Orizaba. Program via Jamapa Glacier

PAYMENT POLICY
A deposit of $1,000 is due at time of registration to reserve a space on the expedition.
A full payment is due 60 days prior to the expedition start date.

CANCELATION POLICY
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the scheduled date.

Mexico, Orizaba (5636m), Mountaineering

Trip overview

México - La Malinche - Piedra Grande Base Camp (4,200m) - Pico de Orizaba (5,636m) - Piedra Grande Base Camp (4,200 m) - Zoapan - México

Why go there?

Orizaba (formally known as Pico de Orizaba) is North America’s third-tallest peak and a classic climb. Situated in Mexico, it has it all: culture, high mountain huts, stunning views, and the opportunity to get your crampons into plenty of snow and ice. This mountain is easily accessible to just about anyone willing to train and work hard on the climb.

During this trip you will:

• Climb Mexico’s tallest peak
• Build technical mountaineering skills
• Experience Mexico and its people
• Explore ancient Aztec culture and relics

La Malinche (4,450 m) is the mountain we hike for acclimatization. It is non-technical and can be climbed in light trekking shoes. The route initially follows a forest path (with fir and pine trees) and has a slope of up to 40 degrees. It then continues on a trail through grasslands, followed by a rocky path. After that, hikers navigate between boulders and on rocky scree. This is a long hike, taking about 6-7 hours to ascend and 3-4 hours to descend.

Why climb with us?

• 7 summits provides the best service and accommodation during the whole trip
• 7 Summits provides comfortable accommodation during the climb, comfortable huts equipped with dormitories and dining areas
• 7 Summits has the most extensive experience in organizing commercial climbs and challenging high-altitude expeditions
• The highest success rate for summits
• Reliable and trusted local partners
• We offer 5% discounts for your next adventures with us
• We have the most experienced and qualified guides, including world- renowned mountaineers

Tips guidelines (important information!)

You won’t offend your guides by tipping them for their good work.
Please consider leaving the following tips for the Head Guide:

- Minimum – If everything was satisfied, $45 per participant.
- Standard – If you enjoyed the experience, $80 per participant.
- Maximum – If everything was outstanding, $115 per participant.

Necessary travel papers (documents)

- Passport
- Medical and evacuation insurance

Accommodation

- Hotel accommodations: double occupancy; single occupancy can be arranged for the additional charges
- Tents accommodations: Base Camp single occupancy; High Camp double occupancy

Meals

- Breakfast in towns
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All meals while trekking and climbing

Staff

- Experienced expedition leader from 7 Summits Club
- Guides services, including English speaking guide
- Cook for climbing period

Health and medical insurance

- We provide a full expedition First Aid kit with all necessary medicine, but we also highly recommend that you bring your own specific medicine
- All team members must have personal and medical evacuation insurance

Weather

In November and December, Pico de Orizaba experiences dry season conditions, which are generally favorable for climbing. Here's what you can expect:

TEMPERATURE:
- Base Altitudes: Daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), dropping to 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F) at night.
- Higher Altitudes: Near the summit, temperatures can drop to -5°C to -15°C (23°F to 5°F), with wind chill making it feel colder.

PRECIPITATION:
November and December are part of the dry season, with minimal rainfall or snowfall. Conditions are typically clear and stable, although occasional snowstorms can occur at higher altitudes.

WIND:
Winds are moderate at lower elevations but can be strong and cold near the summit, often reaching 20-40 km/h (12-25 mph) or higher.

VISIBILITY:
Skies are generally clear during this period, offering excellent visibility and stunning views of the surrounding landscape, especially in the mornings. Afternoon clouds are rare but possible.

SNOW AND ICE:
The glacier and snowfields near the summit are in good condition, with firm snow and ice, making it essential to have appropriate gear like crampons and ice axes.

Overall, November and December are considered one of the best times to climb Pico de Orizaba due to the stable and dry weather conditions, making it ideal for mountaineers seeking a rewarding ascent.

Internet, phone

We provide local sim card with internet.

Possibility of renting personal equipment

Please refer to your program manager for more information and detail on what personal equipment can be rented.

