Iztaccíhuatl or other peaks near Mexico City?

[nomad_games]

Anyone done Iztaccíhuatl? I just bought a cheap ticket to Mexico City for this weekend. It will be my second trip there this year. I did all the museums, etc last time and am thinking I might bug out of the city and do some hiking.

[Scott P]

Yes, a lot of us have been there. What kind of info are you looking for?

A weekend isn't much time to acclimatize though. Some people have done it in a weekend, but I wouldn't recommend it.

If you are short on time, I would consider doing Nevado Toluca instead.

[nomad_games]

Ok. I did a search. Didn't find anything searching the peak name.

I'm looking for info like that. Living in Denver and doing 14ers regularly, will I have problems getting acclimatized? Is it doable solo in a weekend? What kind of gear will I need this time of year?

[mtnjim]

If you're thinking of doing Iztaccihuatl this week-end, it would be a good idea to check if the road to Paso de Cortes is open. Popocatepetl was erupting Monday and if it's spewing out much at all, the road will likely be closed. I wasted a couple of days in Amecameca a few years ago on the rumor that the road would soon open due to another Popo eruption.

Anyone know how to find current information on the road? It would be a shame to waste time on a tight schedule.

Also, how will you be traveling? It will make a difference in your ability to change plans if Popo has Paso de Cortes shut down.

JimS

[CorduroyCalves]

+1 for Nevado de Toluca.

There’s a FB page called Senderismo Mexico that has good info. I just made a post asking about Paso de Cortes to see if it's open. If so, make sure you get a ride all the way to La Joya. It’ll cost extra but will save you 5 miles of walking.

[nomad_games]

Ok I'm dumb. I searched without the accent mark and found a ton of stuff. Doesn't look like something I should try this weekend. Luckily there's a bunch of cheap flights available in the next couple months so I think I'll plan a longer trip and go back.

That said, def interested in intel for that trip. Thanks guys

[mtnjim]

Search Nevado de Toluca. Lot's of stuff comes up on google or summitpost. The road is likely passable by 2wd to the hut at 14000. Anyone know if the little lodge/hostel lower down is regularly open?

For gear, Toluca may be dry unless there's been recent snowfall. Whatever snow there is will be recently fallen. There is no glacier. I've only been there in April for the Skyrace Mexiquense. Google that, also, as there are lots of good youtube videos that show the area. I would think just normal non-technical 14er gear for this time of year would be plenty.

[Scott P]

Living in Denver and doing 14ers regularly, will I have problems getting acclimatized?

You certainly could. Izta is quite a bit higher than any 14er. No one can tell if you will get sick or not though.

For the record, the only time I have gotten much altitude sickness was from climbing Popo too fast. I was inexperienced with altitude back then and didn't take enough time to acclimatize.

[CorduroyCalves]

Search Nevado de Toluca. Lot's of stuff comes up on google or summitpost. The road is likely passable by 2wd to the hut at 14000. Anyone know if the little lodge/hostel lower down is regularly open?

For gear, Toluca may be dry unless there's been recent snowfall. Whatever snow there is will be recently fallen. There is no glacier. I've only been there in April for the Skyrace Mexiquense. Google that, also, as there are lots of good youtube videos that show the area. I would think just normal non-technical 14er gear for this time of year would be plenty.

I was there a couple weeks ago and it was bone dry. It might have changed since but I doubt it. I flew into Mexico City in the afternoon and took a bus to Toluca. Spent the night, ate breakfast, and found a cab driver to take me all the way to the trailhead. He ended up waiting for me ~6 hours and he gave me a ride back to the bus station. It’s a worthy climb.

[nomad_games]

cool, maybe i'll just do that one then. I'd like to get out of CDMX a bit and see the surrounding area other than Teotihuacan. and climbing mountains is always a bonus.

[CorduroyCalves]

Shoot me a pm if you have any other questions.

[Scott P]

I was there a couple weeks ago and it was bone dry. It might have changed since but I doubt it.

It was snow covered last week, but we only saw the mountain from a distance (from the Cerro Pelon area). It was probably just a dusting, though I'm not sure.