Getting Competent Climbing Guides

I just returned from Ecuador after attempting, unsuccessfully, to reach the summit of Mt. Chimborazo, described in your Aug. 5 article “Climbing the Stairway to Heaven.”

What I found most compelling about the area, however, was the indigenous community. I stayed in the Indian village of Pulingui San Pablo and spent time learning about the hardy people who grow crops and raise livestock on the lower slopes of the mountain.

Recently the community launched a guide service for climbers called Wayman Way Guides. Although not as polished as the American Alpine Institute, which your writer employed, the service is run by competent guides and offers a unique cultural experience as well, according to climbers I spoke with who had used it. The service can be reached by e-mailing Canadian expatriate Tom Walsh at twalsh@ch.pro.ec ; the Web site is https://www.interconnection.org/condor.

DENNIS ARGUELLES

Gardena

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I had the good fortune to hike to the top of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro with seven close friends in 1999. Our trek to the 19,341-foot summit was along the scenic Machame route and took six days.

Our climb into thin air was hampered by the ever-present specter of altitude sickness, but we were advised by our tour organizers to take the time to acclimatize by climbing high and sleeping low (climbing high during the day but descending to sleep) and increasing water intake. We all took a prescription drug to help prevent acute mountain sickness.

Good DNA and physical conditioning help too, and a sense of humor is a must.

KIMBERLY J. SIZEMORE

Los Angeles