We received word today that Nico reached the summit of Ecuador’s Mount Cotopaxi and descended safely. Part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, it is a glacier-covered, active stratovolcano that has erupted 87 times, most recently last year. He is in Ecuador with the ROMP organization on a fundraising drive to provide prosthetics to those who cannot afford them. Celebrating the organization’s tenth anniversary, this year’s event has teams climbing Chimborazo (20,549 ft), Cotopaxi (19,347 ft), and Cayambe (18,996 ft) and has already raised $320,000. Pictured above is the entire group on one of their acclimatization hikes.

Nico’s team of 20 began their ascent at midnight to reach the summit by sunrise. Only 9 reached the top; of that group only 3 were amputees; of that group he was the only one on crutches. Recent eruptions altered the climbing routes making the final ascent considerably more difficult than in year’s past. Nico reported that it was the most physically demanding and terrifying climb he has ever made. While traversing a crevasse, he lost his balance and dropped one of his crutches. Had it not been tethered to his other crutch, it would have been lost to the volcano, leaving him stranded on the mountain. Had he not been on belay, we would have had one less Christmas present to shop for this year. The day before he left, Nico and I were reviewing his gear and discussing safety. I asked what he would do if he broke a crutch while climbing. He thought it far more likely that he would drop one and it would slide down the mountain. Ten minutes later, I had fashioned a bungee cord with slip locks to secure the crutches together and still provide the range of motion needed for climbing.

The team climbing Cayambe encountered snow and high winds, forcing them to forfeit the summit. The Chimborazo group will start their ascent later this week.

Nico returns on Sunday, and I hope to post photographs of the climb then.