Entries from Expedition Dispatches
The Mexico team is back safe at Sr. Reyes' climbers hostel after a long summit day on
Pico de Orizaba. Following our dusty drive down from the hut we spent the evening cleaning gear and packing for our flights tomorrow. This trip flew by and we were fortunate to have great weather, two summits and a wonderful group of climbers. Thanks for following along!
RMI Guide Mike King
RMI Guide Mike King called in from the Orizaba summit!
"This is Mike King with Team Mexico. We are standing on top of
el Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America! Light winds and visibility all the way out to Ixta and Popo. It was a great climb. We will check back in with you when we get back down to high camp."
On The Map
This is Mike, we had a long descent from the
Ixta summit and high camp. Everyone is well and getting cleaned up in Puebla. Tomorrow is a day off to rest, eat tacos and hangout at the beautiful square in historic Puebla. Your loved ones have Internet and cell coverage, hit them up for details on the trip thus far. Friday we are off to Piedra Grande to prep for our
Orizaba attempt!
RMI Guide Mike King
RMI Guide Mike King called from the
summit of Ixtaccihuatl (17,340') at 6:15 am PT today. His team was taking photos and enjoying the views from the summit. They will descend to High Camp, pack their gear and continue their descent from the mountain. The team will travel to Puebla later today.
Congratulations to the team!
On The Map
We are all nestled in at our high camp on
Ixta at 15,500ft. The team carried heavy packs while taking in the amazing vistas with a cool breeze keeping the temperature manageable.
We will plan on getting an early start for our summit bid so the team can pack up camp and descend into the rest day and tacos al pastor that awaits us in Puebla. Getting to the top of Ixta is just another step in acclimating for our chance at standing on top of Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America.
Everyone is doing well and sends their best back home.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Monday, February 20, 2017 - 5:32 pm PT
The Team continues to enjoy the food and rolling countryside here in Mexico. We are spending the night at
the Altzomoni Hut, at 13,200' that overlooks Popo, the neighboring volcano. While today was mostly a travel day between La Malinche and Ixtaccihuatl, we did manage to hike for 2 hours through the lower slopes surrounded by dry bunch grass and a cool breeze.
We spent the afternoon sorting gear and getting ready for our move up to high camp in the morning. Everyone is acclimating well and eager to start our first climb of the trip. The mountain is dry this time of year and we have some high winds forecasted. We will keep our fingers crossed for clear skies and calm winds.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
Day two in
Mexico was very successful. We climbed to 13,400 feet for our acclimatization hike on La Malinche then made it back to the cabins at the old Olympic training facility for time to shower and lounge on the grass. For dinner we had sizzling cactus and steak served on hot coals. The group is healthy and happy and starting a game of counting stray dogs. Off to Ixta tomorrow! Here's a photo of lounging in front of La Malinche.
RMI Guide Christina Dale
Saturday, February 18, 2017 8:35 pm PT
This is Mike with
RMI's Mexico Volcanoes trip. All the climbers arrived in Mexico City with luggage and enthusiasm. We had a nice team dinner and got to know each other a bit. From here we will leave the sprawling grasp of Mexico City for the scenic and rolling country side of La Malinche. Tomorrow's plan is to have an acclimatization hike to stretch the legs and lungs so the Team is prepared for our first objective, Ixtaccihuatl 17,340'. We'll check in each day and update those back home.
RMI Guide Mike King
All good things must end and this
Aconcagua Expedition is no different. The team went on our final walk out of the Vacas Valley together yesterday, and within five hours we were back in civilization. After watching the dirt and trip dust wash off us in the shower, we all went to a fancy celebration dinner. Even though the team enjoyed peppers cooking, it was agreed the restaurant was a bit better. Everyone is now excited to head home and reflect on an excellent adventure.
RMI Guide Ben Liken
Hi all! Due to technical difficulties we were unable to get a blog off last night, but suffice it to say that everyone made it back to
Base Camp yesterday in fine form. We supped on champagne and lasagna to celebrate a safe descent from the upper mountain, and awoke this morning to a last minute gear shuffle before the long walk downhill. Our plan is to hike down the Relinchos Valley, and take a right when we hit the Vacas River. Camp tonight will be at Las Lenas, which was our very first stop on this long and eventful journey.
"Today was a good day!"
RMI Guides Ben Liken & Pepper Dee
On The Map
Looks fantastic! Congratulations. I wish I still had it me to do this.
Posted by: Duncan Mckinnon on 3/5/2017 at 5:01 pm
Awesome!!!!! CONGRATS!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/26/2017 at 2:53 am
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