Skiing Cotopaxi Volcano in 2001

The highest active volcano in the world, and what was once Ecuador's most climbed peak before the eruptions, shot on VHS tape. In 2001 I shot video of several trips to the volcano. See the peak before modern infrastructure and paved roads. The original José Rivas refuge (mountain hut) housed foreigners and locals the night before the summit ascent. I skied the peak several times, at times solo, and in the final shots with another skier. Shot on a 4 pound VHS-C camera with batteries hauled up the peak. About 6 people per year were skiing the mountain according to local rangers at that time. As usual, conditions were icy and difficult, so there were few opportunities to catch smooth turns. Chunky skiing made it rough, but the views were great. After the eruption of 2015 glaciers were changed, the look of the peak has changed. The climbing route followed a NW ridge. Crampons and glacier travel gear were needed, however with skis I was able to cross snow bridges more safely with less gear than the other groups.
Vol. Cotopaxi is treasured as a sacred mountain by local people. The name in Quechua means "neck of the moon". VHS-C video tape was an analogue video format that came out long before hordes of tourists with phones arrived. Cotopaxi is similar to Mt. Hood in Oregon in that it was a very popular first climb for tourists with a guide. Many locals from Quito tried the peak with friends or guides and considered it their mountain adventure of their lifetime. Other locals developed long careers in mountaineering after this peak. The peak erupted in 2015-2016, and continues to be unstable.

[@maxbolenkab]

really cool throw back here!

[@frozenyetimug]

Great video man. Truly a treasured height, even more now that it is inaccessible.

[@PabloIzurieta]

Arrecho.