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We are back in Mexico City with some people flying home today. I will catch my flight early tomorrow. We had a nice descent from the summit of Orizaba yesterday. The snow was somewhat packed making it easier than if it had been soft or mushy. That was one benefit of starting so early and avoiding the hot sun of the afternoon. As promised, here are a few pictures of summit day. I will do a complete recap plus posts more pictures next week. Also I will provide the final details of climbing slide show for the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund continue reading

Rural Mexico has a lot in common with many other countries I have traveled in to climb mountains – rugged terrane, wide open spaces, dusty roads and poverty. And big smiles, hard workers and friendly faces. We arrived in Tlachichuca an hour after sunset and entered the walled compound of Senior Reyes. He is a surgeon at the local hospital AND runs a climber hostel. The compound was a soap factory for almost 100 years run by his Great and Grandfathers and Father. It is a unique building with a living room next to the old boiler (made in Titusville continue reading

Next week my friends Patrick (pictured right with Elizabeth), Robert, Scott and I will be in Mexico climbing the 3rd highest peak in North America at 18,880 feet, 5754 meter. However various sources quote the altitude somewhere between 18,400 and 18,900. I will take my GPS and measure from the summit! The one week expedition will be my first climb in Mexico. We call ourselves the “cuatro hombres lentos de los Estados Unidos que buscan una cumbre y una cerveza” or more charitably, The Orizaba 4! This will be a special climb since… it will be with close friends rather continue reading