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Dec. 15th to 30th Dec. 2006

Next departure
Dec. 14th to 29th Dec. 2007

 
 
 
Ecuador Alpine Institute Guestbook  

Praise from our Clients

To: <eai@volcanoclimbing.com>; <eainfo@uio.satnet.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:23 AM
Subject: Greetings from Oriane & Marcel


Dear Juliane, Ramiro, Jacobo,

Thanks one again for the really nice time in Ecuador in June / July this
year -
we really had a wonderful honeymoon!

Attached our Thank-you card which we have sent to our wedding guests who
have
given us the Ecuador trip as wedding present. Jacobo took the picture in the
middle.

All the best - hope to see you again at some point.

Oriane & Marcel

 
RUN TRIP FROM 13-02-07 TO 02-03-07.
Story from Paul B. Odom III.
Enclosed is the article that The Oklahoman.  1,000,000 people read this
newspaper.  Biggest in the state of Oklahoma. Read more ++
 
Run trip from 12 of February to 17 of February 2007 - 3 SUMMITS ALONG THE AVENUE OF VOLCANOES

Hi Juliane

Many thanks to all at EAI who made my trip so successful. Seeing you in the office made my realise all the work that goes in beforehand particulary to get all the food sorted out.

Everything about my trip was successful :-

Speaking with Ramirez in the beginning

All the answers from you

All the drivers who got me from one place to another and finally

I would particularly like to comment how how well I enjoyed Freddy as my guide - he has to be one of the best. There is one characteristic of Freddy that I need to tell you about and I have attched photos as evidence - he tends to lie down on the job.

The first photo is on the top of - Guagua Pichincha and the second on Iliniza Norte

The third photo was taken on our safe return from Iliniza Norte - please let Freddy have this one.

Thanks

Andrew

 

Run trip from 15 to 24 of January 2007 - PICHINCHA, RUMIÑAHUI, ILINIZA NORTE AND SOUTH, CHIMBORAZO

Hi Juliane,
Hello from Southern California. I would like to thank you for an incredible climbing experience in Ecuador. This was the first time I have hired a guide in 15 years of climbing. I have always only climbed with people I know very well and trust with my life. Our guide Freddy earned my respect and trust the first day, his professionalism and attention to safety was paramount to none. I eventually did suffer from AMS and Freddy didn't leave my side. Again thanks for a life changing trip and I hope to see you next year for Cotopaxi better prepared.

Sincerely,
Jay
Westminster Ca.

 
Run trip from 15 to 30 of December 2006 - CAYAMBE, COTOPAXI and CHIMBORAZO

Hi Ramiro-

Thank you for the diploma - it is great.

It was a pleasure hiking with you and being associated with EAI.

Cheers,

Michael

 

Run trip from 01st to 16th of June 2006 - CAYAMBE, COTOPAXI and CHIMBORAZO

Hi Julianne and Ramiro!

Thank you once again for wonderful trip. Here is our new Internet page, 
with photos from Ecuador. If you want, you can publish it's address in
your guest book.

http://home.no.net/gedra/

Greetings for Jacobo and Hugo!
Joanna

 

Run trip from: 01. to 09.06.2006

Dear Juliane,

I would thank you, Ramiro and especially Wilson for a great trip. Booking an adventure in Ecuador (8 days acclimatisation) on the internet half way round the world on your own is a daunting prospect, but the organisation and friendly and caring response from your company was a delight.

It was a wonderful trip, the mountains, the scenery, the Ecuadorian people and the challenging nature of the trip made it a truly memorable holiday.

Wilson, the guide, was professional, organised and a good friend and companion throughout the trip. Also an excellent cook.

I was very impressed with your company and would definitely use you again. It was a really great trip. Ecuador is such a stunningly beautiful country with such warm and friendly people.

There is so much more of Ecuador to explore including the Amazon.

Thanks again for a truly memorable trip.

Best wishes,

Bruce
Bruce.Harris@blueyonder.co.uk

 

Run trip from 27.07. to 21.08.2005

Bad Homburg, 11.11.05

Hallo Juliane, hallo Ramiro,

Ein etwas verspätetes Resümee für euer Gästebuch:

Wir haben im Sommer 2005 einen vierwöchigen Urlaub der Superlative in Ecuador ver­bracht. Das lag einerseits am Wetter, das fast immer perfekt zu unseren Aktivitäten gepasst hat: Auf dem Inka Trail hat es nur genieselt; am Cotopaxi war der Himmel strahlend blau und auf Galapagos hat sich sogar der Garua verzogen.

