600 climbers get ready to climb the Pico de Orizaba volcano

On November 19 and 20, nearly 600 climbers from Mexico and around the world will gather in Ciudad Serdán before climbing one of the highest mountains in North America, the 18,500 foot-tall Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltéptl, which translates to Star Mountain in Nahuatl and is an active volcano.

Hilario Aguilar Aguilar, president of the Mexican Mountain Climbers Club, announced yesterday that everything is ready to carry out the 39th edition of the this annual climb.

Over two days of festivities, around 600 mountain climbers from Mexico, Spain, the U.S., Colombia and Peru are expected to gather in the small city before embarking on a journey to the volcano's peak.

At a news conference, Hilario Aguilar said that people from all over the world are attracted to the Pico de Orizaba due to its impressive height, trails, unique vegetation and wildlife and breathtaking views.

He also encouraged more people to join, as long as they're aware of the safety and equipment requirements, and rules beforehand in order to avoid any accidents.

Hilario Aguilar took the time to remind climbers that of the importance of safety measures, because anyone can fall victim of an accident, no matter how experienced they may be.

Mayor of Ciudad Serdán, Juan Navarro Rodríguez, said that as part of this year's event, the city has inaugurated a sculpture by Mexican artists Bernardo Luis Artasanchez in honor of all the climbers who've perished over the years.

The sculpture is three meters tall, which is nearly 10 feet, and weighs approximately one ton.

This annual climb started 39 years ago by the public accountant José María Aguayo Estrada and the Mexican Mountain Climbers Club. The first edition occurred at the Popocatépetl volcano, but ever since the volcano erupted in 1996, climbers decided to move the event to the Pico de Orizaba volcano.