Overview / Introduccion
Also known as the Cordillera Real or Central, the Cordillera Oriental (Eastern Range), runs north - south the length of the country. To the immediate west is the Interandean region, a high altitude valley. To the east is the Amazon jungle. This range contains the youngest and most active volcanos.
All this activity is due to plate tectonics. The Pacific Nazca plate is slowly moving east and the South American plate is moving west at a combined speed 9 cm (3 in) per year. The result is that Sangay may be the world's most continuously active volcano, and Tungurahua's activity increased dramatically in 2006.
Mountains / Montañas
Ecuador has 10 mountains over 5000m (16,400ft). Four of these are found in the Cordillera Oriental. Cotopaxi is the tallest and most famous of the range. Information on all these mountains can now be found right here on SummitPost.
Additionally there are several interesting 4000m and lower mountains that make good acclimatizaton opportunities.
5000m + Mountains |
Overall Rank |
Name |
Height (meters) |
Height (feet) |
Easiest Route |
2 |
Cotopaxi |
5,897 |
19,347 |
|
3 |
Cayambe |
5,790 |
18,996 |
|
4 |
Antisana |
5,758 |
18,891 |
|
7 |
Sangay |
5,230 |
17,158 |
|
10 |
Tungurahua |
5,016 |
16,456 |
|
4000m + Mountains |
|
Sincholagua |
4,898 |
16,055 |
|
|
Quilindaña |
4,877 |
15,996 |
|
|
Cerro Hermoso |
4,571 |
14,992 |
|
|
Puntas |
4,452 |
14,602 |
|
|
Sara Urco |
4,428 |
14,523 |
|
Lower Mountains |
|
/volcan-sumaco/705726Sumaco |
3,732 |
12,240 |
|
|
/el-reventador/154247El Reventador |
3,562 |
11,686 |
|
Interandean Region
This region is not geologically part of the Cordillera however it is often thought of in that sense because it lies to the east of the Pan American highway.
East of the Panamericana |
|
Name |
Height (meters) |
Height (feet) |
Easiest Route |
|
Rumiñahui |
4,712 |
15,462 |
|
|
Imbabura |
4,630 |
15,190 |
|
|
Pasochoa |
4,199 |
13,772 |
|
Jungle Peaks
Nor is this region a part of the Cordillera however I am including them here in their own section based on proximity.
East of the Cordillera |
|
Name |
Height (meters) |
Height (feet) |
Easiest Route |
|
Sumaco |
3,732 |
12,241 |
|
|
Reventador |
3,562 |
11,683 |
|
Weather / Tiempo
Ecuador has two seasons, the dry and the wet, each of which is experienced twice a year. There is no summer and winter. Mountaineers will naturally be interested in the two dry seasons. Although that sounds simple it is further complicated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon Basin. The Cordillera Oriental (Eastern) tends to have the wetter overall weather. The driest months are December through February. In the west, the Cordillera Occidental is driest June - August and to a lesser degree December and January. In addition to moisture, wind can be a problem. August is known as a particularily windy month, and the winds can be strong enough to make parties turn around. Since most climbers visit both ranges the best time of year is theoretically December and January.
Most groups base themselves in Quito which lies between the two mountain ranges.
Quito Weather (English)
All this talk of weather must be put in perspective. Ecuador's mountains can truely be climbed year round so don't abandon all hope if it isn't the "right" month. It is probably more important to get an early start. By mid morning the mountains are often clouding up.
Quito
The capital city of Quito is commonly used as a base for climbs in the Cordillera. All the mountains are reached, at least initially, via the Panamericana. Some of the mountains are a few hours away.
Some of the acclimatization peaks are done in one day from Quito so climbers would be back in their beds at the end of the day. Longer climbs mean that climbers usually will leave mid-late morning and arrive at the refugio or campsite in the afternoon. They return to Quito around midday the following day.
Popular Climbs / Rutas Populares
Ecuador's most popular destination climb is located in the Cordillera Oriental. Cotopaxi's standard route is said to be the country's most climbed peak. Perhaps what is really meant is that it is the country's most climbed
glaciated peak. A distant second in terms of popularity is Cayambe. The remaining mountains of the range are infrequently climbed by foreigners.
Dangers / Peligros
Sadly Ecuador is not without dangers of the human sort: assault, robbery, and theft. I consider Ecuador to be higher risk than many other South American destinations. So be aware. It is common to have something stolen.
This same sort of risk is present on all the "trekking" peaks of Ecuador. You'll be safe on the glaciers but you'll want a lock on the locker back in the hut.
Rucu Pinchincha is particularily
bad.