We received from Maximos Kaltsidis, one of the three Greek mountaineers, who first tried to conquer the highest peak of Mexico, the following fax:
Hello from Mexico,
The Greek expedition in Mexico summited successfully the highest peak of the country, "El Pico de Orizaba", 5760 m., at 11:40 a.m., 4/2/2000.
It was a tough ascent, it was very windy. Everything went well. We followed a good but difficult acclimatization program; we ascended to the Izta volcano, 5286 m. Then, we moved to El Pico de Orizaba, an impressive frozen volcano. We organised an advanced camp at 5.100 m., and at 11:00 a.m., 4/2/2000 we conquered the top.
The gradient of the ice was as big as 50o and more. As we ascended the frozen cone things got worse, but finally we did it.
We are well, all three of us and right now we are in a small Greek shop, in a small town. We will be back in Greece on the 13th of February.
Regards,
Maximos Kaltsidis. |
After the members of the expedition return home, we'll revert with descriptions and photoes.
|
