Cotopoxi and Chimborazo ski expedition to prepare to ski Everest in 2006 Updates and Picture Show

Picture show: pictures copyright© Steve Marolt LLP

Hello to everyone. We are off to Ecuador to attempt to climb and ski Cotopoxi and Chimborazo. Our team will include our 2006 Everest team, Steve Marolt, Jeremie Oates, Jim Gile, Kevin Dunnett, and myself.  So this will be the second training trip (first one Sajama, see EverestNews.com coverage June 2005). We will arrive January 7th and head out to start the climbing the next day.  We are already acclimated to 4,000 meters from climbing and skiing right here in Aspen, so this will only help with our tight schedule, 10 days for all the climbing and skiing.  We have never been to Ecuador so we are anticipating what many people have described to us as very straight forward but high peaks.  Although we are only aware of a few ski descents, the goal is not for any firsts.  Rather, this is a training trip to help keep us focused on the real jewel, Choy Oyu and Everest for spring of 2006.

We will stay in touch. Take care, Mike Marolt

Update one 1/12/2005

Update Two 1/16/2005

Cho Oyu/Everest 2006 training camp: Skiing Volcanoes in Ecuador

Just back from a super trip to Ecuador where we managed to ski Cayambe 19,000; Cotopaxi, 19,500; and made an attempt on Chimborazo, 20,000 but were only able to ski on that peak from 18,000 due to lack of snow. The skiing on all peaks entailed steep, smooth, and extremely hard snow, and was definitely the best altitude skiing we have ever experienced.  We managed to climb and ski the three mountains in a 10 day period door to door,  so we are a bit tired now, but ready to keep training for Cho Oyu/Everest 2006. 

I am happy to report that all the equipment we have through our various sponsorships worked with precision and I have no problem with expressing my opinion that it is without question the best combination of gear available.  Seriously, we have managed through all of your help to obtain the absolute best gear available.  From head to foot, and for the first time in 15 years of doing this type of adventure, we can honestly say there is no other gear that we whished we had.  You can not imagine the advantage that provides this team with.  Function, durability, and total confidence in all aspects allows us to climb and ski and not worry about equipment.  At 3am in the morning at these extreme altitudes, that is appreciated.  And most important, it elevates the fun factor to off the charts. 

As with our previous expeditions over the past couple of years, CNN will be featuring this trip on their Today Show in the next few weeks. I managed to capture the climbs and skiing on video, and we have roughly 500 photos.  I will keep all of you in the loop on this and if you need any photos or footage, please let me know.

Thanks for your help, and we will keep on training.  The snow in Aspen is the best it has been for the past 25 years, so we have a great training ground right here at home.  Mike

All pictures copyright© Steve Marolt LLP 

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