Pico de Orizaba is our main objective in Mexico. It is both the highest mountain in the country and the highest volcano in North America being 5,636m (18,491ft) in height. It has, in geological terms, very recent volcanic activity having last erupted in 1846.
Unlike Iztaccihuatl, it has a classical volcanic cone shape. It is a further 80 miles east (and slightly to the north) of Iztaccihuatl. The top 600m (2,000ft) are glaciated and the summit itself is the uppermost part of the remains of the crater, one side of which blew itself out millennia ago.
But first we attempt Iztaccihuatl. More on our progress to follow.
Leave a Reply