Yeah, it seems quite a stretch to summit and come back down in a single day. I wish there was more information out there about the actual distances in the route. You must have been moving at a fairly good pace and that's not easy to do at altitude.
I was able to climb Orizaba twice in the 1950s and Popo five times. Mexico was a more delightful country back then when it had one third the population it has now. I did it from the south side which is easier I think.
Good read, I was really hoping to drag people down with me to Mexico this winter to climb Popo and Izta.
Anywho, you're not alone in your use of Yellow Submarine to pass the time. Last night I was riding my bike trainer and my wife asked me how often I sing that song. About 1/4-1/3 of all my bike commutes involve some rendition I think, not to mention when I'm road riding.
You know, you're not the first to admit it after I posted this report. Apparently the Yellow Submarine is a popular tune among adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Excellent detailed topo maps are available from the Inegi office in Mexico City or a kiosk at the airport as Secor mentions in his book. When they are closed or not available, there is an old man at the Insurgentes metro station who sells giant photo copies for about 1USD each. But you have to budget time in Mexico City at the start of your trip for the latter option, which isn't a bad way to start acclimitizing actually (a day or two at around 7500'). The maps do not mark the routes, however.
Thanks for all your help when I was in the planning stages of this trip. I remember you mentioned before the different places to buy maps. Your notes here should also be helpful to people who are planning trips in the future.
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 1:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Izta is a haul...Yeah, it seems quite a stretch to summit and come back down in a single day. I wish there was more information out there about the actual distances in the route. You must have been moving at a fairly good pace and that's not easy to do at altitude.
WouterB - Dec 3, 2009 5:30 am - Voted 8/10
Caught my attention on the homepage...and was very interesting to read. Nice trip!
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 1:20 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Caught my attention on the homepageThank you
Nyle Walton - Dec 3, 2009 11:26 am - Hasn't voted
A half century agoI was able to climb Orizaba twice in the 1950s and Popo five times. Mexico was a more delightful country back then when it had one third the population it has now. I did it from the south side which is easier I think.
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 1:21 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A half century agoI checked out your profile and I see that you have done a lot of awesome peaks, including a few I hope to do some day.
neilthemeal - Dec 3, 2009 12:10 pm - Hasn't voted
Yellow SubmarineGood read, I was really hoping to drag people down with me to Mexico this winter to climb Popo and Izta.
Anywho, you're not alone in your use of Yellow Submarine to pass the time. Last night I was riding my bike trainer and my wife asked me how often I sing that song. About 1/4-1/3 of all my bike commutes involve some rendition I think, not to mention when I'm road riding.
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 1:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Yellow SubmarineYou know, you're not the first to admit it after I posted this report. Apparently the Yellow Submarine is a popular tune among adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Curtissimo - Dec 4, 2009 8:01 pm - Voted 10/10
mapsExcellent detailed topo maps are available from the Inegi office in Mexico City or a kiosk at the airport as Secor mentions in his book. When they are closed or not available, there is an old man at the Insurgentes metro station who sells giant photo copies for about 1USD each. But you have to budget time in Mexico City at the start of your trip for the latter option, which isn't a bad way to start acclimitizing actually (a day or two at around 7500'). The maps do not mark the routes, however.
gimpilator - Dec 7, 2009 11:13 am - Hasn't voted
Re: mapsThanks for all your help when I was in the planning stages of this trip. I remember you mentioned before the different places to buy maps. Your notes here should also be helpful to people who are planning trips in the future.