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I'm finding numerous conflicting heights for the volcanoes around Mexico City. Anyone been there with a GPS recently? Or at least what is the "official" height of the big 3? Cheers!

I don't remember what the other heights were but Orizaba seemed to have the biggest discrepancy as to what is listed as its height. I have seen anywhere from 18300 to 18800. We measured it just slightly over 18500.

-Hammer-

I was talking to two guides from Tlachichuca... who had summitted Orizaba 250-300 times between the two of them, and on numerous occasions had taken GPS readings from the summit. They believe the true height of Orizaba to be 5665-5670m or around 18600 feet... I believed 'em.

I agree that Orizaba seems to have the biggest range. Some maps say something around 18,400, some maps (inclduing an aeronautical map i looked at) places Orizaba right at 18,701; and i think the most recent investigation by National Geographic put Orizaba at over 18,800. I'm not sure which one it is.

I can't say for sure, but in Latin America, and including Mexico, more often than not incorrect heights are the higher ones. Often elevations are exagerated. I can't say for sure for Orizaba.

On another note, at least Orizaba doesn't have as big a range in printed altitudes as parts of South America. Some of the peaks along the Chile-Argentina border differ by 1000+ meters (3300 feet) depending on which countries map your using!

This is not meant seriously (i have good Argentine friends), but i think all Mexicans will understand when i say that the Argentine maps must be the ones that add 1,000+ meters to their mountains.=-)

I can't believe that with all our global technoligies Mexico hasn't gotten off their ass and measured their Volcanoes accurately! I am going to write up National Geographic and solicit their help. If I have to, I'll put my engineering career and networking skills to the test and do this shit myself. I too have run across conflicting measurements. Its crazy to think that every CO 14er is pretty accurate yet the 3rd highest peak in North American has a big "?" over it. Any ideas on where to start my solicitation would be much appreciated. I am going down there on Jan 16, 2004. I can make this happen with the proper equipment. I am sure someone at NPS, National Geographic or the Mexican Government will want to do this with us. As an engineer it is ridiculus and an insult that the countries highest peak and most coveted climb as a big "?" mark over it. My girl is from Mexican descent, she'll be able to help me out too.

I could be wrong, but wasn't the highest point in Michigan contested a few years back as to its true height?

Anyway, i appreciate your interest, TexasClimber, in trying to set the record straight. I think if i were you i would check in with National Geographic first, because i believe they did set their "official" height on Orizaba a few years back. Whether the Mexican government has accepted it or not may be besides the point. National Geographic "officially" declared the height of Everest changed by seven feet, and yet i don't think that Nepal has accepted that as official yet, have they?
I could be wrong.

Sounds great climber21. I'll fire them off an email tonight and see what type of reaction I get. I think it would be awesome if they would sign on and go down and measure it again or at least let me do the measurement for them. We'll see. I'll keep everyone posted!

"I can't believe that with all our global technoligies Mexico hasn't gotten off their --- and measured their Volcanoes accurately!"

First lets do it to the USA mountains. Granite Peak, Utah SW of Dugway is listed at anywhere between 7036-9780 feet depending on which map you're looking at. Mt. Miller, Alaska is listed on one of my maps at 8,800 feet and another at 11,003 feet. Mt. Whitney is listed at 14,495; 14,498; 14,503; or even 14,944 on one map I have!

This is what I wrote them:

----- Original Message -----
From: ED
To: askngs@nationalgeographic.com
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 7:01 PM
Subject: True Height of El Pico de Orizaba?


National Geographic Society:

This January 2004, myself and 5 others will be participating in a climb of El Pico de Orizaba in Mexico along with two local guides. Recently I was posting to a chat board of a website I am a member of (www.summitpost.com). The question arose as to the true and actual height of El Pico de Orizaba. After some online research, I must agree with my fellow climbing community. That being, a definitive and internationally acknowledged height (altitude) does not exist for this mighty and commanding peak. Being the 3rd highest peak in the continent of North American, I am inclined to investigate if a true height has been determined and published. In the event that one has not been published, I would love to help answer the question by soliciting the help of National Geographic Society for our upcoming January excursion to El Pico de Orizaba. Could you please shed any light on this subject and/or forward this email to the appropriate NGS personnel to accommodate my request. Altitude ranges for this peak's altitude vary dramatically in the ranges of 18,300' to over 18,800'. This being said, I would like to solicit the help of NGS in answering this question. I am willing to volunteer my climbing trip as a scientific study as well as a summit bid for El Pico de Orizaba. I look forward to your response.

Erricos Durham
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Production Engineer

Scott,

Excellent point! NGS needs to utilize us SP'ers and help fund it!

Tex,

Let us know if they ever respond. I'm headed down there in late Jan and plan to take a GPS for a semi accurate reading if I make it to the top. Cheers!

Haliku,

Will do! Unfortunatley my altimeter tops out at 18K I believe but it might be 19K and its a watch so I will have a less than stellar reading. I'll let you know what NGS says if and when they do get back to me. Good Luck!

And the answer is.........

November 21, 2003

Erricos Durham
erricosd@hotmail.com

Dear Mr. Durham:

Thank you for writing to the National Geographic Society.

I checked the 7th edition of the National Geographic Atlas of the World on your behalf. The altitude for Orizaba Peak is given as 5747 meters. I have emailed you directly citations for this topic from our publications index which might be of interest. Perhaps you can find these publications in your public library.

I hope this helps.

Yours sincerely,
(Mrs.) Mary R. Lamberton
Research Correspondence

For everyone, this equivolates to 18,854.99 ft......
Finally an answer. Whether Mexico recognizes it or not...that is a different question to ask.