Pico De Orizaba is a strato volcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America after Logan and Denali. The Volcanic peak last erupted in 1846, is dormant but not extinct and overlooks the city of Orizaba. The peak is the second most prominent volcano in the world after Kilimanjaro and also supports glaciers. The first of Pico de Orizaba ascent took place in 1848.

The attitude is 5636m and acclimatisation is required. Pico de Orizaba is a symmetrical volcano with snow fields and glaciers and the use of ropes, harnesses, crampons and ice axes, but is achievable to the fit novice.  Only walking on the peak is required.

The route is very similar to Cotopaxi, but easier. A continuous ascent, a few places are steep, compact hard snow (although terrain can change quickly if the mountain gets a snow storm before the ascent).  There are very small cracks on the glacier, no big crevasses.  The first part is rock and sand. Since we are leaving very early in the morning for the summit the ground might be frozen, until late morning. Scree rock and sand can be expected from 4200m up to 4800m depending on snow during ascent days. From there we “jump” onto the Jamapa Glacier which has a “cone” shape, going above the “Sarcophagus” on your right hand side.