Das lag aber vor allen Dingen an der guten Planung, Organisation und Betreuung durch das Ecuadorian Alpine Institute.

Die „Mischung“ ist wohl einmalig: Ramiro, der Land und Leute aus seiner Westentasche kennt und für den kein Problem gibt, das nicht in kürzester Zeit – mit manchmal spannenden und überraschenden Wendungen – gelöst wird. Seine Crew, die uns auf 4.000 Meter im Zelt so gut bekocht hat, dass wir hinterher die Restaurants in Quito an diesem Zeltmaßstab gemessen haben. Und Juliane aus Erfurt, Ramiros Frau, die das alles vom Office aus organisiert hat.

Das Ecuadorian Alpine Institut trägt seinen Namen zu Recht. Ramiro hat uns perfekt vorbereitet: Langsame Akklimatisierung über Fuya Fuya (4.200m), Pichincha (4.000), Illiniza Norte (5.100) und ein paar Tage InkaTrail; gezielte Schwierig­keiten, um die Stärken und Schwächen der Gruppe einschätzen zu können; regelmäßige Pulskontrollen; ein hervorragendes Essen; perfekt organisierte Zelttouren und ein persönliches Engagement, das seinesgleichen sucht.

Die Betreuung am Berg muss noch mal extra hervorgehoben werden. Der Cotopaxi gilt immer noch als einfacher 6000er. Vielleicht war das mal so. Die alte Route existiert aber nicht mehr, weil der Gletscher in den letzten Jahren sehr stark abgeschmolzen ist. Inzwischen ist die Besteigung technisch wesentlich anspruchsvoller und ein hartes Stück Arbeit geworden, an der die meisten Seilschaften wegen schlechter Akklimatisierung und fehlender Kondition scheitern. Im Oktoberheft der Zeitschrift „Alpin“ ist gerade ein Artikel zu dieser Problematik erschienen.

Vorbereitung, Bergführung, Ausrüstung und Sicherheit durch das EAI hätten nicht besser sein können. Und der 360° Rundumblick auf die verschneiten Andengipfel war ein Genuss, der seines­gleichen sucht.

Fazit:

Ein Spitzenwetter kann keiner garantieren, für alles andere sorgen Juliane und Ramiro!

Also noch mal vielen, vielen Dank im Namen der ganzen Truppe und ganz liebe Grüße stellvertretend von

Frank und Cornelia

 

Run trip from: 14 -- 19/11.05

Hallo Juliane,

Inzwischen sind wir wieder wohl erhalten im winterlichen D angekommen.

Der Trip hat uns sehr gut gefallen, Organisation war auch super. Wahrscheinlich hast Du auch schon gehört, daß wir positiv zu Deiner Statistik beigetragen haben :-)) Wir habens auf den Gipfel geschafft, trotz Erkältung von Andreas. War wirklich ein tolles Erlebnis! Xavier war auch super als Führer!...........

Viele liebe Grüße nach Quito!

Christine

 

Run trip from: 08/11 -- 20/11.05

Hallo Juliane!

In Amsterdam angekommen erreichte uns die Nachricht, dass der Flughafen München wegen Eis und Schnee nicht angeflogen werden konnte. Wir kamen daher in den Genuss von "neun" Stunden Wartezeit. Doch die Eindrücke der letzten Wochen haben uns das Warten erleichtert. Innsbruck empfing uns im tiefsten Winterkleid.

Wir möchten uns herzlich für deine kompetente Organsiation und die freundschaftliche und taktisch kluge Führung von Jacobo und Henry bedanken. Aufgrund dessen haben wir vor, einfach im nächsten Dezember wieder zu kommen. Besonders interessiert uns natürlich der zweite Versuch einer Besteigung des Chimborazzo und davor des Cayambes. Beim nächsten Mal möchten wir uns zumindest eine Woche vor den eigentlichen Bergtouren durch längere Wanderungen (zB Inkatrail) an die Höhe anpassen.

Einstweilen alles Gute und viel Erfolg für die kommende Saison.

Horst+Ursula
Andreas+Maria

 

Run trip from: 27/10 -- 14/11. 05

Liebe juliane,

Die inselwelt in panama hat uns sehr gut gefallen, ein ruhiger ausklang unserer ferien!!

