Mexico - Iztaccihuatl - Citlaltepetl - Volcanoes Of Mexico

Mexico

The Volcanoes Of Mexico

Citlaltepetl (18, 405’)

Iztaccihuatl (17, 126’)

Overview

Difficulty Rating: Iztaccihuatl, PD; Citlaltepetl, F
Experience Level: Advanced Beginner
Duration: 10 days
Climbers: 8
Guides: 2
Land Cost: $2300

Dates

Dec 4 - Dec 13, 2009

Dec 18 - Dec 27, 2009

Jan 1 - Jan 10, 2010

Jan 15 - Jan 24, 2010

Expedition Code

MXVO-09-12041213

MXVO-09-12181227

MXVO-10-01010110

MXVO-10-01150124

Expedition Goals

Iztaccihuatl is an extinct volcano and the third highest mountain in Mexico; the seventh highest in North America.

Citlaltepetl is an extinct, conical volcano with glaciers covering its upper reaches. It is the highest mountain in Mexico; the third highest in North America after Denali and Mount Logan.

Prerequisites

Participation in this climbing expedition requires strong beginner mountaineering skills. You must have a basic working knowledge of the techniques for staying warm and dry while climbing in extremely cold conditions, and the proper use of ice axe and crampons. Additionally, you must be comfortable moving over steep snow and ice up to 45-degrees. High altitude and glacier travel experience, though not required, would be helpful. For reasons of personal and team safety and success, it is imperative you arrive for this climb in excellent physical condition.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive in Mexico City; Mexico, transfer from airport; hotel check-in; administration & logistics. Arrive in Mexico City (7,341’), where an Expedition-Logistics guide will be waiting to greet you. After a gear inventory and hotel check-in, take some time to relax or explore the city. This evening, get to know your guides and teammates at the welcome dinner and expedition briefing.

Day 2 — Early wake-up; transfer to La Joya. This morning we load into 4x4s and depart Mexico City. Our first stop will be lunch in the colonial city of Amecameca, in the highlands. Amecameca is the jumping-off point for Izta-Popo National Park, and boasts a wonderful local mercado, or marketplace, where traditional foods and indigenous spices are sold against a backdrop of lush foothills. Leaving behind the warm, friendly people of Amecameca, we drive east to Paso de Cortez (12,073’), the low point between Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl where Cortez crossed in 1519. We take a short time to check out the Paso de Cortez visitors’ center before continuing north a short way to the day’s destination of La Joya (12,200’) to set up tents for the night.

Day 3 — Casual wake-up; trek to El Portillo; return trek to La Joya. After breakfast we take an easy acclimatization climb to El Portillo at about 14,436’ on Ixta’s Los Pies Route. At El Portillo (The Pass) we catch our collective breath, grab some food and water, and take in the views before heading back down to La Joya. The rest of the day will be spent acclimatizing and making preparations for our move to high camp.

Day 4 — Casual wake-up; climb to Iztaccihuatl high camp. This morning we move to high camp below the Rodillas (15,000’).

Day 5 — Alpine wake-up; Iztaccihuatl summit; return trek to La Joya; transfer to Amecameca. This morning we climb to Las Rodillas, and then traverse along the Glaciar de las Rodillas. Negotiating crevasses on the upper reaches of the Glaciar de Ayoloco, we’ll eventually make our way along the route’s namesake, the aptly named La Arista del Sol, The Ridge of the Sun, and in short time the summit. We descend and return La Joya by late afternoon for a rendezvous with our drivers and the trip to Amecameca, where hot showers, great food, and comfortable beds await.

Day 6 — Casual wake-up; transfer to Tlachichuca; transfer to Piedra Grande Hut. After breakfast we load into vans for the drive to Tlachichuca, making a lunch stop in the colonial Mexican town of Puebla (7,000’). Arriving in Tlachichuca (8,530’) we load into 4x4s for the rough drive to our overnight destination at the Piedra Grande huts (13,943’) on the flanks of Citlaltepetl. After dinner we prepare for tomorrow’s move to high camp.

Day 7 — Casual wake-up; move to Citlaltepetl high camp. Today’s destination is high camp at the base of the Glaciar de Jamapa at 16,076 feet. On arrival at camp we set up our tents, and then scout the trail along the snout of the glacier. We spend the remainder of the day taking photos and resting in preparation for tomorrow’s summit push. While some teams go for the summit from the hut, establishing a high camp allows us to acclimatize slowly, thus avoiding altitude related illnesses and giving us a better chance to get everyone to the top.

Day 8 — Alpine wake-up; Citlaltepetl summit; return to Piedra Grande; transfer to Tlachichuca. This morning we climb straight up the Glaciar de Jamapa, negotiating some steep sections on the glacier, traversing along rock bands higher up, arriving at the crater rim, and eventually the summit. We descend to high camp to pack up, and then return to Piedra Grande where we meet our drivers for the trip back to Tlachichuca for hot showers, hearty food, and a comfortable place to sleep.

Day 9 — Casual wake-up; transfer to Mexico City. After breakfast we load into vans for the drive back to Mexico City, arriving in the late afternoon. After hotel check-in we inventory gear and pack for travel. This evening, join your teammates for a celebration dinner and expedition debriefing.

Day 10 — Casual wake-up; transfer to airport; return flights home.

Note on Itinerary

Although our guides take reasonable measures to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change due to variables including, but not limited to, weather and route conditions, the condition and ability of the team, local and US government restrictions, airline changes or cancellations, and other variables outside the control of Expedition-Logistics.

Land Cost

Land Cost Includes
Professional U.S. and local guides, basecamp cook/manager, porters and pack animals, in-country ground and air transportation, all overnight accommodations, all scheduled meals, permits, group climbing equipment (ropes, rock, snow and ice protection, etc.), group camping equipment (tents, stoves, fuel, cooking pots, first aid kits, etc.), and oxygen where necessary.

Land Cost Does Not Include
International roundtrip airfare, personal climbing and camping equipment (see Personal Equipment Checklist for more information), trip cancellation insurance, medical or evacuation insurance, excess baggage fees or airport taxes, expenses incurred as a result of inclement weather or other conditions of nature, government action, illness, flight delays, or any other delays beyond the control of Expedition-Logistics, including unscheduled hotel nights and meals, incidental personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.), alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to guides, porters and staff.

Additional Information

See our Terms & Conditions for more. If you have questions regarding this expedition or your suitability for it, contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com; please include your telephone number and the best time to call.