On December 22, 2007 , three Mountaineers, Henry the Mountain Man™ and his two friends CP & DB, flew to Mexico City...

ADVENTURE JOURNAL

The next morning, we returned to the airport and took a bus to Puebla, Mexico. After a short taxi ride, we arrived at the Holiday Inn and were greeted by Jazmin.

On December 24, 2007, we met Senior Jose, a radio taxi driver (cell phone 044-222-337-2674). Senior Jose drove us to the saddle (13,130ft) between Orizaba ( Mexico’s highest at 18,491ft) and Sierra Negra (Its little brother at 15,220ft and the 5 th highest volcano in Mexico). The Sierra Negra hike was to get some altitude conditioning before the attempt to climb Iztaccihuatl (Izta), Mexico’s 3 rd highest volcano at 17,126ft. Sierra Negra’s summit is the site of the Large Millimeter Radio Telescope. There is a dirt road to the telescope. On the way up we were passed by a truck. The hike up the road was a great 3.7 miles. Arriving at the telescope (15,002 ft), we found that the true summit was fenced in with circular bar-wire on top.

After talking to Manuel, the truck driver, he agreed to allow us to tour the facility, but requested that we did not climb to the cross on the true summit. Manuel took us to the top of the caldera, which he periodically has to rappel down to clean.

The weather started to turn with a cold wind and clouds. There was a rumor about the highest tree in North America at over 14,000 ft was on a nearby ridge. Hiking up we saw a tree at 14,388 ft. However, we quickly decided to stop our search for the highest tree and descend down quickly. I looked for an alternate trail down. Soon I found a trail with an easy decent in the soft ash and shorter at 2.5 miles.

Senior Jose was waiting for us at the gate and Manuel even joined us after a successful adventure at the gate. {Next time, I will get permission to climb to the real summit.} The GPS showed 15,025 ft which is a great conditioning hike. We returned for dinner at the Holiday Inn in Puebla. Go to the Slideshow from Sierra Negra

On Christmas morning, Senior Jose picked us up in his taxi and drove us to the Popo-Izta National Park. We purchased permits to climb Izta (note: Exact change in pesos is needed.). The guard opened the gate on the road to La Jolla and Izta’s trailhead (13,200 ft).

The plan was to camp the night for a summit attempt on December 26. We backpacked up the trail to the ridge about 0.5 miles and climbed off the trail to the ridge at about 13,700 ft. There were a few spots to camp. I found a sheltered spot just enough for one sleeping bag to camp. It had a great view of Popocatepetl (Popo) and I only used a tarp between trees for the night. The T-mobile cell phone worked on the ridge to call home.

The moon rose early and illuminated the surrounding terrain. At about 3 am , the three Mountaineers started hiking up a well established trail with survival packs which included gear for the unknown glacier crossings. The sunrise was stunning and we finally reached the Climber’s Hut (about 15,500ft). No one was there and we had not seen anyone all morning.

After the Climber’s Hut, the route goes up a series of rock chutes through a cliff band reaching a slope of loose scree below the ridge. Finally reaching the ridge, the false summits came into view. Going up and down over the ridge, we finally reached the glacier about noon with clouds starting to form. The summit was in view.

Henry the Mountain Man™ dropped his pack for the summit push and put on the steel Black Diamond crampons. CP and DB were ahead. Photos take time at this altitude. I headed down the steep icy slope and across the glacier.

A loud thunder was heard. CP told DB to turn back and dropped his pack and raced to the summit. On the other side of the glacier, I met CP returning. The GPS showed 16,888 ft, a new altitude record for Henry the Mountain Man.

Now alone on the 8th highest mountain is North America, it was decision time. Feeling good but concerned with the weather, I decided for safety to turn around and leave the summit for another day.

The first people that I saw on the volcano were two ice climbers ascending a steep icy wall near the Climber’s Hut. Descending below the Climber’s Hut, I met over 10 climbers headed for the hut for the evening, including a group of Mexican Boy Scouts.

After picking up the camping gear on the ridge and calling home, I hiked down the trail as the sunlight was disappearing in the sky.

It was a great learning experience and adventure, but Izta’s Summit still is a goal. Next December, I plan to hike up to the Climber’s Hut and leave early for the summit the next morning.

Go to the Slideshow from Izta

On December 27, Senior Jose picked me up for a taxi tour of Cholula and its many ornate churches. The highlight was visiting the Pyramid of Cholula which is the world’s largest at 450 meters on the side with the church of Iglesia de los Remedios on top. I hired a guide, Senior Filiberto (cell phone 044-222-308-1016), for an English language tour of the historical museum and pyramid. He took me through the tunnels to exposed parts of the pyramid. There were exhibits of it construction in 7 stages over 600 years. We exited on the side and walked around to the southwest side to an excavated market place. The tour ended at the bottom of the path learning to the top of the pyramid and the church, which is free. Senior Jose provided an excellent taxi tour that ended on the hills to the east overlooking Puebla with views of Popo and Izta on the horizon in the sunset.

Go to the Slideshow from Puebla and Cholula Pyramid tour

After returning to the hotel and feeling adventurous, I walked to a local roasted Pollo (chicken) restaurant for dinner. On the way, I called home from a phone service. [Note: Phone calls and Internet from Mexico is currently a challenge. The TelMex phone card was found to be the best (40 cents per minute) although TelMex phones are not always available.]

After a good night of sleep, Senior Jose took me to the bus station. With a warm goodbye to a new friend, it was sad to leave Puebla and the new Amigos. The bus ride back to Mexico City was interesting with views of Izta. That afternoon, I took a taxi to Mexico City’s Historic District for a walking tour. Go to the Slideshow from Mexico City It was a holiday week and many locals were visiting the District including tribal dancing groups and more.

On December 29, I took a tour to Teotihuacan. Miguel Vazuez (cell phone 044-551-956-4615) was our driver and tour guide. The first stop was to the Shrine of Guadulupe. The tour stopped at the Artesanias “El Sol” near the Pyramid of the Sun. Edouiges gave us a demonstration about the agave and the making Tequila drinks, which included samples for the adults. Then there was a discussion how the artisans make the obsidian carving, which are outstanding. Some of the carvings were based on authentic Aztec designs. Yes, there was an opportunity to shop.

The tour continued to a walking tour of Teotihuacan. Climbing the Pyramid of the Sun was tiring because of the steep and high steps. I walked along The Avenue of the Dead to the Pyramid of the Moon, which was only available to climb halfway. Unfortunately, time ran out to explore all of Teotihuacan. The tour ended at the El Jaguar Restaurant for dinner and entertainment. Our waiter Carlos and his amigos with the Mariachi made the afternoon very special for everyone. Go to the Slideshow from Teotihuacan

On Sunday December 30, I flew to Capo San Luis with a stop in Mazatlan. Dreaming of fishing out of Baja, I boarded the plane to Las Vegas.

Henry the Mountain Man™

©Journal and all photos and slideshows copyrighted by Henry Jingle aka Henry the Mountain Man™ .