Entries from Mexico

Orizaba summit! Windy and cold, but clear and above the clouds! An amazing mountain shadow as well :)

We topped out 7:15 am with all smiles.

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Boy oh boy, where art thou Roy?! We missed you good sir, but I have to give a huge congratulations to the rest of our team for successfully standing on top of Mexico! It was a big summit day for us on Pico de Orizaba. A job well done on this trip to all. Early this morning, we weren't sure if our final objective would come to fruition. As teams left the refugio to ostensibly climb Pico in the rain, we waited a little longer. We planned for the same, but 10 minutes later, the stars came out, we ripped off our hardshells, and off we went to summit Orizaba. Navigating through the Labyrinth and amongst other teams, the new snow made it seem like the day could end early, but alas, we endured. Along the way we got WAY too philosophical, sang songs that should have stayed in our head, and pushed ourselves to all new heights...literally. Have we had enough tacos yet? Definitely not. Do we wear ghastly colors like black. Heck no. Is bringing your sleeping bag everywhere with you a power move? Heck yes. And did we have the adventure of a lifetime?! Yes, we did, indeed. To all the perritos we met along the way, stay safe, y'all are cute, next time you can come home with us if you want. Congrats again to such an amazing team coming together to conquer this expedition in a variety of amazing ways. We are proud of you. And Roy, we expect a comment, or we may very likely for certain be disappointed.

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke & Team

Mexico dispatch 10.9.26
Hola!! to those following our trip.
Today was a big day for us! Moving from the comforts of Puebla to High Camp on Pico de Qrizaba. Our team member Roy unfortunately had to stav back on this one so I ate a pack of skittles (his favorite hiking snack) in his honor. We will definitelv miss him on this climb for his climbing strength and lighthearted demeanor! We are hoping to catch back up with him when we return ta Mexico.

We drove to Tlachicuca and dropped our duffels at Señor Reyes' climbing hostel where we will return after our summit attempt! It was super cool and even had an RMI poster hanging on the wall!
We all prepared for this climb in different ways. I slept for 17 hours and looked at pictures of my doa from his daycare he's at back home: Ben L. did his thing to make sure everything was ready to go to keep us ready and safe, scoured the streets of Puebla for his favorite summit snack, and peed a lot: Ben W. is ready for his redemption arc and made sure to swallow his chewable motion sickness medicine instead of chew it. Hey- we've all got our quirks
It has been a pretty cloudy and rainy day. Ben L. sees a small summit window so please send some prayers, wishes, or positive vibes our way for weather good enough for a strong summit attempt (and if you have some to spare, perhaps a dog showing for myself. I haven't pet one in a few days now).
Thanks for keeping up with us!

-RMI Climber Alexa Franks

Thursday 10.8

After our early start on Ixtaccihuatl (Izta) yesterday, today was a free day. Our official itinerary was to "relax and explore the city," and we took that very seriously. Our alarms were off, our boots were retired for the afternoon, and the only summit we chased was whichever café had the shortest line. It did take a couple of trips up and down the stairs before we could stop leaning on the handrail for safety reasons!

Our hotel has been operating since the mid-1800s, in a building that was built in 1668, which makes the original building older than the United States, the mass production of sliced bread, and most of our knees. It's a block from the Zócalo, so we spent the day wandering the historic downtown and admiring churches that have been standing for centuries. The one sad thing about our neighborhood is how few stray dogs there are, which hit one of our teammates especially hard!

I also want to say that this group is great. We've been up in the middle of the night, above 17,000 feet, and tired in ways most people can't understand, and somehow everyone is still kind, funny, and attentive to each other. It makes the hard parts a lot easier. Two peaks down (La Malinche and Izta), and tomorrow we head for Orizaba, the big one at 18,491 feet. Tonight, though, it's dinner, a real bed, and probably another warm shower before sleeping. Orizaba's challenges can wait until tomorrow.

RMI Climber Roy Kurtz

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Team reached the summit of Ixtaccihuatl on Wednesday, October 7 at 7:10 am local time with two climbers and two guides. They were in a cloud, but it is beautiful, no wind, and pleasantly warm.

RMI Blog - 10/06 - 4:44 pm PT

Buenos Dias blog readers! It was a cool, cloudy day here in Central Mexico. Sleep last night was not great but serviceable; nothing a hot cup of coffee and a nourishing breakfast couldn't fix

Today we traveled from El Centro Vacacional de Malinzi to La Joya at 13,000 feet. After making a quick pit stop in the village of Amecameca, we ascended the windy and pot-hole-ridden road to El Paso de Cortez while fighting back nausea. After checking into the national park, we continued onward and upward to La Joya where we set up camp, met our guide Morizio, had a delicious lunch graciously prepared for us by our local staff, and stretched our legs with another bushwhacky day hike. We also encountered more mountain dogs, which made at least one of us very happy.

