Carihuairazo 5020 Meters
 On a typically gray day, this shows the route on a bare glacier, crevasses
          are not a major problem until the end of the climb


     Maxim Peak Climbing Route: From flat area west-northwest of peak head
 up moraine for glacier. Head right for summit ridge. On ridge traverse left on
 exposed knife-edged crest -- about 2-4 hours for ascent.

     Mocha Peak Climbing Route: From dilapidated hut climb up the ridge
 joining Cerro Piedra Negra with Carihuariazo and follow the ridge towards
 Carihuairazo for about 1 km. This is a 4-6 hour climb on fairly steep
 snow/rock. The route is constantly changing so route finding is necessary and
 no obvious route exists.

     Getting There: From the Terminal Terrestre in Quito take a Riobamba bus.
 About an hour out of Ambato you will see a sign on the left which says Rio
 Blanco. Just down the road are some buildings and a school on the right. Get
 off here and follow the road going left from the community heading towards
 Laguna Negra (3-5 hours hike). Camping is possible here or you may choose
 to head up another hour to a camp just below the glacier by heading left of
 peak 4698 and up to the ridge behind this peak. Then follow the cairns to a
 rocky field. Note: You can drive through this vicuna reserve but sometimes will
 be stopped and asked for your permission from the MAG office in Cuenca. In
 addition, it is very risky to leave anything in camp as robberies have been
 reported.