Hi, this is Stuart checking in for the Alpine Ascents Mexico Volcanoes trip. Our last trip of four this season down here. I am pleased to report all of our climbers on the team consisting of Lee, David, Paul, Donald, Gregory, Justin, Jack, Justin and Jesse have arrived here safely today or in the past couple of days with all their bags. All are repeat Alpine climbers which is great to see, and the Mexico volcanoes will be a valuable progression as they take climbing a little further and higher.
This afternoon we all met up in our hotel gardens, the Maria Cristina in the heart of Mexico City for a quick gear check, orientation and Team introductions. The gear check went smoothly, which is a testament to the individuals’ preparedness and attention to detail. We then went out a few blocks away to a great Argentine steak restaurant Quebracho for some steaks washed down with a little Malbec. I have used it for the welcome dinner for the past decade or so and have always found it to be excellent and again it did not disappoint this time around.
Everybody is doing well, some a little tired from the travel, but looking forward to the trip ahead. It’s a nice cool, clear fall evening here in Mexico City. We had fairly heavy rain a couple of days ago in Mexico City but that seemed to clear up the mugginess and improve air quality. Hopefully these systems are bringing some needed snow to the mountains as well, it has been a low snow season down here. Tomorrow, after a quick visit to the National Museum of Anthropology and the The Zócalo which is the main square in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City, we will leave the city and head east to the mountains. En route we will stop off at Amecameca for lunch and to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables, bottled water, and some other last-minute purchases at the local market
Our first objective is Iztaccíhuatl, a 5,230 m (17,160 ft) mountain. It is the nation’s third highest, after Pico de Orizaba 5,636 m (18,491 ft) and Popocatépetl 5,426 m (17,802 ft). The name “Iztaccíhuatl” is Nahuatl for “white woman”, reflecting the four individual snow-capped peaks which depict the head, chest, knees and feet of a sleeping female when seen from east.
I am greatly looking forward to piecing together a successful expedition, success not solely based on whether we summit or not, but having a safe, fun time down here. I will try and cybercast each day, but no news is almost always good news and no need to worry, your family and friends are in good hands. It seems in the past few years in particular satellite reception on Izta is somewhat spotty and it all too frequently cuts out. Again, all is well here and thanks for tuning in.
Team at Base Camp of Pico De Orizaba
Posted on January 23, 2023
Mexico Volcanoes: the Team Prepares to Summit Orizaba
Posted on January 21, 2023
The Team Prepares for an Orizaba Summit
Posted on January 4, 2023
Hello Cybercast followers! This is Hannah McGowan with our team here at the base of Orizaba. We are chilling today, we went for an acclimatization hike for the last couple hours which was absolutely beautiful, our weather is perfect so far – sunny skies and beautiful views all around. We had a leisurely brunch of pretty much any kind of breakfast food you can imagine: eggs, bacon, ham, bread, fruit, papaya and cantaloupe, as well as cereal, granola, and yogurt, so we feasted this morning and now we are making our preparations for out summit attempt tonight into tomorrow. We’re gonna finish getting everything together here and then have a very early dinner or late lunch in about an hour, and then we’ll try to go to sleep as soon as we can that we can wake up as rested as possible for the middle of the night and go try to climb Orizaba! Our team is really happy and healthy and we’re sending love to you from up here!
The Team Arrives at Orizaba
Posted on January 3, 2023
Volcanoes of Mexico Cybercasts Archives
CYBERCASTS
Alpine Ascents provides family and friends the opportunity to follow our climbs as they proceed. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we receive regular audio dispatches from the climbers and post them on our website. Not only does one feel the excitement of watching a team as it moves up the mountain, the archived cybercasts provide an excellent resource and learning tool when researching expeditions. Enjoy the show!
This was my first international experience with AAI and i enjoyed it tremendously. The coordination between the Mexican support teams and AAI was literally flawless. There were no noticeable ‘hiccups’.
Missed our live session? No worries — we’ve got you covered. Join Alpine Ascents senior guide Hannah McGowan for an insider’s look at our Mexico Volcanoes expedition. In this recording, Hannah breaks down the logistics and itinerary of this high-altitude adventure, from acclimatization climbs on La Malinche and Sierra Negra to standing on top of […]
Check out this informative webinar hosted by Alpine Ascents senior guide Hannah McGowan, where she shares her insider knowledge on the Mexico Volcanoes expedition! Hannah covers the logistics and itinerary of this high-altitude adventure, giving you a detailed look at what it takes to summit El Pico de Orizaba (18,491 ft / 5,636 m), the […]
With our first Mexico Volcanoes trip of the winter season fast approaching, we sat down with guide Hannah McGowan for her words of wisdom when it comes to this iconic climbing trip. Mexico Volcanoes: Top 5 Questions What’s the food like? Simply put, the food on this expedition is awesome! We eat at a variety […]
