pico de orizaba

still not inspired to summit el pico de orizaba? check this. how can anyone look at this picture and not want to see that sight for himself? a couple of more convincing details:
- you can get from chicagoland to basecamp for $400.
- lodging will run you less than $100 total for two days before and 1 day after the climb.
- you won't need to kill very much vacation time. after 1 altitude acclimation day, it's possible to summit from basecamp in a single day.
- average summit time is 7 hours. this is 11 months advance notice. anybody can be ready.
- pico de orizaba is the highest peak in mexico and the 3rd highest in North America. Do this one and denali with me and you'll have bagged the 1 and 3 slots.
- last but not least, it's an opportunity to buy new toys. outside of standard hiking gear, crampons and axes are pretty much required to do this one. it's about a $400 investment.