Euch allen alles liebe, werde eure agentur fuer interessierte kollegen weiterempfehlen, wir waren mit eurem service sehr zufrieden!!!!!

Liebe gruesse, noch aus panama

Brigitte

 

Run trip from: 30/10 -- 14/11. 05

Hello! I just returned from three weeks in Ecuador and found your book: Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands very helpful. I would like to recommend the locally owned and operated company I used for my two weeks of climbing volcanoes: Ecuadorian Alpine Institute.

The owners are: Romiro and Juliane Donoso with their website of: www.volcanoclimbing.com and an email address of: eainfo@uio.satnet.net.

They are very attentive to every detail of trip planning, arrangements, guiding, equipment, food and travel. Their guides are top rated and very safety oriented. I saw made different guides during the five mountain climbing experience and I can attest to this company's operations being far superior to anyone else I saw.

I would hope you would consider listing them in a future updated publication of your book. Please feel free to contact me if you want more glowing recommendations of Ecuadorian Alpine Institute!

Thank you, Mary
Mary Chayka-Crawford
mchayford@comcast.net

 

Run trip from: 30/10 -- 14/11 05

Hello Juliane ~ I am back home safe and sound with just my memories and photos of Ecuador to remind me of such a wonderful trip!

Thank you so much for all your help, information, time, energy and arrangements that made my visit so great. Of course as I told you, Wilson by far the best guide I have ever had and went out of his way with his concern for my well being and safety. He also has such an unbelievable knowledge of the country in both it's history and land I feel like I had a climbing and history tour all in one! He really is quite amazing and or course his English is wonderful which is always nice considering how little Spanish I know.

Thanks also to both you and Ramiro for treating me to dinner while I was in Quito, that was a wonderful mean and even better company!

Take care, I'll definitely refer others to you as I did during my time there when I met anyone who was interested in climbing or the Amazon.

Thank you again, bye, Mary
Mary Chayka-Crawford
mchayford@comcast.net

 

Ecuador - Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Galapagos. Trip Juni 2005

Ich war heuer im Juni mit 4 Kollegen in Ecuador und wir wurden vom Team der Agentur in vorzüglicher Art und Weise betreut. Es wurden uns sowohl bewährte Programme vorgeschlage, aufgrund unserer Sonderwünsche ungemein flexibel auf unser Begehren eingegangen.

Wir haben mit Hilfe des Instituts den Rucu Pichincha, den Illiniza Norte, und den Cotopaxi bestiegen (Chimborazo musste aufgrund von Lawinengefahr auf ca. 5500 m abgebrochen werden) Die Qualtität der Bergführer zeigte sich nicht nur in einer umsichtigen Betreuung und kompetenten Führung, sondern im Besonderen als ein Teilnehmer einer Seilschaft einer anderen Agentur 8 m tief wegen unzureichender Sicherung in die Randspalte des Cotopaxi fiel und deren Bergführer nur komplett verdattert und unbeholfen am Spaltenrand stand. Glücklicherweise waren wir Zeuge des Unglücks und unsere Bergführer führten die Rettungsaktion wie aus dem Lehrbuch durch, worauf der "Gefallene" kurze Zeit später trotz schwierigster Bedingungen kurz darauf unverletzt geborgen wurde.

Weiters organisierte uns das Institut eine unvergessliche Dschungeltour am Panayacu-Fluss (einem Seitenfluss des Rio Napo) in einer ursprünglichen Lodge mit einem Biologen als Führer, der uns in die Geheimnisse der Heilpflanzen, der Lebensweise der Indios einführte und uns die üppige Flora und Fauna auf verschlungenen Dschungelpfaden und versteckten kleinen Flussläufen erleben ließ.

Als Zuckerhäubchen eine 5-Tagestour auf Galapagos, wo wir die Möglichkeit hatten, aus verschiedensten (Preis)kategorien zu wählen. Wir entschieden uns für ein preisgünstiges Boot samt sehr gastfreundlichen Crew und verlebten tolle Tage auf diesen urtümlichen Inseln.

Ich kann Ihnen diese Agentur nur wärmstens ans Herz legen - von der Abholung am Flughafen über gemeinsame Abende in gemütlichen Restaurants, dem Verleih von ausgezeichneter Ausrüstung, der umfangreichen Beratung - schon vorab über Mail und vor Ort zur Reiseroute und Akklimatisation - und, und, und,......

