"Pico de Orizaba, a.k.a. Citlaltépetl, is the highest volcano in North America, and one of the continental Volcanic Seven Summits (fourth highest). This makes it the highest mountain in Mexico, and the third highest mountain in all of North America. On February 16, 2024 we successfully climbed Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m) after climbing Iztaccíhuatl (5,220m) and Volcan La Malinche (4,430m) for acclimatization. We took the normal route, which climbs the Jamapa Glacier on the north side, starting at Refugio Piedra Grande. A storm threatened the planned summit day that aligned with our acclimatization plan, so we kept a close eye on the forecast. Fortunately, the storm was delayed by 24 hours. We only had to deal with extreme wind and the resulting rockfall from the summit ridge. Tragically, 24 hours after we summited, a group of twelve were caught in the storm and three Mexican climbers died. Team: Mike Gonzc, Cam Crosby, Ken Dalton, Chelsea Stedford, Ivo Stedford" — ivo • Feb 16, 2024

"Iztaccíhuatl (5,215m) was our second acclimatization summit in preparation for Pico de Orizaba (5,564m). Our first acclimatization hike was Volcan La Malinche (4,430m). On February 13, 2024 we started on the standard route named La Arista del Sol (Ridge of the Sun). Along this route, we stood on 6 named peaks: Primera Rodilla (5,047m), Segundo Rodilla (5,074m), Monte de Venus (5108m), Pena Ordonez (5,119m), and two named Iztaccíhuatl (5,200m and 5215m). To spend more time at higher elevations, we decided to split the climb between two days and camp at 4,700 meters." — ivo • Feb 14, 2024

"Fantastic day. Left the tent camp at midnight. Cold and windy on the glacier around 6-7am. Had all layers on. gained the summit and were bathed in warm sunlight with a great view above the clouds. No issues with altitude after doing 3 acclimatisation hikes prior. Warm sun on way down caused soft snow on descent and lots of de-layering after a cool morning. 12hrs total. " — MarkJPerkins • Jan 17, 2024

"Crazy and long day. 15hrs. Cool seeing the city lights and sunrise. Got a little off trail (too far to the west) and had to abseil down a cliffband which was fun. @ the refuge around 430am. The numerous false summits and loss/gain of altitude on the way up were pretty frustrating, led mostly by me not having done enough prep beforehand, and not getting a wink of sleep the night before. great fun crossing the glacier though. Made it to the true summit around 9am (current tracks on here don't go to the true summit, but my GPS only logged my descent). Amazing views of Popo. the trek back felt like an absolute eternity. was glad to get off that trail. " — MarkJPerkins • Jan 15, 2024

"Bigger day than expected, but wonderful ridge climb that was hands on and fun. Great dinner from the locals at the bottom. Seems to be a popular (and small) summit with lots of tourist types up there. " — MarkJPerkins • Jan 13, 2024