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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.  

 

 

 

 

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