2016 Winter LookingForChorty: That's a big Mountain

Pico de Orizaba

State of Puebla

Tlachochuca

12-March-2016

A long day's drive from Chiapas to the town of Orizaba in Veracruz. We found the best tacos so far in this town. I also got a parking ticket and the gunship got booted! Who even knew they booted cars down here? Fortunately some smooth talk ( and $15 US in cold hard Mexican pesos) got the boot removed on the spot. I tried to get a photo with the traffic cops but they were having none of that.

We decided This town was not for us. Under cover of darkness, we left.

After our first night sleeping in the van at a PEMEX gas station ( the US equivalent of camping at a Wal-Mart but with much more mariachi music) we headed down the highway toward Puebla. All of a sudden a giant snow-capped peak popped up on our right. They call it Pico de Orizaba and it stands over 18,000 tall,which is pretty tell, even for a mountain.

We had to investigate. And we did.

We arrived in the little town of Tlachichuca on the north(Puebla) side of the mountain. There we met Gerrardo Reyes. Gerrardo's family has lived in this town for over a hundred years. Originally his great grandfather built a soap and glycerine factory. The soap business went bye bye back in the 1960's but the Reyes family continues on. The converted factory now serves as base camp and supply for serious mountaineers who come to climb. The family boasts four generations of climbers.

Gerardo was a most gracious host. We parked the gunship in the compound and slept there although there are facilities for a dozen or more in a big cozy bunkhouse. The food is great. Gerrardo took time to direct us to some local sights and good hiking- a little lower on the mountain than the glaciers.

If you come to Orizaba , make sure you check him out at www.servimont.com.mx

Highly recommended !

I know There are many photos of this mountain all over the Internet. Yet, as we hiked up a trail around 11,000 feet, we could not help but take even more. Like moths before the flame so are photographers before this mountain.