LATAM epic: 25 years of peaks, legend and a legacy of hope

Juan Pablo Ruiz and Marcelo Arbeláez at the Venson Summit, in Antarctica.

Photo: Epopeya file

In 2001, Juan Pablo Ruiz and Marcelo Arbeláez They made history by becoming the first Colombians in conquer Everest.

But the highest peak in the world was not just a personal triumph: a year earlier, in July 2000, they had already founded LATAM EPPEYAa company that converted the feats of mountaineering into experiences of leadership and teamwork.

Twenty -five years laterEPECEYA celebrates its anniversary by impacting organizations in Colombia, Latin America and the United States. Juan Pablo's legacy, who died in 2023 after cancer, It is still alive in each expedition and in each teaching.

Climbing hills, forming equipment

At a long hour from Bogotá, going up with the imposing rocks of Suesca in the background, is the Hotel Niddo Suescawrapped in a gray, cold and thick cloud that gives a mystical and mysterious touch to the environment.

There operates the exclusive training center of EPECEYA, an immersive space that activates high -impact processes in teams and organizations. The results are measurable: more collaboration, greater confidence and cultural transformation.

“The experiences in the mountain taught me that it is not just about being a mountaineer, but about being a better friend, brother, son, colleague or leader. Each ascent connected to life itself And with the certainty that we always have the support of others, ”he said Marcelo Arbeláezmountaineer and businessman, in dialogue with The spectator.

Life is like a mountain: In each fall and in each storm we discover that the essential is not the summit, but what the road transforms us.

In this field of more than 20 hectares of nature reserve – feel of them destined for conservation – the programs include from climbing, walks and trekkinguntil speleology and team search dynamics.

EPECEYA has designed a unique methodology that translates real mountain learning –expeditions, failures, summits and storms– In experiences of leadership, cohesion and decision making.

Conquering the seven summits

EPECYA was born with a clear purpose: demonstrate that the limits exist to be exceeded. In the midst of a country marked by violence, they wanted to give Colombia a different news, a news of hope.

Entrepreneurs and mountaineers, were also the first Colombians to conquer the Seven summitsthe highest mountains in the world:

• Everest (8.849 m) – Asia, Himalayas, Nepal/Tíbet.
• Aconcagua (6,961 m) – South America, Argentina.
• Denali / McKinley (6.190 m) – North America, Alaska, USA.
• Kilimanjaro (5.895 m) – Africa, Tanzania.
• Elbrús (5.642 m) – Europe, Russia (Caucasus).
• Vinson (4.892 m) – Antarctica.
• Carstensz Pyramid (Punck Jaya) (4,884 m) – Oceania, Indonesia.

A total of 43,320 meters conquered that represent much more than figures: the demonstration that the impossible can be achieved.

“For us these 25 years have meant learning, not only to climb mountains, but to transfer that knowledge to people and teams. We discover how, by identifying the emotions produced by experiences and connecting them with daily life, deep learning are generated “, assured Edgard MartínezCEO of the company since 2018, for this newspaper.

“That is experiential education: live, have fun, connect with nature and take teachings that are applied in day to day. At this time we have learned to maximize this learning process in adults and to follow Building stories from living the mountains“He added.

25 years inspiring organizations

In his career, epic has accompanied more than 350,000 people, 5,000 teams and about 500 companies in 11 countriesamong them Bavaria, MSD, Ecopetrol, Unicef, Johnson & Johnson, Bolívar Group, American Express, Teleperformance, Compensar and Bancolombia.

“Each conquered summit is a metaphor of what an organization can achieve when it works with determination and purpose”Said Juan Pablo Piedrahita, Coo and leader of strategic projects.

For his part, Martínez emphasizes: “as well as in mountaineering, In business success depends on the preparation, equipment and the ability to adapt. We will continue to take this philosophy to more companies in the coming years. ”

Adaptation to the postpania era

In the last five years, Epopeya accompanied 537 teams of 163 companies in the redesign of its organizational culture after the pandemic. An internal analysis, led by Piedrahita, revealed key findings for current leadership:

• 26 % of the teams identified distrust as the main obstacle.
• 31 % He asked to create group strengthening spaces.
• 24 % He pointed out reprocesses as a critical barrier to efficiency.
• 22 % demanded greater development of skills and teamwork.
• 13 % of the health sector identified stress as a priority to reduce.

The study concludes that the future of work is not built only with manuals, but with experiences that connect from the heart of the teams.

What's coming: from zero to Everest

To commemorate its anniversary, Epopeya launches the project “From zero to Everest”a journey in which he will accompany the businessman Bogota Juan Serranowho without prior mountain experience will prepare for three years with the support of epic To climb Everest. The process will be documented to inspire thousands of Colombians to believe in the impossible.

“Great dreams are not achieved alone. They are achieved with a team, with purpose, and step by step. That is our message for Colombia”, Concluded Marcelo Arbeláez.

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