Und zu guter Letzt ist die Leiterin der Agentur deutscher Abstammung, was ansonsten vorprogrammierte Verständigungsprobleme von vorne weg aus dem Weg räumt.

Bauen Sie auf Sicherheit und kontaktieren Sie eai@volcanoclimbing.com

Sie werden es nicht bereuen.

Schöne Grüße
Walter Inspruckner
walter.inspruckner@utanet.at

 

August 02, 2005

Cotopaxi war ein tolles Erlebnis, wenn auch ohne Fernsicht; Jacobo ist phantastisch. Jetzt halt mir ganz fest die Daumen, daß der Wind am Chimorasso-Grat nicht zu hart weht!

Gruß, K

Prof. Klaus Lindpaintner, MD, MPH
Roche Distinguished Scientist and VP, Research
Head, Roche Genetics &  Roche Center for Medical Genomics
F. Hoffmann-La  Roche AG
Bldg 93/8.03
CH-4070 Basel
Switzerland
Tel +41-61-6880254
Fax+41-61-6881929
 

July 21, 2005

Ecuadorian Alpine Institute in QUITO
wir sind in equador am reisen. letzte woche haben wir eine tour auf den iliniza
norte und den cotopaxi mit der oben erwaehnten agentur gemacht - und wir
waren begeistert. uns total bergunerfahrenen und spontan entschlossenen touristen
wurde ein ideales programm zusammengstellt. wir hatten den fuer uns optimalen
bergfuehrer hugo und auch die von der EAI zur verfuegung gestellte ausruestung
war voll in ordnung. noch extra zu erwaehnen sind die neidischen blicke in
den refugios die wir jeweils bein nachtessen geniessen konnten. hugo war
eben auch ein spitzenkoch...

Brigit Matter
Haldenstrasse 2
6340 Baar
041 760 22 67
078 633 38 89

 

July 20, 2005

Julyane and Ramiro Luciana and me are very thank to you and your staff. We had a wonderful travel in Ecuador. Everything was ok, camp sites, food (thanks to Edui), guides (thanks to Roberto), volcanes and hotels.

I already know that I need more fitness to keep in shape to Cotopaxi on next time. For our first freezed volcano, we are happy with the final result. After tomorrow I will send you by e-mail some pictures of us in Ecuador.

Another time, thank you for the assistance.

Alex

 

July 10, 2005

I would like to thankyou for a fantastic climbing experience here in Ecuador.

Especially thank you to jacob you was a very good guide. I will certainly recommend the alpine institute to anyone looking to climb in ecuador. Once again many thanks.

James

 

April 18. 2005

Dear Juliane and Ramiro,

Many thanks for coordinating the trip for us, it was an excellent and wonderful experience and quite a number of us fell in love with Ecuador and South America!

In particular, thank you for providing us with such wonderful guides as Jacobo and Hugo. Jacobo, ever helpful and fun, made the experience in the mountains a fun one for all of us; while Hugo, ever solid and dependable, was a reassuring presence.

Thanks also to Ramiro for joining us on the Galapagos trip. It was a very sweet and kind gesture on his part to take up the last place on the boat with us, and although he was not able to guide us in the mountains, I do hope his ankle recover soon and he can be up and guiding clients in the mountains again.

Lastly, thank you Juliane for planning and coordinating everything, it has not been easy since our group size kept changing, and we had problems with equipment. As you said, we were writing many emails to and fro. Thanks for doing such a great job!  

We have such a wonderful time in Ecuador, and our friends have been asking about the trip as well, and I will definitely recommend EAI to them if they go over to Ecuador. I will be sending some photos and film footages of our trip over to you and the guides, perhaps they will be useful for advertising your company.

Once again, thank you very much for everything, and all the best to you two, your son, and your company.

Kind regards,
YY Teo
teo@stats.ox.ac.uk

Climbing trip from March 24th to April 5th. Galapagos from 6th to 10th April 2005. Group of 8 people!

 
January 19, 2005
Hi Juliane and Ramiro,
 
    Just a short e-mail to let you know that I have arrived home safely. It was good to get back to see the family. I just want to thank you all again for making my time in Ecuador so memorable - it really was a fantastic trip. Please pass on my regards to Jacobo and Hugo.
 
