With 5000-6000m peaks just degrees from the equator, climbers on these peaks should expect bad weather. I was taught this the hard way when I first came to Ecuador to climb the normal routes of Cayame, Antisana, and Cayambe. Once I got home from that climb, I bought quite a few new layers to prepare me for those sorts of conditions. Coming back the next time aiming for much harder routes, I knew I would need to come prepared.
Related:
- Ecuador 2021, Escaping the Pandemic
- Cotopaxi
- Illiniza Sur
- El Altar: Subpeak Dreams and Avalanche Hell
- Carihuairazo
- Cayambe, Arista Santa Barbara (Ecuador’s best TD!)
- El Altar, The Italian Route
- Illiniza Norte
- Ecuador the Hard Way
Updated: April, 2019
Top Layers
- Icebreaker Sphere LS Hood
- Arc’teryx Gamma MX Hoody
- Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
- Arc’teryx Atom LT
- Arc’teryx Alpha SL
- Arc’teryx Alpha IS
Bottom Layers
- Mountain Hardwear Dragon Pants
- Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Pants
Feet
- La Sportiva G5 Boots
- Smartwool PhD Mountaineering Socks
Hands
- Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves
- Outdoor Research Arete Gloves
- Outdoor Research Baker Mitts (w/ Alti Mitts liners)
Technical Climbing Gear
- Grivel North Machines
- Black Diamond Snaggletooth crampons
- CAMP Alp Mountain Harness
- Black Diamond Vector Helmet
- DMM Pivot
- Petzl Attache Locking Carabiners
- Petzl Ange S Carabiners
- Mammut Contact Slings
- Black Diamond Ice Clippers
- Grivel Spring Leash
- 2x Beal Gully 7.3mm 60m Rope
- 5x Petzl Laser Speed Light Ice Screws
- Black Diamond Ultralight Camalots
- 3x Aluminum pickets
Personal Gear
- Arc’teryx Alpha FL45
- Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffel
- Julbo Explorer 2.0 Zebra
- Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z Poles
- Feathered Friends Lark UL 10
- Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm
Electronics
- Petzl Tikka+ Headlamp
- Garmin Fenix 5s
- Garmin InReach Mini
- Iridium Extreme