Hello from Piedra Grande, our high camp on Pico de Orizaba at 14,000 feet. Today we left La Malintzi and traveled to Dr Reyes's (our host and outfitter) and prepared our equipment for the climb. Then we loaded up the trucks and made our way to camp. Kind of nice to drive so high and save our legs for the climb.
Now it's off to bed to get our last full night's sleep before the big one. Hope everyone up north is doing great.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Fortunately for the team the cloud that built over La Malinche lost some intensity and broke long enough to allow us to all stand on the summit. Congratulations on a great day! Our climb to the top of this 14,500' volcano is a major part of our acclimatization process. To get to such a high elevation and be able to rest really helps get us ready for our next few days.
Everyone climbed strong and after a big day is set for some hot showers and a good night's sleep. Well done!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
"No one knew who they were. . . or what they were doing. . ."
But with help from our archeologist guide, Jorge, we got a fascinating glimpse of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Exploring the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon it was remarkable to imagine that these dry ruins once supported the bulk of central Mexico's commerce and over 120,000 people. The city is actually built on top of multiple variations of previous cities that were covered and preserved. Quite a tour of an amazing site where you could spend lifetimes unlocking the secrets buried beneath the volcanic rock.
After scratching the surface of the 2000 year old city we took a tour of a local obsidian factory where the volcanic glass is hand carved into traditional Aztec figures and masks as well as meticulously crafted silver jewelery.
By this point in our day it was time for lunch and after a very short drive we sat down to another great meal before travelling to our home for the next few days, La Malintzi. Here we will accclimatize and prepare for our attempt of Pico de Orizaba.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Everyone arrived safe and sound in Mexico City today and checked in to our lovely hotel right in the heart of the second largest city on the planet. Amazing to think that in a few short days we will be high in the alpine, far above the hustle and bustle of this metropolis.
This evening our team assembled for the first time and started the process of getting to know our teammates for the week and familiarizing ourselves with the game plan. After our first meeting we took to the streets as a light rain fell and had a great meal at an ornately decorated restaurant just a few blocks away. Well fed, our exit was delayed by an above-average Mariachi band for a few numbers giving us time to adjust and relax into local time. Back at the hotel for a few winks, we will leave the city tomorrow and explore some ancient pyramids on our way to the mountains.
Buenas noches from Mexico City,
RMI Guides Jake Beren, Eric Frank and Team
After a near perfect climb, complete with a very bright full moon and excellent sunrise casting a conical mountain shadow over the plateau below, our team made it safely back to Piedra Grande. There we broke camp and loaded the trucks for our cruise back to Tlachichuca. On our drive down we were able to see our day's work with remarkable clarity. Back in town we got cleaned up and packed before a celebratory dinner at Doctor Reyes' house. Everyone enjoyed a well-deserved rest in the converted factory before one last breakfast in Mexico. Then it was off to Mexico City with views of La Malinche, Ixta and Orizaba along the way. Thanks for a great trip everyone and great job!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Hello everybody, this is Jake standing on top of El Pico de Orizaba, in Mexico, third highest point on the North American continent.
We did a great job today. Everybody climbed super well. It’s breezy, a little cold, but we’ve got stellar views in every direction had an amazing moon lit climb, barely needed a headlamp. It was completely ideal.
So, everybody did great and we’ll be checking in, probably late this evening with an update after we head down safely. Thanks for all the support back home and we’ll be talking to you guys soon.
Alright, take care.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
RMI Guide Jake Beren checks in from the summit of Pico de Orizaba
After a great rest day in scenic Puebla, our team traveled to Tlachichuca to get ready for our attempt of Pico de Orizaba. We exploded our gear in the 200-year old courtyard of our host and outfitter, Dr. Reyes. Once a soap factory, now climber's hostel, his lovely compound is now the launching pad for most climbers trying Orizaba.
After repacking our climbing gear, we sat down to a great lunch, then boarded our truck with full bellies and drove to Piedra Grande. At Piedra Grande, we set up camp and had another big meal before turning in to catch a few zzz's. We'll wake up in a few hours and give this "mountain of stars" a shot under a full moon. If all goes well, we'll send a shout from the top. Buenas noches and cross your fingers for us!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
It is amazing to think that this morning our team watched the sun rise from the summit ridge of Ixta. We climbed strong today, up the moraines and rock leading up to the Ayoloco Glacier that is the "White Woman's" last major snow veil. There we gained the ridge as the the waxing gibbous moon set to our left and we waited for the sun to warm us from the right. It was a great climb and everyone should be proud of a job well (and safely) done.
Back at camp we enjoyed an early morning nap and packed up for the walk out. Pretty solid amount of activity before 11 am. We made it out over rock fields and steep grassy slopes, crossing pastureland before hopping in the vans and heading to Puebla. On our drive through the back roads of Paso Cortes, Cholula and Puebla gave us great views of smoking Popo (Ixta's warrior Romeo) and many angles of the lady herself. Quite a treat to drive through the lights we looked down on a few hours before on our way to hot showers and a triumphant meal in our new home for a day.
Tomorrow we will recuperate and relax in the historic colonial town of Puebla, and reconvene for dinner to recount our day's adventures to the team. Then it's off to get in position for our chance on Pico de Orizaba, rested and ready.
Wish us luck amigos,
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Hello everybody this is Jake with RMI’s Mexico Volcanoes Trip. Our team is standing on the top of Ixtaccihuatl right now about to catch the sunrise. Beautiful day, light winds, really strong team. Everybody is doing great. Really couldn’t ask for a better day. Thanks to everybody back home.
We will be touching base when we get a little bit lower.
Have a good one. It’s pretty good up here.
RMI Guide Jake Beren
Greetings from our high camp on Ixta at 14,700 feet above sea level. Today we hiked from our hut to this high camp below the Ayoloco Glacier, known here as the Stomach of Ixta, the 'White Woman.' Everyone did very well today and seems to be handling our new high point very well.
This afternoon we are reviewing crampons, ice axes and rope travel around camp before an early dinner. For dinner's entertainment we will go over the plan for tomorrow's attempt on Ixta, looking at our route and discussing our strategies for the day. Then it's off to bed for an early start for summit day. Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Jake Beren
CT—We’re rooting for you all the way to the summit! Love from your lazy Texas family!
Posted by: Delia Martin on 3/10/2011 at 6:35 am
View All Comments