MX Volcanoes - 2/2015

[timf]

As I wrap up surgery recovery and get back into shape, the wife has finally given me the green light to head south of the border this time next year. So a few questions...

1) if you used a guide service like Servimont or Oso (looking just for transportation, showers and meals between peaks, and drinking water) how did you arrange payment (PayPal, CC, cashier check?) If you paid by CC were you concerned? Were they flexible to reschedule? Trip insurance?

2) Fitness recommendations?
3) Gear recommendations/ lists? In the area of boots, are -30 north face boots that are NOT hard plastic with strap on crampons feasible?
4) Maps/GPS needed (esp on Ixta)? Wand the Labyrinth?
5) Any other advice? Wanna join me?

[Scott P]

In the area of boots, are -30 north face boots that are NOT hard plastic with strap on crampons feasible?

For the Mexican Volcanoes, yes.

[mtnjim]

1. I made arrangements with Senor Reyes after I arrived in Tlachichuca, paid cash, though I can't remember whether it was US currency or pesos. My schedule wasn't too firm as Popo was smoking so that I had to eliminate Ixta from that trip and went to Orizaba earlier than planned. There is at least one ATM in town, so cash should be available. Plenty of ATMs in Amecameca.

2. As always, the fitter you are, the better off you are, but neither mountain requires any special training, assuming you're not one of the unlucky few who just can't handle altitude.

3. Whatever you would take for a winter 14er is plenty of warm for Izta and Ori. Any footwear with enough toe room should be ok. I know gas cannisters compatible with normal butane stoves are available in Amecameca. Not sure about Tlachichuca.

4. The trail on Ixta is actually pretty easy to follow as long as you have enough light to do so. Easiest to go straight up the hill from the old parking area and take the higher trail rather than the lower one. Planning on a night at the Grupo de los Cien hut or hiking from the parking area? As with Orizaba, clouds will sometimes come up after noon on an otherwise perfect day, so be aware.
For Orizaba, it's better to scout the trail through the Labyrinth in daylight if you can. It's not that hard to follow, but could be a problem if you're on your own in the dark. it's possible to summit and return entirely in daylight if you're in reasonable shape and are somewhat acclimatized. Guides like to take off in the middle of the night so they can be back for lunch and home for dinner . Getting off the glacier and back to the starting point for the trail through the Labyrinth could be confusing in bad weather, but once you've started out it should go well enough.

5. I would like to make it down again but Feb looks unlikely. You should have a great time!

[MountainHiker]

There is a topo map for Ixta in my trip report:
http://www.summitpost.org/iztaccihuatl-utm/377355

This map was made from the 1:50,000 topo that covers Izta & Popo. I enlarged it 2X on a photocopier and added some labels for features and contours. It was necessary for me to heavy up the UTM grid. Map datum is NAD27 Mexico. If you print this on 8.5 x 14 the scale should be close to 1:25000.
http://www.summitpost.org/iztaccihuatl-map/377336
http://images.summitpost.org/original/377336.jpg

[Kiefer]

Thanks for the map of Izta. Sarah and I will be down there in a few weeks doing Izta, Toluca and if we have time, Sierra Negra.
The map will be especially useful.
Thanks!

There is a topo map for Ixta in my trip report:
http://www.summitpost.org/iztaccihuatl-utm/377355

This map was made from the 1:50,000 topo that covers Izta & Popo. I enlarged it 2X on a photocopier and added some labels for features and contours. It was necessary for me to heavy up the UTM grid. Map datum is NAD27 Mexico. If you print this on 8.5 x 14 the scale should be close to 1:25000.
http://www.summitpost.org/iztaccihuatl-map/377336
http://images.summitpost.org/original/377336.jpg