El Pico de Orizaba / Iztaccihuatl (5199m / 17,158′) the 3rd and 7th highest peaks in North America!
Overview
Mexico’s Volcanoes is an excellent introduction to high altitude mountaineering. It is a ten-day itinerary encompassing climbs on two great peaks: El Pico de Orizaba (18410’/5611m) and Iztaccihuatl (17158′). We also tour parts of Mexico City and Puebla, plus visit the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan, the largest pre-Columbian city in the Western Hemisphere.
Our first mountain is Iztaccihuatl; an Aztec name meaning “The Sleeping Lady”. Its profile from the nearby town of Amecameca bears a striking resemblance to this. We take a couple acclimatization hikes to properly prepare ourselves for the summit ascent. The terrain is interesting traveling along a ridgeline as the route ascends the “knees”, “hips”, en route to the summit “chest”. After our descent we travel to the city of Puebla to rest and rejuvenate. There’s an opportunity to visit Cholula, the largest archaeological site of a pyramid in the New World.
Our travels then take us east for our climb of El Pico de Orizaba. This dormant volcano is the third highest mountain on the North American continent. The approach takes us on a 14-mile 4WD jeep road through rural Mexico past farm plantations and small villages to our camp at 14000′. The climb ascends a labyrinth of rock and ice that was at one time covered by a glacier before it receded. Above the labyrinth it ascends the Jamapa Glacier to the crater rim. Orizaba’s crater is impressively several hundred feet deep and impressive. We traverse around the rim to the highest point. The summit is a spectacular crater a couple hundred feet deep and a quarter mile wide with steam vents in its interior.
Both peaks require prior knowledge of ice axe arrest, cramponing and rope team travel. See our Snow Travel School and Mountaineering Skills Seminar for more information about these skills.
Dates
November 1-10, 2024
Private dates available upon request. Contact our office for more details.
Cost
$4200
Cost Includes
Professional guides, hotels, breakfasts and dinners while on the mountains, all group equipment, hut fees, private transportation to and from all destinations on itinerary.
Not Included
Airline tickets, meals in restaurants, lunch food, personal equipment and clothing, airport taxes, and tips
