El Pico De Orizaba Expedition Successful

Heather with Orizaba behind.
John on the Summit of Orizaba.
Rob in the classic Dodge.

TMG's El Pico de Orizaba expedition was a complete success this year! Congrats go out to team members Heather from Oregon, Rob from New York and John from Arizona all successfully climbed to the summit on January 21st with guide Joe Owens. Here is Joe's latest dispatch from Mexico City just after the trip:

Hey Pete, just emailing you from the historic Majestic Hotel in Mexico City to report another successful Orizaba trip. The weather the last five days has been excellent.Some afternoon cloud but always clearing for the morning, some wind but no precipitation. Yesterday all climbers Heather,Rob and John summited. We left high camp (15,200ft) at 2.45am and reached the summit, (18,701) at 9.45am. We climbed under clear skies and a full moon. It was a little windy and folks were happy to have their parkas and balaclavas. We climbed from 17,000ft to the summit in our parkas. Seeing the moon set over Tlachichuca was one of the best sights I have ever seen. Climbing conditions were as good as they get with perfect neve for the ascent. We stayed on the summit for about an hour enjoying the sun, and this allowed the snow to often for the descent. Clouds to the East meant that we could not see the Gulf of Mexico but there is always next year!!! The climbing through the Labyrinth (15,500 - 16200) was excellent and reminded me of Leuthold's couloir. Everyone agreed that it was fun climbing. Then it was back to the tents, a quick pack up and return to the hut for our jeep ride to Tlachichuca. The 12 mile jeep ride in an old restored 1942 dodge was a great way to leave the mountain. Classic transport for a classic mountain! -Joe