Illiniza

The Illinizas from the east ( to the left of the higher south summit, the right of the north peak )

The Illiniza is no longer active stratovolcano in Ecuador. It is located around 55 km southwest of Quito in the western Cordillera of the Andes. From its two peaks is the southern, Iliniza Sur, 5248 m ( left), covered by a glacier, the northern, Illiniza Norte, 5126 m, is a pure rock summit.

Rise

Starting point for the ascent is at two summits mostly the paid refuge " Nuevos Horizontes ", which is located at 4740 m in the middle of the saddle between the two peaks. The Sur is technically much more difficult than the Norte and commit only with glacier equipment. For the Norte is not absolutely necessary technical equipment. The difficulty in rock climbing range on the normal route there until about 2 degrees. Nevertheless, helmet and rope are recommended because depending on the season portions can be frozen and to be expected with sudden-onset weather falls even with snow and difficult conditions.

Plane crash in 2008

On 31 August 2008 crashed a Boeing 737-200, which was leased by the Honduran Atlantic Airlines airline to the Venezuelan Conviasa, starting at 4025 m altitude at the South Summit of Ilinizas. The 30 -year-old aircraft was en route from Caracas to Latacunga airport (16 km away from the crash site ), where maintenance and renewal of the paint were planned. The three crew members did not survive the crash.

Pictures

Seen the summit of the crater lake of Quilotoa Iliniza from

Snowy Illiniza Norte