Orizaba

Height: 18,490 feet (5,636 meters) Location: Mexico Skil level: Intermediate Type of climb: Glacier Guide service: summitorizaba Located southeast of Mexico City, the massive volcanoes of Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl and El Pico de Orizaba dominate the surrounding skyline. Pico de Orizaba is the third highest peak in North America, towering over Mexico at 18,700f / 5,700 m above sea level, and surrounded by smal Indian vil ages. Iztaccihuatl, known as The Sleeping Lady, offers interesting and varied climbing at an elevation of 17,373f / 5,600 m. Our volcano climbing expeditions to Orizaba and other peaks combine a great mix of culture and climbing, continual y proving the Mexican volcanoes to be an excel ent introduction or continuation to high altitude mountaineering. Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive to Mexico City, Travel to our Hotel in Tlachichuca, Dinner provided at our dining area.
Day 2 Arise and have breakfast, sort and pack gear in preparation for travel to Piedra Grande Hut. 4×4 Travel to Hut. Leisure day to rest, hike around and hydrate.
Day 3 Acclimatization day. Acclimatization hike to 15,300. Review route condition, rope travel, ice axe and crampon use. Travel back to Piedra Grande Hut for early sleep Day 4 Orizaba summit attempt. Arise early. The climb takes 10-14 hours to reach and return from the 18,700ft summit. From the summit there are spectacular views into the dormant volcano crater and out across the Mexican landscape. After returning from the summit we wil pack our gear and head back down to Tlachichuca where we wil spend the night at our hotel.
Day 5 After breakfast, travel to Mexico City for departing flights.Day 10: Plaza de Mulas / Campo 1 “Plaza Canadá”
After a 3-hour trek, you wil reach the Camp 1. The group wil have lunch and set up the tents. You wil begin feeling the effects of altitude on your body. Day 11: Camp 1 “Plaza Canadá” / Camp 2 “Nido de Cóndores”
Climb to Camp 2. This trek lasts 4 hours. As on the previous days, you wil set up the tents with the guides’ help. You can rest for the rest of the day. Day 12: Camp 2 “Nido de Cóndores” / Camp 3 “Berlín”
Climb to Camp 3 “Berlin”. This wil be a short hike, around 3 hours, but al your strength is needed due to the characteristics of this part of the route. This is the last altitude camp before the summit. Day 13: Camp 3 “Berlín” / Summit / Camp 3 “Berlín”
Climb from Camp 3 to the summit and return to Camp 3. This is the great day! The group wil get up very early in the morning, have breakfast and start climbing. You wil get to the summit, where you wil live an unforgettable experience, and return to Berlin. You wil sleep that night with the satisfaction of having reached your aim. Day 14: Camp 3 “Berlín” / Plaza de Mulas
You wil descend to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. The group wil have the day free to share those emotions experienced throughout the expedition. Day 15: Plaza de Mulas / Puente del Inca / Mendoza
Descent to Puente del Inca and last trek in the expedition. Your belongings wil be carried by mules so you wil only take a light bag pack with a jacket and your packed lunch. Transfer to Mendoza city. Lodge in the hotel. Day 16: Mendoza
Breakfast. End of services. Day 17: Extra day for contingencies that may prevent the normal development of the program. Day 18: Extra day for contingencies that may prevent the normal development of the program. [ ] BACKPACK: A 60-70 liter pack is recommended.
SLEEPING BAG & PAD
[ ] SLEEPING BAG: A bag rated to 20° F wil keep you warm on the mountain. Either goose down or synthetic.
[ ] SLEEPING PAD: Ful length inflatable or closed cel foam pad.
[ ] COMPRESSION STUFF SACK FOR SLEEPING BAG. GEAR
[ ] HELMET: A lightweight climbing helmet is recommended, but not manditory.
[ ] CLIMBING HARNESS: A comfortable, adjustable climbing harness.
[ ] ICE AXE: The length of your axe depends on your height.
[ ] CRAMPONS: The 12 point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and tools needed for adjustment which are specific to your crampons.
[ ] TREKKING POLES: Lightweight and col apsible. [ ] 2 CARABINERS: 1 locking and 1 non-locking.
HEAD
[ ] WARM HAT: A wool or synthetic hat. It should be warm, but thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
[ ] BALACLAVA/ NECK GAITER
[ ] CAP: A lightweight bal cap, bandanna or sun hat.
[ ] GLACIER GLASSES : A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or ful wrap-type sunglasses is required. [ ] GOGGLES: Amber or rose-tinted goggles are required for adverse weather. Additional y, contact lens wearers may find a clear-lensed goggle very useful on windy or dusty conditions.
