LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY  LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY. The first type of Technical Difficulty uses the ’ 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  info@companiadeguias.com Un producto de Compañia de Guias del Ecuador Ltd. Copyright 2003   Powered by www.eopensolutions.com   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.   Tuesday 21 May, 2013     1551601 requests since Monday 17 November, 2003