Personal gear

GEAR LIST
General Information

Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional
If seasonal fluctuations impact the requirement for an item on your list, it will be specified
All other items are required regardless of the forecast to ensure your well-being, as weather and conditions can change quickly in the mountains


TRAVEL ITEMS

- Backpack
Lightweight 35 - 45 L
This pack will be used as a carryon bag for the trip to Mexico and then for the day hikes trekking and summit day. It should be light weight and have both a waist belt and chest strap.

- Expedition Duffel Bag
An approximately 150-liter expedition-ready duffel bag used to transport all gear. All items need to fit securely into the duffel bag.

- Casual Travel Clothes
We recommend wearing clean clothing while traveling and before and after your trip. It's a good idea to pack a comfortable variety of outfits, including some t-shirts, swimsuits (optional).


TECHNICAL CLOTHING

- Baselayer Bottom
2 pairs of thermal bottoms: one light weight and one medium weight. Fabric: wool, wool blend, synthetic or polyester. No cotton.

- Baselayer Tops
2 thermal long sleeved tops: one light weight and one medium weight. Fabric: wool or synthetic. No cotton.
1 sun hoodie, preferably light colored.

- Trekking Pants
A pair of lightweight trekking pants. Zippered pockets are good and thigh vents can be useful on hot days. “Convertible” pants are useful to turn into shorts on hot days. We also recommend synthetic fabrics.

- Softshell Pants
Non-insulated, stretchy softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms.

- Hardshell Pants
These must fit over your thermal under layers and softshell pants. These must be non-insulated, lightweight, waterproof and have full zips on the side to get on and off over your climbing boots and crampons.

- Insulated Synthetic Pants
These will be worn around camp and may be useful to climb in on summit day depending on temperature. Fabric: Synthetic or Down. Medium weight is ideal. These should fit over both your thermal under layers and your climbing pants. These must have full zips on the sides to get them on and off over your climbing boots and crampons without taking your boots off.

- Midlayer Top
A midweight, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Very light down jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

- Softshell Jacket
This breathable, wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. A hooded model is highly recommended. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top.

- Hardshell Jacket
A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. This layer must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, softshell, and potentially a lightweight insulated layer. Helmet-compatible hoods are required.

- Lightweight Insulated Jacket
You may use this as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. Down or synthetic insulation. Down is more packable and lighter weight, and synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

- Down Parka
Expedition style parka should be heavily insulated with high-quality down fill (800-fill or more) and must have an insulated hood. It should fit comfortably over the rest of your upper body layers. Down sweaters or light puffy jackets will not be sufficient.

HANDWEAR

- Lightweight Liner Gloves
Lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves.

- Softshell Gloves
Midweight, lightly insulated gloves. Leather-palm construction is recommended.

- Insulated Shell Gloves/ Climbing Gloves
One pair of warm shell gloves with insulated removable liners. We recommend models with a durable leather palm.
These need to have room in the fingers to not be constructive and cut off warmth and circulation to your fingers. More room in the gloves is better than less. You must have enough dexterity to use your technical gear (ascender, carabiners, rappel device) while wearing these gloves. It is important to be very familiar with these gloves and get used to using them with your gear before your climb.

- Expedition Mittens/ 8000 mitts
These must fit over your medium weight liner gloves and your heavy weight climbing gloves without constriction. Larger is always better than smaller. These down mitts serve as a backup in case you drop a glove or your hands are simply too cold in the heavy weight gloves and need a warmer option (gloves plus mitts).

- Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers (Optional)

HEADWEAR

- Buff Neck Gaiter
- Balaclava
- Sunhat
- Wool or Synthetic Ski Hat
- Glacier Glasses
These must be the high quality darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4) and have full coverage around the eyes to block all light.

- Sunglasses (Optional)
These must be high quality dark lenses.

- Ski Goggles
High-quality goggles for sun and wind protection at altitude.
These must be the darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4). If your goggles accept multiple lenses, bring one super dark lense and one clear or high light transmission yellow for low-light/high wind conditions.

*Note: If you need prescription Glacier Glasses contact the manufacturer for options well in advance of your trip.

- Headlamp
A headlamp 200-300 Lumens. Please bring extra batteries.

