Esteban, “Topo” Mena has spent most of his life in the mountains. He started the process to become a certified guide at the age of 18, receiving certifications from ASEGUIM (Ecaudorian Mountain Guides Association) in 2013 and IFMGA in 2016. Along the way, he’s proven to be a force of nature, combining his passion for elevation with a rare blend of strength, skill, an instinctive sense of mountaineering, unwavering commitment, and the ability to connect and communicate with his rope partners. His love of mountains has led him to explore everything from 8000ers to unclimbed big walls in the most remote corners of the Earth.

Topo’s personal accomplishments make him a world-class climber, but what makes him an exceptional guide is his devotion to sharing his knowledge and passion with others. He says of guiding, “I want to share with people the importance of being sincere and genuine about what we do. For me, being a guide means being a bridge of safety, joy, and energy in other people’s path to make their wildest dreams come true.” His uncanny ability to accurately assess risk and reward and to know when and how far to safely push limits has allowed him to lead multiple expeditions to summits that many didn’t think possible.

In his home country of Ecuador, Topo has collaborated with programs designed to introduce the mountains to people with disabilities. He’s also organized speaking events for adolescents who suffer from violence-related problems. Leading by example, sharing with compassion, and inspiring with his unbounded energy and enthusiasm, Topo has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates all over the world who know him as the guy who’s trustworthy to the bone.