Summit Attempt on Cayambe…
Team started to get the flutters and the butterflies – tonight at midnight is the summit attempt. We spent a few hours doing avalanche training – learned about theory, and history – about the triangle: terrain, snow, and of course, us…..things that lead to avalanches.
We then went out and buried the transponders and each of us in pairs had to find it – really incredible how the technology has advanced.
Big lunch – more cards and then getting the gear ready.
Early dinner followed by bedtime at 6 pm with an 11pm wake up.
I stayed back with some altitude issues.
Team set out right at the strike of midnight – I have to say I couldn’t fall asleep for thinking of how they were doing.
Around 4 am, Suneet arrived back at the Refuge – concerns with footing, darkness, and confidence of walking in the pitch, up a slope, on ice, in crampons…..
Around 5 am, Dale arrived back at the Refuge – concern was ’empty,’ nothing in the tank. Just completely spent.
Other groups started to come back as well, those that had not summited for a variety of reasons: altitude, terrain, challenge….
We waited, we waited, we waited…then we got the radio call, Perry and Farid were on the top!!! 715 am – incredible! What an accomplishment!!
They made their way down to the refuge arriving back at around 1030. Perry spiked himself with a crampon – gash on his left leg which we immediately attended to. We had already packed up all their gear so as soon as they got some breakfast in them we drove back down.
We are now in Cotopaxi park at an awesome place Los Mortinos Hacienda – tomorrow is a well earned full on REST DAY…….and we will rest…….
20 Responses
Great work team on attempts, cheering and to Farid & Perry for reaching the summit!
Glad you’re back safe and everyone enjoy your day of rest~ Anne
Thanks Anne! Safe, sound, and enjoying some well-deserved rest.
Congratulations to the team. Sounds like this adventure was another true test of everyone’s limits…impressive.
Glad to hear everyone is well.
Thank you for your support!
Congratulations to the entire Team – amazing ! You accomplished your goal!
Thanks Ralph. Feeling on top of the world, or Cayambe at least 😛
Congrats to all – takes courage to summit and courage to step away from that goal. Well done everyone. Enjoy the rest day.
Thank you 🙂 We’re enjoying some rest now!
The avalanche training sounds tres cool and interesting! (I just rewatched Vertical Limit last week too – a favourite for sure.)
The buildup of excitement for such a journey …. unreal. I hope all of you are so proud of yourselves! All of us reading and watching are. These are incredible accomplishments!!
Great video and pics as always!
Go Team #TYL23 !
A
PS Please tell me you’re stretching, lots! 😉
Thanks for the kind words, and reminder to stretch!!
Congrats to the team!!! Enjoy your day of rest!
Thanks Val 🙂
Congrats to all for an amazing accomplishment. Can’t wait to hear more stories.
Have a good rest day and safe home. XoxoAC
Thank you for following along with the adventure! Definitely more stories to come.
Congratulations to the Team. Glad that everyone was able to recognize when their limits were tested and made it back safe.
Thanks Mike! We’re proud of our team!
Unreal… congratulations Farid and Perry!! Glad everyone is doing well.
Reading the posts gave me chills! Congrats!!
Nothing but admiration from here! The wind, the terrain, the darkness – you all rock! Well done to the whole team #TYL23.
Janet
This is the first time I’ve heard of “Coppertop” running out of juice, it must have been a tough one.