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Posts for Mexico from 02/2011

Mexico:  The Trip Comes to an End

Posted by: | February 20, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico

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

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Mexico:  Orizaba Summit!

Posted by: | February 19, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 18,701'

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

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Mexico: Preparing for Orizaba Summit

Posted by: | February 18, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'

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

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Mexico:  Summit Day Recap

Posted by: | February 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico

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

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Mexico:  SUMMIT!

Posted by: | February 16, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 17,340'

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

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Mexico: Ixta High Camp

Posted by: | February 15, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 14,700'

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

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Mexico: Travel to Ixtaccihuatl

Posted by: | February 14, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 12,000'

Travel day to Altzimoni hut. 

The roads were great as we drove from La Malinche to Amecameca to do a little final food shopping and check out the colorful local market. 

Then we finalized our approach to the Altzimoni hut and spent the afternoon sorting our gear, setting up tents and taking a walk to scope our route on Ixtaccihuatl. 

Tomorrow we will move to our high camp and prepare for our summit attempt.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

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Mexico: Acclimatization Hike on La Malinche

Posted by: | February 13, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'

Today we left the hustle of Mexico City and drove to the high altitude training facility of La Malintzi for our first taste of the thin air. We hiked through the forest, climbing until we broke above treeline and gained our high point on the ridge of La Malinche at around 13,000 feet. We were strong today and after a little siesta and dinner are bedding down to rest up for tomorrows journey to the Altzimoni hut, our jump off for Ixta.

Buenas Noches and happy birthday to Christian and a big Valentine’s Day hug to all the sweeties up North.

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Mexico’s Vocanoes:  The Trip Begins

Posted by: | February 13, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 7,300'

Last night our entire crew met in the lobby of our Colonial-era hotel in the heart of Mexico City, right on the Zocalo or main square.  We all introduced ourselves and began the process of turning into a team by all going out to a local restaurant where we ate great authentic food and were serenaded by a squad of Mariachis. 

This morning we had a quick breakfast before finishing up our packing and heading down to meet Rogelio, our long-time transportation guru here in Mexico.  He will help us travel to La Malintzi where we will begin our acclimatization process by hiking up to 13,000 feet on the old volcano of La Malinche.

Here we go!

RMI Guide Jake Beren

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