Climbing Obisbo: The Italian route is nearly impossible now due to lack of snow. A more reasonable climb is to try the Arista Del Calvario or the Variant of this route. The route pictured above is the Variant route. From the Italian camp scramble down some low class 4 rock and traverse across some rocky scree. Eventually you will need to bear left and up towards the glacier and positioning yourself as pictured above. Once on the glacier traverse across heading towards the base of Obispo. Head for the obvious snow ramp at the base of the mountain. You may have to negotiate a small rock band as you head up this ramp. From here angle right up the couloir where you can expect a mix of rock/ice that is approximately an 80 degree pitch. From here head up towards ice wall and traverse right underneath it. Eventually you will need to head up another gully to your left to access the final couloir heading towards the summit. The final couloir is steep and the rock section becomes extremely difficult to protect. Expect holds to literally be ripped out as you attempt the final rock section. Suerte.

Additonal Routes: Italian, Arista Del Calvario, Varient Arista Del Calvario

Suggested Reading: Climbing and Hiking in Ecuador, 4th edition

Getting There: The best way to climb Obisbo is to get a bus to Riobamba or Banos and from there catch a bus to Cubijes or Quimiag. From Cubijes you can hire transport, aka a taxi, to take you to the Hacienda Vaqueria Ingisay or to the end of the road where you will find a water diversion project. We would recommend camping right by the water project for a night while you search for mule/horse transport for the following day. Expect to pay about US $6 per person for the mules. The mules can get you within 20 minutes of the Italian camp. Some mulateers will try to stop earlier -- be vigilant. From the water diversion project to the Italian camp should take about 5-6 hours depending on conditions. Parts of the trail can be extremely muddy or boggy so consider rubber boots, although plastics would suffice. The Italian camp has obvious tent sites. Remember any climb from here is a minimum of 12 hours, but you should expect more.

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Created by SAE member Tim Tadder, www.cotopaxi.com
Changes or updates? Please email ttadder@fcaq.k12.ec