Orizaba Peak - Mexico | Aventura Alpina

The largest volcano in North America and the highest mountain in Mexico. With excellent facilities at the base camp, comfort and chances of success are increased. The final attack on the summit via the mythical Jamapa glacier, an ice ramp with an elevation of 600m and a 45º inclination, makes this a true high-mountain experience.

DAY 0 (before the expedition): meeting at the hotel in Mexico City to meet the group and give an initial briefing. We will review the individual items and visit the partner store to purchase and/or rent previously reserved mountain clothing and equipment. Meals not included.

DAY 1: We will leave the hotel at 9:00 am for the town of Miguel Hidalgo (3,400m), our base town for the expedition and the beginning of the acclimatization planning, 250km from CDMX. Breakfast included at the hotel, lunch and dinner at the refuge.

DAY 2: First day of trekking. We will go to the Piedra Grande base camp at 4,200m above sea level, passing through the incredible Orizaba forest. We will return to the refuge in Hidalgo for the night. Breakfast and dinner included.

Accumulated elevation: 900 m

Distance: 17 km

Estimated time: 6h – 8h

DAY 3: Once acclimatized, we will climb definitively to the Piedra Grande base camp at 4,200m to spend the night. Breakfast and dinner included.

Accumulated elevation: 900 m

Distance: 8.5 km

Estimated time: 4h – 6h

DAY 4: A well-deserved free day of rest at the busy base camp. We will take advantage of this time to practice using crampons, ice axes and glacier crossings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

DAY 5: Acclimatization day. We will climb to the altitude camp at the base of the glacier, at 5.00m above sea level, and return to the base camp for the night. Breakfast and dinner included.

Accumulated elevation: 800 m

Distance: 5 km

Estimated time: 6h – 8h

DAY 6: We will climb to the altitude camp for the night and final acclimatization for the summit day. After everyone is properly housed in the tents, we will do a quick glacier safety braking training. Breakfast and dinner included.

Accumulated elevation: 800 m

Distance: 2.6 km

Estimated time: 4h – 6h

DAY 7: Summit attack day via the mythical Jamapa glacier, still at dawn. After the attempt, we will return to the altitude camp for the night. Breakfast and dinner included.

Accumulated elevation: 600 m

Distance: 1 km

Estimated time: 6h – 8h

DAY 8: We will descend to the base camp to take our transfer in a 4x4 vehicle and return directly to Mexico City. Breakfast and lunch included.

Accumulated elevation: -800 m

Distance: 2.6 km

Estimated time: 3h – 5h

INCLUDED

Accommodation with breakfast in a shared double room in Mexico City on days 0 and 1
Accommodation in a shelter with breakfast and dinner in the town of Miguel Hidalgo on days 2 and 3
Transportation in and out of the mountain from Mexico City
1 WFA first aid guide in Portuguese, English and Spanish for every 4 people
Tent (2P) and kitchen utensils in all camps
Mountain breakfast on days 5 to 8
Mountain lunch on days 5 and 8
Mountain dinner on days 4 to 7
1 Captain Jack snack
Use of dining tent at base camp
Porters of up to 15 kg from Miguel Hidalgo to base camp
Full assistance in purchasing and renting equipment
First aid kit for collective use
Online satellite tracking (SPOT)

NOT INCLUDED

Flight to Mexico City (round trip) return)
Transportation in Mexico City day 0
Food in Mexico City (except hotel breakfast)
Trail food (snacks)
Personal equipment and clothing (except tent and cooking utensils)
Personal porter (possible to hire separately)
Excess weight costs for loads weighing more than 15 kg
Any evacuation costs due to withdrawal
Travel insurance + rescue insurance
Reimbursement in case of loss of equipment due to theft or weather phenomena

CLOTHING

Polyamide T-shirt - 3 to 4 units

To be used during the hike. Prioritize long-sleeved T-shirts to protect from the sun and scratches. NEVER WEAR COTTON T-SHIRTS, since this type of fabric dries very slowly compared to synthetic materials.

Thin thermal 2nd skin shirt - 1 unit

These are very thin and tight clothes, which are completely close to the body. This characteristic increases heat retention. They will be used to withstand the cold nights at altitude, at camp and on the summit day.

