Encalomer - Aug 8, 2022 12:06 am Date Climbed: Dec 12, 2021
Full report on how to climb the Chimborazo
Hi guys!
In December 2021 we climbed the Cayambe and the Chimborazo volcanos. Here I am sharing with you a full documentary with plenty of information on how we organised our trip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyTMxvOKRiM&t=976s
The Chimborazo is a great mountain so better to be ready. Take care and good luck with your expedition!
fubar7500 - Jun 21, 2022 9:42 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2022
Top of Ecuador
We make it to the summit of Pico Veintimilla at 5:50. Because of new fresh snow (cca 30-40cm) the guides dont let us continue to the main summit (no offence, no claims, no harm:-)
natethor - Sep 2, 2021 9:21 am Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2014
Chimbo!
Climbed with Eli of ClimbingLife Guides. One of the hardest climbing days I've had but the summit was worth it!
JWBriggs - Feb 4, 2021 6:32 am Date Climbed: Jan 23, 2021
Successful Trip
Got it done. Took about five hours from high camp. Check out my quasi trip report in the "additions and corrections" section here. It got cold up there. Neither refugio is open for sleeping.
arosusi - Apr 2, 2020 10:31 am Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2019
Not this time
We had to turn around somewhere around 5950 m. Avalanche risk.
Matt McCullough - Oct 29, 2019 12:11 pm Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2019
Chimborazo - snowboard bust
Normal route via El Castillo. Beautiful calm conditions during the night climb. Noticed two teams ahead of us turning around just above 19,000'. The teams reported potential avalanche conditions as they were experiencing cracking and crust collapse into a thick weak snow layer (same as I had experienced on Cayambe just a few days earlier). My guide and I decided to turn back as well. I had lugged my snowboard up most the way, but was only barely able to snowboard a short icy section above the high camp around 17,500'.
What a amazing mountain, Chimborazo is more like a mountain than volcano. Unfortunately we had to turn around somewhere around 5800 m, but definitely i'm coming back for this amazing mountain.
Were turned back at Castillo Saddle by poor weather.
youngclimer123 - Mar 16, 2018 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 24, 2018
too much snow in January
unseasonable rains and mountain snow in January. the weather cleared for my attempt, but the snow above Castillo was too deep and created ridiculous avalanche conditions. turned back at 5800meters. still an amazing experience, and a personal high. I will be back.
boriskrielen - Feb 6, 2018 8:26 am Date Climbed: Jan 25, 2000
Normal route solo
Climbed the normal route solo, both Cumbre Whymper and Cumbre Ventimiglia. This was during the rise of the indians and getting around the country was almost impossible. First attempt to get close to the mountain together with some German climbers in a very old bus ended in gun fire and a stay with local indians that were surprisingly friendly to me. Finally I found a taxi driver that knew the back roads very well and managed to bring me to the base of the mountain safely. Had a great climb.
Harvest - Aug 2, 2017 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2016
Whymper Route
My last climb of the year was my highest elevation to date and my first 6,000 meter peak! We climbed the Whymper Route which was the FA (first ascent) route pioneered by Edward Whymper, Louis Carrel and Jean-Antoine Carrel on 1/4/1880. We started at the Carrel Refuge (the lower of two huts). This route is rarely climbed anymore due to rockfall. Luckily for us the rock was nice and frozen until around 10 am due to recent snows and cold temps. This approach is shorter than the standard route, the Normal route via the Castillo, and they meet up high on the mountain. We reach first the Cumbre Veintimilla then the true summit of Cumbre Whymper at an elevation of 20,561 feet.
I highly recommend this climb for someone just getting into high elevation climbing.
steved - Jun 19, 2017 11:11 am Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2017
From Refugio Carrel to Pico Veintimilla
Started at 11.00 pm from Refugio Carrel and made it to the summit of Pico Veinimilla for 7.00am the next morning. A tough climb, especially the last 200 metres. Weather a bit cloudy but still spectacular views. Back to the refugio for about 10 am.
tlfake - Jun 8, 2017 2:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2017
Great time at Chimbo
I didn't make it, but my two partners did. We had great weather, great trail conditions. I reached 19,600ft and got really sick and bailed. But my two partners pushed through and made the Whymper summit. I'm bitterly disappointed and know I'll have to come back some day to knock it off my list. It's a beautiful mountain. It just wasn't my day.
If you go, use John from Andean Adventures. He runs the refuge, is very straightforward and knowledgeable, and treated us very well. He cares a lot about the safety, success, and comfort of his guests. He is also the best priced. We saw a lot of climbers come through and the ones that were climbing with Andean Adventures were generally more successful and better prepared. Everyone in our group agreed he was the best guide service we've ever deal with.
Climbed this way back in the day with John Fischer. It was in December 1987, don't remember what day of the month.
