The Chimborazo climb takes place between midnight and dawn, with many successful summit attempts reaching either the secondary summit of Veintimilla (6,230 m / 20,440 ft) or the main summit, Cumbre Máxima, around sunrise.
The descent back to Whymper Refuge at 5,000 m (16,400 ft) typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Although Chimborazo is extremely high, the route is non-technical, meaning climbers can reach very high altitude without encountering steep vertical sections that require advanced technical skills such as ice climbing. In good weather, the summit rewards climbers with sweeping views of the Ecuadorian Andes, including Cotopaxi, El Altar, and the active volcanoes Tungurahua and Sangay.