Born in 1982 in the Cordillera Negra of Peru, at 3,100 meters above sea level, Cesar Rosales grew up in the small mountain village of Poyor, about 40 kilometers from Huaraz. Like his father and brothers, he was expected to become a subsistence farmer. To attend school, he walked three hours each way from his village — an early lesson in perseverance and endurance that would later define his life in the mountains.

Education opened new paths for him, leading to the Proyecto Don Bosco Mato Grosso, which in 2000 established a UIAGM-certified Alpine Guide School in the town of Marcara. His rural upbringing gave him the strength and resilience required for the demanding training, while the program itself offered opportunities to young people from humble, “simple” backgrounds.

In 2000, Cesar joined the Mato Grosso guide program and, after three years of intensive training, earned his international UIAGM Mountain Guide certification in 2003.

Since then, he has guided ascents on iconic peaks such as Alpamayo and Huascarán, across the Cordillera Blanca, and throughout South America — including Aconcagua (Argentina), Chimborazo (Ecuador), Sajama and Huayna Potosí (Bolivia), and Ojos del Salado (Chile).

On April 6, 2025, Cesar reached the summit of Annapurna (8,091 m) solo and without supplemental oxygen — the culmination of a 25-year dream. Known as one of the world’s most dangerous 8,000-meter peaks, Annapurna was first imagined by Cesar at age 17 as a young Andean farmer. He describes his ascent as “fast, clean, and always with great respect for the mountain,” a testament to his determination, skill, and humility.

Today, Cesar Rosales continues to share his passion for the mountains, guiding climbers from around the world and helping them experience the beauty, challenge, and inspiration of high-altitude landscapes.