The water source at Piedra Grande is cleaner and better tasting and more pure than most water you will drink in the USA + Canada. I have drank from it exclusivly on two trips there and had absolutely no problems whatsoever (as recently as late Nov. '06). I always chuckle at seeing truckloads of nervous gringos carrying giant water bottles up there; it is totally unnecessary as the water is available is some of the best you will ever drink!
I've just learnt that the creator of this page - Haliku (Chris
Pruchnic)was killed in a mountaineering accident in November 2010.
I bumped into him briefly at the Piedra Grande Hut back in 2008 when I was returning late in the day from a traverse around the crater's rim. He and his party were all set to go up the next day, and we only had a few moments to talk. But we'd met online before, whilst I was researching how to organise my own two-man trip from the UK. He was incredibly helpful, and it was great to be able to thank him for sharing his experience and knowledge online. I'm sure many others owe him the same debt of thanks, and that this page will remain a lasting tribute to his life and love - the mountains.
I have not been to the Orizaba area in 9 years, but I would be weary about parking a nice campervan at the trailhead overnight, unless you could make it all the way to the hut. Parking down lower adjacent to farmlands and villages might be risky. Good luck regardless though, it is a really fun mountain!
Curtissimo - Dec 13, 2008 4:46 pm - Hasn't voted
water at Piedra GrandeThe water source at Piedra Grande is cleaner and better tasting and more pure than most water you will drink in the USA + Canada. I have drank from it exclusivly on two trips there and had absolutely no problems whatsoever (as recently as late Nov. '06). I always chuckle at seeing truckloads of nervous gringos carrying giant water bottles up there; it is totally unnecessary as the water is available is some of the best you will ever drink!
parky - Dec 4, 2010 5:22 am - Hasn't voted
Haliku - RIPI've just learnt that the creator of this page - Haliku (Chris
Pruchnic)was killed in a mountaineering accident in November 2010.
I bumped into him briefly at the Piedra Grande Hut back in 2008 when I was returning late in the day from a traverse around the crater's rim. He and his party were all set to go up the next day, and we only had a few moments to talk. But we'd met online before, whilst I was researching how to organise my own two-man trip from the UK. He was incredibly helpful, and it was great to be able to thank him for sharing his experience and knowledge online. I'm sure many others owe him the same debt of thanks, and that this page will remain a lasting tribute to his life and love - the mountains.
vanman798 - Mar 6, 2013 1:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Info on Serpents Head RouteDo you know if the Serpents Head WI 3 Route still forms? If so what month(s) is it most likely to be in?
matthewmoab - Jan 11, 2021 5:54 pm - Hasn't voted
RV campingAny ideas on parking a RV (Ram Promaster) while hiking the mountain? Little hesitant to leave it at some random trail head. Thanks
Matt Lemke - Jan 26, 2021 6:30 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: RV campingHi Matthew,
I have not been to the Orizaba area in 9 years, but I would be weary about parking a nice campervan at the trailhead overnight, unless you could make it all the way to the hut. Parking down lower adjacent to farmlands and villages might be risky. Good luck regardless though, it is a really fun mountain!