Hello
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:37 pmI am doing 1/3 (only Pico de Orizaba) of what you are doing during thanksgiving. Just bought my plane ticket.
Here is some info I got from an SPer imvertical http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=28915
I am just quoting his quote. He knows a lot and has a TR. Hope this helps.
Here is some info I got from an SPer imvertical http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=28915
I am just quoting his quote. He knows a lot and has a TR. Hope this helps.
As far as Mexican volcanoes are concerned, I would say with a good
partner and a bit of planning you could pull those off pretty easy. My
first time down there was a bit intimidating, especially since I speak next
to no Spanish. But Mexico is really easy to travel in, and the people were
ever so friendly. The food is amazing. I have heard the guides down there
do not come cheap either, but never actually contacted one. The hardest
part of the trip is getting from Mexico city to Tlachichuca(Orizaba) and
Amecameca(Izta). I think that the guide services that help you do that
will cost nearly as much as the US companies.
We booked our Tlachichuca to PG transport through Fred listed on this
site:
http://www.picodeorizaba.com/
I see they also have a guide on that site too, but I have not met him.
I have also stayed with Reyes, and they are both very good operations.
Sr. Limon, is hilarious, and I would highly recommend him. Fred, can make
reservations at Limon's, when I stayed w/ Reyes, we just showed up. For
Izta, local Hotel San Carlo in Amecamca is the most central.
Iztaccihuatl requires no real technical skills, and should not present
terrain much tougher than typical Class 2-3 fourteeners. The only
exception would be if you got off route...but that happens on 14ers too:)
It is however, a long haul. Allow a couple of days on this mountain(more
if it is the 1st one you do), and take advantage of the huts. There is a
hut at the microwave towers that is supposed to be pretty nice, and the
Grupo de los Cien hut...well, see my video. Not that bad though for a bed
at over 15000'. There are also areas for tents there. I can probably send
you our GPS points too that would be useful if you did get some nasty
weather.
The descriptions of Orizaba make it sound intimidating. A fall high on
the glacier would be bad, but some practice with an ice axe or even a
mountain travel class would get you the knowledge you need. Up to 17,000'
is pretty straight forward, with only some steep spots in the Labyrinth.
There is an easier way and a harder way through the Labyrinth(of course).
The upper glacier is pretty steep, but can be switched back. Snow
conditions are best at the end of Nov through Dec, and start to ice up in
Jan. The weather before Jan can bring more storms, though. I also have
tons of GPS data from this peak. Might be more handy as whiteout could be
troublesome on that glacier.
If you would like help with planning, I would be glad to assist. I still
have all my gear lists and such. In general, allow 5 days for which ever
mountain you do first, and 3 for the next. Travel between locations can be
accomplished in one day. I have to be honest, though, I have never used a
guide, but that just adds to the adventure!
Let me know if I can help and good luck!
Dan
