Mexico’s Volcanoes: Smith & Team Climb La Malinche, Head for Iztaccihuatl
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - 7:30 am PT
In the van, headed towards La Joya, we are entertained by Lacie's enduring tunes and John's incredible stories of dirty ice caves and saving lives on Denali and windy ski traverses of Greenland (before the days of heated socks) while our lungs and legs attempt recovery from yesterday's ascent of La Malinche:
Starting our walk 5 minutes after 5 de la mañana we wandered up through the persisting forest, cutting service road switchbacks along the direct, dusty and well-traveled camino. By headlamps and the light of a pale, crisp and nearly full moon we ambled upwards, through the woodsmoke soaked forest - owned and cherished by the Mexican public. Sunrise, when it came, was a pleasant affair, painting our objective with its precipitous walls a soft orange glow while pastel pink skies warmed behind us. Cold but amicable clear and calm weather allowed us a welcome summit caesura. Those of us who attempted the peak found éxito and those who returned to las cabañas at Malintzi have recovered from the GI disputes. From our climb we were able to lay eyes on the rest of our lofty plans and now, our feet freshly exfoliated from grinding the pervasive volcanic sand, we are ready for Iztaccíhuatl.
RMI Guide Will Ambler
