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Stories

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.

The North Side of Mount Everest

A Guide’s Perspective: Roberto ‘Tico’ Morales Looks Ahead to Everest’s North Col

For Tico, this opportunity is more than just another expedition; it’s a rendezvous with the world’s highest peak. Mincing no words, he muses: “Everest is Everest.” It hardly needs further explanation. Despite not aiming for the summit, he recognizes the significance of the North Col.
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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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the 1966 Vinson Massif team stands in front of their plane

A Brief History of Vinson Massif

In 1966, a team of American mountaineers, led by Nicholas Clinch, achieved the first recorded ascent of Vinson Massif via the Western Ridge. This historic achievement marked a significant milestone in Antarctic exploration and opened the door to future expeditions.
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A climber ascending Vinson Massif.

The Top of the Bottom: Climb Vinson Massif

At 16,050’/4,892m, Vinson is the shortest but arguably one of the most memorable of the world’s coveted peaks. While altitude is not as much of a problem, however, the harsh and unforgiving conditions of the southernmost place on the planet present a unique array of challenges for hopeful climbers.
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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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An overview of the Northwest Ridge on the Tibetan Side of Cho Oyu.

The Northwest Ridge on Cho Oyu

As the sixth highest peak in the world, Cho Oyu offers an array of climbing routes on the ‘easiest’ 8000er, each presenting distinct challenges and rewards. Among these, the Northwest Ridge route from Tibet stands out as the most straightforward and least hazardous route to the summit. In this blog, we take a deep dive into the route up Cho Oyu via the Northwest Ridge.
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Clients hiking up Kilimanjaro at sunrise during a guided Kilimanjaro Expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

A Brief History of Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, the majestic Roof of Africa and one of the world’s Seven Summits, stands as a sentinel in Tanzania, its snow-capped peak piercing the sky at 19,341’/5,895m above sea level. But beyond its towering presence lies a rich history held by the indigenous peoples who have long called this region home, and the intrepid adventurers who have since scaled its slopes.
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Ama Dablam Expedition clients climbing a ridge on Ama Dablam

The Allure of Ama Dablam

It’s fair to say that Ama Dablam might be the most visually recognizable mountain in the world. There’s simply no other peak that stands so distinctly apart from its surrounding landscape, despite the fact that it’s backdropped by Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. With its distinctive pyramid-shaped summit adorned with hanging glaciers and sheer rock faces, Ama Dablam is an iconic peak that has captured the imagination of mountaineers for decades.
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