Avalanche on Cotopaxi
Avalanche on Cotopaxi – March 16, 2025
Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and one of Ecuador’s most iconic peaks, is a popular destination for mountaineers. Its towering summit at 5,897 meters presents a formidable challenge, with extreme weather conditions and unpredictable snow accumulation making safety precautions essential for any climb.
On March 16, 2025, an avalanche was triggered at approximately 5,700 meters due to heavy snow accumulation and unstable plates. The event, which took place on one of Cotopaxi’s main climbing routes, resulted in multiple injuries and required an immediate rescue operation.
Our company was present on the mountain with a group of five clients, each accompanied by a professional and certified guide.
This ensured a higher level of safety for our team, as our guides continuously monitored conditions and were prepared for emergencies. Unfortunately, despite our safety protocols, the avalanche left many climbers injured, including our esteemed colleague Franklin Varela.
Franklin is a respected leader in Ecuador’s mountaineering community and a key member of the national rescue team. His extensive experience in high-altitude rescue operations has saved countless lives, making his injury a significant blow to the community.
One of the most concerning aspects of this tragic event was the presence of over 30 climbers on the route without a single professional guide, we warn our readers, These individuals, so called “montañistas libres”, are not members of any mountaineering club, they lack of any formation or knowledge, as well as they did not adhere to standard safety protocols, ignored crucial snow tests conducted by our team, and ultimately contributed to the collapse of the unstable snow plates. Their lack of preparation and disregard for warnings proved disastrous, highlighting the dangers of attempting such a climb without proper guidance.
This incident underscores the importance of hiring certified guides for high-altitude expeditions. Professional guides not only ensure a structured and informed ascent but also continuously assess mountain conditions, helping climbers avoid hazardous situations. Had all climbers been under expert supervision that day, this tragedy might have been prevented.
In response to the avalanche, our guides acted swiftly, prioritizing the immediate evacuation of our clients before initiating rescue protocols. Without hesitation, they extended their efforts beyond our group, assisting other climbers caught in the avalanche and playing a crucial role in the evacuation of Franklin Varela to safety. Their quick thinking and decisive actions were instrumental in minimizing further casualties.
Additionally, thanks to our insurance coverage, we were able to deploy a rescue team to the mountain within just two hours. This rapid response allowed for the swift evacuation of our clients and provided much-needed assistance to other injured climbers, including those who were in the mountain without guides. The ability to mobilize professional rescuers in such a short time was critical in ensuring the safety of everyone affected by the avalanche.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible members of our team who demonstrated extraordinary professionalism and courage during this rescue operation. Our professional mountain guides and members of ASEGUIM—Juan Silva, Wily Rivera, Cristian Moreno, Pablo Falconi, Sergio Quinatoa, and Jose Gualancanay—ensured the safety of our clients and provided critical assistance in the rescue efforts. We also want to thank our logistics and transportation support team, Carlos Iza and Ramon Martinez, whose coordination and rapid response played a key role in the success of the evacuation. Their dedication and teamwork were essential in handling this emergency, and we are profoundly grateful for their efforts.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers in high-altitude mountaineering and the vital role of professional guidance. We urge all climbers to respect mountain safety protocols, hire certified guides, and prioritize preparedness over risk. The mountain demands respect, and experience can mean the difference between life and tragedy.
Pictures by: William Rivera; Cristian Moreno