Entries from Mexico
February 16, 2015
Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 12,000'
We awoke in Mexico City this morning to clearing skies, warmer temperatures, and relatively quiet streets. Leaving town early on the Sunday morning of a holiday weekend has its benefits!
The team enjoyed a delicious traditional Mexican style breakfast provided by the hotel, and after efficiently transferring our mountain of luggage into the vehicle to go to the actual mountain, we stole a few extra moments prior to loading our bus to make a final run to the closest Starbucks. This last minute luxury is one which instantly triggers my Seattleite soul into an irrepressible mental fist-bump!
We sailed through the streets of District Federal with ease, making quick work of our exit from the metropolitan area. We had discussed the need to "roll with the punches", so to speak, at our evening meeting, as the logistics of traveling in this part of the world can sometimes be an exercise in patience. Soon after we left the city center behind we were met with our first mental challenge of the trip!
Our driver pulled off the highway, jumped out of the bus, and made a break for the nearest field and distant buildings in what at first appeared to be either a desperate trip to get to the restroom, or an oddly-timed opportunity to get in a quick jog...either way we all followed suit and hopped off to snap a few quick selfies and capture the views of Ixta and Popo.
To our delight, our driver returned, with tools and additional man-power, and we soon discovered we were not being abandoned, but rather beginning the process of repairing a punctured tire.
After an hour of relaxing roadside, we re-boarded and continued toward La Malinche, eagerly anticipating stretching our legs on the slopes of the long-extinct volcano. Once we arrived here at the La Malitzi Resort, we quickly moved into our Cabanas, organized our day packs, hit the trail, and hiked at a casual pace ascending to our high point of just over 12,000ft.
Back at the resort just before dark, we are enjoying a beautiful sunset here at 10,000ft, awaiting our dinner reservation and a hot shower to wash off the trail dust.
Tomorrow we head to Ixta to continue the acclimatization process and prepare for our first summit bid in a few days!
Buenos Noches!
RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall and the Team
February 15, 2015
Posted by: Solveig Waterfall, Chase Nelson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Hi Everyone!
Chase and I have been in Mexico City since last night and spent this afternoon grocery shopping and sorting equipment in preparation for the start of our program. Climbers arrived throughout the afternoon and evening, and by 9:00 PM we were a complete team around the dinner table at the Holiday Inn here in the Zona Rosa.
We spent the evening discussing logistics, gear, and getting ourselves prepared to hit the trail, starting with our first acclimatization hike tomorrow. We are all excited to leave the sounds of the city behind and get into the mountains! Our first objective will be an afternoon stroll on the flanks of La Malinche.
Thanks for following along and we'll check in again tomorrow evening!
RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall
After a delicious breakfast at Dr Reye's historic soap factory bed and breakfast, our team is on our way home.
A little more on the Orizaba climb:
We arrived at the Piedra Grande Hut on Friday afternoon. After a brief walk to help our bodies get used to the thin air, we settled into camp. Robby and I cooked the best chicken tacos Orizaba has ever seen. Fresh tortillas, guacamole, sautéed onions and peppers, rotisserie chicken and limes made for a great pre-climb feast. After the taco feed, we tucked into our tents for a few hours of sleep.
When we woke, the thick cloud that had engulfed camp before bed had cleared. It was a beautiful night without even a breath of wind.
We climbed through a maze of rock known as the Labrynth to the Jamapa Glacier. At over 16,000' we donned crampons and ice axes and roped together to work towards Orizaba's stunning summit crater.
Rest stepping, crampon technique and pressure breathing were the cornerstones of success as our team made switchbacks across the peaks northeast face. Our entire team climbed well until we were on the summit celebrating a hard fought ascent.
We enjoyed perfect, warm weather on top. After we had captured some photos and soaked in the amazing view, it was time to tackle the other half of the climb : the descent.
In keeping with the style they showed on the ascent, the team descended with great form and attention to footwork. Without a hitch, our team made it back to Piedra Grande.
A few hours of packing and 4x4 riding led us to a tasty meal and celebration at the Reyes soap factory. Sharing stories and jokes with the team was a terrific way to end a great climb and a rewarding trip.
Thanks to everyone on the team for their huge efforts and great attitudes!
