At the top of the list of the world’s most prominent dormant volcanoes, after Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro is Mexico’s Pico de Orizaba, known by its Nahuatl name as Citlaltépetl, meaning “Mountain of the Star.” With a prominence of 16,148 feet (4,922 m) and an elevation estimated at 18,491 feet (5,636 m), Pico de Orizaba is the tallest peak in Mexico, the third tallest in North America, and the seventh most prominent in the world. Its last eruption was in 1846. Citlaltépetl reaches heavenward from the Pico de Orizaba National Park, which was established by President Lázaro Cárdenas in 1936.
According to local legend, in ancient Mexico during the time of the Olmecs, there were two friends: one, a lady warrior named Nahuani, and the other her trusted advisor Ahuilizapan (Orizaba), who also happened to be an osprey. When Nahuani died in battle, Ahuilizapan flew up to the highest heights of the sky and dropped down to the ground, where she remained long enough for a mountain to grow up over her. Thereafter, whenever Ahuilizapan remembers what happened to her dear friend Nahuani, she erupts with great fury. The people living in the area took it upon themselves to control Orizaba’s fury by paying homage to Nahuani’s memory with periodic ascents of the mountain.
While the snowy top of Citlaltépetl is a serious undertaking, there is plenty of pleasant hiking for people who just want to get out into the Mexican wilderness and spend some time on the mountainside. The forest is alive with pines, cedars, and oaks, and the mountain is teeming with birds and four-legged creatures unique to the region, including coatis, cacomistles, hares, opossum, and three different types of lynx.
In the winter, professional climbers come from all over the world to climb from the base camp to the summit via the Jamapa glacier at 14,010 feet (4,270 m) above sea level. The most common route is called Serpent’s Head, and is quite technical, with 10 pitches at grade 4. Due to its difficulty, Serpent’s Head is not recommended for inexperienced climbers. There is a route to Citlaltéptel’s summit with southern exposure, so climbers do not have to conquer the ice until the final ascent, which is considerably easier than Serpent’s Head.
No matter how one chooses to spend their time with Pico de Orizaba, it is an impressive mountain. Seen from the distance, it is not too difficult to imagine a fallen osprey deep within the bowels of the volcano, mourning for her fallen friend, icy tears leaking from the peak. Exploring the mountainside is a wonderful opportunity to see the unique flora and fauna that call Central Mexico home, and if you are up for the challenge, an ascent to the top to pay homage to Nahuani is a valiant thing to do.