En route to Amecameca, we caught our first glimpse of our second obiective, Ixtaccihuatl or Ixta, as well as her restless neighbor Popocatépetl or Popo; their upper slopes just barely visible above the clouds. Even from more than 20 miles away, their presence was palpable: dominating over a quarter of the horizon while still 10,000 feet above us,

"Seeing them for the first time made me ponder the Aztec legend, which gave the sibling Volcanoes their names, According to myth, Ixtaccíhuatl was a beautiful ‣princess who fell in love with the great warrior Popocatépetl, Upon learning of their affections, the emperor agreed told Popo he may only marry her if he went to war with his enemies and returned victorious. Popo agreed and embarked on a long campaign, promising his lover they would be married upon his return. However, Popo was not Ixta's only suitor. One day, a rival warrior told Ixta that Popo had died in battle having the intent of convincing her to marry him instead,. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, Ixta died of her sorrows shortly thereafter. When Popo returned, he brought her body far beyond the shores of Lake Texcoco, erected a funeral pyre and perished with his lover in his arms. Moved by their devotion, the Gods transformed their bodies into the massive mountains we know today. In Nahuatl, "Ixtaccihuatl' translates to "white lady," her long summit ridge bearing resemblance to the figure of her namesake lying peacefully on her back. Conversely, "Popocatépet!" translates to "the smokey one," his frequent eruptions representing the great warrior's wrath, strength, and restless energy.

Writing these words, I feel nervous and excited at the same time. Every step that I'lI take will be the highest l've ever been. I keep asking myself "Am I ready?", "Do I have what it takes to do this?" But at the end of the day, all that matters is giving it an honest effort and making it down safe and sound, Whatever happens tomorrow, meeting, hiking with, and getting to know my team members has already made this trip worth it so iBuena suerte a todos!

RMI Climber Benjamin Wolf

10.5.26

Hello blog readers!! 

(special attention to my mom, Lauri) 

Today, everyone on our team summited La Malinche! We couldn’t have asked for a better day! No wind, a few big clouds, and just enough sun to give us some incredible views before reaching the summit. I honestly thought it was the absolute perfect day.

While we were sitting on the summit, I said out loud, “The only thing that could make this day better would be if a dog was here.”

and then… I kid you not.. SIX DOGS APPEARED. ON THE SUMMIT. IN THE EXACT MINUTE I WISHED FOR ONE. The universe really heard me on that one. We gave them hugs, pets, and snacks! I think that’s what my heaven would look like.

After enjoying the summit, we headed back down for some much enjoyed showers and relaxation. 

Before I left for this trip my mom specifically asked me to “please not pet the dogs…” Mom, I am sorry to inform you but I am indeed petting a ton of dogs. 

I couldn’t have imagined a better summit day or a better surprise at the top!

RMI Climber Alexa Franks and Team

Sunday October 4

Good morning followers! Yesterday, we made the long travel to the beautiful Malintzi Resort. After a short bushwacky hike because the park trail was closed due to weather, we enjoyed a "relaxing" afternoon of Monopoly Deal before dinner in our cabana. We've decided to leave what happens in M Deal at the table. Today, we climb Malinche! Stay tuned for more of our adventure. 

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke & Team

Hola amigos, amigas, y las familias!

Bienvenidos a Mexico!!

Thank you all for tuning in. We are very excited to have you join us all on our adventure as we climb 3 new volcanoes here in Mexico. Last night we all officially arrived in Mexico City, got settled in, met for the first time and enjoyed a true Mexican dinner before sleeping off the jetlag. We are currently on our way to climb our first volcano called La Malinche. Today we will get checked into our cabin and enjoy a small warm up hike, but tomorrow will be our climb. Stay tuned with us one day at a time. We are excited to share our adventures with everyone.

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke & Team

At the beginning of the trip Anna asked what climb I loved most and why. Immediately I said, the people I am with. This trip was no different. Our team contained inspiring people. Whynde - humble, incredible listener,and supportive, Jesse - cool, calm, and thoughtful, Hannah - our social butterfly, always has good questions, and introspective, Anna - good energy, moral booster, and full of life, Maria - full of knowledge, kindness, and encouragement, Carlos and Allan - our logistics specialists, we couldn’t have done it without you, and lastly our lead guide Ben - el jefe, our fearless leader, keeping our team in good spirits, and making sure each of us were heard. I am grateful to spend this experience with each of you. Until next time, climb on!

RMI Climber Ethan Pickett

Pico. De. Orizaba. 

What an incredible place, an incredible volcano, and an incredible climb. Congratulations to the team today for making it to el cumbre! After a glorious dinner last night before bed, prepared by the wonderful Rudolpho and Allan, we woke up same night to tackle our final objective. The night shined bright thanks to an almost full moon, lighting up the Labyrinth light a simple fable....with almost no wind and not a mouse to be heard (only felt on the back of the head while sleeping), we then enjoyed an insanely colorful sunrise that pictures can't even describe. Not all of us made it, but we are ecstatic for those that did. Now here we sit, back in Tlachichuca, all showered and bonito again. We could not be more grateful for our local guide Allan, and the rest of the Servimont crew for all of their hosting, driving, cooking, and overall hospitality. David Bowie may portray it better, but we will miss this place, once we are gone.

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke & Team