Pico Orizaba

November 2019 – My son and I headed for Mexico with one purpose, climbing Pico Orizaba, 18.491 feet, 5636 meters, the highest mountain in Mexico and the highest volcano in North America. And one of the most stunning volcanoes I have ever seen 🙂

For logistics we teamed up with Rainier Mountain Guides and for acclimatization, we ended up climbing the fourth, third and the highest of the Mexican volcanoes.

My son Søren and I have with this volcano climbed three of the seven volcanoes on the Volcanic Seven Summits list, namely Kilimanjaro (Africa), Damavand (Asia) and Pico Orizaba (North America). The remaining volcanoes on the list are Ojos del Salado (South America, very high but not technically difficult), Elbrus (Europe, not very difficult), Mount Giluwe (Australasia, easy to climb) and Mount Sidney (Antarctica, hopeless far away).

Nevado de Toluca

15.350 ft., 4.680 m., fourth highest volcano in Mexico.

My son and I climbed Nevado de Toluca on our first day in Mexico. From Mexico City we rented a small car and drove up to the parking lot from where most climbs start. The volcano is very easy to climb, and also very stunning. Huge crater with two lakes and a new dome inside. The summit is on the far rim.