Entries from Mexico
Our time spent in Puebla amongst the dozens of beautifully lit cathedrals, vibrant colonial architecture and calming atmosphere is never enough. But our two nights in the lovely Hotel Colonial and a full day of rest were just enough for the group to refresh from La Malinche and Ixta.
After a laidback day of trinket shopping, napping and sightseeing, our group of newly relaxed climbers met for a dinner of steak and gold plated burgers last night above Puebla’s main square. The stoke was high and there were smiles all around and excitement for our final and largest mountain.
This morning we reloaded the van and set off for Tlachichuca and 18,500’ Pico de Orizaba.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 18, 2025
After leaving La Malinche we drove towards Amecameca to gather last minute supplies before starting our climb to Ixtaccihuatl 17,340.’
We drove up a windy rode to the national park gate, then continued up a bumpy dirt road to La Joya, ~ 13,047’. There, we were greeted with warm soup and tacos (great fuel before a big climb!)
The team tidied up their packs -and spent the afternoon climbing to high camp ~ 14,500ft.
We ate ramen, fresh quesadillas and made a plan to have an alpine start of 1:30 am. The little hours we layed horizontally was just enough to rest our bodies and minds for the summit push. The morning shuffle included coffee, oatmeal, perfect weather and many constellations in the sky to keep us company. The climb was tough and long but all worth it once we gained the ridge in time for sunrise! From the summit we were able to see where we came from, La malinche, and our next goal, Pico De Orizaba!
The team now arrives in Puebla for some much-needed rest, site seeing and great food!
RMI Guides Lacie Smith, Joe Hoch, and Team
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 18, 2025
Well, it wouldn’t be an international climbing expedition without some unexpected adventures. So as we drove up a mountain pass outside Mexico City on our way to our first volcano, La Malinche, and our minibus motor essentially exploded, team Mexico Volcanoes took it all in stride.
Three hours of quality suntanning time later, our new van arrived, we gear exploded and were on our way.
We were greeted at our cabin resort with everyone’s favorite dinner, a tower of meat, cheese and grilled cactus. The Torre de Carne righted any troubles of the day, and everyone went to bed ready to get up early and climb 14,500’ La Malinche.
Our summit day dawned clear and beautiful and we made great time up the lower part of the mountain. People started to feel the elevation around 13000’, but the stoke was high, and around 12 noon our entire climbing team stood on the summit of La Malinche!
We celebrated at dinner with yet another tower of meat, and got ready for our next volcano, 17,159’ Iztaccihautl!
RMI Guide Joe Hoch
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 18, 2025
Last night, after a successful arrival, our Mexico Volcanos team assembled at our lovely Hotel Geneve in the Zona Rosa district of Mexico City.
We ran through intros and headed out to the local taco bar.
The team is stoked and ready to head to our first volcano, La Malinche!
RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Lacie Smith
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes January 18, 2025
Ahhh, Orizaba! The climactic conclusion to our Mexican Volcano sojourn.
But before we recount the day I feel it important to regale the dear RMI blog post reader with events of this illustrious RMI sponsored event!
The trip begins with a meeting of strangers, aficionados of adventure if you will, led by our mountain guide whose skill and competence is only exceeded by his devilish good looks and excellent calves.
After meeting in Mexico City, we headed to conquer La Malinche; our mission successful and quite moist, we Summited the beast and befriended a cadre of stray dogs- LFB you have a home in America whenever you see fit.
Our journey then took us to Ixta High Camp in a single day. After a few hours of sleep a few of us conquered the salacious Medusa of a mountain.
Our next two days we spent in Puebla. To be honest, nothing to report but everything was incredible! Unfortunately, it was over too quickly, and we were off to Orizaba.
After a brief stop at an old soap factory run by a lovely old man, we were off to Orizaba base camp….what awaited was an alpine start- for the uninitiated, alpine start is a euphemism for the following “I don’t care if it’s midnight, wake up we gonna go summit that monster”-……after 7 hours of suffering and straight uphill trudging at 5 am in the dark on a glacier with a steep pitch, Orizaba was conquered! The remarkable thing is everyone in our group made it to the top! We headed down back to the soap factory for dinner and now pack to head home on Sunday!
To our new friends I will say this….
It was a true pleasure getting to know all of you. Very rarely does a group of complete strangers absolutely click and find so many commonalities. From sharing jokes to gaining intimate knowledge of each other, it was an experience of a life time. Serendipity never ceases to amaze.
Sure Does!
RMI Client Joe Musial
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes November 2, 2024
RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Team checked in today at 6:49 am PST letting us know that the entire team was standing on the summit of Orizaba. When they get settled this evening they will have a great summit day story to tell!
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes November 2, 2024
Posted by: Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
After a well-earned siesta and with bellies full of mole, we are off to Orizaba! We left this morning and have arrived in Tlachichuca. We are carefully packing and unpacking and repacking, making sure we have everything we need. After enjoying another nice lunch served by the wonderful Servimont staff, we are ready to hit the 4x4 trail up to Refugio Piedra Grande.
Upon arrival, we will go out for a "light" hike, enjoy dinner, and be off to bed early in preparation for an alpine start on Orizaba.
¡Hasta Mañana!
RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Team
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes November 2, 2024
Posted by: Ben Luedtke
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Hola de Puebla! Yesterday, the team woke up early for our summit attempt on Ixta. It was a long day. After having some breakfast and hot drinks, we set out on the Ayoloco route. Crossing some difficult terrain on loose dirt, over boulders, and up a steep snow slope, we eventually made the summit just before sunrise! After enjoying the beauty of the morning sun, we descended back to high camp. Once we were packed up, we continued descending back down to La Joyita, enjoyed some lunch prepared by the wonderful Servimont staff, and loaded the van for our drive to Puebla. We all enjoyed a good rest and much deserved shower.
Today we are enjoying the sights in Puebla for a much needed rest. Stay tuned for one more adventure as we make our way towards Orizaba tomorrow!
RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Team
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes November 2, 2024
RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and team reached High Camp on Ixta yesterday afternoon. It was a long day of travelling from La Malinche.
This morning with an alpine start the team reached the summit of Ixtaccihuatl.
Congratulations to the team!
New Post Alerts:
Mexico's Volcanoes November 2, 2024
Monday, November 4, 2024 - 5:44 pm PT
Today was the bees knees!
After our rainy hike yesterday, we popped onto the same trail to attempt the summit of La Malinche. On the way up, we got more comfy with one another telling a plethora of jokes. We found that we all have a similar sense of humor. It was a steep climb of 4,500 feet in 4.3 miles, picking through screen and boulder fields, but we all made the summit and nobody threw up or passed out, so that's a win!
We rested on the summit and then started slowly making our way down the loose dirt and rocks. We finished out night with beer and a hot meal. Off to Ixta tomorrow!
RMI Climber Emily Bowling
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