We have arrived in Tlachichuca and our awesome climber´s lodge which used to be a soap factory. It´s very rustic and filled with the owner´s father´s old cimbing gear (ancient crampons, ice axes, a tent he sewed himself, etc). For the second time in a row, there is an internet cafe immediately adjacent to where we're sleeping.

The mountain looms above us. The conditions have improved dramatically since the climbers we met at Izta were here, and we are going to go forward with our plans for an ascent attempt. Tomorrow morning we drive up to the hut at 14,000' and go to bed early. The following morning at about 1:00am, we begin our approximately 12 hour trek to 18,400'. Wish us luck!