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Stories: School

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.

Esteban 'Topo' Mena coiling a rope while guiding a Cotopaxi Expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

“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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Five Expeditions Before Climbing Everest with Topo Mena

Now that Everest season is in full swing, this week we connected with IFMGA-certified Alpenglow guide Esteban ‘Topo’ Mena to talk about five expeditions that are perfect for building the experience necessary to climb the tallest mountain in the world.
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Climbers stand on the summit crater after climbing Cotopaxi.

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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Climb Cotopaxi in just 5 days with Alpenglow Expeditions' Rapid Ascent program.

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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Two climbers scale an expansive white snowfield high above the alpine plains of Ecuador.

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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One of three peaks climbed during Alpenglow Expeditions' Ecuador Climbing School intro to high-altitude mountaineering course.

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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An alpine climber wearing yellow ascending a snowy slope

Discover the Heart of the Andes: Alpenglow Expeditions’ Peru Climbing School

The Peru Climbing School is Alpenglow’s most immersive introductory expedition—anyone can join us to climb Yanapaccha (17,913’/5,460m) and Pisco (18,871’/5,752m). We chose the Cordillera Blanca because its allure lies in its diversity, from gentle slopes offering stunning vistas to challenging, unforgiving climbs that test the limits of even the most seasoned adventurers.
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Peru Climbing School

Something for Everyone: Roberto ‘Tico’ Morales on Climbing in Peru

We connected with Alpenglow guide Roberto ‘Tico’ Morales to talk about what sets the Peru climbing experience apart from anywhere else in the world.
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Climbers learning high-altitude mountaineering skills on a volcano in Ecuador at sunrise as part of Alpenglow Expedition's Ecuador Climbing School.

The Alpenglow Difference: Consistency & Quality

From our Mount Everest expedition to our introductory climbing schools, we offer consistent high-quality mountain adventures.
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Mountaineer raising their arms in achievement while climbing Cotopaxi on Alpenglow Expeditions' Cotopaxi Rapid Ascent Expedition.

Ecuador vs. Peru Climbing School

Read about the differences in our two Intro to Mountaineering “Climbing Schools” in South America.
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