Climbing Cotopaxi(Ecuador) info?

Question

I went to summitpost.org and it said that climbing Ecuador's Cotopaxi only took 1 day. Is this true? Also, would a 15 year old (pretty strong) boy be able to climb it? Is technical climbing with rope, crampons, etc necessary? How long does it take to drive to the parking lot at the base from Quito?

Answer 1

It is true that takes only one day to climb Cotopaxi. A 15 year old boy is able to climb it. I am a woman, and did climb Cotopaxi for the first time at the age of 16!

For details about the equipment click the link below.

Answer 2

Hi, I climbed Cotopaxi last year with my husband.  You can climb it in a day, 1 hr from the car park (4,300m) to Refugio (4,600m), and then up at midnight to walk from the Refugio to the summit (5897m)and back - this takes between 7 and 12 hours.  A 15 yr old could do it if they were pretty fit... The really important thing is acclimatisation -  it would be dangerous to attempt without proper acclimatisation.  we spent a week beforehand acclimatising, doing walks with increasing height gain, the last one before Cotopaxi was illiniza at 5,100m.  This is the test, before attempting Cotopaxi.  Cotopaxi itself is not technical although you do use crampons ice axes and ropes.  I have not used crampons before and it was fine although the walk up was mentally and physically demanding.  You should definitely take a guide with you, its worth the money, they know the route and will pace you so you have the best opportunity to get to the top.  we hired ours through surtrek, (based in Gringoland in Quito) who spoke excellent English.  You can base yourself in tambopaxi lodge www.tambopaxi.com, which it as the foot of Cotopaxi with fine views on a clear day, and fab food.  There are lots of nice walks from there and for some people just the walk to the Refugio and a night up there is enough of an adventure - especially if you haven't done much acclimatisation beforehand.  I would say a 3 hr drive to base from Quito, depending on traffic - it was bad for us!  Have fun and say hello to the top from me!

Answer 3

Most trips up cotopaxi take two days.  Unless you are a sherpa i wouldn't do it in less than two.  you need to relize that the parking lot for the climb to the refuge is higher than anypoint in the lower 48 states.   Cotopaxi is 20,000 and if you are traveling with someone who is young there is a real danger of altitude sickness.  Most reputable guide companies in ecuador won't even take you up the mountain if you haven't been in elevation for at least a week and have climbed other mountains in the region during this time.  when i was in ecuador i climbed Ilillinza Norte (~17,000) to prepare for cotopaxi.  

yes, cotopaxi is technical climbing.  you need mountaineering gear ropes, crampons, and the lot.  unless you are really confident on glaciers and elevation go with a guide company.  you would be endangering your life and the life of the 15 year old.  cotopaxi is very climbable but, that shouldn't be confused with safe.

i used http://www.moggely.com/ when i climbed in ecuador and they were awesome.  my guide's name was Abraham and he is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  

quito > parking lot 2-3 hours.

be safe and happy climbing.