GoTrek Tours/Treks

 

Climb Mexico Volcanoes: Climbing Guide Services

Mexico Volcanoes Guided Adventure Trip

Cost Includes: All group equipment such as; ropes, tents, stoves, shovels, breakfasts and dinners on the mountain, land transportation except taxis, hotels, and permit and guide fees.

Does not include: Airfares, insurances, extra hotel nights, meals while not on the mountain (except Africa), lunches, tips, and items of a personal nature.

Each winter, Go Trek heads for sunny Mexico to climb two spectacular volcanoes: El Pico de Orizaba, North America's third highest mountain at 18,880 feet and Iztaccihuatl, North America's seventh highest mountain at 17,887 feet. Not only is this a great cultural experience, these guided volcano climbs give you the opportunity to see how well you do at moderately high altitudes before attempting peaks like Aconcagua, McKinley or others. This is non-technical, straight forward glacier climbing. A great next step after climbing Mt. Rainier. Join GoTrek mountain climbing guides for your next adventure!

What to expect when arriving at Mexico City International Airport.

How are we different? Why are we better?

You get more for your money. Example bigger guide service & group in Mexico (Nov.08) clients & guides coming to me with questions and comments about food & culture because their very experienced guide doesn’t speak Spanish.

Experience- Craig has more climbs of the Mexico Volcanoes then any other American Guide including over 50 climbs of Orizaba, North America’s third highest mountain. Craig & his guides also speak Spanish.

We use the best available local guides. We don’t just drop you off in an historical area leaving you to wonder what it all means like other guide services do. We hire great local guides to explain the “real Mexico” to you! On the mountain are assistants from Mexico are wonderful.

Small Groups- We run our trips with a minimum of four clients & a maximum of eight to assure you the individual attention & safety you deserve.

Bottom Line- We want you to come away with the best possible Mexico Volcano climbing experience, so you will join us on future trips. It is great for you and good for us as well.

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Flights from the United States to Mexico City. Taxi to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
• Day 2
  Pyramids Tour in Mexico City. Additional sightseeing on your own. Group meeting in the evening followed by dinner at a casual restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
• Day 3
  Morning tour of Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Drive to village of Amecameca for lunch. Drive to base camp on Ixta. Overnight car camping at base camp at 12,000 feet.
• Day 4
  Hike to high camp at the base of the Ayoloco Glacier on Ixta at 15,000 feet. Overnight at the Ayoloco Hut.
• Day 5
  Summit day for Ixta! Leave early morning and climb for 4 to 5 hours to the summit of Ixta. Return to hut, pack, and descend to Ixta base camp. Overnight at Ixta base camp.
• Day 6
  Drive to colonial city of Puebla (approximately 1.5 hours) for breakfast. Check into hotel, clean up, rest, and sightseeing on your own in the city. Overnight at hotel.
  
• Day 7
  Depart Puebla for the village of Tlachichuca at the base of Orizaba. Purchase any needed snacks, etc., and then catch our 4-wheel drive shuttle to the Piedra Grande Hut on Orizaba. Overnight at hut at 13,800 feet.
• Day 8
  Summit day on Orizaba! This climb will take 10 to 12 hours round trip. The 4-wheel drive shuttle meets us at the hut in late afternoon and takes us down to Tlachichuca. Grab showers and a meal and drive back to Mexico City arriving at our hotel around 9:00 p. m. What a long day!!! Overnight at hotel in Mexico City.
• Day 9
  Our last full day in Mexico City is spent shopping at a local artisan's market and enjoying a celebratory lunch. That evening sample some of Mexico City's vibrant nightlife. Overnight at hotel.
• Day 10
  Depart Mexico City for the United States.

A final detailed itinerary will be e-mailed to enrolled participants 30 days prior to departure on international trips and 14 days prior to departure on domestic trips.

Culture & Sightseeing

Our newly revitalized Mexico trips include an extra night's stay in Mexico City and a cultural tour on Saturday to the pyramids of Teotihuacan. This serves as a great cultural introduction to Mexico and at the same time increases your enjoyment factor by being better acclimated before attempting to climb the volcanoes. We also have a morning tour of Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Our last full day in Mexico City is spent shopping at a local artisan's market and enjoying a celebratory lunch. That evening, you can sample some of Mexico City's vibrant nightlife. In addition to climbing, you have the opportunity to experience Mexico. During our trip we will visit colonial towns such as Puebla and experience the incredible, lively capitol of Mexico City.

Experience Requirements

Prior knowledge of ice axe arrest, cramponing, and rope team travel are REQUIRED. Everyone must have these basic skills!

It has been said that these volcanoes provide the ideal training grounds for climbers who would like more experience in high-altitude mountaineering. The routes on these peaks are not particularly difficult technically, but are worthwhile ascents. The climbs require extended cramponing on moderately steep slopes with firm snow conditions.

Equipment List

Clothing:
• Plastic mountaineering boots
• Gaiters
• Light hiking shoes / trail approach shoes
• Two pairs of socks
• Hiking shorts / pants
• Climbing pants (Schoeller fabric works well)
• GORE-TEX® pants (with full side zips)
• GORE-TEX® jacket
• Down jacket (light to medium weight)
• Long underwear (lightweight top and bottom)
• Fleece jacket
• Fleece hat (ski cap)
• Ski gloves
• Light fleece gloves / liners
• Sunglasses (wrap around style)
• Ski goggles

Gear:
• Internal frame backpack, 4000-to-5000-cubic-inch capacity
• Ice axe (70 cm is a great length)
• Crampons
• Harness
• Helmet
• One pair collapsable trekking poles
• One locking carabiner
• One non-locking)
• Sleeping Bag, rated to 32 degrees degrees Fahrenheit
• Sleeping pad (inflatable or closed cell foam)
• Sunscreen
• Two Nalgene bottles (wide mouth recommended)
• Bowl, cup, and spoon
• Headlamp with an extra set of batteries
• Camera and film
• Personal First Aid Kit: aspirin, antacids, band aids, Cipro, Immodium Lightweight toiletries
• One package of Potable Aqua (iodine tablets for water purification)
• Small roll of toilet paper
• Bic lighter
• Two large plastic garbage bags
• Pocket knife

Ready to go Trekking or Mountain Climbing?

If you are ready to get going and want to speed the process along, complete the steps below.

• Step 1: Complete & submit the Online Contact Form below
• Step 2: Download & complete the Medical Information Form
• Step 3: Download & complete the Release of Liability Waiver
• Step 4: Reserve your space. Mail the Medical Information Form, Release of Liability Waiver, Online Reservation E-mail Confirmation and Trip Deposit to:

  GoTrek & Mountain Climbing Expeditions
  9013 Key Peninsula Highway North #115
  Lakebay, WA 98349
  USA