November 11, 2022
After their successful climb of Ixtaccihuatl IMG leader Porter McMichael checked in to report that the team had a nice overnight break in the old colonial city of Puebla. They strolled the central square and visited the 16th Century Puebla Cathedral, a world heritage site. Then they moved on to Tlachichuca, a small farming town at 9500 ft and the jumping off spot for Orizaba climbers. To climb Pico de Orizaba (also known as Citlaltépetl) the team will take a rugged 4WD truck ride up to the climber camp at Piedra Grande refugio, about 14,000.ft.
Orizaba (5636 m/ 18,491′) is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America (after Denali in Alaska and Mt Logan in Canada). From Piedra Granda the team will ascend a steep rocky trail to the Jamapa Glacier, which can be icy with crevasses. We’ll keep you posted on their progress!