Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
Cojitambo is hard to miss, considering it greets you like this the second you get into town.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
After walking south down the road out of town, turn right here and begin the long and confusing trek up to the crag. When in doubt, just keep going toward the walls.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
The approach to Coji is difficult to say the least. While it doesn't climb terribly much in elevation, the trail is riddled with large obstacles like boulders and lots of stinging nettles.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
On the far right (north) side of the crag, you'll reach this helpful navigation landmark: an ancient Inca alter. Not only is this a great place to rest and stash gear, but it also marks a dense area of multi-pitch routes just to the left.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
Sitting at a belay station one pitch up on Expresso Austral (5.8). It's hard to tell which colors are brighter: shoes and slings or the lush foliage below!
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
Beautiful views from the top of pitch two on Cojitambo. From this point, you can just hike up onto the very top of the crag (where a road leads up from the backside) and look out all around.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
The lower part of the approach will lead you through a shale quarry, where you'll see locals working on cutting up the stone under protective tarps.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
We accidentally picked up a cute little stray in town, who happily followed us to the crag for the entire day. We also learned that stray dogs don't know to stay off the rope.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
Studying the guidebook and trying to gain bearings on the approach. According to the free topos provided by Mono de Ecuador (link in article), this is Zona 1, one of the sparsest walls, bearing only seven climbs.
Amber McDaniel
Photo Date: 
01/08/2018
Almost there! After spending a considerable amount of time getting lost, anyway.