We are now in Chile and the next leg of our mountaineering expedition. Here is a map showing the various objectives as we work our way from north to south. How well we hold to the itinerary will depend upon weather and how we fare physically. Wish us luck! Continue Reading
Archives for November 2014
Pico de Orizaba
On 11 November Derek and I successfully summited Pico de Orizaba :) :) At 5636m this is the highest peak in Mexico, and the highest volcano in North America. Miriam (one of our guides) and Derek approaching summit The crater rim Continue Reading
Puebla
Although my posts have inevitably been about our mountaineering objectives, Derek and I have also been able to experience something of Mexican culture, whether this has been the food, the music played on the car radio, the state of their buildings and roads, etc. Perhaps one thing I regret is not Continue Reading
Ascent of Izta
So we had gone to bed early the night before. We needed to as a 4am start was planned with a 3am wake up call. I did not manage to fall asleep for almost an hour. Sleep was a little disturbed and I took sips of water each time it was. At least I wasn't getting the apnoea I was suffering from earlier Continue Reading
Preparation for Iztaccihuatl and ascent to high camp
Access to Iztaccihuatl (henceforth Izta) is from the Paso de Cortes, a high pass lying between Izta and Popocatapetl at an elevation of around 3,600m. Cortes was the murderous Spaniard who did away with the Aztec empire. A long and winding road runs up to the pass from the town of Amecameca. Continue Reading