November 11, 2022

First view of Orizaba (Chris Meder)

Piedra Grande hut (Chris Meder)

Puebla Cathedral (Porter McMichael)

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 16^th 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!

Nov 8, 2022 – IMG guide Porter McMichael checked in to report the team had a nice climb today to the summit of Ixtaccihuatl (17,338′).  They started climbing about midnight and reached the top shortly after dawn.  Along the way they had great views looking east at Orizaba and south to Popocatépetl (17,802 ft, which we used to climb before it started erupting).  Now the team is heading by vehicle to the old city of Puebla for the night.  Then, tomorrow, they head to Tlachichuca where they will prepare for their climb of Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico.  Well done team!

Senior Guide Porter McMichael and IMG team on top of Ixta early on Nov 8, 2022 (Porter McMichael)

Nearby volcano Popocatepetl issues some ash (Porter McMichael)

Sunrise from Ixta (Porter McMichael)

The view of nearby Popocatépetl from Ixta (Porter McMichael)