Mexico Volcanoes 5th Jan 2019

Mexican Volcanoes Expedition

Departed 5th January

Local Guide: Carlos Emilio Rangel

15th January

Congratulations to Pete and Emilio on reaching the summit of the highest volcano in North America, Pico de Orizaba (5636m)

12th January

After a decent rest in Puebla the team have made it to Zaopan. They’re heading to camp at the Piedra Grande Refuge (4250m) and will do an acclimatisation walk tomorrow before going for the summit early on Sunday. Here are some shots of the sunset yesterday evening – stunning!

10th January

Photo of Popo courtesy of Pete Whitfield, taken from Izta.

9th January

Beautiful skies over Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes

The team have been treated to clear views out over the best of Mexico’s volcanoes, the most scary looking one being Popocatepetl, on the other side of the refuge. It’s 7am here and there’s a bit of ash/gas coming out but yesterday morning there must have been a plume about a mile high rising out of it!! It’s a clear morning here but incredibly windy. Today we’re doing an acclimatisation hike to about 4500m again before trying Izta (Iztaccihuatl) tomorrow,  which looks a tough day so everyone is preparing themselves for the challenge.

Today’s acclimatisation hike to 4207m with Popocatepetl in the background

7th January

Great to see the Three Amigos on top of La Malinche (4450m). You can see Pico de Orizaba in the background as well, the challenge for later in the trip. It was a windy but beautiful day today. The team will move to their next volcano, Iztaccihuatl, tomorrow and start acclimatising there ready to climb to the summit on Thursday. Thanks Tim for the photo and update.

Photo credit: Tim Passingham