Adventure-gear maker Cotopaxi, which also supports education, health, and environmental issues, partnered with the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) in an attempt to summit Cayambe in Ecuador October 5-8 for the tenth annual Climbing for ROMP Campaign. The team included para-athletes, prosthetists, patients, and Albert Lin, National Geographic explorer, research scientist, and ROMP and Cotopaxi brand ambassador.
ROMP’s annual campaign raises awareness about the lack of equitable access to prosthetic care globally and the significance of rights for those with disabilities, with the ROMP team and three select groups of adaptive athletes, industry leaders, and disability rights advocates attempting to summit the three highest peaks in Ecuador: Chimborazo (20,549 ft.), Cotopaxi (19,347 ft.), and Cayambe (18,996 ft.).
In preparation for the ascents, the teams trained and fundraised together for six months, with a goal of raising $500,000 to directly support 250 ROMP patients and aid ROMP in the expansion of their services within Latin America.
While the Cayambe climb team was unable to reach the summit due to severe storms and unsafe snow conditions, their extensive preparation allowed them to reach the glacier at 16,500 feet and celebrate the accomplishment as a team.
ROMP has been an impact partner of the Cotopaxi Foundation since 2021, leveraging the program to provide assistive devices and proper prosthetic care for people with amputations in Ecuador. A recent grant from Cotopaxi via the Cotopaxi Foundation allowed for ROMP to open a satellite clinic in the Ecuadorian Amazon and expand services via mobile clinics to reach rural communities across Ecuador and Guatemala.
The ROMP team was particularly excited to have Lin join this year’s expedition, as he speaks from personal experience to the importance of providing high-quality prosthetic care to amputees through his work.
“Having Albert join us on our tenth anniversary climb was particularly meaningful for us,” said Lauren Panasewicz, director of development at ROMP. “As an explorer who not only pushes the boundaries of human achievement but also deeply understands the unique challenges and capabilities of amputees, Albert’s involvement resonates powerfully with our mission. His participation shines a spotlight on the vital work we’re doing to ensure that amputees have access to the prosthetic care they need to pursue their own extraordinary journeys.”
“I’m so proud to have been a part of this incredible team and have attempted this challenging climb with Carlos, one of ROMP’s patients,” said Lin. “Without access to a prosthetic, I could not do daily things let alone explore the ends of the earth or climb a mountain. With a prosthetic, I can do anything I set my mind to, and this should not be a privilege. This campaign tries to change that and will fundamentally transform lives for the better. My hope is that this can show everyone, that even in their moment of doubt, that they can climb their own mountains, there is a community that cares, and we are all in this together.”