Best Wishes, Robert
 

January 6, 2005

Hallo Juliane,

Ihnen und Ihrer Familie ganz herzliche Grüße aus Deutschland, wir wünschen Ihnen Allen noch ein gesundes und glückliches neues Jahr,

Vielen herzlichen Dank noch für die gute Ausrüstung und die hervorragend organisierte Reise im November für die Sektionen Ebingen und Tuttlingen vom Deutschen Alpenverein. Wir waren begeistert von der Schönheit des Landes, von der Freundlichkeit und Hilfsbereitschaft der Menschen ...laura

Viele herzliche Grüße nach Ecuador, auch an Hugo und Jacobo

Luitgard Preiß
http://www.dav-tuttlingen.de/html/reiseberichte.html

 

January 3, 2005

hi,juliana,back home again. i had a awesome trip. thanks for every thing .thanks alot for a well organised trip,love cor.

 

December 16, 2004

Hallo Ihr 2,

wir wollten EUch nochmals Hallo sagen - diesmal schon aus Chile (San Pedro de Atacama). Nach unsere Rueckkehr von den Gallapagos, sind wir so in den Abreise Stress geraten, dass wir keine Zeit mehr hatten auf einen ausfuerhlichen Besuch vorbeizuschauen. Gallapagos war super - Merak Crew war total nett (alles junge Leute) - alle anderen Boote, die wir getroffen haben waren alle schwimmende US oder GB > Pensionistengheime. :-) WIr wollten Euch fuer alles danken - vorallem fuer Eure Geduld bei der Organisation unserer Ausfluege.

WIr sind schon sehr gespannt , wann wir uns wiedersehen und hoffen, das das bald wieder klappt. (Prinzipiell haben wir daran gedacht, wenn wir wiederkommen Ecador-Peru-Bolovien-Ecuador zumachen. Mal sehen...

Bis dahin wuenschen wir Euch alles Liebe, Gesundheit und Glueck fuer Euch drei, viel Erfolg, und nette Kunden.

Es gruessen Euch

A/J/W

 

December 12, 2004

Hallo Juliane!

Vielen Dank für Deine Bemühungen + Kooperation, werde Euch weiter empfehlen. Bis Weihnachten hab ich noch diese mail Adresse, wenn ich eine neue hab, melde ich mich wieder!

Liebe Grüße auch an Ramiro + an das süße Baby ( in diesem Alter sind die Männer noch lieb!!!)

Barbara

 

December 06, 2004

Hola Juliane and Ramiro,

I just want to let you know what a priceless experience I had in Ecuador. It had an awesome ttime. Wilson and Hugo were wonderful guides. We felt well taken care of.

Making it to the summit of Cotopaxi was such an exhilarating experience. Hugo is an excellent guide. He has great instinct on the mountains. He is very much in tune with the needs and abilities of his climbers and knows how to motivate them.  I felt safe and confident being on Cotopaxi with him. Every time I think of Cotopaxi I think of Hugo.  He is such a great asset to you company.

Your acclimatization program were excellent. Too bad we skipped Chimborazo. But it gives me reason to return to Ecuador someday. I truly appreciate that you accommodated our last minute request to modify the last part of our itinerary. We did really enjoy Banos. We also enjoyed the stay in the charming haciendas. It was such a relaxing treat.

Thank you again for putting together a memorable trip for me and my friends. I will recommend your company to my friends in my hiking club.

My best regards,
Marisol

 

November 01, 2004

Liebe juliane und ramiro!
Nun endlich kommte unser Reisebericht-dies ist nun die endgültige fassung wie es in unserer Zeitung steht , wie gehts eurem kleinen - allerliebste
Grüße aus Österreich auch an Jakobo v. martina und Gerhart
Handle - Bergsteigen in Ecuador


 

August 16, 2004

Hello Ramiro!

I want to say hello and thanks again for all the climbing intsruction!
Your company is excellent!  I am in Peru and I just got down from Huascaran. The South peak was too dangerous, but I climbed the North summit.  Thanks to what I learned with EAI it was no problem.  Thanks again for everything, I hope to return to Ecuador next year.

