Pico de Orizaba National Park

Pico de Orizaba is a national park in the eastern state of Veracruz on the border with the state of Puebla. It is a popular destination for mountain climbing.

Understand
With a peak elevation of 5,636 m (18,491 ft), Pico de Orizaba is the highest mountain in Mexico and the highest volcano in North America. It is a dormant volcano, having last erupted in 1846. Nine glaciers cover the mountain peak with ice as thick as 50 meters.

Pico de Orizaba is known by several names. The traditional Nahuatl name for the peak was Citlaltépetl, though modern Nahuatl speakers call it Iztactépetl.

History
Pico de Orizaba was declared a national park in 1936 by President Lazaro Cardenas. The park covers an area of 19,750 hectares (48,800 acres) and includes the volcano, surroundings, and nearby settlements.

Climate
Like mountains throughout the Sierra Madres, weather patterns vary by elevation and can change quickly.

June through late October are the wettest months with the greatest chance of rain. December is usually the month with the best climbing conditions.

Get in
Tlachichuca (on the Puebla side of the park) is the closest town with support services for climbers and hikers going to Pico de Orizaba. There are several guides in town who can provide proper equipment, instruction, and guidance on route selection if you plan to go to the summit.

To get to Tlachichuca from Mexico City, go to the TAPO bus station and find the ticket counter for Autotransportes Tlaxcala. You can ask for a ticket to Tlachichuca, but the closest they're likely to get is Alchichica (2-1/2 hours, M$500). From there, you can take a taxi (40 minutes) to Tlachichuca.

Fees and permits
Admission to the national park is free for all. No fees or permits required.

Get around
Getting from the base of the mountain to the Piedra Grande shelter, which is the starting point for most climbing activities, is best done by 4x4 truck. Climbing guide services in the area can arrange round-trip transportation to Piedra Grande.

Do
Recreational activities in the park include hiking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, and backcountry camping.


 * Mountaineering: Orizaba can be a challenging mountain with numerous dangers. There are multiple pathways up the mountain, crossing any of nine different glaciers, and requiring very different levels of technical skills. Inexperienced climbers should not attempt to ascend Orizaba above about 4000 meters without an experienced guide and proper equipment and instruction. Some climbing guides will also arrange transportation from the Mexico City airport direct to the Pico de Orizaba area.

Eat
No food is available within the national park. Bring enough for your entire itinerary and pack out trash and leftovers.

Restaurants and stores are in Tlachichuca or other towns near the park.

Drink
No potable water is available on the mountain. Bring several liters per day. Remember to pack out all trash.

Lodging
Several small hotels and hostels are in the nearby towns of Sedrel and Tlachichuca on the Puebla side of the park. Larger hotels are in the town of Orizaba on the Veracruz side of the park.

Camping
Refugio Piedra Grande is a large shelter, located at 13,800 feet, frequently used by climbers as base camp. Tent sites available, parking available, but driving up is best done by Jeep or 4x4 truck. Refugio Fausto Gonzalez Gomar is a small concrete shelter located at 4650 meters. Important emergency shelter in the event of blizzard or high winds.

Backcountry
Some climbers opt to set up a high camp. This can be done before the labyrinth at 4500m, or at the base of the glacier at 4900m. There is room at both points for several tents.