Route: Pico de Orizaba (Mexico)

Orizaba (18,491') is the highest peak in Mexico and 3rd highest in North America. 

Update: Sea-to-Summit Route

The “Pico de Orizaba” is the highest peak in Mexico, standing at 5,636 meters above sea level (MASL). Located on the border between the states of Puebla and Veracruz, its summit offers extensive views across the country, including a glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico on the eastern horizon, with the largest coastal city being Veracruz, situated right along the Gulf.

The Sea to Summit Mexico challenge consists of running non-stop from the sea level at Playa Chachalacas (state of Veracruz) all the way to the summit of Pico de Orizaba (state of Puebla).

A similar challenge (Desde Cero Challenge) was previously accomplished by Héctor Ponce de León, who completed most of the journey by bike (+200 km) and then tackled the summit on foot.

However, the Sea to Summit Mexico challenge is unique: it seeks the most direct route from the lowest to the highest point in Mexico and is completed entirely on foot, running across a range of landscapes, including trails, roads, towns, rivers, farmland, rocky terrain, snow, and ice.

The challenge demands a combination of diverse disciplines: road running on flat pavement, trail running on mild slopes, bushwhacking through dense vegetation and crop fields, mountain running through mid-elevation terrain using trail running gear, and high-altitude mountaineering over snow and ice, requiring specialized equipment such as crampons and ice axes.

The route was carefully designed to follow the most direct path, traversing a variety of terrains while avoiding private property, busy highways, impassable canyons, and excessive elevation changes. The goal was to minimize unnecessary ascents and descents that would not contribute to the total positive elevation gain.

The route passes through several towns and checkpoints:

• Playa Chachalacas (0k / 0 MASL)
• Paso de Ovejas (25k / 39 MASL)
• Angostillo (40k / 245 MASL)
• Sonora (60k / 391 MASL)
• Mata de Varas (78k / 435 MASL)
• Mata Naranjo (92k / 590 MASL)
• Ocotitlán (115k / 1,164 MASL)
• Ixhuatlán del Café (125k / 1,328 MASL)
• Coscomatepec de Bravo (133k / 1,462 MASL)
• Totozinapa (152k / 2,469 MASL)
• Nuevo Jacal (160k / 3,041 MASL)
• Piedra Grande Basecamp (171k / 4,250 MASL)
• Glacier Base (174k / 5,130 MASL)
• Summit (176k / 5,636 MASL)

There are no natural sources of safe drinking water along the route, but each town offers opportunities to purchase water and local food/snacks. Before reaching Nuevo Jacal (160k / 3,041 MASL), about 80% of the route is accessible by car, making it possible for a support crew to provide assistance along the way, mostly through paved roads, but also through open dirt roads and farmland. However, many sections of the route involve running through dark roads without artificial lighting, which are also narrow and have sharp turns, making them very dangerous for runners. A headlamp and a reflective vest are essential for safety. Additionally, having a support car to escort runners along these sections is highly recommended. Due to the region’s topography, most of the route also lacks phone reception, which must be carefully considered when planning logistics. There are also many stray dogs along the route, always unleashed, that will bark, chase, and attempt to bite runners. It’s important to stay cautious and alert at all times, as these dogs tend to be territorial and protective of their villages and surroundings.