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Posts for Mexico from 03/2011

Mexico: Team Finishes with a Job Well Done

Posted by: | March 11, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico

After a safe descent from the top of Pico de Orizaba, it was apparent how lucky we were about the weather. All around us in the valleys below storms raged, but it was relatively warm and calm on our climb. We had the whole mountain to ourselves and with a skiff of new snow on the glacier, a clean canvas for a great day of climbing. Everyone climbed well, and we needed to because Orizaba makes you earn it. After a cup of tea and a quesadilla, we loaded up the trucks and headed back to town. It was beautiful out and the mountain was covered in alpenglow by the time we arrived back in the courtyard of Dr. Reyes. After a celebratory meal, we had a solid night’s rest after a big and great day. Congratulations team on a job well done!

Now it’s time to say adios. Thank you everyone for sharing in an awesome trip and safe travels back home.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

P.S.  Upon getting off the mountain we learned of the earthquake in Japan. Our thoughts and hopes go out to everyone in harm’s way. Suerte

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Mexico:  Summit day on Orizaba!

Posted by: | March 10, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 18,701'

Hello points North, this is Jake on the summit of Pico de Orizaba with our team who did a great job today getting up in good style.  We had awesome weather, light winds, warm, we are on the top looking into the crater right now. Enjoying some great views and really unbelievable day.

So thanks to everybody back home for all of the support and we will be calling you when we get down. Well, all right, that’s it from the third highest point in North America.

Take care up there and we’ll be seeing you soon.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

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Mexico:  First Night on Orizaba

Posted by: | March 08, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'

Hello from Piedra Grande, our high camp on Pico de Orizaba at 14,000 feet. Today we left La Malintzi and traveled to Dr Reyes’s (our host and outfitter) and prepared our equipment for the climb.  Then we loaded up the trucks and made our way to camp.  Kind of nice to drive so high and save our legs for the climb.

Now it’s off to bed to get our last full night’s sleep before the big one.  Hope everyone up north is doing great.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

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Mexico: La Malinche Acclimatization Climb

Posted by: | March 07, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'

Fortunately for the team the cloud that built over La Malinche lost some intensity and broke long enough to allow us to all stand on the summit.  Congratulations on a great day!  Our climb to the top of this 14,500’ volcano is a major part of our acclimatization process.  To get to such a high elevation and be able to rest really helps get us ready for our next few days. 

Everyone climbed strong and after a big day is set for some hot showers and a good night’s sleep.  Well done!

RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

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Mexico:  Seeing the sites in Mexico

Posted by: | March 06, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 10,000'

“No one knew who they were. . . or what they were doing. . .”

But with help from our archeologist guide, Jorge, we got a fascinating glimpse of the ancient city of Teotihuacan.  Exploring the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon it was remarkable to imagine that these dry ruins once supported the bulk of central Mexico’s commerce and over 120,000 people.  The city is actually built on top of multiple variations of previous cities that were covered and preserved.  Quite a tour of an amazing site where you could spend lifetimes unlocking the secrets buried beneath the volcanic rock. 

After scratching the surface of the 2000 year old city we took a tour of a local obsidian factory where the volcanic glass is hand carved into traditional Aztec figures and masks as well as meticulously crafted silver jewelery. 

By this point in our day it was time for lunch and after a very short drive we sat down to another great meal before travelling to our home for the next few days,  La Malintzi.  Here we will accclimatize and prepare for our attempt of Pico de Orizaba.

RMI Guide Jake Beren

On The Map

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Mexico:  The Team Arrives in Mexico City

Posted by: | March 05, 2011
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Mexico
Elevation: 7,300'

Everyone arrived safe and sound in Mexico City today and checked in to our lovely hotel right in the heart of the second largest city on the planet. Amazing to think that in a few short days we will be high in the alpine, far above the hustle and bustle of this metropolis.

This evening our team assembled for the first time and started the process of getting to know our teammates for the week and familiarizing ourselves with the game plan. After our first meeting we took to the streets as a light rain fell and had a great meal at an ornately decorated restaurant just a few blocks away. Well fed, our exit was delayed by an above-average Mariachi band for a few numbers giving us time to adjust and relax into local time. Back at the hotel for a few winks, we will leave the city tomorrow and explore some ancient pyramids on our way to the mountains.

Buenas noches from Mexico City,
RMI Guides Jake Beren, Eric Frank and Team

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