[ ] HEADLAMP: We recommend lithium batteries as they perform wel in a cold environment. We also recommend that you bring an extra set of batteries.
[ ] DUST mask or BANDANA: The 4×4 ride can sometimes be dusty.
GLOVES
A good glove / mitten combination is important because of the variety of weather conditions experienced throughout your climb. Your glove combination should include three separate layers that work wel together.
[ ] LIGHT WEIGHT GLOVE: One pair of fleece or wool gloves. [ ] MEDIUM WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE: One pair of wind/water resistant ski gloves.
[ ] HEAVY WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE or MITTEN: One pair of wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
UPPER BODY
The fol owing five layers are needed for the upper body. It is important that these layers work in combination with each other.
[ ] BASE LAYER : One long-sleeve, light to medium weight wool or synthetic top wil be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles al ow for better temperature regulation.
[ ] INSULATING LAYERS: A variety of insulating layers work wel . Your choice of garment (sweater, jacket, fleece, soft-shel , etc) and the number of garments (one or two) should be based on how wel you do in the cold. General y speaking, we recommend two layers that work in combination with each other. [ ] SHELL JACKET: You wil need a jacket made of waterproof material with an attached hood.
[ ] INSULATED PARKA with HOOD: This item becomes of highest importance when we are faced with poor weather. Additional y, this oversized, insulated parka traps heat at rest breaks. The parka may be either goose down or synthetic fil and should have at least two inches of insulation thickness. It should fit over al of your clothing layers, including your wind shel . An attached, insulated hood is preferred.
LOWER BODY
[ ] UNDERWEAR: Non cotton, bring 1 – 3 pair.
[ ] HIKING SHORTS
All climbers should have the fol owing three layers. While there are a number of possible garment choices, it is important that al your clothing layers work in conjunction with each other. Your choice of specific brands and types of the fol owing layers should be based upon how wel you do in the cold, when in the season you are climbing and how wel it fits. [ ] BASE LAYER: One pair light to medium weight wool or synthetic bottoms wil be used as your base layer.
[ ] CLIMBING LAYER: This is a lighter weight wind/water-resistant layer that most climbers and al guides live in throughout the expedition. A pant made of soft-shel or Schoel er material is best and provides the versatility for comfort, protection from the elements, and works wel with your other lower body clothing layers.
[ ] SHELL LAYER: A pant made of breathable rain and wind-proof material wil be needed. Ful -length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons in cold, inclement weather.
FEET
[ ] MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: Insulated leather mountaineering boots are the preferred choice for ascents in Mexico. They provide the adequate insulation as wel as the rigid sole for kicking steps and holding crampons. Plastic mountaineering boots are also adequate. Though their stiffness makes them somewhat less suitable during the approach hikes, they are general y a warmer option for summit day. Bring one pair of chemical foot warmers if you are using the leather mountaineering boots.
[ ] HIKING BOOTS: A pair of lightweight boots for approaches and hiking on rugged terrain. [ ] LIGHTWEIGHT HIKING SHOES: Great for travel, day hikes, and camp.
[ ] GAITERS: A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots.
[ ] SOCKS: Three pair, either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
[ ] CLOTHES FOR IN TOWN AND WHILE TRAVELING:
[ ] Pants (2) [ ] Shirts (3 – 4)
[ ] Personal First Aid Kit
[ ] Duct tape
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
[ ] Imodium
[ ] Diamox [ ] Tylenol or Ibuprofen
[ ] Sunscreen and Lip Balm
UTENSILS
[ ] Bowl
[ ] Insulated mug
[ ] Spoon and fork [ ] Multitool
[ ] Hand Warmers
[ ] 2 Water Bottles: Bring two sturdy one-liter Nalgene style water bottles with water bottle parkas parkas. If you bring a hydration bladder ensure the hose is insulated and also bring a one-liter bottle.
[ ] 2 Large Garbage Bags: To keep items dry; we also recommend a rainfly.
TOILET ARTICLES
[ ] Toothbrush [ ] Toothpaste
[ ] Baby wipes
[ ] Travel size hand sanitizer
[ ] Toilet Paper or travel wipes
[ ] Ear Plugs for sleeping
[ ] Digital Camera [ ] Stuff sacks for organization
OPTIONAL ITEMS
[ ] iPod, journal, pen, book, Sudoku, etc.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS / MONEY
[ ] Passport
[ ] MONEY: cash, credit cards, etc.

Source: http://www.radiatinghope.org/pdf/orizaba.pdf