Hello, this is Eric. I'm checking-in from the comforts of Hotel Colonial in Puebla. Today the team is resting after our major effort to get to the summit of Ixtaccihuatl yesterday. It is a very abrupt change to go from the challenge of a grueling descent straight to the luxuries of a major city. After a lazy morning, we met to explore a local market, eat gelato and soak in the stunning architecture of the city.
Tonight the team will have a group dinner and then get in bed to rest before we launch early tomorrow for our next major objective, Orizaba.
Here are a few shots from our climb of Ixta.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
Hello, this is RMI Guide Eric Frank calling in from high camp on Ixta. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to send out dispatches the last few days. We've had some technical difficulties with our satellite modem, so for at least the next few days, will be checking in with voice dispatches like this. All-in-all, the team is doing really well. We had a great day climbing up to our high camp here at 15,100' on Ixta. The weather is partly cloudy but this morning we had blue skies and am anticipating the same tomorrow for our climb. We're all settled into our tents and going to nap for the afternoon. We will have an early dinner and then get tucked into bed so we can get up in the middle of the night and climb tomorrow. Wish us luck. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Eric Frank
RMI Guide Eric Frank calls in from Ixtaccihuatl High Camp.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
After trickling in from various airports around the US, our team gathered in Mexico City to kick off the trip. We enjoyed our first Mexican meal together and talked about the upcoming climbs. This morning, after a delicious breakfast at Hotel Geneve, the team departed from Mexico City and arrived at La Malinche, an extinct volcano towering over the historical Mexican Olympic training facility. We arrived around noon, and headed out on an acclimatization hike shortly after. Everyone felt great and we were able to climb uphill for over three hours. This was enough to get us above treeline where we could enjoy the beautiful views of the plains below. Once we were back down in camp, we settled into cabins, then enjoyed a dinner of grilled meats and veggies along with fresh guacamole and home tortilla chips! Now we are tucked in bed trying to get a good night's rest and prepare for our upcoming move to Ixta Base Camp.
Thanks for following along.
RMI Guides Eric Frank and Jenny Konway and the Mexico's Volcanoes crew
Fantastic! It looks stunning- what an adventure and what a view.
Posted by: Debi Edy on 3/8/2017 at 10:40 am
Things seem to be going great. Hope everyone is well rested for the climb to the summit. The google map indicates that the view should be very special. Kudos to the guides.
Posted by: Grandma & Grandpa Coats on 3/7/2017 at 12:42 pm
The Mexico team is back safe at Sr. Reyes' climbers hostel after a long summit day on Pico de Orizaba. Following our dusty drive down from the hut we spent the evening cleaning gear and packing for our flights tomorrow. This trip flew by and we were fortunate to have great weather, two summits and a wonderful group of climbers. Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Mike King
RMI Guide Mike King called in from the Orizaba summit!
"This is Mike King with Team Mexico. We are standing on top of el Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America! Light winds and visibility all the way out to Ixta and Popo. It was a great climb. We will check back in with you when we get back down to high camp."
This is Mike, we had a long descent from the Ixta summit and high camp. Everyone is well and getting cleaned up in Puebla. Tomorrow is a day off to rest, eat tacos and hangout at the beautiful square in historic Puebla. Your loved ones have Internet and cell coverage, hit them up for details on the trip thus far. Friday we are off to Piedra Grande to prep for our Orizaba attempt!
RMI Guide Mike King
RMI Guide Mike King called from the summit of Ixtaccihuatl (17,340') at 6:15 am PT today. His team was taking photos and enjoying the views from the summit. They will descend to High Camp, pack their gear and continue their descent from the mountain. The team will travel to Puebla later today.
Congratulations to the team!
We are all nestled in at our high camp on Ixta at 15,500ft. The team carried heavy packs while taking in the amazing vistas with a cool breeze keeping the temperature manageable.
We will plan on getting an early start for our summit bid so the team can pack up camp and descend into the rest day and tacos al pastor that awaits us in Puebla. Getting to the top of Ixta is just another step in acclimating for our chance at standing on top of Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America.
Everyone is doing well and sends their best back home.
RMI Guide Mike King
Monday, February 20, 2017 - 5:32 pm PT
The Team continues to enjoy the food and rolling countryside here in Mexico. We are spending the night at the Altzomoni Hut, at 13,200' that overlooks Popo, the neighboring volcano. While today was mostly a travel day between La Malinche and Ixtaccihuatl, we did manage to hike for 2 hours through the lower slopes surrounded by dry bunch grass and a cool breeze.
We spent the afternoon sorting gear and getting ready for our move up to high camp in the morning. Everyone is acclimating well and eager to start our first climb of the trip. The mountain is dry this time of year and we have some high winds forecasted. We will keep our fingers crossed for clear skies and calm winds.
RMI Guide Mike King
Day two in Mexico was very successful. We climbed to 13,400 feet for our acclimatization hike on La Malinche then made it back to the cabins at the old Olympic training facility for time to shower and lounge on the grass. For dinner we had sizzling cactus and steak served on hot coals. The group is healthy and happy and starting a game of counting stray dogs. Off to Ixta tomorrow!  Here's a photo of lounging in front of La Malinche.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Good luck everyone. Proud of you son
Posted by: Duncan McKinnon on 3/8/2017 at 3:36 am
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