On a normal morning in Colombia I saw a message on my phone from Chris saying he would like to travel to Mexico with me if I could join him. That was the start of this crazy story.
Popocatepetl is the second highest volcano in Mexico and Iztaccihuatl the third one.
At our time we where there Popocatepetl was closed doe to erruptions. Hike Iztaccihuatl is alway a pretty nice option for every adventurer!
As you climb, you can apprecciate unique views worthy of any adventure movie you've ever seen. The landscape, the history, and the stength you get of this wonders of Mexico are proof that the best hiking experience can be found in thins enchanting country that has absolutely everything.
We Started our trip in Cholula a University city close to Puebla. After a hangover the plan was to get to San Nicolas de los Ranchos the settlement before the Ascent. It took us the whole day to get there. In the end we came to Paso the Cortes what was very convenient because we found a shelter where we pitched our camp. Early the next morning we walked to the direction of La Joya 4200meters above see level. We had enough power to get to the refuge hut Los Cien at 4900 meters.
The night in the hut was bitterly cold and I got sick with altitude for the whole night I felt bad luckely time went fast to get up at 4 o clock. Two teams were already on their way so we followed, it was hard and super steep and still dark that we couldn see anything without lamp. We got to the top around 6 a.m where it was extremely windy that's why we turned back a few meters to look for a shelter. Unfortunately it was still dark and we had to wait until the sun slowly came up so we could see again and walk back but the sun didn't come until half past seven and we had to hold out. Even this waiting has an end when the sun came up we started the dangerous way back. After 9 hours we where at the foot of the mountain in the end of the valley where the road was and tried to get transportation to not freeze as much that night. Already given up! Luckely a pickup drove past he brought us to the village. Where we met out taco grandma again and set up our camp for the night above the settlement.
The next morning Pablo woke us up he traditionally made charcoal like his 5 previos generations before, he really wanted to show us that so we made frinds and he invited us to his home to eat tacos.
Chris report: Climbing Iztaccihuatl was the highlight of our trip better than Ritacumba Blanco
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