Nyle Walton - Aug 18, 2006 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 1957
One day on Ixtaccihuatl
With three classmates from Mexico City College, I rode a VW to Paso Cortez and spent several hours climbing to the Sleeping Woman's knees. Clouds then descended and deprived us from any view. With little motivation to go on, we turned back short of Ixtaccihuatl's boobs, her highest point, and descended back toward Paso Cortez. Somehow Ixti did not present the same personal challenges as did Popocatepetl and Orizaba. You may examine two photos I took on this climb in my summitpost submissions.
Really really enjoyed this route. The terrain and the view continually change, so it is quite nice. Gene Allwine and I started at the Altzomoni hut at 2:30am and summited at 9:30am. If you're ever at the park and want information and history of the area, ask to speak with Miguel Espinal. He is a volunteer climbing guide and a great guy who is usually at the Altzomoni hostel if not on the mountain.
tjbst47 - Mar 30, 2006 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2006
Iztaccihuatl
Arista del Sol route. From Grupo hut, I went up a shoot to the left of standard route to the ruins. I think it was easier that way because of snow.
Woodie Hopper - Feb 14, 2006 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2006
La Arista Del Sol
Summited as a solo climb using the "normal route" which ascends via the portillo to the knees in one day. I had some route finding trouble en route to the portillo. Not much snow/ice when I climbed, so I used conventional goretex boots and trekking poles. The old summit icefield has diminished to such an extent that it no longer is the highest point of the mountain. Volcanic cinders, scree and loose rock make the hike up to the knees a little painful, but the hiking is much more enjoyable above the knees to the summit. A long but enjoyable day!
Reclimbed Iztaccihuatl Jan. 28, 2014 with Mike Preece, Appleton Scutchfield and Ryan Swapp. We had great luck with the weather. I didn't even bring my crampons, but I did a short glissade with my axe onto the Ayoloco glacier. Thankfully Mike brought a nice camera along! Another great day.
Route Climbed: La Arista del Sol Date Climbed: December 20, 2005
Rather then drive to La Joya, Began @ Buena Vista, took 3 days to reach the summit. I had no adverse altitude effects on the climb. Water was accessable and also given to us at the Hut by 20+ college students from Mexico City just leaving. Weather was beautiful until decent on summit day. Also found ice melt water several meters down the draw, West of the Hut. Left @ 4:30 on the 20th. Not much wind and a beautiful sunrise. Popo erupted several times during the climb which produced nice photos. Kept a photo log of the entire trip. No issues to deal with but was surprised to not see much snow and glaciers were melting. No need for crampons or ice ax but took if needed. Guide had us use crampons across the glacier going up. Summitted @ 10:37 a.m. Storm came in so made a rapid decent to knees then down the scree field NW of the Hut. Picked up gear and decended to La Joya by 4:00. Wonderful day!
Route Climbed: McAllister Hut Route Date Climbed: January 5, 2006
Can't really call this the Ayoloco Glacier route anymore because there is no more glacier. A GREAT route though. Water can be had below La Joya, above the first saddle on the lower approach, and in the form of ice to melt at the McAllister hut.
Route Climbed: Arista Del sol Date Climbed: December 24th, 2005
Left La Joya at 5 am and reached the knees (refugio Luis Mendez) by noon but weather was starting to get nasty and the altitude was starting to take a hit at me and my brother. Decided to keep it safe and turn back and got back to La Joya around 3:30.
Route Climbed: Arista del Sol. Date Climbed: December-27-2005
Climbed Izta in 24 hours after climbing Nevado de Toluca, starting the hike to refugio "Grupo de los cien" late on the 26th solo and then going for the summit with the first rays of sunlight along with a group of 4 guys from Aguascalientes Mexico. Izta was very dry compared to the snow covered Popo. The weather was perfect, with sunny but hazy skies and no wind. This was the second of four volcanoes on my trip to Mexico.
Check my trip report "A good dose of thin mexican air" on El Pico de Orizaba page for details.
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Glacier Date Climbed: November 23rd, 2005
What forjan said. This was my second "high altitude" attempt. Strangely I began feeling symptoms of AMS at around 13.5k. By the time we arrived at our high point (+15k) I felt a bit more than drunk and quite nautious. It took me a half of an hour to figure out the math regarding my ascent (I was going 200 vertical feet per hour with 1600' left to go). I had to make the humble descision to retreat. Altitude works in mysterious ways as I had completed a 5+ hour traverse at 15k+ just a few days prior to this climb. I will go back next year to complete the Mexico volcanoes.
