Esteban 'Topo' Mena

Black Diamond Global Athlete

ESTEBAN 'TOPO' MENA

Passionate mountaineer. Topo discovered climbing in the Andes of Ecuador where he was born. At age 14 as a disciplinary measure in school he was punished by having to participate in the activities organized by the school´s mountaineering club. The punishment quickly became an obsession, and all the struggles in the big mountains transformed into the masters that have shaped Topo´s life. Since the beginning of his career, high altitude has set the pulse of his path in the sport. Certified Internationally as a Mountain Guide, Topo has led expeditions to the highest summits; in his personal climbing life he has participated in grade VI first ascents in the Himalayas and in the Tien Shan, unsupported ascents without supplementary oxygen of 8000m peaks (including Mount Everest in 2013 at age 23 during his first expedition to the mountain), and numerous ascents pursuing difficulty or speed in his beloved Andes, or in the Himalayas, Karakorum, Alps, Tien Shan, Pamirs and Antarctica. 

I have given everything to the mountains, and in return, they taught me that service to others is the path to self revolution

—Esteban Topo Mena

TOPO'S GEAR PICKS

MOUNTAINEERING ESSENTIALS

Topo's essential gear and apparel

No Color

Camalot™ Z4
$99.95 USD
$99.95 USD $99.95
Black
Black
White
Octane
Envy Green
Pewter

Vapor Helmet
$169.95 USD
$169.95 USD $169.95
Black
Black
Astral Blue

Crag Gloves
$24.95 USD
$24.95 USD $24.95
No Color

Ultralight Ice Screw
$99.95 USD
$99.95 USD $99.95
Black
Best Seller
Black
Beeswax

Guide Gloves
$189.95 USD
$189.95 USD $189.95
Tundra-Black
Tundra-Black
Kingfisher-Black

Men's Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody
$160.30 - $229.00 $229.00
$229.00 USD $229.00
No Color
No Color

Vaporlock Screwgate Carabiner
$18.95 USD
$18.95 USD $18.95

TOPO IN THE NEWS

Watch: Struggle and Strength, on the World's 7th Highest Mountain

Follow Esteban 'Topo' Mena, as he battles mountain and mentality, on the infamous Dhaulagiri in Nepal

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Change of Plans on Dhaulagiri

For two ambitious Ecuadorian climbers, the unexpected withdrawal of their third member was “a low blow”.

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The Times: Cory Richards and Esteban Mena ditch oxygen on new Everest route

Two climbers are to attempt a new route up Everest without oxygen to try to rekindle passion among serious mountaineers amid concerns that the world’s highest peak has become a debased “trophy summit” for wealthy tourists.

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