Mexico - Volcan Orizaba 18,491ft
Jan. 9th - 17th, 2027
MOUNTAIN MEDICINE CME
Jan. 9-17TH, 2027
Climbing Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl), the highest peak in Mexico and the third-highest in North America, offers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty, technical challenge, and exposure to the elements, making it a perfect backdrop for a wilderness medicine course. Standing at 5,636 meters (18,491 feet), Orizaba towers over the surrounding landscape, its snow-capped summit often visible from miles away, beckoning climbers from across the globe.
The ascent of Orizaba takes you through diverse ecosystems, each offering a unique experience. Starting from the verdant lower slopes, climbers pass through dense pine forests, meadows of wildflowers, and rocky outcrops that eventually give way to the stark, high-altitude terrain near the summit. As you ascend, the changing scenery—from lush greenery to barren, wind-swept landscapes—reveals the dramatic transition between life zones. At the top, the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and distant mountains, including the Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanoes, are simply breathtaking.
The glacier near the summit, though receding due to climate change, still offers a dramatic, ice-blue contrast against the stark volcanic rock. The sense of accomplishment and awe when standing at the summit, looking down over the vast expanse of land below, is both humbling and exhilarating.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is ideal for those interested in providing medical care in the wild or those travel enthusiasts, group leaders, climbers, walkers, EMT’s, nurses, NP's, PA's or doctors with a desire to learn medical treatment in austere environments. While completing the core curriculum of this CME course we will gradually ascend the 5,636m peak of Orizaba, completing the core lectures and skills at various camps or in the wilderness settings along the route.
ATTENDING THIS COURSE YOU WILL:
Learn the latest wilderness medical skills for patient assessment, stabilization and evacuation.
Work with our expert faculty and local mountain guides to develop your mountain skills and attempt to summit Pico de Orizaba (5,636m)
Earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits
Obtain Fellowship credits from the Wilderness Medicine Society (FAWM)
CERTIFICATION:
Approved for 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits and WMS FAWM Credits on our Mountain Medicine Adventure
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
An opportunity to stand at the highest point in Mexico and the 3rd highest mountain in North America
Experience wilderness medicine in context, not in the classroom
Test your fitness & physiology whilst supported by our highly qualified team of mountain guides and medics
Crampon up the steep glaciated slopes at dawn and watch the sun rise as you arrive at the summit cone…an incredible experience
Build friendships to last a lifetime
ITINERARY:
Day 1 (Jan. 9th) Arrive in Mexico City (8,000 feet) and overnight in Hotel (Maria Cristina) - Mexico City.
Taxi / Uber to Hotel
5:30pm: Intro to Group / Wilderness Medicine
7:00pm: Group Dinner
Day 2 (Jan. 10th) Transportation to Tlachichuca village (4hrs) Overnight OMG Lodge (approx 10,000 ft)
Afternoon Down Time
Lectures: Med Kits, AMS, HAPE, HACE
Day 3 (Jan. 11th) Overnight OMG Lodge
8:30am - Breakfast
Acclimatization Hike to Waterfall (approx. 12,300 ft) / Rope Carries / Hypothermic Wrap / Splinting
Evening Lecture: Frostbite, US with Work-shop
Day 4 (Jan. 12th) - Overnight OMG Lodge
7:30am - Breakfast
Acclimatization hike to Sierra Negra (approx. 15,200 ft)
Lecture: Eye Problems in the Wilderness
Day 5 (Jan. 13th) Overnight OMG Basecamp (13,500 feet)
8:30am - Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30am - Gear Check / Leave extra luggage at OMG lodge
11:30am - Depart for Base Camp
Day 6 (Jan. 14th) Overnight High Camp (15,500 - 16,000 ft).
8:30am - Breakfast
Pack-up final gear to carry to High Camp - heavy load including sleeping bag (recommend 0 degree), sleep pad, gloves, mitts, crampons, ice ax, summit boots, etc.
11:30am - Trek to High Camp
Bed Early
Day 7 (Jan. 15th) Summit Day - (Overnight OMG Lodge)
Estimated 1am wake-up for Summit Attempt
Descend to High Camp and Pack-up Gear - descend to Base Camp
Transport back to OMG Lodge / Dinner & Celebration
Day 8 (Jan. 16th) Overnight Hotel (Maria Cristina) in Mexico City.
Depart OMG Lodge and Visit Teotihuacan Pyramids
Last Meal together @ La Proveleta as group.
