Climbing Ajusco, Mexico - January 2005
I believe Ajusco is very close to the 4000m mark and though not technical and not a long climb, it should still be given the respect it deserves.
An average climber like myself needs a couple of hours to get to the summit, though Erik and I did get lost for a while which set us back an hour or so while we hacked around the woods trying to find the path.
The countryside is spectacular, the air is clean and the terrain is diverse. This is a really enjoyable climb!
Lungs, free from the torture of the city, thats why I'm smiling here. Such a good feeling.
Flash fires are common in Mexico. This thistle had been burnt probably within 24 hours of our ascent.
The summit ridge while not exactly alpinism has a nice feeling of mild exposure and some fun scrambles.
This rock step could be avoided, but its way more fun to climb.
Climbing about 20 mins from the summit.
Mexico City sprawls to the feet of Ajusco for once unobscured by the yellow layer of smog.
View from close to the summit roughly in the direction of Mexico City, which here is obscured by a blanket of smog.
The terrain is varied making Ajusco a very interesting mountain in its own right.
At the summit, or at least at one of the summits. This one however was the highest.
Trekking up the summit ridge, there is some minor scrambling to make things interesting.
Erik trying to get to the very very highest point.
Warning to Climbers
Since I wrote this article, I have been informed of violent robberies on Ajusco and asked to warn those intending to climb this mountain to be vigilant and to try climb in large groups wherever possible.
