The day has come and you're really excited to be on your way towards your most adventurous trip ever - scaling the icy heights of Pico de Orizaba in Mexico. Before you begin your journey, you must ask yourself: have you thought everything through? Do you think you're adequately prepared to tackle Orizaba?
Prerequisites - Before embarking on a trip like this, the first step in your preparation is elevating your physical fitness level. Climbing a mountain is no easy task and you may have all the gear that you need but if your body can't take the pressure and the stress then you won't be able to complete your journey. You need to understand that you'll be navigating terrain from loose rock to steep glacier ice, as well as maneuvering your way through possible bad weather and strong icy winds. Sound like fun? Though climbing experience is not necessary if you hire a competent guide, backpacking, survival training and wilderness camping experience are a plus.
Equipment - Generally, the trekking guide that you hire will provide you with some of the equipment as part of the package that you bought with the exception of your personal clothing and some basic climbing equipment. However, if you prefer to bring and use your own tools, then here's a list of the stuff that you'll need to bring to the mountain, aside from food and water.
Clothing - It's not surprising that clothing is an essential part of the preparation list. It will mean the difference in your survival if you pay attention to what you should wear when climbing Pico de Orizaba. You're going to be dealing with very cold temperatures (up to -20 degrees Celsius), so you need to pack accordingly. You'll need a thin, warm hat (like wool) to protect your head. It should be light enough to comfortably fit under your climbing helmet. You'll also need a balaclava (to protect your face) or neck gaiter, a lightweight ball cap or sun visor, a pair of glacier sunglasses and goggles and a headlamp.
To protect your hands, you need three separate pairs that complement each other - a lightweight glove, a medium-weight insulated glove and a heavy-weight insulated glove. The upper body needs to be able to resist cold and bad weather. You need a light base layer, an insulating layer (depending on how cold you get), a waterproof shell jacket and an insulated parka with hood. Like the upper body, your lower body should also have the same Gore-tex type of material for its multiple layers of clothing.
Your feet will definitely need high quality mountain boots, such as double plastic mountaineering boots. You may also use hiking boots (for rugged terrain), gaiters and socks (for reduced friction).
Technical Equipment - Now that you're well-clothed and prepared for your climb, you will need a few additional items to ensure a safe journey. You will need a climbing helmet and a climbing harness (preferably comfortable, lightweight and adjustable). You will also need an ice axe that's suitable to your strength and height. Especially important are your 12-point adjustable crampons that are designed for general mountaineering. These will help you keep your footing on the mountain. Trekking poles also help keep you balanced while 2 carabiners (1 locking and 1 non-locking) can be used to secure your place in the mountain (thought not always necessary). Ultimately, your professional climbing guide will provide you with a necessary list of items to bring along for the journey.
Miscellaneous Items - Understand that you may need to spend some time at the campsite so you need to bring a sleeping bag (preferably goose down) to keep you warm; utensils for eating, some toiletries and your travel documents.
Scaling Orizaba is an exhilarating, extreme experience. If you prepare your body for the strenuous journey, and you follow your professional guides instructions, you will most likely have a safe and memorable experience.
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