Entries By joe hoch
February 7, 2024
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Sam Hoffman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'
100% Summit on Ixta!
After welcoming us to La Joya basecamp with a lovely warm sunset and delicious dinner from our Mexican host company, 17,160’ Ixtaccihuatl showed us that she is still a huge wild mountain. Out of the calm starry night sky, winds suddenly gusting 40-50mph forced us out of our sleeping bags and we scrambled to move our tents in the dark to the shelter of the old basecamp refugio. But our crew laughed it off as ‘adventure!’ And the next two days on the mountain showed everyone what a Mexican wilderness alpine experience can be. Complete with a spectacular high camp, billowing ash from our volcanic neighbor Popocatéptl, and the best sunset some of us have ever seen.
On summit morning the crew climbed strong and right before sunrise, 100% of the team stood on Ixta’s summit. A new high point for the majority of the team!
We’re headed now to the colorful colonial city of Puebla, where we’ll enjoy a well earned rest day and prepare for 18,500’ Orizaba.
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes February 3, 2024 Emails
February 5, 2024
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Sam Hoffman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,636'
A La Malinche summit!
Yesterday team Mexico Volcanos got up early and left Mexico City, hoping for an early departure from the trailhead for our first volcano, 14500 foot La Malinche.
Recently, the Policía de Montaña, some of whom carry inappropriately large machine guns(tough to argue with), have been quite strict about turning all climbers around at 2pm, no matter your location or fancy technical outerwear. They mean well, as many folks attempt this very large mountain in jeans and street shoes, and seemingly no water or food. With our drive from Mexico City, it would be a push to make it, but the team was willing.
We left the park entrance with 4,500 feet to cover at around 11:30am. The team understood that it would be a little faster pace than normal to make it happen and evade la Policía, but they were up for it.
At 3 pm, 3.5 hours and 4,500 feet later, we scrambled to the rocky summit of La Malinche with a beautiful view and not a cloud in the sky. There stood a single Policía de Montaña, who said simply, “Bajo por favor, ahora! (Down please, now!).”
We negotiated quickly for, “Solo una foto?(Just one photo?).” He was grumpy but willing, and as we took one picture of the team on the summit, the views were incredible of Volcan Iztaccihautl and Orizaba, our next two volcanos.
Once we left the strict gaze of our friendly Policía on the summit, we were able to take some well earned relaxing breaks on our descent and enjoy the company of our new mountain dog friends, who showed us a thing or two about negotiating the loose boulder fields.
A customary feast of barbecued steak and cactus tacos awaited us at our cabins in the forest below La Malinche, and it was an early bedtime!
The crew is super excited for our successful summit, and ready to hit the road and head to our next adventure, 17,159' Volcan Iztaccihautl!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes February 3, 2024 Emails
Way to go Connor and Aleeza! Props to Aleeza for representing for the ladies!!
Posted by: Amy Lewis on 2/5/2024 at 9:53 am
February 4, 2024
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Sam Hoffman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 7,300'
And we're off!
The Mexico Volcanos crew arrived last night to the Hotel Geneve in Mexico City. After some introductions, we made our way to a local taco spot and chatted about our upcoming trip.
This morning the crew was up early and ready to head to our first volcano, La Malinche.
Many more tacos and mountains await!
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes February 3, 2024 Emails
January 20, 2024
Posted by: Mike King, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 18,491'
The team stood on top of Pico de Orizaba at 7:30 this morning. We had calm air and partly clear skies to begin our hike up the steep moraine trail. Once in the labyrinth the trail was covered in firm snow & ice, which was unexpected based on how dry the surrounding area was. The team was moving up the glacier around 5 am. Once on the summit the pyramid shadow cast by the rising sun greeted everyone and was a highlight of the trip. The descent is always hard on toes and knees but we got back to Piedra Grande hut and packed up for the bumpy ride down in the trucks.
We are back in Sr. Reyes’ hostel and packed for flights tomorrow afternoon. This has been a great trip with a stellar group of climbers, especially since we had summits on Ixta via a forgotten route and a classic Orizaba summit day. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
Photo credit: Mike Greene
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024 Emails
Hey Mike!
