Malinche

I’m excited to share that on January 9, I ascended Malinche, which stands as the sixth tallest peak in Mexico. For those unfamiliar, central Mexico boasts a variety of volcanoes, one of which is currently active. My friends and I aimed to conquer Malinche as a precursor to our climb of Pico de Orizaba two days later, the tallest mountain in Mexico. I plan to recount that experience next week. Popocatépetl The elevation gain along the usual path is 4,193 feet, which translates to 1,278 meters.

First, some quick facts on Malinche.

Elevation: 14,636 feet = 4,461 meters

Geographical Info: The peak is located at the junction of Tlaxcala and Puebla states, while the approach route originates in Puebla.

Length of the main trail: The round trip covers a distance of 7.5 miles.

Traveling from downtown Mexico City to La Malinche National Park can be done in about three hours, primarily along paved roads. We opted to camp at a rustic site at the start of the main trail, where we didn’t incur any fees. It’s difficult to define its exact location, but if you’re serious about tackling Malinche, search for 'Punto de cobro para subir a la Malintzi' on Google Maps. There’s also a more developed campground nearby, but I can't provide any insights on that one.

Once we arrived, we pitched our tents in a field alongside numerous stray dogs and aimed to sleep early for a 2:00 AM departure. The nighttime was tranquil, but I could hear the distant eruptions of Popocatépetl, mingled with the sounds of stray dogs fighting.

We started our journey precisely at 2:00 AM. With no moonlight, headlamps and flashlights became necessary tools. Despite the darkness, the forested area was apparent, and the trail remained relatively easy to navigate. Thankfully, two of the men in our group were locals who had previously climbed Malinche multiple times, providing us with invaluable assistance.

Looking back, I realize that the early commencement was not entirely essential. We primarily chose this time to adjust our sleep patterns for a similar early ascent on Orizaba two days afterward. A more reasonable departure at 6 AM would likely have sufficed. No matter your starting time, ensure you carry headlamps in case your return doesn't coincide with daylight.

By approximately 5 AM, we had ascended above the tree line, transitioning our trek from dirt trails to rocky surfaces. This change was gradual, marked by a pleasant flat section. By 7 AM, when the sun emerged, the remainder of our hike consisted of navigating a hefty rock field.

A stray dog decided to join our group. I often thought she might give up and head back, but she persistently stayed with us. Interestingly, she tended to keep a distance, moving ahead of us and taking breaks while waiting for us to catch up.

As dawn broke, we were treated to breathtaking views of Mexico's three tallest peaks. I've already mentioned Popocatépetl and Orizaba, ranking first and second. We could also spot Iztaccihuatl, the third highest, which I proudly climbed a few years ago. Between these volcanoes lay numerous small towns and the expansive city of Puebla.

The rest of our hike involved scrambling over a rocky expanse where the intended path was often unclear. However, as long as we kept climbing upwards, the risk of getting lost was minimal. I truly thought the dog might reconsider her choice amidst the rocky terrain, but she maintained her course.

By around 8 AM, we reached the top! Here, we were rewarded with remarkable views in every direction, took numerous photos, and treated the dog to a well-deserved snack. Even though the one-way distance was just 3.75 miles, progress was slow at that altitude, and it took us approximately six hours to reach the summit.

The descent largely involved retracing our steps. However, it felt entirely new to me, as I had hardly seen the path in the dark on the way up. The return took roughly four hours, bringing our whole adventure to ten hours. Other groups at the campground shared their experiences, stating it took them anywhere from 5 to 9 hours.

Here are a few snapshots from our climb.

This marks the start of the rocky section. Notice the transitional terrain between the forest and the rocky expanse.

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to my friend Celso for driving us to the mountain and leading our journey! I truly owe him for this experience, and I hope to partially repay him on his next visit to Vegas. Congratulations are also in order for Beatriz and Florente for their successful climb.

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Wikipedia Links:

Malinche (volcano)

List of highest peaks in Mexico