In November 2015, my brother Jordan and I set off on a two week trip to climb the third highest peak in North America, Mexico's 5,636-meter / 18,491-foot Pico de Orizaba. Fortunate timing allowed us to also complete an ascent of Mexico's third highest peak, Iztaccihuatl (5,230 m / 17,159 feet). The expedition was self-supported. The following photo essay explores the journey through prose and picture, luring the reader into a tangible world of clammy Mexican metros, organ-shifting truck rides and lonely twilight glacier traverses.

Part 1: Pico de Orizaba

> Part 2: Iztaccihuatl

Part 3: Mexico City