The results of this study showed that 30% of mountaineers are women (men 70%). The majority of visitors did not belong to a mountaineering club, they were residents in Ecuador, they lacked training for proper risk management in the mountains, and they were the people going to the mountains at high frequency. Regarding the mountain information status, it was found that the absence of a specific mountain guide with relevant, updated and adequate information was evident. The demand for information was based on data related to mountain routes, equipment and necessary clothing and accessibility. A very particular fact revealed by the data is that professional mountain guides did not take care about the environmental aspect of the mountains.
On the functioning of mountaineering, it was determined that the area of Ecuador where mountaineering is most prevalent is in the Northern Andes, approximately the area comprised from the Imbabura to the Quilotoa volcano. In this area, Cotopaxi is the main attraction of the mountain, which has caused a centralization and concentration of high mountain tourism in this volcano. The principal mountaineering circuits performed can be seen in the map bellow. Likewise, the need to create an organized intervention and rescue system for mountain emergencies was determined.
The results of this research were published in the magazine Montaña in Ecuador. The study contributed with data analysis on why mountain accidents have increased in Ecuador. Source: Corti, N. (2013): Los accidentes de montaña y la descarga de responsabilidad. Revista Montaña. Geografía Deporte Aventura. Mayo-2013. Download