Pretty much the meanest thistle I've ever seen. Spotted on the descent, this thing was two feet tall and coated in about 1/4 inch of ice.

All Locations > International > N America > Mexico > Veracruz > Pico de Orizaba

Pretty much the meanest thistle I've ever seen. Spotted on the descent, this thing was two feet tall and coated in about 1/4 inch of ice.

ID 106619372 ·

Flag This Photo

· Copyright Violation?

Following the boot track up through the thinning air.

The smaller hut at Piedre Grande.

Rate Photo

0.0 from 0 votes

Dustin Clelen

Dec 3, 2009

“Pretty much the meanest thistle I've ever seen. Spotted on the descent, this thing was two feet tall and coated in about 1/4 inch of ice.”

0 Comments

Nearby Photos

Craig Manker near the summit, Orizaba.

Orizaba from the air

Orizaba from the town of Tlachichuca

Newel Jensen dropping the knee, above the clouds on our telemark ski descent of Orizaba in 1997.

On the summit of Orizaba 1972

Looking into the crater.

Summit ridge.

Refugio, summit, and the remains of an old aqueduct. The route to the glacier heads up the obvious drainage. The Sarcafogo is the large rock outcrop just right of the summit.

An unfortunate tangle of steel rubble marks the true summit.

View of Pico de Orizaba from the village of Miguel Hidalgo, reported to be the highest village in North America (11,150 ft).

The 'pile of steel' were crucifixes. Hopefully knocked down by wind and the big snow years, not by vandals.

View of Pico de Orizaba from the cemetery in Tlachichuca on Dia de los Muertos, 2006.

Matt Clow (RIP) on the East Glacier route, left side.

Pano of the crater from the summit.

Expect plenty of freezing mist on this peak. Being that it's close to the gulf, conditions can be both humid and cold.

Following the boot track up through the thinning air.

Pretty much the meanest thistle I've ever seen. Spotted on the descent, this thing was two feet tall and coated in about 1/4 inch of ice.

The smaller hut at Piedre Grande.

Less than 100 vertical feet from the summit! January 2009

Dodge Power Wagons in front of the large hut at Piedre Grande.

Another look at the large hut at Piedre Grande.

Piedre Grande huts at a little over 14,000 ft. The summit of Orizaba is in the clouds (upper left).

Refugio and the summit...way up there.

Looking over Mexico from the summit or Citlaltepetl. January 2009

The further from the summit you reach the crater rim, the more walking at 18,000 feet you have to do. Counterclockwise from the top of the East Glacier.

Ascending the Jamapa Glacier with Piedre Grande in the distance.

Pico de Orizaba from the road to the refugio.

Just before arriving the region received the biggest snowfall in 20 years.

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started

onX products are built by adventurers, for adventurers. We believe that every adventurer needs to know where to go, to know where they stand, and to be able to share their experiences.
About onX
Careers

iOS App Store

Android App Store

© 2025 onX Maps, Inc. Terms·Privacy