20m high. Rarely busy, very difficult to onsight, breezy and cool in this amazing jungle-alpine-river gorge location with a sand beach and bouldering. Sand flies will bite your ankles so socks and pants with tight ankles will take care of this annoyance.
There has been minimal route development since the original installations in 1996-97 by Eli Helmuth and friends with a few moderate routes added and anchors updated by Eli and Alejo Lazzati in 2011.
Getting There
The original name for this cliff "Zoologico Vertical" reflects its location adjacent to the Banos Zoo, located on the west end of Banos as you enter from the on the north side of the road and just 100m downhill brings you to the narrow bridge over the Canyon de Santa Banos where the Pastazo River carves a 120m deep gorge through vertical walls of polished basalt. Park on the other side of the canon at the zoo and walk through a narrow road cut to the entrance to the "adventure park" where you pay the $1-2 fee/person.
[Hide Photo] Overview of Zoologico Vertical(aka Ines Maria) a 60m high crag in Banos, Ecuador. The Rio Pastazas at the base feeds into the Amazon and this area is only an hours drive from the Basin.
[Hide Photo] Willy Navarette, Banos local and father to two climbing aces getting it done on a long 5.12 at the zoo.
[Hide Photo] Sara Navarette getting it done at the crux of a long 5.12 at the zoo.
[Hide Photo] Eli on the bat crack in 2014. This zone now has double the amount of routes with a few multi-pitch to the top 100m and up to 5.13 in difficulty!
[Hide Comment] Hey I am in Banjos for the next few days and would like to go climb. I have shoes, harness and a belay device. Just looking to put up some routes with someone who has a rope n draws. Let me know!
Oct 25, 2017
[Hide Comment] Hi, I've recently moved to Ambato and will be staying here till May 2020. I'm seeking partners to climb with in the nearby sport crags and also looking to climb some nearby 3000m+ peaks. I have rope, quickdraws and personal equipment. Feel free to contact me via email (luqman1samir@gmail.com) or on WhatsApp on +447522290431. Best, Lucky
Aug 30, 2019
Hollywood, Fl
Does anyone know any climbers I that area. I'll be heading that way in about 1 month.
Thanks
Fabrizzio Jul 14, 2017
SLC, UT
Ambato, EC
Best,
Lucky Aug 30, 2019