Day 9 (Jan. 17th) Depart from Mexico City Airport
Depart Mexico City and Fly Home
THE TEAM / FACULTY:
The mountain logistics and leadership will be provided by extremely experienced international mountain guides from ‘Orizaba Mountain Guides’, whose team members have each summited Orizaba dozens of times in differing weather conditions.
The Wild Med Adventures Team are all mountaineers, well traveled and experienced, but are only responsible for the educational aspect of this trip. Instructors: Dr. Jessica Vittorelli & Dr. Rob Casserley Please see BIO's for instructor information. (Instructors may change depending on illness or other unforeseen changes.)
Please do your own research in regards to safety and experience. Mountaineering is dangerous and despite taking all necessary precautions, you may still be injured or killed due to unpredictable avalanches, slips, falls, equipment failure and/or trauma.
PRE-REQUISITES: (Anyone can attend but mountaineering experience recommended)
EMT, Paramedic, Nurse, PA, NP, RRT, PhD or Physician for the CME
Non-Medicals are welcome to attend and will likely enjoy learning about safety in the mountains.
A keen interest in wilderness first aid / medicine
An excellent level of physical fitness (**This is a very demanding climb at altitude and with steep terrain)
Previous winter hill walking experience
Experience in the use of crampons, self arrest with an ice axe and moving roped up on steep terrain is recommended and prior basic mountaineering course is recommended as a prerequisite. Those with less experience/confidence must understand the physical demands of the environment and the risks of climbing at altitude. Prior experience is recommended. Please ask if you are unsure if you are cut out for this type of climb.
Please Note: While Wild Med Adventures organizes these trips, all mountain decisions are made in collaboration with our experienced local and hired guides. We respect and follow their expert judgment at all times. If a guide advises turning around before the summit for safety reasons, we will honor that decision to protect all participants.
HEALTH / VACCINATIONS:
Delegates should be vaccinated appropriately - Please see CDC recommendations for visiting Mexico.
Delegates should be aware this is intended to be a wilderness course in every sense of the word. The team in some parts of Mexico will have limited access to medical care. This is not a packaged holiday and neither Wild Med Adventures nor OMG can control mother nature. Should our plans be affected by floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, snow storms, earthquakes and the like, we will continue with alternate plans in true expedition spirit, affecting self rescues and problem solving along the way.
MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE / TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Delegates should have personal insurance / travel insurance to cover any in-country medical examinations, treatment or rescue/evacuation from a remote area. Rescue/Evacuation Insurance is Mandatory. We recommend Global Rescue and they offer trip specific and year long coverage.
COSTS
Trip Cost with CME: $3999
Non-Medical Spouse/Partner/Friend: $3499
Deposit: $2000
Single Room: 2 Hotel Nights Only ($250)
Included: 8 nights lodging, CME certification, Teotihuacan Pyramids entrance fee, guiding and all meals while on the trip
Excluded: All Flights to Mexico, airport taxes, airport transfers to/fro the hotel, travel insurance, gratuities (approx. $250-$300), alcoholic beverages. Also, does not include additional days of travel or global rescue insurance (required)
Cancelation Policy
Your deposit for the travel portion of the course is nonrefundable unless the course does not reach its minimal number of participants. If we do not reach the requirement of 6 participants and we have to cancel then a full refund will be given. The entire balance of your trip fee will be due 90 days prior to departure. No refunds will be given 90 days prior to start of trip. If you have not paid in full 90 days prior, a $500 fee will be applied or we have the right to cancel your trip.
We have a minimum registration requirement of 6 participants and a maximum of 20. If the course is cancelled due to insufficient registration you will receive a full refund.
Please contact us before purchasing plane tickets to confirm minimum number of registrants.
FACULTY STATEMENT AND DISCLOSURE:
It is the policy of the Wild Med Adventures, LLC to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All faculty members are required to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentations.
Accordingly, the Wilderness Medical Society has determined there are no conflicts to report associated with this conference.
ACCME Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Wilderness Medical Society and Wild Med Adventures, LLC. The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Wilderness Medical Society designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
We are NOT guides. Wild Med Adventures sets up the trip with Local Resources and Guides but we are responsible for the Education/CME only. Orizaba Mountain Guides with over 20 years of mountain guiding will be our local guides. These activities are high risk and clients assume responsibility of all illnesses and injuries that may be obtained in this foreign & remote travel adventure trip.
All educational content presented in this activity has been reviewed and validated as appropriate in keeping with sound scientific principles.
