Climb Peru with Edwin Milla
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Edwin Milla’s many ascents include the wicked face of Huandoy Sur, which was first climbed by his father Faustino with the Italian legend Renato Casarotto. (Photo by Gary Fallesen, Mission: Peru 2011)
Guiding for God’s glory
Meet Edwin Milla Chinchay
Edwin Milla has served with Climbing For Christ since our first mission into the mountains of Peru in 2011. He has helped us arrange each Evangelic Expedition and has been our guide in the Peruvian Andes. We are honored to partner with Edwin and encourage anyone looking for a guide in South America to consider hiring him (see the attached letter of invitation). Here’s his story:
I was born and grew up at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca, in Huaraz city, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and high peaks and mountains. Among them: the majestic Huascaran (6,768 meters/22,205 feet), the highest mountain in the tropics, and Alpamayo (5,947 meters/19,511 feet), the most beautiful mountain in the world*.
Since I was little I liked to walk on the mountains together with my father, Faustino Milla, who from a very young age in the 1960s started working with tourists as a guide, porter and cook. He had the opportunity to work with great famous characters like Renato Casarotto. Next to him, they climbed the southern wall of Huandoy Sur in the 1970s.
I studied nursing and after completing my nursing studies I entered the world of tourism. I started working as a porter and cook. My first mountain as a carrier was Huascarán Sur, only with Peruvian clothes and with my father’s old leather boots, which weighed two kilos each. Later, I applied to the “House of Guides” to study mountain guiding. With the help of God I managed to enter as a candidate for “guidance together” with my brother, Marco. I continued the studies for three years. Internship courses lasted 45 days in the mountains; they really were very hard physically and technically. From the beginning my instructors were Swiss experts in the field.
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Edwin, left, on the summit of Huascaran. (Photo provided by Edwin Milla)
After three years as an applicant in CEAM (High Mountain Study Center) – or the “House of Guides” – I graduated as a Professional Mountain Guide. I am a current member of AGMP, IFMGA, and UIAGM. During my experience I have climbed extensively almost all the mountains of the Andes, among them the most important ones, such as:
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In Peru – Alpamayo, Huascarán, Artesonraju, Pyramid, Cup, Ranrapalca, Churup (solo), Huandoy Norte two times, Chopicalqui, Ausangate, Ampato, and Coropuna, among others.
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In Bolivia – Illampu, Ancohuma, Illimani, Huaynapotosi, Condoriri, Sajama.
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In Argentina – Aconcagua (Classic Route and Polish Glacier Route).
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In Ecuador – Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Illiniza.
Edwin, right, and Marco Milla in their office in Huaraz. (Photo by Gary Fallesen, Mission: Peru 2017)
Last year, together with my brother Marco, we decided to found ANDES TRAVEL EXPEDITIONS, a tourism company with the vision of being a leader in Peru, satisfying the needs of tourists who decide to know Peru. We have the best staff at your disposal to make this one of the most unforgettable trips that you have lived. We share your point of view and we attend to your needs. That’s why we offer you the best service, at the best price, and with special discounts on our expeditions and packages. 
(*Editor’s note: Alpamayo was dubbed “The Most Beautiful Mountain in the World” in July 1966 by the German magazine Alpinismus.)
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