Pico de Orizaba
As I sit here on a Saturday morning, savoring a cup of coffee, I find myself immersed in reflections of the remarkable snowboarding and climbing experiences I have had over the past few years. The creation of my website has been a gratifying endeavor, igniting within me a desire to further develop and enhance it.
Nevertheless, I would like to share a brief account of my expedition to Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America.
Standing at 18,491’ Pico de Orizaba can be seen from villages hundreds of miles away and is known by skiers & climbers alike as a rapid ascent peak.
For the first time in my life, I climbed to elevation in under 7 days and returned home faster than any other big mountain climbing trip I have been on. And to keep this write up short, I will share a series of photos and captions just to keep it moving.
I embarked on the journey to climb Orizaba alongside three incredible individuals whom I had met in Alaska. Each of them possessed their own unique skills and accomplishments that made our team dynamic.
Peter, positioned on the far left, had previously served in the special forces and was now pursuing a career in medicine to save lives. Danny, located in the top right, is the CEO of an IT company based in Atlanta, and his passion for pushing limits extended to regularly participating in 100-mile races. Jacob, situated in the bottom right, is an adrenaline junkie who thrives in high-elevation environments. He indulges in the thrill of base jumping, parachuting, and euro style alpinism.
Despite our diverse backgrounds, we recognized the allure and feasibility of climbing Orizaba at that particular time of year so we promptly made arrangements to meet in Mexico City.
Upon meeting at the airport, we wasted no time and jumped in a Dodge Grand Caravan to take us to a climbers' hostel. The hostel's owners were welcoming, and their culinary skills left us satisfied. However, our stay was brief, as we swiftly gathered our gear and transferred it into a lifted 4x4 vehicle that swiftly ascended to an elevation of 14,000 feet within a matter of hours. Before we knew it, we found ourselves settling into a cozy hut, preparing ourselves for the challenges that awaited us the following day.
Sunrise from the hut
Every day, we were greeted with breathtaking views of Mexico's diverse and stunning terrain, filling our hearts with joy and a sense of awe. The camaraderie within our team was palpable, and our spirits were high.
However, true to our adventurous nature, we wasted no time and rose early the following day, driven by determination.
With a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, we embarked on our ascent, ready to push ourselves to new heights and embrace the challenges that awaited us.
Photo by Jacob
The summit of Pico de Orizaba
Summit selfie
Our team photo on the summit.
After successfully reaching the summit, we wasted no time and swiftly descended the glacier making our way back to camp. From there, we hopped into a 4x4 vehicle that transported us to town. Remarkably, within just a few hours of standing on the summit, we were already en route back to Mexico City, where we caught a plane back to America.
Although our trip was relatively short, it was filled with unforgettable moments and held its own unique sense of grandeur. However, looking ahead to future adventures, I have made a decision to bring a snowboard along next time, adding a new dimension of excitement to the experience.
