El Altar
Höhe	5320 Meter (17,454 ft)
Lage
beste Jahreszeit zur Besteigung	November, Dezember
Erstbesteigung	1963
Vulkanstatus	verloschen
Anfahrt

Some of the summits are young, cone-shaped volcanoes like Cotopaxi, technically straight-forward climbs offering the novice a chance to get above 20,000 feet. Others are deeply eroded, older volcanoes with challenging rock and ice routes (e.g., the glorious ring of peaks on El Altar). Experienced mountaineers can attempt the more remote and/or more difficult peaks of Antisana, El Altar and Iliniza SIERRA: The eastern mountains (including Antisana, El Altar and Sangay and, to a lesser extent, Cayambe and Tungurahua) are influenced by air from the Amazonian lowlands. The wettest months are June through August. December and January are when the highest number of successful ascents have been made on the difficult El Altar. Ecuadorian climbers favor February for attempting Antisana, and October through January are suggested for Cayambe.