LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY  LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY. The first type of Technical Difficulty uses the United States’ alpine climbing system for snow and ice.  Difficulty ranges from Level 1 (routes up to 50 degrees on snow or 35 degrees on ice), to Level VI (routes with very thin ice at 90 degrees).  The second type of Technical Difficulty is the French system that uses the letters:     ·      F =  Easy  ·      PD  =  Slightly difficult ·      AD  =  Somewhat difficult  ·      D  =  Difficult  ·      TD  =  Very difficult  ·      ED  =  Extremely difficult    The scale for rock climbing of the (UIAA) International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation is also used when it is necessary to determine the difficulty on rock.  It should also be considered that due to the altitude of Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Bolivian and Argentinean mountains, an ability to acclimatize adequately is just as important as technical skills. Mountains of Ecuador Mountain Difficulty Vertical Height Time CHIMBORAZO 6.310m/20.702 ft       Castle Route (Normal) II/PD/40 grados  1300m /4.250ft 8-10 hours Thielmann Glacier Direct  III/AD+/60 grados  1300m /4.250ft 8-10 hours    Whymper Route II/PD/40 grados  1300m /4.250ft  8-10 hours  Murallas Rojas Route II/PD/45 grados 1.000 m/3.300 ft 8-10 hours COTOPAXI  5.897 m/19.347 ft       Normal Route II+/AD-/40 grados  1.000m/3.300 ft  7-9 hours   West Face Direct II+/AD-/65 grados  1.000m/3.300 ft  7-9 hours  EL ALTAR Obispo 5.319mt /17.451ft           Italian Route  IV/D+/80 grados  450 m/1.480 ft   7-9 hours Calvario Ridge  IV+/D+/80 grados  450 m/1.480 ft  7-9 hours   ILLINIZA SUR 5.263mt/17.267ft       Normal Route   IV-/AD+/70 grados  600 m/2.000 ft 4-5 hours  La Rampa Route IV/D/75 grados   600 m/2.000ft 5-6 hours  SANGAY 5.230 m/17.160 ft        Normal Route   PD  1.700m/5.600 ft 7-10 hours  ILLINIZA NORTE        5.126 m/16.817 ft         Normal Route 5.3/II/70 grados   475 m/1.650 ft  3 hours TUNGURAHUA 5.016 m/16.456 ft In Yellow Alert since September  1999 (Declared in Orange Alert in October of the same year) because of its volcanic activity.      CARIHUAIRAZO 5.028 m/16.496 ft        Ruta Normal  F/70 grados  400 m/1.300 ft  3-4 hours  COTACACHI 4.939 m/16.204 ft        Ruta Normal  5.5/IV/70 grados  300 m/1.000 ft  5 hours  SINCHOLAGUA 4.893 m/16.053 ft        Ruta Normal  5.4/III/70 grados*  20 m/60 ft  4 hours  QUILINDAÑA 4.878 m/16.004 ft        Ruta Normal  5.7/V   400 m/1.300 ft 4-6 hours  GUAGUA PICHINCHA 4.794 m/15.728 ft        Ruta Normal  F  800 m/2.600ft  4 hours  CHILES                         4.723 m/15.495 ft        Ruta Normal   F 600 m/2.000ft  3 hours  RUMIÑAHUI                       4.722 m/15.492 ft         Ruta Normal  F  900 m/2.950 ft 5 hours  SARA URCO                 4.676 m/15.341 ft       Ruta Arista Sur Oeste   5.3/PD/40 grados  250 m/800 ft 2 hours  IMBABURA 4.630 m/15.190 ft       Ruta Normal  5.3/II  1.200m/3.900ft  5 hours CERRO HERMOSO (LLANGANATI )                  4.571 m/14.997 ft         Ruta Normal  5.3/II  500m/1.600 ft   3 hours  FUYA FUYA                       4.263 m/13.986 ft        Ruta Normal   F  500 m/1.600 ft  2-3 hours PASOCHOA                             4.199 m/13.776 ft        Ruta Normal   F  600 m/1950 ft  3-4 hours         If you want to discuss any aspect of our programs, you can call us: (593 2) 2 901 551 / 2 556 210 / 2 504 773 or CONTACT US BY E-MAIL LEVELS OF PHYSICAL PREPARATION REQUIRED This is used to define the level of physical preparation that is required to participate and appropriately choose an expedition to the Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Bolivian and Argentinean Andes.    ·       A = Good physical condition.  Must be prepared to carry a light backpack weighing between 12-18 lbs.   ·      B = Good cardiovascular condition.  Requires training by jogging in combination with short sprints, walking and gym.  Must be prepared to carry a backpack weighing between 18-25 lbs. ·      C = High level of preparation and mental and physical endurance to deal with the challenges of the expedition and ascent.  Must be prepared to carry a backpack weighing between 25-40 lbs for long periods of time. ·      D = The expedition is harder and more demanding.  Ascents can be extenuating and difficult.   Loss of weight is inevitable.  Must follow a rigorous training program combined with a controlled diet aimed at increasing weight in order to have extra calories.     LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL PREPARATION REQUIRED   Beginners:  Previous experience in mountaineering and climbing is not necessary, but it is preferable to have some experience in trekking.  Challenges include slightly inclined snow slopes and the use of hands on short easy stretches of rock. Ropes are not normally required for the progression.     Upper beginners:  Must have basic knowledge of progression on snow and ice, self-arrest, crevasse rescue and glacier travel. Snow and ice slopes to be dealt with are of a slight inclination. Intermediate:  Previous experience in climbing on snow and ice is required.  The climbers must be comfortable with progressing on snow and ice slopes of 45 degrees and exposed ridges. The routes may have short steep sections of up to 50 degrees on snow or ice and rock of 5.5 YDS or IV UIAA in difficulty.  Upper intermediate:  Climbers must be comfortable progressing over exposed ridges.  Slopes are long and steep and covered in snow or ice ranging from 45 – 60 degrees.  Must be able to climb on rock at a degree of 5.6 YDS or IV+/ V UIAA.  Must have a history in climbing and ascents with similar technical difficulty. Advanced:  Similar to the preceding level plus the added difficulty of climbing at a great altitude.  Climbers must be competent and have consistently climbed rock, snow and technical ice.  Must also have experience in high altitude ascents.  A good summary of difficult routes already climbed is required.   TREKKING LEVELS Easy:  Previous experience is not required.  Walks are not long, i.e. 1-2 hours per day carrying only a small backpack. Moderate:  Walks are longer, i.e. 3-5 hours per day carrying a backpack of between 12-18 lbs weight.  Good physical condition is required.  Ascents might be up to approximately 300 meters (1,000 feet). Demanding:  Daily walks last 5-7 hours.  Backpack weighs the same as in the preceding level.  Must enjoy excellent physical condition.  Ascents between 300-600 meters.