200 fleece shirt - 1 unit

Fleece is a type of fabric with high heating power, low weight and good compression at an affordable price. If you want to invest in an even lighter and more compressible material but much more expensive, opt for goose down jackets. But be careful! There are several types of down jackets, and many are NOT SUITABLE FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS. For more information, please contact us.

Fleece jacket 400 - 1 unit

Can be replaced by a medium down jacket.

Anorak - 1 unit

This is the most important item in your backpack, as it is the main item of clothing to protect against hypothermia in the mountains. It must be water-resistant and preferably breathable, that is, it allows the vapor from your sweat to escape without letting water from rain or snow get in.

Pants - 2 units

Can be a second skin type or made of synthetic material with a high drying capacity.

Thin second skin pants - 1 unit

To withstand the cold nights at altitude. To be used only at camp and on the summit day.

Thick fleece 200 2nd skin pants - 1 unit

To be used at camp and on the summit day.

Thick fleece 400 2nd skin pants - 1 unit

To be used at camp and on the summit day.

Waterproof windbreaker pants - 1 unit

Preferably those made of breathable fabric.

Underwear - 5 to 10 units

Approach boots - 1 unit

Ideally, they should be specific for mountaineering, with a good sole (e.g. Vibram), water-resistant, high-cut to prevent twisting and preferably breathable. If new ones have been purchased, they should be broken in before the trip.

Crocks - 1 unit

Thin liner socks - 2 to 3 units

Choose technical socks, specifically for mountaineering. They should have high breathability, which helps to keep your feet in contact with moisture from sweat as little as possible, one of the 3 factors that cause blisters.

Medium socks - 2 units

Thick socks - 1 unit

These will only be used at camp.

Cold cap - 1 unit

Choose fleece models.

Expeditionary-style bandana or cap - 1 unit

Choose a bandana made of UV-protected fabric, as it is more versatile and can withstand extreme environmental conditions.

Thin liner gloves - 1 unit

Made of synthetic material.

Medium windproof glove - 1 unit

CAMPING

Sleeping bag -5ºC (comfort) - 1 unit

Thermal insulating mattress - 1 unit

Opt for inflatable or closed cell models, both with a heating factor higher than R4. Can be rented in the base city.

Pillow (optional) - 1 unit

Use specific camping ones, smaller and lighter than domestic ones. Can be replaced by a sweater.

Pee bottle - 1 unit

It may seem silly, but when you feel the urge to pee in the middle of the night, when you will be warm and comfortable inside your sleeping bag, leaving the tent WILL be a terrible ordeal. You will have to put on several layers of clothing again to withstand intense cold. Men can use a wide-mouthed canteen. Women should use a specific funnel that makes it easier to do this.

Hand warmer - 3 to 6 units

If you want to avoid getting cold at all costs, we suggest taking hand and foot warmers, known worldwide as hand warmers. A mixture of iron, water and salt that, when in contact with oxygen, triggers a chemical reaction that releases heat, keeping hands and feet at a temperature of approximately 40ºC for up to 6 hours.

ACCESSORIES

100L duffle bag - 1 unit

Your non-trail belongings will be transported by mules. They must be in highly resistant and waterproof backpacks. These can be rented in the base city.

40-50L daypack - 1 unit

To carry items for the approach trail such as snacks, water, sweaters, gloves and devices.

Backpack rain cover - 1 unit

Headlamp - 2 units

One will be a spare.

Set of spare lithium batteries - 1 unit

On cold nights at -10ºC the battery runs out quickly. Only lithium batteries will last the entire trip.

Cat 4 sunglasses - 1 unit

An essential item to make your trip more comfortable. Radiation at altitude is greater than at sea level, so protect yourself!

Pocket knife - 1 unit

Trekking poles - 1 pair

Some people don't like them, but that's due to lack of practice. The benefit, when used correctly, is a reduction of up to 30% in the impact on the knees, since you'll be sharing the effort of the hike with your arms and especially your shoulders. Avoid those with screw-type or automatic locks, as they are less resistant.

Support ice axel - 1 unit

Can be rented in the base city.

Camelbak 3L - 1 unit

An essential item, as dehydration at altitude increases the chance of altitude sickness (severe headaches and nausea, for example). This type of system prevents you from having to "take off and put on" your backpack.

1L Thermal canteen - 1 to 2 units

At the high camp, temperatures will be below zero. In a regular canteen or camelbak, the water will inevitably freeze, which is why we'll use thermal canteens.