I received an invitation and invitation to climbing Cotopaxi , (5,970 meters) the highest active volcano in the world, with the climbing mountain club Inti Ñan (Caminos del Sol). This was the beginning of my life in the mountains. I began to climb more seriously, staying away from home for several days at a time. Soon I had climbed all Ecuadorian peaks several times.

In 1986, I decided to attend the first convention of Latin American Women's Mountaineering, held in Bolivia. Led by experienced climbers like Lucía Rojas, Magalí Campos and Narda Wuth. The team overcame incredible obstacles on our attempt on Chearoco, a 6,000 meters peak, including last minute logistical problems and an icefall that injured two climbers in their tents.

In a driving white out 180 meters from the summit we forced to abandon the climb, heavy snowfall making the descent extremely treacherous. It was a real triumph of will that we continued and climbed our second objective, Huayna Potosí.

Inspired to help with the organization of second convention hosted by Carina Vaca Seller of Argentina , I became my country's representative. The successful all women ascent of Aconcagua in 1987 was something of watershed for Latin American women's climbing. It became a huge media even in every country that had a representative on the climb, and was a first for many of the women (even though it wasn't the first women's ascent). And it seems to have validated both the climbers and our dreams) .

I took on the spearheading preparations for the third convention , held in Quito. From March through June I solicited support from businesses, clubs, agencies and individuals, gatherings funds and in-kind donations that ranged from powdered milk to airplane tickets, from held with media contacts to the loan of a bus. Twenty-five climbers from six countries showed up for the gathering, and headed off to their firs climbing objective , Cayambe. But the weather wouldn't cooperate, and neither this pick nor Cotopaxi could be climbed safely.

Although the win and cold continued and clouds hovered low, the group was determined to push on to the Ilinizas. But well into the climb they were faced with another dilemma:

Here we had to prove, one more time, our quality as human beings and comradeship that reigned in the group. We realized that one group wanted to climb Iliniza North and the other Iliniza South, according to their respective abilities on technical rock and steep ice. We had two goals and one peak. We also had to minimize the risk of putting so many people on the South summit at one time. It was amazing to see how everyone rose to the occasion. Their discipline and desire to collaborate on a solution were clear.

The following day a group of twelve left at 5:30 a.m. for the South summit, and at 8:00 five women headed for Iliniza North. Each group spent time on their respective summits and gathered together later at the refuge. There was a unanimous happiness among the group. Some of us had finally achieved the most technical of our objective, and others had done another magnificent climb.

The last of the group's goals, the peak Chimborazo, did not look inviting as our approached. But the weather finally did cooperate. Summit day was windless, and the sky clear. We left as early as we could, and at 8:45 a.m. seventeen women stood on the summit. We hoisted the flags of Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela unity and freedom from oppression.

I joined the expedition to Peru and I was climbing again with the women, the sisterhood was so strong. To helping with the formation of the Union of Latin American Women Climbers, I established a hostel in Quito-Ecuador (Caminos del Sol) as well as traditional hostel services like inexpensive rooms and friendly people.