FOOTWEAR

- Liner Socks
2-3 pairs of liner socks.

- Wool or Synthetic Socks
3 pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.

- Gaiters
Full-sized waterproof gaiters that must fit snugly over your boots. If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.

- Light Hiking Boots or Trekking Shoes
For any approaches across dry trails. Light weight, high comfort, plenty of room in the toe box, and good ankle support. Note: Street/city style shoes will not be allowed in place of hiking shoes.

- Double Boots
Double boots designed for mountaineering. Plastic-shelled models are sufficient, but modern non-plastic boots are more comfortable and are highly recommended.

*Note: single boots of any kind (boots without a removable liner) will not be sufficient.
If using a boot with a built-in gaiter, separate gaiters are not necessary.

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

- Alpine Ice Axe (can be rented)
- 12 Point Crampons
General mountaineering crampons. We recommend modern steel 12-point crampons with anti-balling plates. Note: do not bring 10-point, aluminum, or single-piece rigid crampons, and no vertical-style front points, because they are more aggressive than you need and are dangerous for less technical sections.

- Trekking Poles
These must be lightweight and collapsible to fit in your duffel bag. The “flick lock” style is the most reliable.

- Climbing Helmet
A lightweight climbing-specific helmet. This must fit comfortably over your bare head, hat, and/or balaclava, and your headlamp must be able to strap securely to the outside of the helmet.

- Climbing Harness
Your harness must fit over all of your clothing, feature a belay loop, gear loops, adjustable leg loops and waist belt. We recommend detachable leg loops for expeditions and trips in cold environments, thus allowing you to put the harness on with both feet on the ground while wearing crampons. If you choose a fixed leg loop harness like the Petzl Sitta make sure you practice taking it on and off efficiently before your climb.

- Self-Belay (double lanyard) with Two Locking Carabiners
Bring self-belay with two locking carabiners.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

-15 F/ -20 F Down Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag should be down-filled or synthetic.

- Inflatable Sleeping Pad
- Foam Pad
- Water Bottles
1 or 2 one-liter wide-mouth hard-sided water bottles.
Camelback-type hydration systems or soft-sided water bottles are unacceptable. They freeze, pop and break

- 1 Liter Stainless Steel Thermos
- 0.5 Nalgene Bottle (Optional)
This baby Nalgene bottle is ideal for hot drinks. Because of the size and the leak-proof lid, it allows you to stick the bottle in your pocket or inside your jacket.

- Pee Bottle
Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models.

- Pee Funnel For Women
Optional. Practice is needed for the use of this item.

- Sunscreen
Should be with a high zinc content and sweat resistance. This must be 30 spf or higher.
- Lip Balm with SPF 30+
- Altitude Watch (Optional)
- Small Pocket Size Camera (Optional)
- Solar Panel (Optional); Power Bank
- Medical Kit
Should include: blister kit, low dose aspirin, Band-Aids, wound closure strips, triple antibiotic ointment, basic repair kit, scissors, Diamox (acetazolamide, 125mg) for AMS, nifedipine (for pulmonary edema, time release), dexamethasone (for cerebral edema, 4mg), antacids, NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, duct tape, ear plugs, Antibiotics (upper respiratory such as Azithromycin and a gastro-intestinal such as Ciprofloxacin), melatonin, Asthma medication if you use it (Advair), cold and flu medication. Prescription medications in consultation with your doctor.

- Toiletry Bag
Should Include: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, shampoo,
trek towel (compact and quick drying), and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip.

- Snacks
We recommend assortments of hard candies; chocolate; dried fruits; special athletic foods such as energy gels (Gu); electrolytes (Nuun); Clif Shot Bloks; energy bars; protein bars; trail mix nuts.

1. We have the biggest record of orginizing many commertial technical and altitude expeditions.
2. Our guides are highly experience with guide work on many serious climbs all over the world.
3. We offer the best accommodation and food conditions. Your personal needs any special kinds of food will be considered.
4. You can contact your personal advisor in the gear issue for free consultation. Plus free delivery of your personal rented gear to base camp.
5. We offer the scheme of discounts for loyal clients.