Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

Our Rainier program suits advanced beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers. Climbing the Disappointment Cleaver Route on Mt. Rainier requires solid fitness, but it is not beyond the abilities of many people who are willing to train for the climb and work hard on the trip. If you want to join this expedition but feel unsure of your ability, please chat to us as we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climb as we take immense pride in helping people achieve their goals.

CTSS brings big mountain expertise gained from countless expeditions around the world to our Rainier program enabling our climbers to become proficient and lay down solid mountaineering fundamentals quickly and efficiently. Our snow school session is a full training seminar which will not only equip you for the climb ahead but also prepare you for bigger peaks like Lobuche in the Himalaya, the Ecuadorian volcanoes and Denali.

Please note; Temperatures range from 40 to 50-degrees Fahrenheit (4-10C) at night, with occasional dips down below freezing. Daytime temperatures often reach 70-degrees Fahrenheit (21C). Climbers should expect the possibility of freezing temperatures above 9000-feet on summit days throughout the summer season. And though mid-season tends to be dryer on Mt. Rainier, climbers should always be prepared with rain gear just in case.

On some climbs, the guides may determine it is more favorable to climb on day three due to weather, route conditions, or team ability. In this case, the guides will conduct essential training the second afternoon, with additional training during the course of the ascent.

This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.

We always recommend climbers arrive in Ashford one day early to avoid travel delays, or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility. Please let us know if you want us to arrange logistics for early arrivals, or for a single rooming option.

Our expeditions are fully inclusive except for items/services of a personal nature.

Do I need to have any prior climbing experience?

This trip is open to all individuals in excellent physical condition. There are no technical climbing prerequisites to join this program.

What is a good fitness and training program for this climb?

• Climbing conditioning – pack-loaded uphill hiking, walking, and stair climbing
• Strength training – for the lower and upper body
• Cardiovascular training – including both aerobic and anaerobic workouts without pack weight
• Flexibility training

Do I need to acclimatize due to altitude?

No acclimatization is necessary for this program.

Will I need to share a tent?

Yes, both at base camp and on the mountain, tents will be shared accommodations due to limited tent space on the mountain and the weight of carrying extra tents. Please plan to share a tent with one of your fellow climbers.

How heavy will my pack be?

You will likely be carrying 40lbs – 50lbs (18kg – 24kg).

Will I need to purchase trip insurance?

Yes. Trip delay and cancellation, rescue, repatriation, medical insurance is mandatory for this program for your own benefit. We have seen too many times people need to cancel their trip either before or during the expedition for reasons such as injury, health, family and business matters. With such a long trip and so much at stake, climbers need to be prepared for contingencies.

• Pico de Orizaba is a stratovolcano and the tallest peak in Mexico standing at 18,880ft
• The volcano is currently dormant but not extinct, with the last eruption taking place during the 19th century
• Mexico City is built on the ruins of an Aztec city.
•  Mexico has a population of 10 million
•  Orizaba has also been called Citlaltépetl which means “Star Mountain”, “Cerro de San Andrés” and a third name, Poyauhtecatl, which means “the one that illuminates”
•  It has so much prominence it can be seen from the Gulf of Mexico

Best expedition at a great value: CTSS believes in providing our clients with the highest quality service in the industry at a great value. Climbing and trekking is our passion, and our goal is to share these unique places and experiences with you. We want you to feel good about your experience because we believe word-of-mouth is the best advertising, and that begins with satisfied customers. There is a difference between our expeditions and those of our competitors, especially local cut-rate options. In choosing us, you are hiring the finest guides and logistical support in the industry. Benefiting from many Kilimanjaro expeditions, well over 100 high altitude expeditions, and drawing on decades of first hand guiding experience, we have worked hard to refine our logistics in order to offer you the highest chance of success at an exceptional value.

We are a modestly sized guide service with highly personalized service: We maintain a moderate size so that we can tailor our Orizaba climbing experience to you. Not all climbers are the same, which is why Mike Hamill will work with you directly to make sure you choose only the programs that are right for you.

The best route: CTSS climbs northern route on Orizaba. By using this route, we provide you with the highest chance of success and give you the best climbing experience available on the mountain. This is due to the more relaxed terrain and greater amount of time for acclimatization en route to the summit. This route offers a stunning glaciated ascent of the peak and some of the best mountain vistas in North America. We climb through a variety of different ecological zones and take in the local culture along the way. You will see when you’re on the mountain that there’s no better way to climb the peak.

Mexican culture: We take time on our first day in Mexico City to see some of the best cultural sites the country has to offer. If you’re a fan of Aztec history then this is a great experience for you. Beyond the sights in and around Mexico City we immerse ourselves in Mexico eating and staying and eating at some of the best and most quintessentially Mexican places in the region.

Leadership: As expedition leader, Mike’s almost unparalleled experience base at high altitude can make the difference between success and failure. Let Mike guide you through the many nuances of climbing Orizaba that will allow you to be successful. From start to finish, he will work with you to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to reach your goal of standing on top of Mexico. Often being able to trouble shoot problems before they occur can make the difference, and this is where Mike’s vast experience becomes crucial. See Mike’s success rate.

