Ecuador is incredibly beautiful, and reasonably safe if you do your homework in advance and follow standard precautions. I'll never forget my two months there.

Legally, you are required to take a guide anyway. Conditions vary greatly on Chimborazo. It can be icy under bad conditions.The issue I have with that is Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe are beyond my expertise. I might be in over my head.
That part of Mexico doesn't really have any unusual problems.I would love to go back and do Ixta & Orizaba, but spooked a little by the travel advisory (travel to a US city is likely more dangerous),
The area around Colca Canyon is still much more scenic and interesting, not to mention cheaper, and with more wildlife; and the mountains are equally fit for beginners (probably even more so).I found the area around Ojos in the Atacama desert to be really beautiful.
Do you think the odds of finding a climbing partner for this region is better then that for Parinacota? It seems as though for me to get up that high I may have to be willing to play in a crevasse field. Otherwise I think Ampato would fit the bill.Scott P wrote:If you like the desert type peaks, a much better option are the peaks around the Colca Canyon and Arequipa. That area is more scenic, easier to get to, more interesting, has much more wildlife, is less crowded, and is much less expensive than Ojos.
I don't know. I may be interested. Guides tend to be quite cheap in the region as well, especially when compared to other areas.Do you think the odds of finding a climbing partner for this region is better then that for Parinacota?
Guides may be cheap, but it would be more enjoyable to go with someone I know or get to know. So let me know. Hualca Hualca and Ampato look interesting!Scott P wrote:I don't know. I may be interested. Guides tend to be quite cheap in the region as well, especially when compared to other areas.Do you think the odds of finding a climbing partner for this region is better then that for Parinacota?