Acclimation Day
Hola!
Today we enjoyed a leisurely morning and met up with one of our local guides; Chito. We then hiked up to a bit over 12,000 ft and enjoyed some views of the surrounding valley. After getting back to our resort, we had a filling lunch and then free time the rest of the afternoon to organize and read and relax. An enjoyable dinner and then off to bed to rest up for tomorrow’s climb!
We will check back in tomorrow,
Ari and team
Kicking off in Mexico City!
Hola!
Last night the team met up and did our gear check and introduced ourselves before heading off to a delicious Oaxacan style welcome dinner.
This morning we started at the Museum of Anthropology, one of the best museums in Mexico City, and learned about the history of the area and the original people groups. We then left the city and drove to Tlaxcala, another historic city and heard more about the Tlaxcalans and Aztec peoples. A traditional lunch and we headed to the base of Malinche to our lodging for the next two nights, some cabanas at an old Olympic training facility. Limited service so don’t worry if you stop hearing from your loved one until Tuesday! Ill update here on the cybercast when I can!
Thanks for following along,
Ari and team
Life at Basecamp
Hola! Today we had a leisurely breakfast then geared up and went a bit up the route on an acclimation hike. Views were good and wind was blowing! Back down in camp we had a delicious lunch, then reviewed gear and skills for the climb including crampons, walking technique, and self arrest. Some down time to organize before an early dinner, and talking through the plan and logistics for tomorrow’s summit attempt! We’re getting up dark and early so you’ll hear from everyone once we are all back down and off the mountain. Thanks for following along and wish us good weather!
Team Los Mapaches
Success on Sierra Negra!
Today the team had a delicious breakfast at Orizaba Mountain Guides, then headed out to Sierra Negra, a sub peak of Orizaba with a gamma ray detection satellite. We made great time up to the summit despite the wind and got some nice views of the South side of Orizaba. Back to OMG for lunch, ans now we are headed to our main basecamp where we will be the next 2 nights. Acclimation hike tomorrow and then summit attempt early Saturday!
We will check in when we can, thanks for following along!
Team Los Mapaches
Rest day in Puebla
Hola!
We stayed last night in a quirky and beautiful hotel in Puebla, and after breakfast the team headed out on a walking tour of the city and some of its historical sites led by our local cultural expert, Arnoldo. Its truly a beautiful, historic city! We enjoyed lunch with a view of the main cathedral, and then drove to Orizaba Mountain Guides headquarters where we are staying tonight. Orizaba itself came out of the clouds for sunset and treated the team to some great views of our main objective, which we enjoyed from the rooftop. We will check back in tomorrow before heading to Basecamp!
Team Los Mapaches
We had a great trip (in every way). Could not have asked for a better planned trip. We were unable to summit Orizaba because of weather, but the weather provided an element that created a new set of challenges and with it a new set of goals. It all worked!
High camp on Izta at the Otis Mcallister hut
Final push on the summit ridge of Orizaba
Looking over the Valley of Mexico and Mexico City from high camp on Izta
Photo: Mario Simoes
Photo: Mario Simoes
Summit ridge of Izta
Street artist in Cholula, Mexico
The Aztec calendar on display at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
Climbers on a day hike to acclimate near Izta
High camp on Izta at the Otis Mcallister hut
Summit ridge on Izta with Popo in the background
Early morning sunrise with Orizaba castings its shadow
Looking down the summit ridge of Orizaba
Architecture in Mexico City
Mesoamerica artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
