Climbing Volcán Antisana in Ecuador

Volcán Antisana is one of the wildest mountains I have ever climbed. Located about two hours outside of the capital city of Quito in Ecuador, it's an easy two-day, one-night trek. The large dormant volcano reaches an altitude of 5,758 meters (18,891 feet).
It is definitely the most beautiful mountain I have climbed, full of dramatic crevasses and seracs, though those add to the danger.
Most the ascent is fairly easy, though you do cross a couple crevasses by climbing into them and then climbing out the other side. The crux of the route gets you onto the summit ridge and involves a vertical ice climb where protection is a necessity. Once on the ridge, it is a long, but easy walk on gentle terrain to the middle of a very large, flat summit.
We did this climb in late December 2024. Less than two weeks after we summited, a large serac collapsed near the summit and the route has changed as a result. Because of the constantly changing conditions, and its close proximity to the Amazon Basin, which brings dramatic weather, it is one of the more dangerous and difficult peaks to climb in Ecuador.
Additionally, it is located in both a nature preserve and the water source for the city of Quito, and obtaining a permit can be challenging to work through the bureaucracy of the two agencies. I highly recommend using NorthxSouth Expeditions and their incredibly organized and experienced staff and certified guides to work through the permit process and for your safety on the mountain.