The volcano Orizaba, or whatever it is called in the language of the Aztecs, Citlaltepetl ("star mountain") is rightly considered the highest point of Mexico, its relative height – 4922 m According to the GPS 5636 m

Today, the volcano is at rest, but in the past there were several eruptions. The last – in the 19th century.

Difficult terrain, high altitude, strong wind – all this has created a volcano several climatic zones. At its foot mostly – tropical vegetation, above it looks more like an Alpine. The Eastern side of the mountain often filled rains brought by winds from the Gulf of Mexico. There is often fog, and the annual rainfall is about 1600 mm of rainfall. Autumn and winter is snowy, but in the South and Southeast, the snow melts quickly in the sun.

As a rule, tourists get to the Orizaba from Puebla by bus to the village of Tlachichuca, which is close to the resting giant. To climb the Orizaba did not require any permits. The most popular months for climbing – December. The dry season here is from November to April. The climb will take 6-10 hours and another 3-4 hours for the descent.

Technically the route is simple (category 2A). Begin to rise frequently at night to be on the summit before noon. Start – from refuge Piedra Grande. The first 1, 5-2 hours of the route are rocky pathway. The second part of the route is on snow and ice between the stones and rocks. The following 4 hour – on open ice field.

It is important to stock up on water, at least to a height of 4900 meters, where it can be extracted from snow and ice.