Going out on a trek is all fun and games – until something goes tragically wrong. The long hours, the intense need for endurance, and the weathering of conditions really play their hand as you set out to achieve your goal to scale your summit. However, it simply isn’t a bed of roses and things can go very wrong very quickly. The four hikers from this story, hailing from Mexico, made this discovery in the worst way possible.

The four Mexican climbers were killed in an accident that took place during their trek on the Pico de Orizaba on Saturday, according to local authorities in the central state of Puebla.

How the climbing accident occurred?

The hikers were scaling the active volcano, which is the highest mountain in the country and third in the continent of North America. A preliminary report suggests that the accident was caused after one of the hikers slipped and fell, dragging the remainder of his three peers with him. The group fell from a height of 16,400 feet.

The victims have now been identified as Hugo Cruz, 19; José Sepagua, 63; Carlos Altamirano, 53; and Humberto Muray, who is reportedly 56. Rescuers were sent down to attempt to recover the four bodies from under a loose rocky apron over an even steeper slope, based on pictures released by authorities from the Puebla civil defense. Two of the bodies – those of Altamirano and Murray – were recovered on Sunday itself.

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There is also heartwrenching footage of rescue workers carrying down the bodies after they were removed from the rubble on Monday at 4:00 am. Nevertheless, this is not the first hiking-related accident that occurred in the region.

More about hiking in Pico de Orizaba

The unfortunate tale marks the first fatal accident on Pico de Orizaba since June 16, 2022. The volcanic structure stands at a mighty 18,619 feet above sea level on the borders of Puebla and Veracruz. In the past, Bolivian trekker Abraham Cruz had suffered a similar fall at  Pico de Orizaba from over 492 feet, which the authorities had then attributed to Cruz not using suitable climbing equipment. Besides this, climbers from countries like The USA have unfortunately met their maker in similar circumstances.

Impressively, earlier this year, 31-year-old Mexican Perla Tijerina spent 31 days living on top of the Pico de Orizaba as part of a personal challenge. Tijernia scaled the lofty summit to attempt to test her mental strength and personal determination.

While the incident will undoubtedly live long in the memory, hopefully so will the lessons we learn from this story in due course of time. It is important that we take the tragic stories of this ilk for granted and remember to partake in activities like treks with an alert mind, sound intentions, and a healthy heart.