Until the next climb ~
RMI Guides Zeb Blais & Robby Young
November 15, 2014
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 18,701'
All members of our team made it to the highest point in Mexico this morning- el Pico de Orizaba! We lucked out with perfect weather and great snow conditions. Warm temperatures and great views coaxed us into spending a good chunk of time on the summit . We'll follow up soon.
RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Robby Young and team
On The Map
Our team sorted our gear in Tlachichuca and is ready to tackle Orizaba tonight. We've loaded up the 4x4 and are on our way up to Piedra grande.
We'll check in upon return to Tlachichuca tomorrow.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Zeb Blais & Team
Checking in after a nice breakfast at Hotel Colonial in downtown Puebla.
Last night we arrived in Puebla tuckered out from a long day of climbing. We celebrated the exciting climb with a nice meal at La Compania and a full night of sleep- Woot woot!
Today is a 'choose your own adventure' day for the team, with many people exploring the Great Pyramid of Cholula and historic Puebla.
Tomorrow we'll be back on the road headed for Pico de Orizaba.
Cheers from a well rested team~
RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Robby Young & company
November 12, 2014
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'
Our team woke to less than ideal conditions at our high camp on Ixta this morning. Dense clouds, wind and light precipitation looked like it might thwart our summit bid. We waited as long as we could with the time we had for the summit, then it was decision time. The precipitation had stopped but wind and thick clouds remained.
The guide team made the call to begin the climb and see how the weather would pan out. The wind and cloud remained, but our team tougher it out and the weather didn't get worse .
After a hard fought summit, our team is on our way to a well deserved rest day in Puebla.
RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Robby Young and team
On The Map
A sunny morning greeted us on our way to high camp on Ixta today. We have our fingers crossed that the weather holds for our summit bid tomorrow morning .
The team is packed up and fired up to climb - Wish us luck!
RMI Guides Zeb, Robby and team
Hi Tim and Jim!
Hope the weather held up, looking forward to hearing about your adventures. It is 11 degrees here in Minnesota, you aren’t missing much! Hope to talk to you soon, have a great climb!
Love, The Kerans
Posted by: Connie on 11/12/2014 at 2:59 pm
Hola, Janet and the team!
It looks like the “Weather Gods” are blessing you all this week.
Safe climbing!
Bill
Posted by: Bill Egger on 11/12/2014 at 7:10 am
November 10, 2014
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 12,000'
Greetings all!
Following our massive breakfast buffet feast in Tlaxcala this morning, our team began the drive towards Ixta. After a quick food and water refuel in the town of Amecameca, followed by a National Park check in at Paseo de Cortez, we found ourselves at the 12,000' Altzimoni Hut, our home for the evening in preparation of our upcoming two-day climb of Ixta.
In order to continue our process of acclimatization, the team set out for an afternoon hike on the lower slopes of Ixta. After a quick climb to 14,000', we were rewarded with some amazing views of the sunset on Popocatépetl, an active volcano neighboring closely to the south.
The team is winding down for the evening and preparing for a high-altitude taco feast. We're looking forward to the coming climb and physical test on Ixta over the next two days. Thanks for following!!
RMI Guides Zebulon, Robby, and Team
On The Map
November 10, 2014
Posted by: Zeb Blais, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,636'
Our crew is on our way to a big buffet breakfast and Ixtaccihuatl after our first day in the mountains.
Yesterday's acclimatization hike on La Malinche was a tough introduction to altitude. Dark clouds had gathered at the top as we started and we watched them closely as we pushed up into thinner air. With a short summit window, our entire group pushed hard and worked together to make the top. The weather gods smiled on us and clouds cleared briefly as we scrambled up the last bit of rock to the top.
After a few photos, it was time to get ourselves down to thick air and a warm dinner. La Cabana restaurant set out a generous spread for us and we ended our day with great food and full bellies.
We'll be checking in soon from Ixta.
Cheers from RMI Guides Zeb Blais, Robby Young and the crew!
On The Map
Dose be my guidez! Love dose bros!
Posted by: BEELMUFFIN on 11/11/2014 at 9:44 am
Looks cold and snowy! But glad you guys made it to the top and back down safely! Good luck on Orizaba.
Posted by: Danika on 11/13/2014 at 3:17 pm
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