Rompe Corazones, Cotopaxi (5 897 m / 19 347 ft)

Cotopaxi can be considered as a benchmark among volcanoes that poses full set of accompanying attributes - the ideal cone, round crater rim and massive snow-white ice cap. According to all of these reasons the Cotopaxi ascent is considered by the mountaineers as a unit of measurement, "litmus test" by which all others volcanoes are compared. Well-developed tourist infrastructure, proximity to the capital city and numbers of clear days per year - everything here does to try your hand at the one of the most classic volcano of our planet. None of the routes to Cotopaxi can be called boring - each of them required crampons, ropes and ice axes that can help you to climb steep ice slopes and traverse deep crevasses.

Route "Rompe Corazones" or the "Heart Breaker" in fact is just a variant of the "Normal Route". The main difference between the two routes is the lower part. At 5 500 meters near the huge deep crevasse these routes join and follow to the summit the same way. The route is named because during the first 3-4 hours it goes on steep snow and ice slope where you hardly can find the spot to take a breath. Keep in mind that before arriving in Ecuador you have to find out whether the route is open or not. Due to the threat of the ice fall this route may be temporary closed by local rescue services.

From Quito by car to the city of Machachi and further to the North Entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. Follow the road to the "Jose Rivas Refuge" up to the big parking lot. From here you have to walk to the hut about 0,7 mile.

Since the end of 2012 climbing all the volcanoes of Ecuador are not allowed without hiring an accredited local mountain guides. There is a lot of travel agencies in Quito that can help you with the organization of the climb.

The cramponing skill is required as well as good endurance and high-altitude tolerance. During your climb you'll carry you day-backpack only but it doesn't mean that gaining up to 1000 meters will be the easy walk especially on steep snow and ice slopes.

Cellular Network: Yes (Accomodation)

Mobile Internet: Yes (In fact of the proximity to the capital city and other surrounding cities, cellular network covers the most part of the route.)

Usually climbers have an overnight in a hut "Refuge Jose Rivas". Go to bed early and wake up at midnight and be on the route at 1 am. During the night the snow is firm and it's easy to climb. The snow bridges are also more reliable in the night and early morning than after mid-day. Usually climbers reach the summit in 8 hours. The descent back takes up to 4 hours.

Base Camp Elevation:	4 850 m / 15 912 ft
Summit Camp Elevation:	Please update
Accommodation in Base Camp:	Both - huts and tents
Accommodation above Base Camp:	Both - huts and tents
Number of Camps:	Please update
Avg. Cost:	2 000 USD
Age Restrictions:	At least 21 years old
Soloing:	No, at least 0 people
Descent Route:	Another Route -Please update
Specify descent time:	3 Hour(s)

Name (Elevation)	Description
Jose Rivas Refuge 4 850 m / 15 912 tf	A big mountain hut that can accommodate up to 50 climbers.
Crevasse 5500 5 500 m / 18 045 tf	Huge crevasse at 5 500 meters. "Normal Route" and "Rompe Corazones" Route join here.
Yanasacha 5 600 m / 18 373 tf	External northern crater walls known as Yanasacha (black rock in Quechua language).

Guided Tours

• Sun & Snow

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