Franklin Varela

Lonely Summits Guide

Franklin has more than 17 years of experience in high mountain climbing in Ecuador and abroad. In Ecuador in mountains such as: Illiniza Norte, Illiniza Sur, Altar-Pico Obispo, Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo. In the part of Peru the Sphinx, Pyramid of Garcilaso, Alpamayo and Huascaran. He also climbed one of the hardest routes in the world which is the Aconcagua south face in Argentina. He has also traveled a few times to Mexico to mountains such as: Pico de Orizaba, La Malinche, Sierrra Negra and Iztaccihuatl. In 2018 he climbed Mount Denali (McKinley) in Alaska. Franklin is an experienced guide if you want to climb some of these mountains, he will guide you with a pleasure. He knows perfectly each route and you will be climbing with an excellent guide who has very good information about each of these places.
Franklin is a passionate rock and ice climber who enjoys every moment of his life. In his spare time he loves to scuba and is also a scuba instructor. He also loves riding motorbikes because he feels free.

He is the leader of a rescue team of mountaineers in Ecuador. He is a person who helps others. He participated in the earthquake rescue in Pedernales, Ecuador in April 2016. 

As a complement of his more than 17 years of mountain climbing career, he has attended important courses, such as:

  • Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides), in 2002, where, he was one of the strongest participants, physically and technically.
  • Updated mountaineering course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides), in High Mountain Rescue, 2004.
  • National Guide Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides), in 2005.
  • Updated mountaineering course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides), in avalanches and glacier climbing, 2010, where he learned very important data about the conditions of the glaciers in our country.
  • Adventure in High Mountain Course by MINTUR (Ministry of Tourism), updated in 2014.
  • Successfully Certified IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain Guide in April 2018.
  • CPR, AED and airway management in adults, children and infants Course by NOLS Widerness Medicine Institute (USA), updated in 2018.
  • Wilderness First Aid Course by NOLS Widerness Medicine Institute (USA), updated in 2022.
  • Rural and Community Tourism Management Course by ESPE, in 2023.
  • Adventure Tourism in Vertical Activities Course by CREPS (France), updated in 2023.

 

Franklin is a friendly, outgoing, patient person, and anyone who knows him knows that he is a cheerful person. He is also fluent in Spanish and English.