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| Hike & Climb | 4.00 Miles |
3,400 AEG |
| | Hike & Climb | 4.00 Miles | 6 Hrs 41 Mns | | 0.60 mph |
| 3,400 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The "pinnacle" of my trip to Mexico City was reaching the summit of Orizaba. Following four days of traveling through the rural countryside and doing acclimatization runs/hikes I was ready to tackle the big one. The lack of snow created icy conditions on the North side glacier and none of the guiding companies would take anyone out there. So the only option was ascending the South side.
I had hired a driver/guide, who hired an additional guide through the Conchola House in Tlachichuca (which is where I stayed pre and post hike). We drove up the 4x4 road to the trailhead, just below the Fausto Gonzales Hut and began the ascent at 7:30am. It was a grind. At first you could walk about 30 meters before having to rest, then it was 30 steps, then 10 and then above 18,000ft it was about 5 or 6 at a time. Not just because of the altitude, but the footing is terrible. Loose volcanic scree may have been the biggest obstacle...until the way down.
Reaching the summit was incredible. I seldom get too excited about anything, but I was pumped! We stayed up there for about 10 minutes or so before descending. Other than my quads and knees screaming at me, the downclimb was quite fun. At times I felt like I was snow skiing as we slid down the mountainside.
Pretty neat experience and a great confidence boost for taking on higher peaks. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. |
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