"Originally, I had planned for a 2008 attempt, but my climbing buddies weren't able to come along so I postponed."
You know I put this trip off for a year hoping you could come along. But life always has a way of changing our plans doesn't it? Oh well, if you do go next year, I'll probably come with you.
Fine report. I did the trip a couple of Decembers ago and your report reminded me of some of our experiences. We did Ixta first, though, as a warm up for Orizaba. I'll have to try those Amecameca tacos if I go down there again!
The standard route on Orizaba is very straightforward even though there are different variations in the labyrinth. Izta was another story. We found ourselves off-route a couple times trying to follow the Ridge of the Sun. My suggestion would be to start with the smaller peaks in Mexico like Malinche and work your way up. That way you can acclimatize properly. If you plan to do Izta, I would suggest a guide.
One hell of a mound to climb (-First image-excuse me for the expression , but the mountain -if I'm not mistaken- apart from being presumed as quite close to civilisation presents a certain symettry that a neophyte like myself is tempted to believe that it is a pleasent climb...) -
If only I had the guts I'd get out and climb and then talk about it ! Mind you, here in Montreal the hill in the middle of town (which towers at 700 or so feet) was deemed as once being part of the mid atlantic ridge ! Although you guys wouldn't be fooled by it ! LOL !
You're right. From the profile angle of the slopes it looks sort of easy. But there are a lot of cliffs that don't show on first impression. If you looks closely at that same image, just below the glacier you can make out many large drop-offs.
I also found the lack of information frustrating. Sites like summitpost & 14ers.com were a valuable source for details before leaving. I tried to add to the communal knowledge with my own trip report of Izta. I used some GPS waypoints to label a topo map which I included with my report.
I'm glad your party all returned safely. Those mountains are not to be taken lightly. Some friends have been hurt on Orizaba in a couple different incidents. (fortunately not too seriously) It sounds like you had no choice but to turn around on Izta.
Even though Orizaba is higher and more technical, Izta can be a longer day. All of the up and down combined with loose stuff and route finding can conspire to make it a harder climb.
I have used 14ers.com when going to Colorado but it didn't cross my mind to check it out for Mexico. I wish I had found your map before our trip started. Excellent job putting that together. With all the issues you mentioned, Izta can (and did in our case) turn out the more challenging of the two. We sure underestimated it. Thanks for the compliment.
With regards to the images, one image in particular from a summit has us realise by the shadow cast below that there is a certain symetry the source of a certain dumb fascination hypothetically potentially clarifying why the central Americans were in love with pyramids which by their symmetry and height inspire a certain sense of mysticism mostly once compared to something much higher and closer to the heavens and the gods casting likewise shadows ...(Mind you the pyramidial shadow looks more like an Egyptian Pyramid. But anyways...Please excuse me for the comment ...)
We ran into the same issue on Izta. 9am or so start (I actually forget) and then a near 12 hour day. I remember the day before that I realized from Secor's book we had miscalculated. In the early afternoon we accepted we might be sleeping up there, or hiking out to Amecameca. Some how we made the round trip with about 15 mins to spare. The Secor book I had said something about the summit is easily reached in a day. The summit, yes, but the round trip is tight.
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 4:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Excellent TR! Definite TR of the week!!!"Originally, I had planned for a 2008 attempt, but my climbing buddies weren't able to come along so I postponed."
You know I put this trip off for a year hoping you could come along. But life always has a way of changing our plans doesn't it? Oh well, if you do go next year, I'll probably come with you.
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 7:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Outstanding!!!Sweet! Which other ones are you thinking of?
MarkDidier - Nov 29, 2009 10:07 am - Voted 10/10
Great TRCongratulations on your success. A great trip report - very well written, and entertaining to read.
Happy Trails,
Mark
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 7:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TRThanks Mark
Holk - Nov 29, 2009 1:55 pm - Voted 10/10
A well writen reportwith good and entertaining photos. Thanks!
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 7:26 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A well writen reportThanks. Speaking of photos, you sure have some nice ones in your collection.
