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Page Type:
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Trip Report |
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Date Climbed/Hiked:
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Feb 11, 2019 |
Introduction
This was my forth trip to the Mexican Volcanoes. The trip took place in February 2019. With me was my wife Kimberly and it was her first time to the Mexican Volcanoes. We climbed Nevado del Toluca, which is the first non-US mountain I ever attempted, back in December 1992, when I went alone at age 18.
Although I had already climbed Nevado del Toluca (second try-the first was hindered by bad weather), the rest would be new territory for both of us. Of course we saw a lot of other non-mountain attractions as well. We also got to do some rafting and canyoning.
See below for the other previous trips to the Mexican Volcanoes that I have been on.
Alone at Age 18: December 1992 and January 1993
With my 14 Year Old Son: December 2016
With my 13 year old Daughter: November 2017
February 9: Bosque Chapultepe
After arriving in Mexico City the day before, Kim and I walked most of the urban trails at the Bosque Chapultepec. Of course we stopped by the zoo and Anthropological Musuem as well.
February 10: Parque Nacional Disierto de los Leones
I wasn't feeling that great and didn't get any sleep the night before (I was also in the hospital for several days a week prior), but Kimberly and I headed to the Parque Nacional Disierto de los Leones to do some hiking. We hiked several trails though the hills and also explored the underground tunnels at the old monestary. We found several old ruins along some of the lesser used trails as well.
February 11: Nevado del Toluca
It was my 4th night of no sleep and I felt terrible. I was just released from the hospital a week earlier due to a near fatal septic infection. Kimberly and I decided to head to Nevado del Toluca anyway. Since we were short on time, we went with a Mexican driver/guide. I had climbed the peak solo more than 26 years prior and was eager to see how things have changed on the mountain. We left Mexico City at 3 AM.
You can no longer drive to the crater, so we stopped north of the saddle between Humboldt and Anguila and hiked over the ridge and down to the crater lakes from there. We took a direct and very steep route up to the summit of Fraile. Since I didn't feel well, the climb up the scree slope seemed endless. Once on the ridge, there was some interesting scrambling and a little bit of ice. We reached the summit after four hours and I was exhausted. I had definitely not recovered from my hospital stay. The hike down was long as well.
It was a great climb, but I couldn't enjoy it due to my not feeling well.
February 13: Jalcomulco
After a few long bus rides, we arrived in Jalcomulco in the late afternoon the day before (February 12).
Today we went rafting on the Rio Antigua and did some short hikes. We also did some zip-lining.
February 14: Cañón de las Mariposas
Kim and I joined a group of six to go canyoning near Jalcomulco. Cañón de las Mariposas is located is Southeast Mexico near Jalcomulco in the Veracruz region. It is named for the Morpho butterflies that gather there. I actually went down to Mexico to get some dental work done, but because I had an infection, the work couldn't be done, so we headed to the Jalcomulco area instead. Supposedly the canyon was "recently discovered" and is off the beaten track. It was a great canyon, but the lighting for photos wasn't the best and my waterproof camera doesn't take the best photos. It was a neat canyon with some good narrows, crystal clear water, several jumps, and flow-stone and stalactites on a lot of the walls. There were no rappels, but several jumps and downclimbs. Jalcomulco is a hot place, so the water was really refreshing.
It was a great little trip.
February 15: Cascada de Texolo
Kimberly and I hiked to the Cacada de Texolo, walking all the way from Xico and back on foot. We hiked all the trails to all of the falls as well. It was better than expected since I thought there would only be one waterfall.
February 16: Cholula
Kimberly and I walked some of the urban trails around Cholula including the one to the top of the pyramid.
After visiting Cholula we visited several sites in Puebla and Mexico City for the next few days. After that it was time to head home.