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Route Date Climbed: November 23, 2005
Climbed with awagher. Our plan was to climb the Ayoloco route as a day hike, coming down via La Arista del Sol. We started at 2:20AM from La Joya. Lost a lot of time bushwacking in the dark in the section below the first saddle going through multiple cow paths. Partner came down with AMS and we retreated back to La Joya. Our highpoint was 4700m (15,420 ft), a bit beyond & above the Ayoloco hut. It was a cold morning (estimated upper teens before sunrise), but sunny and clear (no clouds whatsoever). awagher said he's planning to come back and try again.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: Nov. 10, 2005
Surprising little snow on the mountain. It's really just a hike up - didn't really need ice ax or crampons. Only snow to be found was on belly and chest glaciers. Still a beautiful mountain with amazing views. Unbelievable amount of people at La Joya starting Saturday morning - probably around 200 all told.
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Route Date Climbed: November 3, 2005
Guilty and I hiked to the Ayoloco Hut on 11/2/05 and then I got up and on the non existant trail around 3:45AM. I probabably got to the summit around 8AM, but couldn't be sure because Guilty had the watch. We crossed paths on my way down at the top of the Glacier. Once the sun came up, the weather conditions were actually very comfortable and excellent visability.
Route Climbed: standard route Date Climbed: October 7th, 2005
I was only able to go as far as the "knees" thanks to hurricane Stan. We spent a night at the Altzamoni hut, then hiked the next day to the Grupo de Los Cien hut. My two friends turned around halfway up due to one of them having a kidney infection (undiagnosed at the time) . There was light rain and snow most of the time on the mountain. The next day, I climbed to the "knees" with about half an hour of clear skies on the way up. Despite he weather, I had a great time as it was my first big mountain.
Nyle Walton - Aug 18, 2006 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 1957
One day on IxtaccihuatlWith three classmates from Mexico City College, I rode a VW to Paso Cortez and spent several hours climbing to the Sleeping Woman's knees. Clouds then descended and deprived us from any view. With little motivation to go on, we turned back short of Ixtaccihuatl's boobs, her highest point, and descended back toward Paso Cortez. Somehow Ixti did not present the same personal challenges as did Popocatepetl and Orizaba. You may examine two photos I took on this climb in my summitpost submissions.
willow - Apr 5, 2006 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Apr 2, 2006
Arista del SolReally really enjoyed this route. The terrain and the view continually change, so it is quite nice. Gene Allwine and I started at the Altzomoni hut at 2:30am and summited at 9:30am. If you're ever at the park and want information and history of the area, ask to speak with Miguel Espinal. He is a volunteer climbing guide and a great guy who is usually at the Altzomoni hostel if not on the mountain.
tjbst47 - Mar 30, 2006 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2006
IztaccihuatlArista del Sol route. From Grupo hut, I went up a shoot to the left of standard route to the ruins. I think it was easier that way because of snow.
Woodie Hopper - Feb 14, 2006 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2006
La Arista Del SolSummited as a solo climb using the "normal route" which ascends via the portillo to the knees in one day. I had some route finding trouble en route to the portillo. Not much snow/ice when I climbed, so I used conventional goretex boots and trekking poles. The old summit icefield has diminished to such an extent that it no longer is the highest point of the mountain. Volcanic cinders, scree and loose rock make the hike up to the knees a little painful, but the hiking is much more enjoyable above the knees to the summit. A long but enjoyable day!
Reclimbed Iztaccihuatl Jan. 28, 2014 with Mike Preece, Appleton Scutchfield and Ryan Swapp. We had great luck with the weather. I didn't even bring my crampons, but I did a short glissade with my axe onto the Ayoloco glacier. Thankfully Mike brought a nice camera along! Another great day.
Mountainjumper - Jan 24, 2006 1:34 pm
Route Climbed: La Arista del Sol Date Climbed: December 20, 2005Rather then drive to La Joya, Began @ Buena Vista, took 3 days to reach the summit. I had no adverse altitude effects on the climb. Water was accessable and also given to us at the Hut by 20+ college students from Mexico City just leaving. Weather was beautiful until decent on summit day. Also found ice melt water several meters down the draw, West of the Hut. Left @ 4:30 on the 20th. Not much wind and a beautiful sunrise. Popo erupted several times during the climb which produced nice photos. Kept a photo log of the entire trip. No issues to deal with but was surprised to not see much snow and glaciers were melting. No need for crampons or ice ax but took if needed. Guide had us use crampons across the glacier going up. Summitted @ 10:37 a.m. Storm came in so made a rapid decent to knees then down the scree field NW of the Hut. Picked up gear and decended to La Joya by 4:00. Wonderful day!
Panchoescalero - Jan 16, 2006 7:06 pm
Route Climbed: McAllister Hut Route Date Climbed: January 5, 2006Can't really call this the Ayoloco Glacier route anymore because there is no more glacier. A GREAT route though. Water can be had below La Joya, above the first saddle on the lower approach, and in the form of ice to melt at the McAllister hut.
tomastx - Jan 13, 2006 12:46 am
Route Climbed: Arista Del sol Date Climbed: December 24th, 2005Left La Joya at 5 am and reached the knees (refugio Luis Mendez) by noon but weather was starting to get nasty and the altitude was starting to take a hit at me and my brother. Decided to keep it safe and turn back and got back to La Joya around 3:30.
