crazy_t

Get dialed on navigation. Have and know how to use map, compass and altimeter, wands, and GPS (but don't rely just on this one). A big, round volcano when covered with snow can turn "interesting" in a serious whiteout- kind of the flip side of the moderate/non-technical nature of the thing. Know what to do if you get pinned down so that you don't wander into avalanche terrain, etc. Have the appropriate gear (shovel, extra clothes/bivy/etc and a stove) with you when you are climbing, so that hunkering down is an option. Weather can get ugly any time of year, but more so in winter so have experience dealing with the simple stuff- layering correctly, keeping dry inside and out, staying fueled and hydrated, knowing how to winter camp, and being in good shape for the potential slogfest conditions. And make sure your partners have the above covered or better, and that you can rely on them to be sensible and enjoyable company. All this will help you with any future ascents, and being ready will help you relax and put your energy towards the climb. It will be a lot of work, but likely a great experience. Enjoy!

Only one you'd have a chance at respectable turns (at that time of year) would be Orizaba. Nevado is dry, and Ixta has melted so much in the last 5 years it's shocking. There is hardly any glacier left. You could get some token turns, but it's out as far as a "ski descent" mountain, at least in climbing season. Orizaba has 800m vertical or so from the summit that's skiable, maybe you could put some turns together in the gullies, but I've only seen the Jamapa glacier corned up once out out of 5/6 times. It's often snicey. If you're considering those steep gullies around the left of the Jamapa as another route option, we looked at doing those last year and found sketchy old/dirty ice (very hard); it has really melted out. Stay away from the town on the other side of Ixta (on the "Head" side, access to those routes); there have been numerous reports of violence - break-ins, assault, rape- in recent years. A lot of break-ins parking at the regular route trailhead on Ixta as well; I've often had a driver for that leg, dropping us off and picking us up later so the car's not exposed. Orizaba and Toluca don't seem to have as much trouble in that regard. It's a great place to travel and climb though, doing the alternating between heat and haciendas or cities (and some rock climbing) and getting blasted by wind and snow wearing goggles and crampons. I'd put my "self-respecting" type energy into the style points factor of having a cool travel experience that includes a few summit days, personally speaking. If you guys go, consider spending a night in Tepotztlan (cool small town btw. Toluca and Puebla/Tlachichuca with a small pyramid and fun vibe) and Valle de Bravo (great bigger town down from Toluca, rock climbing in the vicinity too) besides other obvious destinations. Cholula is kind of fun these days too. Go to the party boats at Xochimilco for some real fun too. Suerte!

That pic is "fowl"

Nice pics, thanks for the report!

laser-sharp cut, Shoveler.

What's that smell? Ahh, it's just the "Shoveler", getting his daily workout...

welcome to CC.com

That was a blast from the past too, that was my "school song" in high school. Never thought I'd see it here! Those 41 gm lockers look pretty epic. I'm going to have to check them out.

or better, what conscience?

what conscious?

That shrapnel having been from WWII and employed for "anti-person" use.

That looks just like what I've seen and had identified to me as shrapnel.

I have found a lot of WWII shrapnel on the slopes of Elbrus; it looks like what you are describing. Jagged/rough, rusty, and about the same size range.

3 bolts in 1 body length

he's (fw) "the Shoveler"

"dig", the Shoveler made a funny. But again, there's nothing funny about what you "defend". Tens of thousands of innocent dead, on both sides. Tens of thousands dead, shoveler. You love to be the "force of Right" here and doubtless elsewhere, but it's all a pile. Diplomacy has been decimated. So has our economy. Slimiest ass leader of all time just won't take accountability, won't stand up and say he was wrong. Won't do anything right. And this is beyond "ideas" now, and "defending freedom". We've dug a big hole. And it's a mass grave too. It's no good. Sure, you'll keep shoveling your bs, maybe pick a quote out and turn a little argument, but we don't really care. We know you're wrong.

"groundbreaking" stuff, Shoveler.

"the Shoveler"

"the Shoveler"

I remember Cheney gloating at the press conference after the "election", when via various unscrupulous methods his company, I mean party, "won" with barely 51% of the vote- "America has spoken. We've earned political capital, and now I intend to spend it." What a joke. Except tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqi civilians- fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, and thousands of dead young Americans aren't laughing. We don't need to wait for history to bear things out. What a disaster, what a disgrace. Sinful, to put it fairly.

Scareweather will just keep shoveling it. All life long.

"the Shoveler"

That's awesome. Thanks for the pics and info!