January 31, 2015

The team on top of Orizaba.

The team’s back in Mexico City and looking forward to a last dinner together in Mexico.  The trip’s still one of the sweetest ways so spend a ‘climbing week’ in the middle of a North American winter.  A little sun, a few cervezas and many hours of great cramponing.  It’s not a terrible combination.

Congratulations to the team and fly home safe tomorrow.

Phil Ershler

January 30, 2015

Pico de Orizaba

Our Mexico team had some of the best climbing conditions in years when they summited Pico de Orizaba this morning. Congratulations to everyone!  Always fun to get that sat phone call.  The team is climbing down to the high hut, now.  After a quick packing and clean up, 4-wheel drive vehicles will take them back to the town of Tlachichuca for cold drinks, showers, a great dinner with the Reyes family and a good night’s sleep.  First thing in the morning, they’ll be off to Mexico City for a final night.

Some of them might just make it home for the Super Bowl!

Phil Ershler

January 29, 2015

Ixta, Orizaba (in distance) and smoking Popo from Paso de Cortez. (Photo by Dustin Balderach)

No summit yesterday on Ixta for the Mexico team.  One of our members wasn’t feeling well on the climb and the team decided not to take any chances and they all escorted him down.  He bounced back just fine but better safe than sorry.

After a nice ‘hotel night’ in Puebla last night, the team arrived in Tlachichuca today, had lunch with longtime friends, the Reyes family, and then headed up to Piedra Grande, the hut on Orizaba.  Snow conditions sound good and they’ll be taking a shot at the summit early tomorrow.  We’re wishing them luck.

Phil Ershler

January 27, 2015

Ixtaccihuatl (17,338ft.) Photo by Greg Vernovage

Austin called in from High Camp on Ixta a few minutes ago reporting good conditions on the mountain. They’ll get to bed early to make the midnight wake-up call a little less painful. They’ll start climbing after a quick breakfast and two very important cups of coffee. It’s a full day of climbing so we’ll likely hear from Austin when he gets back to High Camp tomorrow afternoon.

Tye Chapman

January 25, 2015

Mexico team on acclimatization hike

The January Mexico trip is off to a good start.  Everyone arrived yesterday in Mexico City.  First objective is Ixta and the team left first thing Sunday morning to begin the acclimatization process.  A good hike today up to near 14,000 ft was on the itinerary and the crew’s now back in the town of Amecameca for the evening.  Weather is excellent and this is certainly a good way to start the trip.

Phil Ershler