Cotopaxi was first climbed in 1872 from the southwest by German geologist Wilhelm Reiss accompanied by Angel M. Escobar, a Columbian. Edward Whymper spent a night on the summit in 1880.

At 19,342 ft, Cotopaxi is one of the world's highest active volcanoes. Although other volcanoes may be more active geologically, Cotopaxi has caused the most death and destruction. Records of its date back to 1534 though it was undoubtedly active long before then. After a long period of dormancy Cotopaxi erupted three times in 1742 destroying the town of Lataunga and killing hundreds of people. More eruptions followed in 1743, 1744,1766 and 1768. Almost a century of inactivity followed, but in 1853 Cotopaxi again began to display its awesome power and erupted frequently for several years. Four separate eruptions occurred in 1877 and one on 26 June produced catastrophic avalanches of ice, snow, water, mud and rocks. One flow reached the Pacific coast. Frequent but minor eruptions occurred for 8 years. Since 1885 eruptions have been limited to two minor ones in 1903 and 1904 and a disputed one in 1942. Fumarolic activity continues on Cotopaxi's crater.

Chimborazos reputation as such a high mountain led to many attempts on the summit during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries before it was climbed by Edward Whymper in 1880.