Moogie737 - Nov 29, 2009 6:48 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice pictures, tooFine report. I did the trip a couple of Decembers ago and your report reminded me of some of our experiences. We did Ixta first, though, as a warm up for Orizaba. I'll have to try those Amecameca tacos if I go down there again!
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 7:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice pictures, tooYeah, the tacos are definitely worth the plane ride. I'm guessing you were on the trip with MOCKBA?
ktnbs - Nov 29, 2009 8:28 pm - Hasn't voted
A very good report..one of the better ones for Pico and demonstrative photos too.
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 7:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A very good reportThanks. I see you've been there too.
Mountain_girl - Nov 30, 2009 1:54 am - Hasn't voted
Thanks!Beautiful photo story!
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 7:52 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Thanks!Thanks Gosia!
gimpilator - Nov 30, 2009 4:13 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Guides?The standard route on Orizaba is very straightforward even though there are different variations in the labyrinth. Izta was another story. We found ourselves off-route a couple times trying to follow the Ridge of the Sun. My suggestion would be to start with the smaller peaks in Mexico like Malinche and work your way up. That way you can acclimatize properly. If you plan to do Izta, I would suggest a guide.
suddendescent - Nov 30, 2009 3:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Wow !One hell of a mound to climb (-First image-excuse me for the expression , but the mountain -if I'm not mistaken- apart from being presumed as quite close to civilisation presents a certain symettry that a neophyte like myself is tempted to believe that it is a pleasent climb...) -
If only I had the guts I'd get out and climb and then talk about it ! Mind you, here in Montreal the hill in the middle of town (which towers at 700 or so feet) was deemed as once being part of the mid atlantic ridge ! Although you guys wouldn't be fooled by it ! LOL !
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 12:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow !You're right. From the profile angle of the slopes it looks sort of easy. But there are a lot of cliffs that don't show on first impression. If you looks closely at that same image, just below the glacier you can make out many large drop-offs.
MountainHikerCO - Nov 30, 2009 11:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice reportI also found the lack of information frustrating. Sites like summitpost & 14ers.com were a valuable source for details before leaving. I tried to add to the communal knowledge with my own trip report of Izta. I used some GPS waypoints to label a topo map which I included with my report.
I'm glad your party all returned safely. Those mountains are not to be taken lightly. Some friends have been hurt on Orizaba in a couple different incidents. (fortunately not too seriously) It sounds like you had no choice but to turn around on Izta.
Even though Orizaba is higher and more technical, Izta can be a longer day. All of the up and down combined with loose stuff and route finding can conspire to make it a harder climb.
Great pictures!
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 12:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice reportI have used 14ers.com when going to Colorado but it didn't cross my mind to check it out for Mexico. I wish I had found your map before our trip started. Excellent job putting that together. With all the issues you mentioned, Izta can (and did in our case) turn out the more challenging of the two. We sure underestimated it. Thanks for the compliment.
suddendescent - Dec 1, 2009 8:45 am - Hasn't voted
I forgot to mention...With regards to the images, one image in particular from a summit has us realise by the shadow cast below that there is a certain symetry the source of a certain dumb fascination hypothetically potentially clarifying why the central Americans were in love with pyramids which by their symmetry and height inspire a certain sense of mysticism mostly once compared to something much higher and closer to the heavens and the gods casting likewise shadows ...(Mind you the pyramidial shadow looks more like an Egyptian Pyramid. But anyways...Please excuse me for the comment ...)
gimpilator - Dec 4, 2009 12:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: I forgot to mention...That's a very interesting comparison. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
1mvertical - Dec 2, 2009 5:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Izta is a haul...We ran into the same issue on Izta. 9am or so start (I actually forget) and then a near 12 hour day. I remember the day before that I realized from Secor's book we had miscalculated. In the early afternoon we accepted we might be sleeping up there, or hiking out to Amecameca. Some how we made the round trip with about 15 mins to spare. The Secor book I had said something about the summit is easily reached in a day. The summit, yes, but the round trip is tight.
Nice work out there!