We would like to introduce you to our PRO-course. We have tailored this multi-day glacier school for those who really want to know more about the magic and dangers of glacier travel. The full PRO-course is normally 4 days in length but those with prior experience with crampons and ice axe can opt for a 3 day course.
There are also abbreviated 1 and 2 day glacier schools taught in conjunction with a summit attempt on Cotopaxi. This is particularily useful for those on tight schedules, limited budgets, or just want a refresher. The most important skills are taught, but this program obviously will not be able to go into the detail found in a 3 to 4 day course.
Day 1 Orientation: Arrival at the mountain. We use either Cayambe or Cotopaxi depending on the season and conditions. The first day is familiarization and orientation with the equipment and glaciers. Lessons include the basics of security and the risks of the environment. You will learn several different walking techniques with crampons and also how to properly use the ice axe. This day can be skipped for those with previous experience.
4 hours
Day 2 Rope Team Fundamentals:This day starts with rope management, important knots, and how to move as a rope team. One everyone is comfortable with the basics, we proceed to snow / ice anchors and belay systems.
7 - 8 hours
Day 3 Rescue:Using all the gear and techniques from the past 2 days you will practice self arrest with the ice ax, crevasse crossing, and crevasse rescue. Also taught is abseiling (rappelling) in order to safely and quickly descend otherwise technical or impossible terrain.
7 - 8 hours
Day 4 Ice Climbing Basics:With the safetly of a top rope practice climbing steep - vertical ice with one and two ice axes. Box lunch and return early to Quito 15.00 - 16.00.
5 hours
Our instructors are all professional, certified guides and bilingual. This program is very good for acclimatization before any 5000+ meter climb.
| Current Prices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days |
| $110 | $220 | $330 | $420 |
Prices include anything except your own personal warm clothes and park entry fees.