I'll be back...lol
pacojgarza - Jan 3, 2006 3:59 am
Route Climbed: Arista del Sol. Date Climbed: December-27-2005Climbed Izta in 24 hours after climbing Nevado de Toluca, starting the hike to refugio "Grupo de los cien" late on the 26th solo and then going for the summit with the first rays of sunlight along with a group of 4 guys from Aguascalientes Mexico. Izta was very dry compared to the snow covered Popo. The weather was perfect, with sunny but hazy skies and no wind. This was the second of four volcanoes on my trip to Mexico.
Check my trip report "A good dose of thin mexican air" on El Pico de Orizaba page for details.
Mike Garside - Dec 18, 2005 4:27 pm
Route Climbed: Normal route Date Climbed: 18 November 2005Good haul to the top on the "Chest". Shame we had no viz as we were in cloud the whole way. Still, it was a good warm up for Orizaba. Thanks Rubin.
snocat - Dec 15, 2005 11:16 pm
Route Climbed: La Arista Del Sol Date Climbed: Nov. 26, 2005very interesting and exciting climb. we had the summit to ourselves.
timfoltz - Dec 6, 2005 10:56 pm
Route Climbed: La Arista del Sol Date Climbed: November 22, 2005Great climb, although hardly any snow. Crampons were not necessary.
awagher - Dec 2, 2005 12:35 am
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Glacier Date Climbed: November 23rd, 2005What forjan said. This was my second "high altitude" attempt. Strangely I began feeling symptoms of AMS at around 13.5k. By the time we arrived at our high point (+15k) I felt a bit more than drunk and quite nautious. It took me a half of an hour to figure out the math regarding my ascent (I was going 200 vertical feet per hour with 1600' left to go). I had to make the humble descision to retreat. Altitude works in mysterious ways as I had completed a 5+ hour traverse at 15k+ just a few days prior to this climb. I will go back next year to complete the Mexico volcanoes.
forjan - Nov 30, 2005 2:01 pm
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Route Date Climbed: November 23, 2005Climbed with awagher. Our plan was to climb the Ayoloco route as a day hike, coming down via La Arista del Sol. We started at 2:20AM from La Joya. Lost a lot of time bushwacking in the dark in the section below the first saddle going through multiple cow paths. Partner came down with AMS and we retreated back to La Joya. Our highpoint was 4700m (15,420 ft), a bit beyond & above the Ayoloco hut. It was a cold morning (estimated upper teens before sunrise), but sunny and clear (no clouds whatsoever). awagher said he's planning to come back and try again.
ewakild - Nov 22, 2005 7:15 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: Nov. 10, 2005Surprising little snow on the mountain. It's really just a hike up - didn't really need ice ax or crampons. Only snow to be found was on belly and chest glaciers. Still a beautiful mountain with amazing views. Unbelievable amount of people at La Joya starting Saturday morning - probably around 200 all told.
Hikerchick63 - Nov 21, 2005 8:25 pm
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Route Date Climbed: November 3, 2005Guilty and I hiked to the Ayoloco Hut on 11/2/05 and then I got up and on the non existant trail around 3:45AM. I probabably got to the summit around 8AM, but couldn't be sure because Guilty had the watch. We crossed paths on my way down at the top of the Glacier. Once the sun came up, the weather conditions were actually very comfortable and excellent visability.
Guilty - Nov 14, 2005 10:22 pm
Route Climbed: Ayoloco Route Date Climbed: November 3, 2005Very cold, windy and sunny. This is my second time up this mountain. Could smell Popo's sulfur all the way up. not good, gave me head ache.
ccrecente - Oct 25, 2005 9:58 pm
Route Climbed: standard route Date Climbed: October 7th, 2005I was only able to go as far as the "knees" thanks to hurricane Stan. We spent a night at the Altzamoni hut, then hiked the next day to the Grupo de Los Cien hut. My two friends turned around halfway up due to one of them having a kidney infection (undiagnosed at the time) . There was light rain and snow most of the time on the mountain. The next day, I climbed to the "knees" with about half an hour of clear skies on the way up. Despite he weather, I had a great time as it was my first big mountain.
tpdwr - Sep 27, 2005 2:49 am
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: February 2, 1978Spent one night at the Knees hut. Spectacular views of Popo. No one else on the Mountain.
edl - Sep 25, 2005 2:03 pm
Route Climbed: Glacier de Ayoloca Date Climbed: Nov. 1997Fun route. Camped in the meadow below the Ayoloco hut in a nasty thunderstorm. Awoke at midnight to perfect snow and weather condtions.
melindahalasz - Sep 11, 2005 3:52 pm
Date Climbed: August 13, 2005My favourite mountain in Mexico! In spite of the bad weather... One-day climb.