Recommended Gear For Climbing Pico de Orizaba

Scaling the icy crags of Pico de Orizaba in Mexico is an exciting adventure to say the least. Before you can begin that once-in-a-lifetime journey, you'll need an array of professional mountain-climbing gear. Without that gear, you'll be putting your life in unnecessary risk. Are you adequately prepared to attempt your summit of Orizaba?

Before you plunk down a few thousand dollars on climbing gear, you'll need to assess your physical fitness level. Obviously, you can't even attempt the mountain if you're a couch potato! Climbing any mountain is no simple task. Your body needs to be in peak fitness in order to handle the stress, fatigue, and altitude change. Climbing Orizaba isn't like talking a stroll through central park - you'll be navigating your way through loose rock and across vast sheets of ice, as well as potentially dealing with inclement weather including snow storms and high winds that are strong enough to rip you off the glacier and slam you into the rocks below. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? If you're fitness level isn't at its best, you should rethink your desire to summit Orizaba, at least until you can get yourself into better physical shape.  

Depending on the manner in which you booked your climb, you may need very little personal gear or the whole shebang. If you've hired a company to get you to the mountain and manage all the essentials that goes with it, then you'll most likely not need the gear listed below. But if you booked your trip yourself and plan to hire a local guide once you get there, you'll probably need to purchase every piece of gear mentioned in this article.

Your clothing is your first line of defense when you're attempting glacial mountaineering. In this respect, you should not scrimp with your spending - buy the best clothing possible. You'll need a warm hat that is light enough to fit into your pocket yet comfortable enough to wear on your head for many hours straight. You should also invest in a balaclava (face mask), neck gaiter, glacier sunglasses or goggles, and a headlamp for use in after hours. Those are the minimal items of clothing that you'll need to bring with you.

You should also invest in three different pairs of gloves - a lightweight pair, a medium weight pair, and a heavy weight, insulated pair. Your body will need at least three layers of clothing - a base layer, an insulating layer, an insulated extreme-weather parka, and a lightweight shell. Your lower body will need the same layers of clothing.

Probably the most important piece gear will be your boots. You must make sure they are extremely comfortable as well as functional. Most mountaineers wear highly durable, plastic mountaineering boots.

Outside of your clothing, you'll need a few more pieces of gear that are absolutely necessary for glacial climbing. You'll need to protect your head in the event of a fall or in the event of a falling rock from above. The helmet needs to be light enough to be remain comfortable for the entire journey, yet strong enough to handle direct impact from an unforeseen object. You'll also need a climbing harness - one that is comfortable, lightweight, and strong. 

Next on the list are your crampons; these will strap onto your boots and allow you to travel much more safely across the ice. Trekking polts are an added benefit to assist your footing, your stamina, as well as keep you balanced during the climb. While not always necessary on Orizaba, a set of carabiners may also be helpful. If you haven't hired a professional guide to assist in your climb, you should at the very least consult with one before your journey. The professional guide can give you a list of necessary climbing gear.

Most likely you will be spending at least one night on the mountain, so you'll need to bring along basic camping essentials: a sleeping bag, eating utensils, toiletries, travel documents, and anything else you might want to bring to elevate your level of comfort.

If your body is in tip-top shape and ready for the climb, and you've invested into the right gear for the ascent, chances are you're truly ready to climb Orizaba! Of course, it's always recommended that you hire a professional guide! Good luck!