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Episode Notes
Chris Fisher just came back from a three-month Ecuador adventure that started with almost no plan and turned into a full-on human-powered volcano mission. From a base in Quito at high altitude, he links long bike days with climbs on Ecuador’s biggest volcanoes, chasing a “Big Ten” style objective that becomes nine summits once he decides an actively erupting peak is a hard no. We get into what the miles actually feel like, including a brutal opening push to Cayambe and the reality of riding loaded on highways where the risk is out of your hands.
We also talk logistics that make or break a bikepacking and mountaineering trip: mapping routes with CalTopo and Strava, finding cheap hotels, staying fueled with local food, and why Ecuador can feel far more accessible than people assume. Chris shares the one sketchy moment that nearly derailed the trip, then explains why he still encourages people to explore the Andes and the Amazon with smart awareness instead of fear.
The biggest shift comes in the rainforest, where an immersion with a Kichwa village reframes what “enough” looks like. That lesson carries into what’s next: a possible return to Everest to support Tyler Andrews, a growing focus on bike-to-climb projects like the Tour des 14ers, and candid thoughts on the current state of FKTs, sponsorship, storytelling, and launching a YouTube channel with Erin.
If you like big objectives with real heart behind them, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves the mountains, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of Chris’s approach would you borrow for your own adventures?
Follow Chris on IG - @chrisjfish
Contact Chris - chrisjfish.com
Photo - Santiago Gurrero (@santigurrerog_)
Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello
Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod
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