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I haven't read all of this because I don't have my reading glasses and I'm on the IPhone.
May I suggest: before committing to the expense of Africa, why don't you try the volcanoes of Mexico? Easiest way to find out how you will react to much higher altitudes.
We do a trip every November (so does KW). This year is going to be tame compared to years past.
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Richard,
We are planning on finally going for Orizaba and possibly Ixta this November. You guys go every year? Is it safe to fly into Mexico City?
Casey
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Joyce,
The first time I attempted Kili I didn't have any extra days on my itinerary. I believe that was a mistake. You can plan for extra days though and go down to a lower camp before going back up if you happen to get sick. Just because nearly everybody does the 7 day Machame Route, it's not necessarily the best option because there is no wiggle room (but more days will cost more). Anyway, just something to think about. Richard mentioned trying some of the volcanoes in Mexico such as Orizaba and Ixta. We are actually going to give them a go this November. Check them out at summitpost.org
Casey
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Richard,
We are planning on finally going for Orizaba and possibly Ixta this November. You guys go every year? Is it safe to fly into Mexico City?
Casey I've been down there for the past three years. First year was Orizaba only, second was chasing Rick Graham up and down LaMalinche, Ixta and Orizaba. Last year was a big group that did Nevado de Toluca, Ixta and Orizaba. This November will be all repeats: LaMalinche, Nevado de Toluca (I want to do the full summits ridge traverse.) and Orizaba. I don't feel any fear down there. Like a lot of foreign airports, you'll be hounded by touts, unless they see that you are part of a group. I really want to do a motorcycle ride (something about riding to 14k) to the volcanoes, but that is going to have to wait for the unrest (drug related) at the border to settle down.
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I've seen posts on the message thread regarding Orizaba and Ixta, but I didn't realize they were volcanoes. It looks like an extreme adventure. Thanks, Casey, for the link to summitpost. If I ever decide to do Kilimanjaro, I don't know if I would want to pay for the extra days. At least for the moment, Kili is not one of those things I just have to do. Italy's volcano route is another story. For now, I'm looking forward to my third time up to Mt. Whitney in August. Richard, thanks for your tip as well. I would love to go to Orizaba and Ixta, but don't think I could keep up with your group or KW's. I also don't think I'd be ready by November. Maybe next year, though. I should try Baldy with you guys first. Let me know if y'all plan another trip there. I told KW that I was thinking of crashing your last Baldy hike, but chickened out for fear of being left in the dust. He said you guys would have slowed down for me and I thought, Yeah, right.  Congrats on all your Whitney summits, Richard. That is very remarkable. Joyce
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Joyce, Don't chicken out on Kurt's hikes, they are a blast! I did the same thing for the same reason...but I was sooo wrong. Kurt keeps a moderate pace, but stops to educate the group on Baldy history, and he also answers questions along the way. Plus, you always get a nice stop at "no hands rock" and the Ski Hut, since Kurt has a key. The majority of the group stays together and there is always great conversation along the way. The rabbits in the group usually run up ahead, but they will wait on the summit for the standard Wedberg Hike group summit photo! getting ready to start up the Ski Hut Trail (that's SanDiCarole doing the robot  )  group shot at the hut  heading up the west ridge  Summit shot  Hope to see you on the next one, Stacy
Moved to Bishop in 2012 and haven't looked back since...
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Stacy, looks like a fun group! Kurt's S.G. hike is one that I've been wanting to do for a while... I just have to work on the timing, I guess.
LOL! I wondered what Carole was doing back there!
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." Albert Pike
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Hey Stacy! Thanks for the info and the fabulous pics. Love the robot in the BG! It looks like you really had an awesome time up there. So cool to see Doug in the group as well. How often does Kurt lead these hikes and how do you find out about them? I heard about the other one via the message board when I read a thread about Kurt's Whitney presentation. I saw some of the pictures posted from last month's hike afterward and I was glad that I chickened out. There were no women in the group. I don't mind hiking with men, but since that would have been my first hike with them, I would have felt a bit awkward. I certainly didn't want them to have to wait for the one "damsel in distress." Lol I have been to Baldy several times, but have never heard of "no hands rock." I would love to go on one of these educational hikes. Thanks again, Stacy, and I absolutely love your signature. I feel the same way. Joyce
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Saw a rainbow in the vicinity of Jawbone Canyon this afternoon... What's that got to do with this thread? Well, if I found the Pot of Gold, I would have used the money to get myself over to Africa...
Joyce, we don't leave anybody behind. Like Stacy said, the pace is adjusted so that everybody has a good time. (KW and Oso are experts at leading people to success.)
We were very disappointed that no women showed up for the last Group Climb.
Scully (Jeff Scofield) is planning on LaMalinche, Ixta and Orizaba in '13. He mentioned that he wants to shorten the trip by one day... making it a bit tougher.
One additional note on Ixta and Orizaba: you'd need to have basic winter mountaineering skills. As a minimum for both of these, I would recommend that you be comfortable with the Baldy Bowl. Even better would be comfort with something like the bowl up to Trail Crest in firm snow conditions.
BTW: really enjoyed the set of photos.
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Richard, Notice that I opted not to crop the summit photo...I thought that the bag of Cheetos at the bottom added a special touch to it!!! Joyce, You will hear about Kurt's hikes here on the board. Someone usually starts a thread long before the actual date. Kurt incorporates the hike with his A-16 presentations down here in So Cal. But if you want to just meet up and hike in a smaller group setting, watch the "Conditions on Baldy" thread. Plenty of WPSMBer's hike Baldy on a regular basis. I'd be willing to bet that there is someone from this board on Baldy every weekend of the year...and probably on Whitney too...thanks to Richard! Stacy
Moved to Bishop in 2012 and haven't looked back since...
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Thanks, guys. I'll be on the lookout for the next group hike and I won't chicken out again. I guess now is a good time to try the Baldy bowl and I might have to borrow some snow shoes from a friend. I usually avoid hiking in snow, but it never hurts to try something new. Thanks for all the tips and advice. You guys rock! Joyce
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