Sam Hayward

 

April 21, 2004

Estimado Ramiro,

Como no nos vimos en el término del viaje, quiero presentarte nuestro reconocimiento por la excelente excursión que realizamos en Ecuador en Enero 2004. No teníamos otra referencia que tus datos en Internet y las informaciones que usted y Juliane nos enviaran por e-mail. El viaje fue excelente, desde vuestra puntual y gentil recepción en el aeropuerto de Quito el programa fue totalmente cumplido. La aclimatación fue buena y logramos alcanzar la cumbre de todos los picos intentados, Cayambe, Cotopaxi y Chimborazo, lo que atribuimos a la competencia y paciencia de Eduardo Rivadeneira, un guía de clase internacional, que sin duda se torno un amigo. Muy importante también la postura abierta y multicultural de Eduardo, un muy bueno cocinero que nos sorprendió muchas veces con platos inusitados para un refugio. El motorista Ernesto siempre bien humorado y pronto a ayudar. Puedes creer que todo supero nuestras expectativas y los pequeños problemas que tuvimos con el platino del auto en nada reducirán nuestra satisfacción por la pronta solución dada por Eduardo y Ernesto. Los refugios fueran también mejores do que imaginábamos, estaban limpios, algunas veces mucho llenos y con deficiencias nos sanitarios, sin agua en la plomería, pero por lo mínimo aceptables y conforme vuestra información previa. Tengo que mencionar La Cienega, que fue una interesante sorpresa y nos proporcionó buenos momentos de descanso y recuperación con muy buena comida. Ahora, después que el Ecuador nos conquisto por la naturaleza y el pueblo, hacemos la propaganda entre nuestros amigos, mostrando las fotos.

Espero un día volver y bucear en Galápagos con mis dos hijas.

Mis sincero agradecimientos a todos ustedes, saludos a Juliane por el primogénito

Jacintho
jacintho@leme.com.br

 

April 06, 2004

Dear Ramiro,
   Just wanted to send you an email to see how you are going, plus to thanks you for a absolute fantastic time. Firstly I hope you are on the way to getting back on your feet and into the hills. Secondly thank you so much for the work you put into our trip. I'm sitting here in my office looking out the window dreaming of Ecuador. I don't think I have come down yet.
   It was amazing and I know that Stephen feels the same, I don't think I will forget it for a very long time.
   I have attached a few low res images of the trip. If you wish to see any at a hi resolution let me know, plus I have plenty more including your repel, but some how I didn't think you wanted to see them.
   Take it easy thanks again and look after yourself

Francis.

Francis Blake

Email:  francis@impactphotos.com
Web:    http://www.impactphotos.com

 

February 15, 2004

Estimados Srs.

Este e-mail es para relatar nuestras impresiones de la excursión que realizamos en Ecuador en Enero 2004. No teníamos otra referencia de Ecuadorian Alpine Institute, que los datos en Internet y las informaciones que ustedes de South American Explorers nos enviaran por e-mail. El viaje fue excelente, desde la puntual y gentil recepción en el aeropuerto de Quito. El programa fue totalmente cumplido. La aclimatación fue buena y logramos alcanzar la cumbre de todos los picos intentados, Cayambe, Cotopaxi y Chimborazo, lo que atribuimos a la competencia y paciencia de Eduardo Rivadeneira, un guía de clase internacional, que sin duda se torno un amigo. Muy importante también la postura abierta y multicultural de Eduardo, un muy bueno cocinero que nos sorprendió muchas veces con platos inusitados para un refugio. El motorista Ernesto siempre bien humorado y pronto a ayudar. Pueden creer que todo supero nuestras expectativas, por lo que recomendamos sin restricción los servicios de Ecuadorian Alpine Institute.

Saludos,

Jacintho Alvares Moreira Neto
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
jacintho@leme.com.br

 

An absolutely spectacular climb, and as clear a night and day as we could have wanted. Summit view was unbelievable, and sunrise over the Andean plateau was truly magestic. Thanks to Ray, Scott, Gabby, and Justine, y muchisimas gracias a Rodrigo y Pablo de Ecuadorian Alpine Institute. Long live BU TEP Fall '03!!!"

Drew Wolfe
Stony Brook, NY U.S.A
Email: xdbwolfe@aol.com
 
"I have always had a passion for Mountains, but had never attempted a peak as high as Cotopaxi and never with requirements for Crampons and Safety gear. My wife and I and two friends booked the services of the 'Ecuadorian Alpine Institute' in Quito (excellent!) www.volcanoclimbing.com

We set off at 130am and head torches were not required due to the bright moon lighting our path ahead. It was 45 minutes from the refuge to the start of the glacier. We summited at 915am, which we know is not a quick time, but slow and sure was our policy. I must admit I almost threw in the towel at Yanasacha (the black band of rock). I was totally exhausted on the summit, but have great photos to prove our achievement. Only 7 out of 20 made it to the summit that day, so that made me even more proud of the 101% effort I put in.

