Hey all-
It's Wednesday afternoon, the day before we head for our biggest climb to the top of Cotopaxi and our last chance to check in with an update before we go.
Yesterday we started early with a drive up the flanks of Rucu Pichinchu, and a dawn trek that would lead us to the summit, which rises 4680m above the surrounding peaks. I stink at conversion stuff, but it's more than 15,000 feet, which makes it the highest peak yet for Nick, Ted and Todd. We set out from the trailhead at 6:10 and were off the mountain by 1:30. Not bad for a bunch of flatlanders (except for Dan who's from Colorado and Chris who seems to have spent most of his adult life in thin air). The hike took us to the crater rim where clouds swept over amazing lava formations and wind whipped across the barren landscape. We took plenty of photos and quite a bit of video of the excursion and can't wait to show it off to everyone. We're having all kinds of problems loading our pictures for you to see and we apologize. We have some great ones of the places and people and climbs. It was a terrific summit for all of us and the toughest test of our training to date. It felt great to climb so high and know that we were climbing for so many people and such a great cause. We each took a moment along the way to video a message to those we're here climbing for and it was a very emotional moment when we all took a moment to think of them and the struggles they face on a daily basis.
Today we spent the morning packing for our big climb. We were fitted for boots and crampons, went through a packing seminar and then headed for our rooms to sort the gear we brought with us and get organized. Dan and Chris helped to make sure we took the right stuff and only the things we needed for the hike to the hut in the morning (we will stay at 15,400 for the next two nights) and then the big summit day which will take us up the glacier to the summit of Ecuador's second highest peak and one of the world's highest active volcanos at 19,400ft. It's an incredible undertaking and one that is starting to come into focus for each of us as the days count down to D day. We can't wait to get started and stand on top. But the most important moment of all will be when we come back down and arrive back in Quito safe and sound.
Again, sorry for the lack of photos. We're frustrated but have tried our best.
To all of you who have followed our trek, thank you for your support and encouragement. And for all of you who we're doing this for, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers every step of the way. That's what this climb is all about.

As we used to say in the Logtown Alpine Club:
Upgois Sahibe

Ted, Nick, Laura, Todd, Dan and Chris
Love to all