Pico de Orizaba 2009 An attempt on the third highest mountain in North America

February 2009 This trip has been extended to 7 days Basic Mountaineering Instruction is available Price includes ground transportation, lodging, and meals in Tlachichuca and at basecamp. Cost per person is $2000 a $500 deposit is required.

This will be our ninth trip to this Mexican Giant! Pico de Orizaba is a striking mountain and is the third highest mountain in North America, it's glaciated peak is melting back at an alarming rate making the climb different and more difficult each time we visit. We begin our expedition in Mexico City where a bus from the airport takes us quickly out of the sprawl. We change buses in Puebla and continue on to the village of Tlachichuca where we spend two nights at a climbing hostel, eating traditional Mexican meals and exporing the small town. Most of all we are acclimatizing. We then climb aboard classic Dodge Powerwagons for the long dusty ride up to the hut at Piedra Grand at just over 13,600ft. We spend the day day eating, resting, and letting our bodies get used to the thin air. We make a gear carry to 16,000ft. and return to the hut.The following day we move up to high camp and spend the day relaxing and preparing for our alpine start and attempt the summit. It is a long night but the sunrise on the mountain is spectacular! We are back at the hut by 1:00pm and pack for the ride back to the comforts of Sr. Reyes in Tlachichuca where we enjoy a huge dinner and a beer or two. Departing by bus the next day and flying back to the states that evening.