Fuya Fuya, the most exciting mountain in Ecuador

According to the Urban Dictionary, the word ‘Fuya’ is a portmanteau whose meaning equates to the popular phrase ‘Fuck, yeah!’

If this is true, then the volcano Fuya Fuya, a short distance north-east of Quito, was clearly going to be one of the most exciting climbs in Ecuador.

I had never heard of it before, but our expedition outfitter, Javier Herrera of Andeanface, suggested that we climb it as a warm-up on our second day in Ecuador. He gave every indication that it would be an easy walk up.

The twin summits of Fuya Fuya from the...