Cotopaxi Guides

Camilo Andrade is an Ecuadorian mountain guide, photographer, and outdoor professional with more than 18 years of experience in tourism and mountain environments. Camilo graduated with a degree in Ecotourism and soon after became a certified National Tourism Guide in Ecuador in 2008. Passionate about landscapes, people, and adventure, Camilo combines his work as a landscape and portrait photographer with a lifelong dedication to mountaineering and exploration. In 2016, he completed his Mountain Guide training process in Ecuador and has since guided and climbed many of the country’s highest and most iconic volcanoes. His mountaineering experience extends across South America: after living in Peru for two years, he climbed numerous peaks in the Cordillera Blanca, and later summited mountains such as Ojos del Salado in Chile and Santa Cruz Norte. Beyond guiding and photography, Camilo is an avid rock climber and enjoys training in boxing and climbing during his free...

Juliana started climbing the mountains of Ecuador at fifteen years old. Since then, she has climbed and guided many mountains and big walls throughout the Andes, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, as well as in Pakistan, Alaska, United States and the Alps. She became the first female Latin American certified IFMGA mountain guide and served as the President of the Ecuadorian Association of guides for 6 years. Additionally, Juliana served as “board member” at the IFMGA for 6 years and became the first female and non-European to occupy that position. Recently she was recognized by the IFMGA as an “honorary member”. Today, she continues to teach at the the Ecuadorian guiding school ESGUIM. Juliana is also a Patagonia Brand Ambassador, an AIARE Avalanche Education Instructor, and part of the POW Alliance. Juliana got her “ski guide” diploma in spring 2025 in the U.S. by the AMGA. She became the first female Latin...

David García is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and Certified National Adventure Guide in Ecuador, specializing in high-altitude mountaineering, alpine climbing, and technical rock climbing. Climbing since the age of 11, he has led expeditions throughout Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico, and Kyrgyzstan. Known for his calm, patient, and safety-focused approach, David combines extensive technical expertise with a passion for helping climbers achieve their goals. Whether guiding a first alpine ascent or a challenging high-altitude expedition, his mission is to build confidence and create unforgettable mountain experiences. As a member of ASEGUIM and a certified IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain Guide, David lives by a simple philosophy: “My work is the bridge between people’s dreams and reality.” Take 5 with the Guide If you could only take one album on an expedition, what would it be? Agotados de Esperar el Fin by Ilegales (Spain), 1984. What was your first mountain? When did you climb...

David Gottlieb is a highly experienced alpinist and professional mountain guide with an extensive background in high-altitude mountaineering and technical climbing ascents across the world. Before joining the Alpine Ascents team in 2016, David spent 18 seasons as a Climbing Ranger on Mount Rainier and traveled far and wide accumulating a wealth of experience in mountain rescue, risk management, and technical climbing. In addition to his guiding career, David’s passion for remote and high altitude environments has driven him to complete four first ascents of unclimbed 22,000-foot peaks in the Himalayas, including Kang Nachugo (6,735 meters) and Takargo (6,771 meters). David’s guiding approach is based on precision, safety, and effective leadership. He is dedicated to mentoring climbers in technical skills and expedition strategy. Whether leading teams on established routes close to home on Mount Rainier, or travelling to guide our Volcanoes of Ecuador and Kilimanjaro expeditions, he brings a measured...

Throughout Jose’s childhood and adolescence, he was involved in Scouting and Mountaineering Clubs, where he embraced principles of environmental conservation and his passion for mountain climbing. After finishing his Masters degree in Business Management in Quito – Ecuador, Jose decided to make his passion into his professional career and successfully certified as an international IFMGA mountain guide in Bolivia. With more than 15 years of guiding experience Jose has climbed almost every Ecuadorian mountain and most significant ones both in Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. Since 2019 he is living part of the year in Munich – Germany, guiding in the Austrian and Swiss Alps. He is an instructor and guide for an Alpine school in Europe. Jose is sharing his year guiding summers in the Alps and winters in the Andes. Jose is known for his enormous patience and positive energy. His personal feedback reflects professionalism, useful teaching techniques and...

Stephen grew up in the Southeast, first honing his skills on the sandstone cliffs of West Virginia and Kentucky. While studying ecology and mathematics at Oberlin College, he began leading outdoor trips and spent summers teaching climbing, backpacking, and whitewater canoeing across the western U.S. and Canada. After graduation, the alpine summits of the Pacific Northwest drew him to Washington, which has been home ever since. Since joining Alpine Ascents in 2015, Stephen has guided extensively in Alaska, Washington, California, the Pamir Range, and Argentina. His personal climbing has taken him from technical alpine routes in the North Cascades and Alaska, to long desert rock climbs, to steep ice in the Canadian Rockies. A certified IFMGA guide, Stephen is a true all-around climber who brings both skill and patience to the teams he leads.

Diego comes to Alpine Ascents International with a wealth of guiding and climbing experience from across the Andes and around the world. He is also an instructor for the prestigious Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides and an active member of the mountain rescue team. In addition to his impressive climbing abilities, Diego is well versed in Ecuadorian history and culture and has near encyclopedic knowledge of local flora and fauna.