Hello from Mexico City

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.