Ricardo Peña-Owner/Mountain Guide - Ricardo has been a Colorado Mountain Club leader since 2001. He has guided and climbed extensively throughout Colorado, the Andes, Alaska Range, Mt.Elbrus and the Caucasus mountain range in Russia and Mexico (where he's originally from).

Ricardo has summited 48 Colorado 14ers (many in winter) and has led more than 15 successful expeditions to the Mexican Volcanoes. He has climbed Rainier many times including an ascent up Liberty Ridge.

Ricardo has also guided and lead expeditions to Denali (20,320'), Aconcagua (22,841'), as well as many other major peaks in the US.

Ricardo has wilderness medicine training and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder

On February 12, 2005 Ricardo discovered historical remains of the tragedy of the Andes, while exploring the area. While doing this he put up a first ascent up a 15,400' glaciated unnamed peak. Read about it on our Discovery section.

In December 2005, with a grant from National Geographic, Ricardo lead the first complete re-tracing of the historic escape route done by Andes Survivors: Roberto Canessa and Nando Parrado in 1972. This was done in the same month as the survivors did to experience the challenge of similar snow conditions. This story is now featured on the April issue of National Geographic Adventure magazine. See photos and read more in the National Geographic Expedition page.

In February and March 2006 Ricardo returned to the site with survivor Eduardo Strauch to do further research and exploration. This work will be featured on this website soon. Check here for more updates.

Hector Ponce De Leon-Senior Mountain Guide - Hector Ponce is one of the best high altitude mountaineers in the world. His impressive list of ascents includes: Mt. Everest 8848m (summitting three times: 1996,2002, and 2004), three ascents on K2 8611m, two ascents on Kangchenjunga 8585m, summit ascents on Shisha Pangma 8047m, Cho Oyu 8200, Gasherbrum II 8035 and Broad Peak 8042.

His list of technical ascents on Alpine Faces is equally impressive
with ascents on Aconcagua South Face (where he ascended in alpine style the dangerous and highly technical 10,000' face in 3 days), Huayna Potosi (6080m)West face (3000 vertical feet of ice in 7 hrs), Mont Blanc du Tacul- a 24hr ascent of the Gervasutti Pillar (5.10, Mixed IV, 1400m) just to name a few.

As a guide he has an equally impressive resume having guided Everest,
Cho Oyu, GII as well as many ascents on (to name a few) Aconcagua 22,843', Huayna Potosi 6080m, Illimani 6370m, Sajama 6580m, Illampu 6432m, Huascaran 6800m, Tocllaraju 6100m, Chimborazo 6300m, Cotopaxi 5980m and of course in his native country, the Mexican Volcanoes many times (more than 100 guided ascents).

Hector holds the speed record on the volcanos having climbed all three: Popo 17,886', Izta 17,126' and Orizaba 18,405' in 17 hrs and 30 mins!

His list of technical rock and ice is also world class with many ascents
in Yosemite, the Canadian Rockies and the Alps. Hector is certified as a mountaineering instructor with the Spanish Mountaineering Federation and has a Rescue course certification with the Spanish Mountain School.

Hector is completely fluent in Spanish and English and is legendary
for his wonderful diposition with clients, excellent safety record and
charismatic and woderfully humble personality. With Hector on board, Alpine Expeditions will be offering many new expeditions including Everest, Cho Oyu, Bolivia, Peru as well as additional itineraries on Aconcagua and Mexico.

Click Here to read Hector's impressive Mountaineering Curriculum Vitae.

Email us for more info and look for updates on our website for these exciting expeditions!

Liuka Ivanova- Mountain Guide - Better known as Luba, works with Alpine Expeditions to guide Mt. Elbrus and assist in other expeditions.

Luba is originally from Russia but currently lives in Mexico except during summers when she guides in Russia. She has 13 years of mountaineering and guiding experience with more than 20 ascents up
El Pico de Orizaba (18,405'), Mexico; more than 30 up Iztaccihuatl
(17,126'), many ascents as a guide up Mt Elbrus, and many expeditions
to Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina (Aconcagua). A very strong mountaineer and very experienced guide she is fluent in Russian, Spanish and English and is able to provide a uniquely local perspective to our Mt. Elbrus Expedition.

Ana Fox- Administrative and Program Assistant - Ana works for Alpine expeditions as the administrative and program
assistant. She has been an essential part of the Andes Survivors Trip since the first expedition, as always, taking care of the clients during the trip, with competence, warmth, friendliness and great attention to detail.

She plays an important role helping with the organization of the
expeditions and the administrative side of the Alpine Expeditions.
Although her profession is Dentistry and Orthodoncy, she has always loved mountaineering. Her first ascent was Popocatepetl 17,886' in 1994 and since she has done many mountains in Mexico such as La Malinche 14,640', Nevado de Toluca 15,354' and reached 5000 meters on Pico de Orizaba.

She has also enjoyed doing other ascents in Colorado. She believes that the key to success is working doing what she loves. Since she adores nature and mountains she decided to join AE and be a part of us!