It was a long hard relentless slog with awesome views and the memories make it well worth it. I am of average fitness but I feel determination got me up those last few steps to the summit. Also our weather conditions were great, and just the following night we heard that it blew a blizzard the whole night, and that was our original date until a couple of weeks before our ascent... So glad we changed the date!

We must not forget the other main reason we summited, and that was due to the excellent experienced guides from the 'Ecuadorian Alpine Institute'. There guides gave very thorough ice training lessons, and encouraged us the whole way. I would recommend them any day, and would not hesitate to use them again. Don't be sucked in by cheaper tour operators in Quito that are only interested in making a quick buck.

If you are fairly fit, determined and you have good weather, and not forgetting good guides, then you will summit. Enjoy the experience."

Mark Harlow
Sydney, NSW Australia
Email: harlow1@bigpond.com

 
My teammate Jeff Stacey [and our guide, Ramiro - the owner and lead guide from the excellent Ecuadorian Alpine Institute!] left the refuge at 2:30am. The last climbers to start the ascent, we quickly passed many other teams. The night was quite beautiful..little wind, no snow and an awesome view all around us! Several teams turned back at the large crevass, as there was no ice bridge, but, at our guides prodding, we just jumped over! AMS soon hit Jeff hard, but he sucked it up and we all summitted at around 6:15 am [great pics!!!]A two year dream finally realized!! Now, on to Cho Oyo [if my wife lets me!!]

John C. Healy
Toronto, Ont Canada
Email: john.healy@justice.gc.ca

 

...thank you again for your interesting guiding, well planned acclimatisation program as well as your perfect organisation. For me and I think also for my friends Butz, Hillen, Johann it was the greatest travel and adventure of our lives. Friends over here want to hear something about our excursion to Chimborazo. So I have already two invitations for a presentation with slides and "German TV", one for our Rotary Club another for a group of the DAV (Deutscher Alpenverein). Of course I will mention the fantastic services and big help of EAI!

Personally I wish you the very best and I hope to see you -wherever- once again,
Christof Bonn

 

Holla Ramiro,

we are now already one week back at work :-( but it is every day a nice experience to tell our friends about our great time in Ecuador. And it really was - first of all the time in the mountains together with you and (not to forget) Hugo and Jose, who were responsible, that we could enjoy the good Ecuadorian cuisine. It is just a pitty that we didn´t make the Chimborazo - we were so close but it was probably the right decision to turn at that point.
How was our remaining time in Ecuador?

Our time at Galapagos was great, too. The Sulidae - the boat we got on short notice - is a nice, old two master and the crew on board was very friendly. I guess it was the better choice than the boat we booked first.

Gerald Ulbricht

 

Hola Ramiro

I recovered from Cotopaxi climb and do bath my feet in the warm waters of Galapagos archipelago in the meantime. Many thanks for competent guiding and hope to see you again. In case you should wish to contact me in Leipzig/Germany on your trip to the region just give me a ring:

Dr. med. Christoph Luebbert

E-Mail: CLuebbert@aol.com

 

Hello Ramiro,

Back in Switzerland, I would like to make some comments about our recent trip. First of all, I would like to commend the high level of professionnalism of both Roberto and Hugo. We enjoyed their company very much, as well as the quality of the services they have provided. The climbs and the visits were very good. Many thanks for the great service.

-Luc Robert

 

Dear Gary,

I want to express you my complete satisfaction for the hiking and climbing I had with Patricio. These two weeks in Ecuador are the highlights of my last five years.

Patricio has been a wanderful guide, driver and companion. He guided me at the right pace and I was able to reach in good shape all the summits we had in the program.

I would like to come back to Ecuador perhaps with a more challenging itinerary including Cotopaxi and other summits. Maybe you could discuss with Patricio and suggest a new program for two other weeks in Ecuador.

Please thank on my behalf Patricio for the very good time I had with him and I hope to come back soon to Ecuador.

Best wishes,

Vincent Torre

 

 

Contact us:
EAI -Ramírez Dávalos 136 y Amazonas 1er Piso. Oficina 102
E-mail: eai@volcanoclimbing.com - Telephone #: (593) 2 2565-465 | (593) 2 2568-949 | (593) 9 600-4090
Quito, Ecuador