NatureGirl - Nov 26, 2016 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2014
Veintimilla birthday summit - daylight ascent
My 5th attempt to climb this peak and finally successful. Still hard & long as the corredor was not possible and up there a hell of ice seracs. Looking forward to coming back soon - via South Face to Wympher summit.
cinnamonletter - May 20, 2016 2:55 pm Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2016
Veintimilla Summit
It's quite hard a climb considering the 1,400m altitude gain if you start yr summit bid from Refugio Carrel; well it's all about acclimatization & fitness, isn't it.. I'll need to train more.
It took us 8 hrs from Refugio Carrel to Cumbre Veintimilla starting at 11pm.
Our guide didn't let us zigzag on the glacier due to the avalanche risk so we had to walk in a straight line, which I found a bit difficult.
We were discouraged to make an attemp on the Whymper summit due to too much snow among the penitentes. Well, I wasn't unhappy not having to walk more this time.
endo.the.timber - Jan 9, 2015 1:59 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2014
Whymper Summit from Normal Route
Refuge still closed. Slept in the caretakers cafe with guides.
Started at 10:30pm after a lucky snow dump. Snow made the route much easier. Coming down was another story. Dodging rocks there and here.
ScottyP - Dec 20, 2014 6:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 13, 2014
Not this time
Stomach issues all week kept me from the top. Very phsucal climb. I will be back...
blueshade - Sep 11, 2014 10:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2014
Highest point yet...
A very physical summit even for well conditioned people. At nearly 21,000', it is understandable... Despite good weather the night before, the wind ended up picking up most of the night. Mostly very icy conditions from a previous storm. Far less than 50% of people had been summitting (at least since the storm).
Went with Andean Adventures. Competent guides, equipment included, and the owner, John, is very friendly.
Notes:
It is mandatory to go with a guide.
But there is not park entry fee to go and acclimate beforehand.
As of Aug 2014, the second refuge is still under construction with no sign of being completed any time soon.
simplydt - May 14, 2014 1:57 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2014
Failed Summit Attempt
My friend Daniel and I attempted the summit from the parking lot on this night. We went via la ruta de las aristas due to the lack of snow. We first encountered snow above 5,400m I believe, before that it was all rock and ice. We turned back at 5,600m. I post this today because tonight I am going for my second attempt. I hope we can use the normal route!
PS. Aristas route is bloody beautiful! Loved it.
Encalomer - Aug 8, 2022 12:06 am Date Climbed: Dec 12, 2021
Full report on how to climb the ChimborazoHi guys!
In December 2021 we climbed the Cayambe and the Chimborazo volcanos. Here I am sharing with you a full documentary with plenty of information on how we organised our trip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyTMxvOKRiM&t=976s
The Chimborazo is a great mountain so better to be ready. Take care and good luck with your expedition!
fubar7500 - Jun 21, 2022 9:42 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2022
Top of EcuadorWe make it to the summit of Pico Veintimilla at 5:50. Because of new fresh snow (cca 30-40cm) the guides dont let us continue to the main summit (no offence, no claims, no harm:-)
natethor - Sep 2, 2021 9:21 am Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2014
Chimbo!Climbed with Eli of ClimbingLife Guides. One of the hardest climbing days I've had but the summit was worth it!
JWBriggs - Feb 4, 2021 6:32 am Date Climbed: Jan 23, 2021
Successful TripGot it done. Took about five hours from high camp. Check out my quasi trip report in the "additions and corrections" section here. It got cold up there. Neither refugio is open for sleeping.
arosusi - Apr 2, 2020 10:31 am Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2019
Not this timeWe had to turn around somewhere around 5950 m. Avalanche risk.
Matt McCullough - Oct 29, 2019 12:11 pm Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2019
Chimborazo - snowboard bustNormal route via El Castillo. Beautiful calm conditions during the night climb. Noticed two teams ahead of us turning around just above 19,000'. The teams reported potential avalanche conditions as they were experiencing cracking and crust collapse into a thick weak snow layer (same as I had experienced on Cayambe just a few days earlier). My guide and I decided to turn back as well. I had lugged my snowboard up most the way, but was only barely able to snowboard a short icy section above the high camp around 17,500'.
Senad Rizvanovic - Feb 26, 2019 3:51 pm
Normal routeWhat a amazing mountain, Chimborazo is more like a mountain than volcano. Unfortunately we had to turn around somewhere around 5800 m, but definitely i'm coming back for this amazing mountain.
mmcguigan - Sep 13, 2018 6:40 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2012
Stopped in our tracks by Bad WeatherWere turned back at Castillo Saddle by poor weather.
youngclimer123 - Mar 16, 2018 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 24, 2018
too much snow in Januaryunseasonable rains and mountain snow in January. the weather cleared for my attempt, but the snow above Castillo was too deep and created ridiculous avalanche conditions. turned back at 5800meters. still an amazing experience, and a personal high. I will be back.
boriskrielen - Feb 6, 2018 8:26 am Date Climbed: Jan 25, 2000
Normal route soloClimbed the normal route solo, both Cumbre Whymper and Cumbre Ventimiglia. This was during the rise of the indians and getting around the country was almost impossible. First attempt to get close to the mountain together with some German climbers in a very old bus ended in gun fire and a stay with local indians that were surprisingly friendly to me. Finally I found a taxi driver that knew the back roads very well and managed to bring me to the base of the mountain safely. Had a great climb.
