Based on the way the village looked and the time, it seemed like the hike may have gained 1,000 feet in elevation. I took the steeper route up as I felt confident climbing it, but there were a few parts that were a bit more technical than I had expected. I the hird high mountain in Mexico is a 5,218 m (17,000 ft) dormant volcanic mountain in Mexico located on the border between the State of Mexico and Puebla. Views are unbelievable! It’s a non-technical climb but requires the use of crampons and an ice axe. Altitude sickness on Orizaba is no joke  – at 5,636 meters, there is only 51% percent of the oxygen that you get to breathe at sea level. The north face is more technical and with ice is very dangerous a lot of fatalities each year. Pico de Orizaba North Face Trail is a 4.4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Calcahualco, Veracruz, Mexico that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. I kept climbing but took a few 5-minute breaks to wait for the sun. The ride takes two hours, and you’ll begin to see how big of a mountain Orizaba really is. When I climbed in late October, the glacier ice was very hard and difficult to get my crampons into. The loose sandy areas are more solidified at this time. You can’t really go wrong with either one of them. The company is called Estrella Roja, and you can check their schedule here. Nearing the top, the glacier becomes quite steep – maxing out at around 40 degrees or so. Both of those options have a ton of good reviews, and they are very experienced with helping climbers summit Pico de Orizaba. I think starting too early was my only issue – if the sun had risen earlier or  I had climbed more slowly, I think I would’ve made the summit. Orizaba is a tough peak, and the best way to be successful in your attempt on it is to be as fit as possible. There are crevasses on the Jampa Glacier, but they’re usually small and don’t pose any danger for climbers. Goodluck with the climb , Your email address will not be published. At 5,636 meters, Pico de Orizaba is North America’s third tallest mountain after Denali in Alaska and Mt. Climbing Pico de Orizaba and the other Mexico Volcanoes is a perfect first high altitude climbing expedition for those with international high altitude mountain climbing goals. Pico de Orizaba volcano is a large active stratovolcano, Mexico's highest mountain and the … Pico de Orizaba was important in pre-Hispanic cultures, such as those of the Nahuatl-speaking Aztecs and the Totonacs. Take a 4wd car to base camp, and start preparing for the climb! Also stick to the trails on the left when you are in the Labyrinth. There are buses running directly from the airport in Mexico City, or the TAPO bus station if you decide to stay in the city for a bit. Completed this on December 24th. When coming down, I recommend tracking the trail so that you can follow it on the way down. Season: you can climb this mountain in all the year, some people do prefer raining season because are better snow (from July to October) and several people do prefer dry season for more clear days (October to July) Yading Nature Reserve: The Ultimate Travel & Trekking Guide, A Guide To Visiting Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor. Depending on the amount of snow/ice, you’ll likely have to put on your crampons at some point while in the labyrinth. Length 4.4 miElevation gain 4301 ftRoute type Out & back. For many folks El Pico de Orizaba is the next target after climbing various US 14-ers in Colorado, California (Whitney, Shasta) and Washington (Rainier). There are three main sections to the Jampa Glacier route – the scree, the Labyrinth, and the Jampa Glacier. I’d recommend the less-steep route both ways unless you want a bit more of a challenge. Took 7 hours up and 4 coming down. I want to get back to Mexico again soon as well. Overnight, it hailed and rained really heavy. El Pico de Orizaba "Citlaltepetl" climbing Express 2 days itinerary 5,630 metres (18,491 ft). Length 2.4 miElevation gain 2782 ftRoute type Out & back. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. I can vouch for the Cancholas, but I also have heard good things about Servimont. Navigating through the Labyrinth is challenging, especially in the dark. I was roped up with a guide and crampons + ice axe are a must. The slope angle of the Jamapa Glacier route is 30–45 degrees, which is pretty gentle for a snow climb.But if conditions are icy, the whole game changes. Typically, an ascent of the mountain will take two or three days (departing from the nearby town of Tlachichuca). When climbing solo, you also won’t be able to know if you’re falling ill to a high altitude cerebral edema. Although it has the same name as Pico de Orizaba (the tallest mountain in Mexico) they’re actually not super close to each other, and it wasn’t visible when we were in town. From Tlachichuca, the Piedra Grande Hut (base camp) is a two-hour drive on a very rough road. Spectacular views at the top. 21-year old Canadian dude who loves to visit off-the-beaten-path places, climb tall mountains, and try delicious foods. The shadow of the mountain at sunrise is a marvel. 