Entries By alan davis
Posted by: Alan Davis, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
We fired stoves to a clear and crisp morning at 15,000’. As we took our final sips of instant coffee and Nescafé we gleamed with anticipation for the day ahead....
The team reached the summit of Ixta at 0630 and styled the climb in just over four hours. After enjoying a brilliant sunrise on an nearly windless morning, we made our way back down where we were met by Rogelio with delicious avocado sandwiches and cold beverages. I don’t think many of us stayed awake on the bus ride to the beautiful hamlet of Puebla this evening, but we arrived a couple hours ago and spirits were high to say the least. We were greeted by the wonderful staff at the Colonial Hotel where much desired hot showers, food, and well deserved rest awaited us. Looking forward to the next 24 hours in this alluring city of fine cuisine and architecture!
After a delicious breakfast prepared by our local staff, we left the Altzomoni Camp for thinner air. With Popocatepetl fuming at our backs, we were graced with no precipitation and some cloud coverage to keep the intense sun off of our backs.
The team arrived to 15,500’ at Campo Alto in good time where we spent the remaining afternoon hours resting in and acclimatizing. We had a humble dinner consisting of noodles and delectable quesadillas from Oaxan cheeses. Settling in early to prepare for our summit bid of Ixta in the cold morning hours to come...
On The Map
Hello everyone! We all had a fantastic day down here. This morning was cool and damp as we loaded up the bus around first light with a broken cloud layer just above us at 12,000 feet.
A three-hour drive got us up to the base of Ixta where we went for another quick acclimatization hike up a sandy road. Clouds blocked our view of Ixta and Popo before a squall of snow rolled in and dusted us with about a half inch. We got a good laugh watching 100 runners participating in a 5k having a slippery descent down the road as they pelted each other with snowballs.
Once the snow passed, we got spectacular views of both Ixta and Popo covered in a fresh coat of white snow.
We’re finishing up preparing our equipment for our ascent to Campo Alto (high camp) on Ixta tomorrow. Our local staff is preparing us a Mexican feast. Tomorrow is the first day of forecasted sunshine!
On The Map
The trail dogs will show ya the way! Be sure to hold your pole bag when setting up tents at high camp
Posted by: Whit on 1/20/2020 at 8:42 pm
Greetings from La Malinche! Today the team moved from the busy streets of Mexico City up to our cabanas at 10,000 feet. From here, we went for a hike up to 13,500 feet to stretch our lungs and our legs. The day started off a bit cloudy for us which mostly obscured our view of the higher peaks but we did see Pico de Orizaba towering above the clouds for a brief moment. A little rain chased us off of of the mountain this afternoon leaving us eager for a hot shower and another delicious meal.
The weather looks like it is improving throughout the week which should set us up for success on the bigger peaks to come! Tomorrow we will head to the base of Ixta. Now it is time to crawl into our beds for some well deserved rest.
Grayson & Alan,
Have a great trip on Ixta & Orizaba! I’m so thankful to have had you guys on our trip last year! Be careful on that labrynth! :O)
Ron
Posted by: Ron Seib on 1/20/2020 at 10:30 am
Posted by: Alan Davis, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Holà de Mexico!
Checking in from the lively Zona Rosa in Mexico City. All of our climbers and bags are accounted for. After a savory dinner of authentic Mexican fare we are retiring to get some rest in preparation for our next leg. Stay tuned for more updates along the way!
RMI Guide Alan Davis
Congrats team! Chris, we miss you and can’t wait to see all the photos! Love you
Posted by: Kristen B on 9/16/2019 at 11:10 pm
Congratulations Kristopher! We are so excited and proud of you. We can’t wait to see your pictures of this extreme adventure! Mom and Dad
Posted by: Sheri Johnson on 9/13/2019 at 3:28 pm
Posted by: Robby Young, Alan Davis
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Thanks again for for the experience! Not all the way to the top for me, but still an unbelievable view and great challenge. You guys are professional, empathetic, and caring of your clients, and one couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ll be back for the challenge, and we’ll get it done.
Thanks,
Tony.
Posted by: Anthony Brune on 8/12/2019 at 5:53 pm
Have you guys made it back to Paradise? It’s almost 9pm.
Posted by: Paige Cline on 8/9/2019 at 7:37 pm
Congratulations to the entire team! I’m so glad the weather cooperated and you had a beautiful day of climbing. Steve, we can’t wait to hear about the entire adventure when you get back!
-H, A & K
Posted by: Heidi on 8/5/2019 at 11:52 am
Congratulations to our teammate, Mark Pengelly, for making his Mt. Rainier summit this morning. This was Mark’s second summit bid this summer since our July 18th summit bid was cut short due to extreme weather. Mark is the first Tideworks Mountaineers to summit Mt. Rainier. We have Hugh Gallagher summiting tomorrow morning and Steve Albert summiting Aug. 23. This is an exciting summer for our team.
Congratulations to the entire team this morning!!!
Posted by: Tideworks Mountaineers on 8/5/2019 at 11:33 am
Congrats to you all. Great to see the photo of the team on the summit of Ixta.
All the best for the Pico de Orizaba summit attempt on Saturday.
Stay warm, stay strong, stay safe and enjoy.
Thinking of you all
Posted by: Jacquie on 1/23/2020 at 9:36 pm
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