Mexico - Grand plan

This morning we plan to explore the Pyramid of the sun. To get there we drive north east out of Mexico city.

Tonight we camp at the base of La Malinche (middle star on map). Sabbath we summit this smaller peak. 

Next is La Iztaccihuakle, Ixta for short, which is over 17k feet tall (western star in map). 

Orizaba is next (eastern star on map) at over 18k feet. 

Mexico - first day pictures

Mexico - Vamanos!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Luke Scott" <captnluke@gmail.com>
Date: Mar 1, 2018 10:29 PM
Subject: Mexico - Vamanos!
To: "Shutter Click Moments" <captnluke.pics@blogger.com>
Cc:

I quit writing papers at 11pm, and set my alarm for 4:30am. I was still behind in school, but I needed sleep before starting this trip.

Final gear checks were completed in the morning and we set off for the airport. Traffic on I75 coming into Atlanta from the north was very heavy, and we worried we would miss our flight. We arrived at our gate and boarded our Southwest flight for Houston just in time.

We arrived in Mexico City without incident. The airplane came down through a broken ceiling at 2500 feet. Underneath the clouds lay the sprawling city. Miles and miles of urban streets and buildings were enveloped in smog. The air didn't even look breathable. After clearing customs and exchanging American cash for local Pesos, the leaders and Spanish speakers in our group set out to rent vehicles. The rest of us stayed in the airport with our bags. I fell asleep in the pile of luggage. Three hours and one 13 peso ice cream cone later, our vehicles arrived. Loaded to the gills with bags of gear, we raced through the evening traffic.

Our apartment is awesome. It is a multi-story labyrinth laced together with thin metal spiral staircases. There is a small rooftop area with comfy chairs overlooking the city. This house is literally bigger vertically than horizontally. Some guys and I laid claim to the the highest bedroom, a cubby hole like room just beneath the roof sitting area. With windows on three sides we expected plenty of flowing air. The air is almost tactical. An indescribable slurry of scents wafts eternally through the pollution laden air.

For grub we walked down the narrow streets to a taco place. We were told by a local that this particular taco place was legit local food. It was so legit that they didn't have anything vegetarian. Across the block we found another street side vendor making quesadillas. These are nothing like quesadillas in the US. Cheese is not a staple here, but a light garnish. Fresh corn tortillas are filled with meat or potatoes and folded before being deep fried to a golden brown and sprinkled with cheese. Some of us also ventured to a corner bakery selling all kinds of pastries.

We are off the street now, sitting together and discussing our plans. I'm super tired, and ready to hit the hay. 

Tomorrow we tour the Teotihuacan pyramids and then camp at La Malinche. Sabbath we plan to summit La Malinche. 

Mexico - supper first night

Expedition - Summit Orizaba

I'm supposed to come up with 10 meals for myself on this trip. So I did.

Each meal consists of:

1/4 cup peanuts

1/4 cup pecans

1/4 cup walnuts

1/4 cup almonds

1 Tbs hazelnuts

2 Tbs mixed dried fruit

1 Tbs dark chocolate covered cranberries

5 days have extra Mango, 5 days have extra Peaches

That should be around 1500 calories. But each meal also has a support package with 1 snickers bar, 1 fruity granola bar, and 2 flax sticks from Clarks Bakery.

Check the blog ShutterClickMoments@blogspot.com for updates and pictures of mountaineering in Mexico this next week. 

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Indonesia - Kuta beach

I didn't see the value in taking a tour of the highest quality coffee producer in Bali, but I went with an open mind and learned a lot about coffee and the processes involved in preparing the beans.

When we hit the beach we waded through Indonesians selling everything from ice cream to henna tattoos, and renting umbrellas and surfboards, until we found a place where the waves were decent. They were big, and closing out quick, so they were hard to ride. I rented one board with another guy for two hours. It was 70000 rupiah, about 3 dollars an hour. I got a really bad rash on my belly and chest. I flat wore out my arms. The surf was really rough. I rode a couple waves.

We wandered down the street to find lunch. Then I played in the water for a while again before we left.

For supper I found a tiny tiny place that made legitimate local food for a good price. Everything around here is a good price compared to American markets, but overpriced from the local perspective. I had a good dish of fried rice and vegetables for less than 2 dollars.