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Trip

Mexico - Pico De Orizaba

Overview

Pico de Orizaba (18,491ft/5,636m) is the highest point in Mexico and the third highest point in North America. This is a popular mountaineering objective on its own, but we have the option to do what we are best known for – skiing right off the summit!  This trip is timed to coincide with the end of the storms that bring Orizaba most of its snow. If you are looking for a great way to introduce yourself to high altitude climbing, this is it. This trip can run either as a mountaineering or ski mountaineering trip depending on conditions. If the advertised date does not work for you, please call us to arrange for a private trip.

$2,950 Per Person
8 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
4:1

Trip Information

$2,950
Price based on 3 climbers/skiers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

Pico de Orizaba (18,491 ft / 5636 m) is the highest point in Mexico and the third highest point in North America. This is a popular mountaineering objective on its own. We also propose doing what we’re best known for – skiing right off the summit to the toe of the Jamapa Glacier! This trip is timed to coincide with the end of the storms that bring Orizaba most of its snow. This trip can run either as a mountaineering or ski mountaineering trip. Please inquire upon sign-up.

A shorter itinerary, lower guest-to-guide ratio, and a ski mountaineering climb and descent set this trip apart. And while this trip is relatively short – only 7 or 8 days – we spend those days maximizing our acclimatization. We’ll take a unique trekking approach from the town of Tlachichuca to the refuge at the base of the route, carrying light day packs while our heavier mountain and ski equipment is shuttled up by car. To make this trip possible we’ve teamed up with Servimont Climbing Adventures, a three-generation local logistics and guide service.

Duration: 8
Ratio: 4:1
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skills Required: Advanced skiing ability and ski touring ability; experience with crampons also required.

Fitness Level: Very strenuous due to climbing and ski touring at high altitude


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
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Itinerary

Day 1: Meet your guide in Mexico City, Mexico. We’ll then drive to the town of Tlachichuca (8500 ft / 2600 m), and stay in the Servimont Lodge, our base for the week.

Day 2: Because of the sudden elevation gain, we’ll take the first day a little easy and have a light day hike, climbing no higher than 11,800 ft / 3600 m, on the west slopes of Orizaba.

Day 3: We’ll start an overnight trek that will give us added acclimatization and some light exercise. Carrying light day packs and with a local Servimont hiking guide, we’ll start climbing up the west slopes of Orizaba, and meet our camping equipment at 11150 ft / 3400 m.

Day 4: Finish the overnight trek to the Peidra Grande refuge (14,000 ft / 4270 m), where we’ll thank our hiking guide, meet our warden, and be reunited with all of our mountain and ski equipment.

Day 5: A final acclimatization hike to the Jamapa Glacier, climbing no higher than 16,000 ft / 4900 m. Depending on snow coverage, this may be a ski tour.

Day 6: Summit Day! Climb the Jamapa Glacier to the crater rim, and ski from the summit. Then we’ll be met by a driver at the Piedra Grande refuge and be driven back to Tlachichuca for a celebratory dinner and final night.

Day 7: POSSIBLE WEATHER DAY. We recommend that everyone “pad” their trip by one day to allow for a possible weather delay. This can be as simple as purchasing refundable tickets to allow for an earlier booking home. If we choose to take this weather day, there will be added costs not included in the price advertised.

Day 8: Travel day to Puebla, and return home.

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$2,950
per person
Price based on 3 climbers/skiers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
What's Included In the Trip Price
  • Transportation from Puebla, Mexico to Tlachichuca
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • Hiking guide and refuge warden
  • Team camping equipment (tents, stoves, etc).
  • Team technical equipment (ropes, protection, etc)
What's Not Included
  • Flight to Puebla
  • Alcohol
  • Lodging and meal costs incurred by adding the weather day described above (if it occurs)
  • Gratuity for hiking guide, refuge warden, and mountain guides
  • Personal Equipment
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • 1 Bottom - midweight or lightweight
  • 1 or 2 Tops - midweight or lightweight
  • Ski Socks - 2 pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light Soft Shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  •  Soft-shell pants
Outerwear
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Jacket
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Pants
  • Warm Hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun Hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight Gloves
  • Ski Gloves/Mittens
  • Down or Synthetic Puffy-type Jacket
Personal Gear
  • Internal Frame Pack - 50 Liter/3100 cu.in. minimum
    • Everything must fit inside except ice axe, crampons, helmet, and pad
    • If approach shoes are worn, ski boots may be on outside of pack as well
  • Sleeping Bag - down or synthetic, 15-20º F or warmer
  • Compression Sack - for sleeping bag
  • Sleeping Pad - closed cell foam or self inflating (or both)
  • Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
  • 2 Water Bottles - liter bottles, wide mouth recommended
  • Bowl and Cup - bowl is optional if eating from freeze-dried meal bags
  • Spoon, Fork, or Spork
  • Small Knife
  • Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
  • Goggles
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Lighter
  • Personal Toiletries - keep it simple: toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, hand sanitizer
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit - just the basics: blister care, ibuprofin, prescription meds, etc.; your guides will have a substantial group first aid kit
  • Toilet Paper (blue bags provided by PGS)
Technical Gear

Snow Travel Equipment

  • Skis - Alpine Touring or Telemark (or Splitboard)
  • Ski Boots - Alpine Touring or Telemark - no downhill boots (or Snowboard Boots)
  • Poles - Telescopic poles work well, but not required, with snow baskets
  • Climbing Skins
  • Ski or Splitboard Crampons - REQUIRED! - Ensure that they are compatible with your bindings
  • Ski Brakes or leashes

Safety Gear

  • Avalanche Transceiver
  • Shovel - compact, lightweight, metal blade preferred
  • Probe - dedicated probe only, ski poles do not suffice

Technical Gear

  • Ice Axe - lightweight, 45-70cm is fine
  • Boot Crampons – Ensure they fit your boots
  • Anti-ball plates for crampons
  • Climbing Harness - lightweight, (no padding; ex: Petzl Altitude, Black Diamond Couloir)
  • Glacier Travel Kit:
    • 2 Locking Carabiners - at least 1 large HMS style and 1 regular locker
    • 2 Non-locking Carabiners - any style, we recommend wire gates
    • 1 Single Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (60cm/24in diameter loop)
    • 1 Double Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (120cm/48in diameter loop)
    • 1 Cordelette - 6 mm cord, 6 meter length
    • 1 Prussik Loop - 3-4 feet of 6mm cordelette tied in loop with double fisherman's knot and/or a Sterling Hollowblock
Optional Items
  • Camera - we’d like some shots for the PGS website!
  • Ear Plugs - essential for sound sleep
  • Camp Booties
  • Thermos - vacuum type
  • Electrolytes - tablets/powder/gel/blocks
  • Note Pad and Pencil - Rite-in-the-Rain brand waterproof notebooks work well
  • Compass - adjustable declination a must
  • Altimeter watch
  • Map Case - large Ziploc bag works well
  • Maps - contact guiding office for appropriate quadrangles
  • Collapsible Water Canteen - good for storing snowmelt at camp
  • Liner socks - if blister-prone
  • Warm Socks - to sleep in
  • Approach shoes--lightweight running shoes work well
  • Foot Powder
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold
  • Helmet - climbing or lightweight uninsulated ski helmet (recommended)
  • Post-course care kit (to leave in car): cotton T-shirt, flip flops, favorite treats
Equipment Sales & Rental

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FAQs

Will we be skiing off the summit?

Our hope is to ski off the summit of Pico de Orizaba, but this will be decided based on the conditions we find while we are there.

Should I tip my guide?

Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
Read Our story
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