Best guides: The quality of an expedition is, in large part, dictated by the individual guide(s) leading the trip. CTSS hires only the finest guides operating at the highest standards for client care who are highly trained, well respected in the industry, and close friends that we trust. The have excellent personalities and are some of the most experienced professionals in the world. Mike and the rest of our guides are strong leaders who maintain high standards. Our guides make our company what it is and have extensive resumes of personal climbs, high altitude guiding, and certifications. All our lead guides maintain at least a Wilderness First Responder medical standard. Our local guides around the world are the best in the industry and do an amazing job helping you attain your goals and navigating local obstacles.

Safety: Our primary goal at CTSS is safety. We have an unparalleled safety record and our clientele’s wellbeing factors in to every decision we make while on expeditions. Although we like to stand on the top of mountains more than anyone, we believe that climbing is a round trip endeavor and getting you back to your loved ones safely is paramount. We take many safety precautions including bringing multiple communication devices, high altitude safety equipment, medical kits, and the highest quality gear to ensure a safe environment in which to climb.

Success: Success rates on expeditions under Mike’s leadership are among the best in the business. Mike has maintained a 100% expedition success rate for expeditions under his direct guidance on Orizaba. This is a testament to our quality of service and attention to detail. Mike and our team of guides are incredibly proud of their summit success and work hard to get their clients to the top. As Mike says, “You can’t buy a summit, but you can buy better odds.” With our expertise, experience and infrastructure, you can stack those odds in your favor. We offer a longer acclimatization progression for proper acclimatization to mitigate the risks of altitude sickness. Many guide services race their clients up the mountain, especially local companies, to cut corners on costs. We are highly invested in our reputation for safety and success and are always striving to improve our programs to maintain our hard-earned status. Decision making in the mountains is supremely important, and our guides are the best in the business, have a hunger to summit whenever it’s safe to do so, and have a proven track record. All of our programs acclimatize conservatively to mitigate the risk of having altitude issues and to give them the highest chance of success.

You! Why choose us? Because of you! We consistently attract the best clients and believe this is because we offer the highest quality expedition at a great value. Our clientele takes the time to educate themselves about their options and choose us because of this. We feel that surrounding yourself with the right people will make you successful, and that goes for guide service owners, guides, and even those with whom you climb. Having a team with the right attitude and camaraderie is a key factor in making you successful.

Logistics: We have led countless high altitude expeditions and have perfected the logistics, allowing you to focus on climbing, safety and success. We eat well and live well on expedition. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while on your climb or safari to not be distracted from the task at hand. We feel that these creature-comforts go a long way to making your time in the backcountry enjoyable. We strive to work with the best local outfitters and provide the best local logistics hands down.

Updates: In today’s connected world people want to know how things are going on expedition. CTSS maintains regular updates on our blog to keep friends and families informed. This can relieve a lot of the stress loved ones have when you’re away on climbing. We want to make the climb as stress-free for both the climber and the folks back home.

Professional Business Practices: Running a professional guide service that you feel comfortable putting your trust in is important to us. We comply with all local, state, federal and international laws. We hope that this makes you feel more confident about choosing us and our programs.

Enjoyment: This is your vacation, and you’re here to have a good time. Our goal is to give you the experience of a lifetime, inspire you in the mountains, and to have a great time doing it. This, again, comes back to our guides; they all have great personalities, and their love for the mountain is contagious.

Low client to guide ratio: We operate all of our trips at a low client to guide ratio which offers you a better, safer, and more personalized experience.

“Again, thanks for an awesome adventure. It’s the people, the friendship and the camaraderie that make up for more than half of the experience. Thanks for being so great!! and getting me up and down that hill safely. I look forward to climbing with you again in the future.” Jason V

“Thank you again for the trip of a lifetime” -Rick B

Difficulty: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Climbing Orizaba requires solid fitness and an ability to perform well at altitude, but it is not beyond the abilities of many people who are willing to train for the climb and work hard on the trip. Prior use of crampons and an ice axe is preferred but not mandatory as we will do a brief snow school for those with experience to touch up their skills and for others to become familiar. If you want to join this expedition but feel unsure of your ability, chat to us as we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climb as we take immense pride in helping people achieve their goals.

The following is a sample daily schedule of our Orizaba Express climb:

Check the gear list. Pack and repack to make sure you know your gear. The gear on the gear list is mandatory to allow you to have a safe, successful climb as well as your entire team. Any questions we’re here to help.

For a complete gear list with descriptions and links to actual recommended items please see our Bolivia gear list page at:

Included:

Not Included:

Mike Hamill oversees each Orizaba expedition and leads many of them personally.

Mountaineer Laura Lisowski details her climb with CTSS on Orizaba:

https://www.releasetravel.com/blog/2019/1/25/climbing-orizaba-preparation-for-everest-with-los-authenticos

“I’ve had the pleasure of climbing with Mike on several expeditions over the past 12 years from Antarctica to Alaska to Russia to Everest.   Not only is he one of the most respected mountain guides in the world, he is as fine a person as you will ever meet.  There is no one I would rather have on my team should something go wrong on a big mountain. I was fortunate to be on Mike’s first Climbing the Seven Summits expedition last month on Orizaba and it was flawless” -Kent Stewart