Stories: Ecuador
Mountain adventures create the best stories, and we want to share some of ours with you. Dive into Alpenglow Stories to stay up to date on expeditions in the field, read blogs, and get tips and tricks from guides.
Interview with Christian Llivicura, IFMGA-certified Mountain Guide
Christian Llivicura, 24, is originally from Cuenca, Ecuador and now lives in Quito. He began guiding in 2018 and joined Alpenglow Expeditions in 2019. Christian received his IFMGA/ASEGUIM certification in June 2024.
Alpenglow Staff Robert Kyte connected with Christian to talk about his journey toward certification.
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From Backcountry Skier to Ski Mountaineer on Ecuador’s Ring of Fire
If you’re looking to delve into the world of ski mountaineering, the Ecuador Ring of Fire Ski Expedition is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills while perfecting familiar ones in a unique high altitude environment. This expedition offers hands-on experience on some of Ecuador’s most spectacular volcanoes: Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo.
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Breaking Down Alpenglow’s Backcountry Ski Expeditions
We offer three distinct backcountry ski & ride expeditions to cater to a wide variety of backcountry enthusiasts. Below, we’ll break down the three expeditions: the Ecuador Ring of Fire, the Japan Backcountry Ski, and the Chile Backcountry Ski Expedition.
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Courses & Trips To Learn Ski Mountaineering
So you’re looking to go from backcountry skier or splitboarder to stepping into bigger, steeper terrain? Here are the courses and trips that we offer that will help you do just that
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“Give Yourself the Time”: Graduating from Trekking to Climbing with Topo Mena
While ‘walking’ may sound trivial, a number of big mountains involve a lot of walking, albeit in extreme places. To talk about the journey, we connected with IFMGA-certified Alpenglow guide Esteban ‘Topo’ Mena about graduating from trekking to climbing. For beginners, he had this advice to offer: “At first, it’s important to give yourself the time to walk in the mountains and appreciate the land and the opportunity to just be there.”
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Cotopaxi is OPEN!
Cotopaxi, the legendary stratovolcano in Ecuador, is now open for climbing once again, and Alpenglow Expeditions is ready to lead the way!
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Five Essential Questions for Climbing Cotopaxi
If you’re considering tackling Cotopaxi, you likely have some burning questions. Fear not! We’ve compiled the top five questions about climbing Cotopaxi from Google and provided comprehensive answers to ensure you’re well-prepared for your expedition.
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February ’24 Ecuador Climbing School Recap
A few days ago, I was fortunate to connect with Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Espinosa, Lead Guide from our February ‘24 Ecuador Climbing School, to recap our most recent trip to the volcanoes of Ecuador.
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Quiet Rage and the Limits of Mountains
A client recounts the transformative experiences in the mountains while on our Ecuador Ring Of Fire Ski Mountaineering Expedition.
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Only a Few Spots Remaining in Ecuador!
For aspiring climbers seeking the perfect introduction to high-altitude pursuits, Alpenglow Expeditions’ Ecuador Climbing School offers an ideal blend of instruction, exploration, and hands-on experience.
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