Mt. Orizaba in Mexico: at the peak and from a distance

UTSA researchers test GPS equipment on Mexican mountain

(April 16, 2003)--University of Texas at San Antonio Assistant Professor Stephen Brown was one of four team members who recently braved arctic weather conditions to climb to the top of Pico de Orizaba, an 18,500 foot mountain in Southern Mexico.

Brown's team reached the mountain's summit to test Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to determine the exact size of a glacier that sits atop the mountain. Other members of the team included Mike Lewis and David Cain of San Antonio and Chris Roach of Austin.

Climbing the mountain was not an easy task; seven people who made attempts earlier this year either froze to death or fell off the mountain due to the treacherous icy conditions. In addition to Brown's team, climbers representing Australia, New Zealand and Canada were unsuccessful climbing the steep terrain.

High mountain glaciers close to the equator are said to be like "mine canaries" that are sensitive to minor changes in the environment. Brown hopes to establish a long-term research program in global climate change on Orizaba. Conditions on the summit are thought to be similar to those on Mars.

To build up his endurance for the trip, Brown ran five nights a week for three months carrying a 100-pound backpack and worked out with weights. The training regimen included a climb atop Guadalupe Peak in West Texas, the highest mountain in Texas.

The trip to Orizaba was Brown's second attempt at scaling the peak. As a graduate student in the early 90s, his unsuccessful climb inspired him to write a story about it for Paisano, the UTSA student newspaper.

According to Brown, over the last decade the temperatures on the mountain become colder, even though decreasing amounts of snow fell on the glacier. He hopes his research will help determine the causes of the changes in the environment.

To conquer the mountain, Brown and his team implemented an unorthodox strategy of climbing without the protection of ropes. The recent deaths on Orizaba occurred as a result of climbers slipping on the ice and then pulling teammates down with them.

"UTSA has established an international reputation for its Global Information System (GIS) program and we are looking to begin long-term climate change research at UTSA," said Brown.

----------------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S HEADLINES (Wednesday, July 23 2008):

UTSA Today Front Page

----------------------------------------------------------

© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2003