Summit Success in Mexico!
Not a bad way to spend the last day of 2021…The Alpine Ascents team summitted Iztaccihuatl earlier today. At over 17000 feet, this was several people’s highest point yet in their climbing careers! We are now en route to the city of Puebla for some much needed R & R in a hotel.
The first priority for 2022 is Pico de Orizaba, the third highest mountain in all of North America.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Mexico Volcanoes Dec. 30
After a cold night, we were all glad to see the sun hit camp this morning. Although we are almost I’m the tropics it still gets cold at 13,000 feet!
We enjoyed an excellent breakfast with ham, eggs and the most perfect fresh papaya most of us have ever tasted. Then we packed up camp and started the move to our high camp. The loads were not light and the weather felt too warm at times, but the team did great and everyone made it to camp at 14,500 feet in good time. The views from camp are stunning and the sunset didn’t disappoint either!
Tomorrow is our first of two big summit days and we plan to wake up at 130 am and go for the summit of Iztaccihuatl. Wish us luck and we will let you know how it goes.
All the Best,
Seth
Alpine Ascents Mexico Volcanoes Dec. 29
Hello Followers,
A beautiful day here in Mexico! We left the lodge behind and traveled to higher ground at the base of Iztaccihuatl. After registration with the park service we established our first camp of the trip and then went for a great acclimatization hike up to 14,400 feet. Everyone did very well and delt with the altitude well. We then returned to our camp and watched a magnificent sunset over Nevado de Toluca, another beautiful Mexican volcano.
We also were joined by our other three guides: Julio, Veronica and Alfredo. They are super experienced and super friendly locals guides that will help our with our climb.
The plan for tomorrow is to move to high camp and then go for the summit the following day.
Cheers,
Seth
Mexico Volcanoes Dec. 28 Update
Hello All,
The team had a great morning in Mexico City then took a tour of the world class Anthropology Musem with our local expert Arnoldo.
We then left the metropolitan area behind and traveled to a small town at the base of our first climbing objective on this trip; Iztaccihuatl (Izta) which sits at over 17 thousand feet in elevation. People walked around the local markets and had a super tasty lunch before leaving town and driving up into the mountains.
We are currently all hanging out by the fire and acclimating in a rustic mountain lodge nestled in the forest at 10,500 feet. Our goal for tomorrow will be drive to the Trailhead and establish our first camp and then go for a short acclimating hike on the flanks of Izta.
The team is looking forward to moving higher!
Cheers
Seth
Dec. 27-Jan 5 Mexico Volcanoes Trip
Hello Everyone,
The climbers arrived in Mexico City today to kick off the second Alpine Ascents Mexico Volcanoes trip for the season.
Luckily everyone was able to make their flights and arrive on time with all their equipment. The team roster is as follows:
Shannon, James, Jeff, Saghar, Todd, JD, Olga, Dave and Seth as the Lead Guide.
The team did a gear check in the evening and discussed logistics for the coming days and then went to a nearby restaurant for some local eats. Because Mexico City sits at 7500 feet the acclimatization process has officially begun!
The plan for tomorrow is to continue to acclimate by taking in some local culture and museums before moving to higher grounds.
We will continue our updates each day and we want to thank you for following along.
Cheers,
Seth Timpano
Great experience, a well-matched team led by experienced guides. I am thrilled with my performance and considering doing more high altitude trips.
