Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Volcano Dreams




There is something about mountains that impels us to climb them. Perhaps it is little more than an evolutionary urge to seek a higher vantage point, or maybe it is the thrilling beckon of the unknown.

Southeast of Mexico City, the summits of two volcanoes emerge above the serrated edges of the foothills. The northernmost peak, Iztaccihuatl, forms a long ragged ridge that bears more than a faint resemblance to a reclining woman. Farther south, the dramatically steep and snow-covered cone of Popocatepetl still smokes, as it has since a 1994 eruption.

This weekend, after years of wondering, I will be traveling to the slopes of Iztaccihuatl in the hopes of reaching the 17,000 foot summit.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rub it in, Mike. This weekend, after years of wondering, I will, um, clean the bathroom.

Alicia said...

YEAH MIIIIIIIIIIIKE!

Unknown said...

I trust you have a kick-ass, skilled partner in this epic venture? Oh, yeah....

Unknown said...

And by "us" you mean... you and your crazy friend?

peter said...

Mikey, best of luck. You'll love it. Make sure to get an alpine start, so that you can get the city lights laid out ALL around you (it's unlike any other mountain I've climbed--a wierd urban/wilderness mix). Oh, and don't forget the acetazolamida. It's clutch.