Mexican Volcanoes
Expedition
El Pico de Orizaba (18,696')
 Trip
Overview
A perfect trip for those wanting high altitude experience in
preparation for higher peaks. It’s also a great vacation too, with lots of friendly
people to meet along the way!
We’ll begin our program in Mexico
City and a tour of the famed anthological museum, and then
travel directly from there by van and jeep to Tlachichuca, near the base
of our objective, El Pico de Orizaba. In this quaint town we’ll
enjoy a nice and plentiful lunch hosted by some of our long-time Mexican friends.
We'll start with a dusty
jeep ride that takes us near the Piedra Grande Hut, where we begin our
five days on the mountain. We will attempt the peak
"expedition style," which means we will carry packs and make
successively higher camps most days enroute to the summit.
After
reaching high camp around 16,000', the next morning we'll make an early alpine start,
and climb the Glaciar de Jamapa to the crater rim, and
then onward to the true summit, 18,696’. After some time on the highest point, we
make our way down to camp, and then via transport back to Tlachichuca.
 Your American and local guides will help you along the way with a
variety of techniques, which will help conserve your energy for higher on the mountain.
After our climb, we’ll celebrate our efforts with a great traditional Mexican meal, again, with our
Mexican friends and tired, but happy partners.
The next day we will return to Mexico City, where our trip wraps up
with a fine fiesta dinner, and we'll toast to new friendships and a great experience in the
mountains!
Background Requirements
Fitness: Climbers
should be fit enough for 4-14 hour climbing days at altitudes between
12,000’ and 18,500’, and should be in an aerobic fitness training
program prior to the start of the trip. Check our Training
overview for more information and tips.
Experience:
Participants should have basic snow and ice climbing skills, and be
comfortable using ice axe and crampons while being roped up on a
glacier. A basic mountaineering course and some high-altitude
experience is also a very helpful on this expedition. |