That is Awesome!! Brings back Great memories!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 1/22/2024 at 7:15 am
Our son Matt was in your group enjoyed the update and pictures. Thanks for the great job as a guide and keeping everyone safe
Posted by: Barb Coble on 1/20/2024 at 5:22 pm
We had a nice relaxed day off in Puebla yesterday. The team struck out in some smaller groups to walk around Puebla. Seems like good food, drink and site seeing was had. Today we head to Tlachichuca for a quick stop at Servimont’s historic soap factory turned climbers hostel to repack for our last summit attempt, Pico de Orizaba 18,491’. The remainder of the day will be spent taking trucks up a long and windy road to the Piedra Grande hut. Once there we will go for a short hike uphill to see the rocky and circuitous trail we will begin our climb on. We’ll check in hopefully from the summit tomorrow morning with a more detailed report once back down to the hostel. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024 Emails
January 17, 2024
Posted by: Mike King, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'
We had some new information about the steep snow slope on the “knees” route upon arrival at La Joya. The slope had not got any new snow and was a firm ice sheet. Having been there last fall I decided that we should come up with a new plan to acclimate our group in preparation for Orizaba. Our local guide Alan had mentioned that climbers had been descending the Ayoloco route. For context the Ayoloco glacier was declared “dead” in 2018. Our guides had used this route to climb Ixta until 2011ish. We decided that if the Ayoloco was descendable then it must be ascendable.
We set off yesterday into a dry and tall grassland filled with large sporadic pine trees, small lizards currying underfoot at 13000’. We picked our way up a “trail” not frequently used. Our high camp was 1000’ lower than the Refugio on the “knees” route but more pristine. We had a running water source nearby which doesn’t exist higher up.
Our team wound its way across Ixta’s middle slopes at midnight with the night lights of Mexico City showing the way. After a circuitous climb of the area formally known as the Ayoloco, we were on the summit at 5 am. Taking in the dawn colors before dropping into the once bountiful Ayoloco valley the team rallied like they have all trip.
The descent to La Joya aggrieved knees and toes but there’s no motivation like a hot shower, cold drink and rest day. We are in Puebla for a rest day and will repack for our Pico de Orizaba attempt on Saturday. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guide Mike King
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024 Emails
January 17, 2024
Posted by: Mike King, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'
January 17, 2024 - 5:50 am PT
Our team reached the summit of Ixta via Ayoloco route. We are descending to high camp and will post a full update once in Puebla.
RMI Guide Mike King
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024 Emails
January 16, 2024
Posted by: Mike King, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,574'
We called an audible this morning after hearing updated route conditions. The last remaining snow on our summit day has not got a refresh and is firm ice. This traverse would likely shut our summit day down. Instead we decided to go attempt the old Ayoloco route since teams have been using it as a descent route. The team is doing well. We will check in hopefully from the summit tomorrow morning. Until then, rest, hydration and dinner will occupy our afternoon.
RMI Guide Mike King
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024 Emails
January 15, 2024
Posted by: Mike King, Joe Hoch
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'
Yesterday the Mexico Volcanos team left our luxury accommodation at Hotel Geneve in Zona Rosa, Mexico City and headed to Volcan La Malinche to stretch the legs and get used to higher elevations.
We made great time through pine forests and cool air from 10,000ft to roughly 13,800ft before we were turned by the Policia de Montaña. Largely to protect the many locals in jeans and street shoes, their 2pm turn around was strict and they were not impressed by our fancy technical outerwear and backpacks.
Our conciliation price was an amazing view of our next goal, 17,103’ Volcan Iztaccíhuatl (Ixta), and later a muy grande BBQ feast at our cabañas. Off to Ixta!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
Sign Up For Mexico's Volcanoes January 13, 2024 Emails
September 1, 2023
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Nicole De Petris, Jackson Breen, Charlie Harrison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,700'
RMI Guide, Joe Hoch, reported the following from Mt. Baker this afternoon:
The team is back at Sandy Camp after their summit attempt. We made it up to the crater rim, at around 9,700'.
The team will enjoy their dinner at camp, a good night's rest before they pack up camp and head back to the trailhead tomorrow. Nice work team!
Congratulations to the entire team! And a special shout out to intrepid Chris Rowley!
Posted by: Regina Leeds on 9/2/2023 at 10:52 am
This is so cool! Great job Clay and team, impressed and proud of you!
Posted by: Stephanie Colton on 2/8/2024 at 1:28 pm
So proud of you Christopher! We love you!!
Posted by: Leslie on 2/7/2024 at 6:23 pm
View All Comments