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- Dec 08, 2014
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Mexico climbing season is underway and Mountain Madness is rockin’ south of the border!
Our first 9‑day Mexico Volcanoes Expedition of the season just returned from a very successful trip. Every one of our climbers summited both the 7th (Iztaccihuatl, 17,134 ft.) and the 3rd (Orizaba, 18, 491 ft) highest peaks in North America! Conditions on the peaks were great, as was the weather!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=932d590955a1ab1541475a25e5a2a01d 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=a3b3be84a9565e2cfabd0b78f69fb47a 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=0ded28ee09adbc69631929d5de58e3f7 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=203c1bb64281a71a01e73da67122a851 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=8afdeca9ed586ec381a787cc25a46c28 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=b54f64151bde7b271573799cd4726a74 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=da3c7b8fb3539283aa2045f5690ec025 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03049_Mexico4_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=4c7be10e039e3e0163bc21aad47cf32b 1024w)
Summit of Ixta. Sherman Braganza photo
Standing high over the massive central plateau of Mexico are three volcanic giants: Iztaccihuatl (“Ixta”), 17,134 ft; Popocatapetl (“Popo”), 17,802 ft; and El Pico de Orizaba, 18,491 ft. They are respectively the 7th, 5th and 3rd highest peaks in North America. Popo is a very active volcano and is not climbed at this time but Orizaba and Itxa offer a unique opportunity to test yourself at altitude without long approaches or many days of travel, and you don’t need to mortgage your house!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=a7f6f60d4c86d4c05abbcb31280f1784 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=eca53cc1a256ca43fa2739abebf54f0f 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=5cb52abecdaeecd1d8fb9aeb31d12b89 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=0a5116a078cc4fd51634731e3cec985c 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a3d23ae53da3126d3bf6917e481bd9eb 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=8078fe8e83f90d2ed68ca640ffff5edc 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3ff206780753d761ed3590d87bb57429 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02995_Mexico3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=c770a706076efeef1e1712ecdb115205 1024w)
Erupting Popo at night.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=29aa9427f16f4ab6319ca1a8d8dd159b 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=9236a758ee7f92c290257e568099c8f8 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=ea2753451b86a85ff339a2c72582b75d 683w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=15754ac5ec4189fcff1b70e1342fbe3e 683w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=1a5a8ce974b20c76e96c51b35da18687 683w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=18291e5104671383c546bbc8fbd507b9 683w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=b5c753aca97c508d40712c8e608d2f3a 683w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03086_Mexico6_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=2f8ec3c5ac64c9b9ba922502e2171ef0 683w)
Snow-capped Orizaba. Sherman Braganza photos
Mexico is an incredible destination for climbing. Big mountains, moderate climbing, short flights from the U.S., plus easy and fun travel while you are there. Mountain Madness offers both 9 and 7‑day expeditions to the Mexican Volcanoes. The 9‑day expedition climbs both Ixta and Orizaba while traveling through the central plateau, staying in small mountain towns and a rest day in the city of Puebla. The 7‑day Orizaba Express warms up to the altitude with a hike up La Malinche, (14, 636 ft) spends a night in the village of Tlachichuca, then up to Orizaba.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=00bc1b887a00a32e3bde498ffd4ae0b2 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=1059d6999650a8a39c143ab1dd8f4a24 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=b8009e93ab3f0ea940f0d6be3e9ed0c3 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=06a722ffaf80232b3cad3e6adfcbbdb7 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=0fea7527fa41ed96c92f2376e9ae8b59 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=332a4e36732c7d26263bc20f3b38f674 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=8e41124db0baba779b733f43bb62b465 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC03070_Mexico5_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=846944a2e3e3557d5a94426295669ca9 800w)
Puebla at night.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=5f0f9f318151ae1bd8683297711578a4 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=a233e3545bdd4fefad6377dee3f93ae2 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=b2f3c36394a03d81fecc066f567ed8d1 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=b80bbd7bfa4984996b9f765ae8d35b17 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=3b47661e5fef6f00b008efb5f07fca64 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=f8c2e5535af0f3e94d353357a9e111aa 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=5ae2108d4c33d99da6f9985b4ce47a7d 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02969_Mexico2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=437ebd7b9de44eac359582b134c5b0f5 1024w)
View of Ixta from a distance.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=e615d7e9160fe377cb80ba753b95b9ef 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=4ed540a9a5536a443bf72a3a1028bfbb 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=01f0f96e717a1d579089bd3f90322916 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=615b1059a395812b2e8555ed3eb7830f 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f11a5b6549fbfb322322cac9f3f93ae9 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=8b2ad00b853a917fa8ccbbd63f4ad23a 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=7b94f1924baf001d34b9084d077fa0a6 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FDSC02957_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=a0c6f5d4be44bd99d1653839fe5f5ab8 1024w)
Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan. Sherman Braganza photos
We have several expeditions planned for the New Year. Sneak away from work for a week and climb a big mountain (or two) with us in Mexico! We won’t tell your boss…