5:30 pm: Sunset view, dinner and bonfire. I found this section easier to climb at night while the ground was still frozen. Most people do not rope up, but crampons and an ice axe are a must. Required fields are marked *. And also for those who simply want to climb Orizaba, North America's third highest peak, as … Great hike, and as difficult as other reviews suggest. Pico de Orizaba is most commonly climbed during Mexico’s dry season, which lasts from November to March. Pico de Orizaba South Face Trail is a 2.4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near La Perla Municipality, Veracruz, Mexico that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. The hike itself is fairly straight forward but with Pico de Orizaba’s altitude being 5636 meters or 18,491 feet, even after having hiked almost every other mountain we could find in Mexico (actually only 6 others) including Iztaccihuatl which itself sits at 5230 meters the altitude still smashed us. This day is pretty easy, just hang out in Puebla! It’s the one I used, and I had no issues with altitude on the mountain. I made my attempt to climb Pico de Orizaba in late October of 2018 and had an amazing time. Some say this climb, though at a less elevation than Pico de Orizaba, is a harder climb. Pico de Orizaba is 5,636 meters or 18,491 feet making it the third tallest mountain in North America, and the tallest in Mexico. Continue our hike throughout the southern part with views of the Pico and the Altiplano Poblano. The volcano is currently dormant but not extinct, with the last eruption taking place during the 19th century. The two-hour bus ride should cost 150 pesos one-way (around $8). Hardest climb I ever did (and I'm in very good shape), with the glacier section being the toughest part. I figured that the sun would come up soon and warm me up. Great quality crampons that will fit the G2 SM boots perfectly, Lightweight ice axe, all you need for Orizba. Expect to pay around $200 USD for accommodation, food, and transport. Pico de Orizaba is a great mountain for people who are fairly new to mountaineering. and well-fitting climbing boots. The hut is called the  Piedra Grande Hut and has plenty of room for climbers to sleep. 10hrs up & back (our guide pushed hard). If you book or buy something using my links, I’ll make a bit of money at no extra cost to you. This is extremely dangerous – the best way to avoid this is by turning back as soon as light AMS symptoms show. Expect to pay around $200 for these services. From Puebla’s CAPU bus station, take one of the hourly Tlachichuca buses. This climb requires that you properly acclimatize before making your summit attempt, which requires a new level of patience that you may not be used to if you’ve only climbed at lower elevations. The route is typically climbed in one long, challenging day; make sure you bring your Outdoor Cargo Climbing Nets with you. Let’s go over everything you need to know about the route. We were picked up at our Mexico City hotel and transported to the base of Malinche for a self-guided acclimatization hike. There isn’t any public transit going up there, so you’ll need to hire a vehicle. Your first day will have you arrive in Mexico City, which is already at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level. Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltepetl or Star Mountain) is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third tallest peak in North America. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. So how hard is it to climb Orizaba? The summit of Orizaba is always below freezing, so just because it is summer doesn’t mean that it will be warm. An ice axe and crampons are mandatory on the Jampa Glacier route. Incredible opportunity for mountaineers to reach two 18,491 ft. (5636m) and 17,340 ft. (5285m) summits on one expedition Perfect training peak to prepare for a future attempt of Aconcagua Orizaba veteran American staff that have successfully led previous trips successful trips to … Let’s get right into it! Any trip to climb Pico de Orizaba will begin in either Mexico City or the nearby city of Puebla. Pico de Orizaba is by no means an easy mountain. I chose the left (right going down) route on my descent, which was a good idea. At 5,636 meters, Pico de Orizaba is North America’s third tallest mountain after Denali in Alaska and Mt. Located on the border between the states of Veracruz and Puebla, Pico de Orizaba offers one of the most spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. 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