The Tradition of "Quemar el Viejo"

Gaining Momentum Again: This past year was pivotal for us. To be honest, it felt like the year we truly gained our momentum back. After the global pauses and challenges of recent times, watching the trailheads fill up again brings immense joy to our hearts.

We saw more boots hitting the dusty trails, more crampons biting into the glaciers of Cayambe and Cotopaxi, and we witnessed that unique, ecstatic exhaustion on the faces of climbers reaching the summit of Chimborazo. We rebuilt, we reconnected, and we remembered exactly why we love sharing these majestic Andes with the world. It was a fantastic year of growth and return.

But in Ecuador, before you can fully embrace the new, you must properly dispose of the old. This is the tradition of "Quemar el Viejo" (Burning the Old Man/Year).

If you are visiting us right now, you’ll see them everywhere: effigies sitting on street corners, outside shops, and on balconies. These are the monigotes or años viejos. They are dummies stuffed with sawdust, paper, old clothes, and often a handful of firecrackers. They range from simple homemade scarecrows to elaborate artistic creations representing politicians, cartoon characters, or just generic "old men."

They personify the year that is ending.

At the stroke of midnight, the streets erupt. Families drag their monigotes into the road and set them ablaze. It is not an act of anger, but one of purification. We watch the flames consume the año viejo, symbolically burning away the sorrows, the mistakes, the bad luck, and the regrets of the past year. It is a cathartic release, ensuring that we enter January 1st with a clean slate, untethered by the weight of the past.

(For the brave, tradition dictates jumping over the burning effigy three times for good luck—though we usually recommend our climbers save that energy for the mountain!)

Ashes to Ashes, Peak to Peak - Welcome, 2026

This tradition resonates deeply with the mountaineering spirit. To reach a new summit, you often have to leave heavy baggage behind. You learn from the difficult ascents, you shake off the bad weather days, and you reset your focus on the horizon ahead.

Before we light our own metaphorical fires on the 31st to close out this year, we have some profound gratitude to express.

To our incredible Guides: You are the backbone of andean summit adventure. Your expertise, patience, safety-first mindset, and deep love for these mountains are what make dreams possible. Thank you for every step you led this year.

To our Climbers: Thank you for trusting us with your adventures. Whether it was your first time at altitude or your tenth expedition, your determination inspires us daily. Thank you for choosing Ecuador.

To our Friends and Partners: Thank you for the unwavering support as we are all navigating the path back to full momentum.

As the smoke from the años viejos clears into the cool Andean night sky, we are looking forward with clear eyes and full hearts. We wish you a Happy New Year filled with health, prosperity, and wild ambitions. We are ready for new routes, new challenges, and new friends. The mountains are calling, and 2026 is going to be epic.

Feliz Año Nuevo from the whole andean summit adventure team!

See you out there, somewhere!

Ready to explore the Andes with safety and knowledge? Contact us for your next adventure.