Harvest - Aug 2, 2017 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2016
Whymper RouteMy last climb of the year was my highest elevation to date and my first 6,000 meter peak! We climbed the Whymper Route which was the FA (first ascent) route pioneered by Edward Whymper, Louis Carrel and Jean-Antoine Carrel on 1/4/1880. We started at the Carrel Refuge (the lower of two huts). This route is rarely climbed anymore due to rockfall. Luckily for us the rock was nice and frozen until around 10 am due to recent snows and cold temps. This approach is shorter than the standard route, the Normal route via the Castillo, and they meet up high on the mountain. We reach first the Cumbre Veintimilla then the true summit of Cumbre Whymper at an elevation of 20,561 feet.
I highly recommend this climb for someone just getting into high elevation climbing.
steved - Jun 19, 2017 11:11 am Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2017
From Refugio Carrel to Pico VeintimillaStarted at 11.00 pm from Refugio Carrel and made it to the summit of Pico Veinimilla for 7.00am the next morning. A tough climb, especially the last 200 metres. Weather a bit cloudy but still spectacular views. Back to the refugio for about 10 am.
tlfake - Jun 8, 2017 2:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2017
Great time at ChimboI didn't make it, but my two partners did. We had great weather, great trail conditions. I reached 19,600ft and got really sick and bailed. But my two partners pushed through and made the Whymper summit. I'm bitterly disappointed and know I'll have to come back some day to knock it off my list. It's a beautiful mountain. It just wasn't my day.
If you go, use John from Andean Adventures. He runs the refuge, is very straightforward and knowledgeable, and treated us very well. He cares a lot about the safety, success, and comfort of his guests. He is also the best priced. We saw a lot of climbers come through and the ones that were climbing with Andean Adventures were generally more successful and better prepared. Everyone in our group agreed he was the best guide service we've ever deal with.
Norris - Feb 17, 2017 8:16 pm
Ventimilla via WhymperClimbed this way back in the day with John Fischer. It was in December 1987, don't remember what day of the month.
NatureGirl - Nov 26, 2016 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2014
Veintimilla birthday summit - daylight ascentMy 5th attempt to climb this peak and finally successful. Still hard & long as the corredor was not possible and up there a hell of ice seracs. Looking forward to coming back soon - via South Face to Wympher summit.
cinnamonletter - May 20, 2016 2:55 pm Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2016
Veintimilla SummitIt's quite hard a climb considering the 1,400m altitude gain if you start yr summit bid from Refugio Carrel; well it's all about acclimatization & fitness, isn't it.. I'll need to train more.
It took us 8 hrs from Refugio Carrel to Cumbre Veintimilla starting at 11pm.
Our guide didn't let us zigzag on the glacier due to the avalanche risk so we had to walk in a straight line, which I found a bit difficult.
We were discouraged to make an attemp on the Whymper summit due to too much snow among the penitentes. Well, I wasn't unhappy not having to walk more this time.
endo.the.timber - Jan 9, 2015 1:59 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2014
Whymper Summit from Normal RouteRefuge still closed. Slept in the caretakers cafe with guides.
Started at 10:30pm after a lucky snow dump. Snow made the route much easier. Coming down was another story. Dodging rocks there and here.
ScottyP - Dec 20, 2014 6:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 13, 2014
Not this timeStomach issues all week kept me from the top. Very phsucal climb. I will be back...
blueshade - Sep 11, 2014 10:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2014
Highest point yet...A very physical summit even for well conditioned people. At nearly 21,000', it is understandable... Despite good weather the night before, the wind ended up picking up most of the night. Mostly very icy conditions from a previous storm. Far less than 50% of people had been summitting (at least since the storm).
Went with Andean Adventures. Competent guides, equipment included, and the owner, John, is very friendly.
Notes:
It is mandatory to go with a guide.
But there is not park entry fee to go and acclimate beforehand.
As of Aug 2014, the second refuge is still under construction with no sign of being completed any time soon.
simplydt - May 14, 2014 1:57 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2014
Failed Summit AttemptMy friend Daniel and I attempted the summit from the parking lot on this night. We went via la ruta de las aristas due to the lack of snow. We first encountered snow above 5,400m I believe, before that it was all rock and ice. We turned back at 5,600m. I post this today because tonight I am going for my second attempt. I hope we can use the normal route!
PS. Aristas route is bloody beautiful! Loved it.