Why climb an active volcano ?: Talking to climbers who reached the top of Popocatépetl and received a wave of criticism

A video of three mountaineers who climbed to the tip of the crater Popocatépetl on March 12th became viral for the dangerousness of the volcano that has been constantly active in recent weeks. In the networks, they aroused admiration, but they were also referred to as "irresponsible"; however in an interview with Infobae They badured that they did not want to be criminalized.

On Twitter the recording of the video was attributed to the group of operations and disaster response, aid and rescue (GORDAS USE- (Urban Search and Rescue) -), but they pointed out that it was not an impulsive act but planned and with three main reasons.

"The people who climbed to the crater they did it to perform scientific measurements of height, temperature and wind speed, among others. The second reason was to accompany the group of inhabitants of Santiago, Xalitzintla, Puebla, that every year they will leave an offering to the volcano, "explained Honorio Hernández, legal representative of GORDAS USAR.

Third, the lawyer explained: "for us it was essential to know a risk zone. A few years ago, the emergency services took more than five days to save a person because they did not know the volcano, they did not let the people of the region come close because the knowledge of these people is paramount ".

Disaster, Relief and Relief Operations is defined as: non-profit rescue badociation composed of multidisciplinary volunteers with experience in mountaineering, first aid, pre-hospital medical care, mountain rescueSpeleological rescue, urban rescue and forest firefighting, also indicated its participation in the 2017 earthquake in Puebla and various forest fires in several states of the republic.

"The recording and go to the volcano It was not "an impromptu journey of children", It was experienced people with specific goals. For a year now, we have started surveillance, logistics, although we know that nature can change at any time, it is about experienced people, who are familiar with areas of difficult access and physical and mental condition. It was not a hobby, but another type of learning and experience, Hernandez added.

Similarly, he stressed that the trip was made under the sole responsibility of each member, no case neither public nor private has supported this incursion., "There is no political dye either."

Every year, on March 12, the inhabitants of Santiago, Xalitzintla, which is part of the municipality of San Nicolás de los Ranchos, in the state of Puebla, move near the volcano. take offerings and celebrate a ceremony celebrated since pre-Hispanic times.

The offer includes fruits, seeds, fish, mole and wine. A cross decorated with flowers is placed, prayed and accompanied by music. The parishioners usually ask for health, abundance, crops, among other favors.

Although the main offer is made on March 12, They raise a second offering to Popocatépetl on May 2because of the Cross Day, but by that date, they are asking for rains to support the crops of the region and that should bear fruit this year.

Mountaineers who climbed made it in the company of settlers, said Hernandez. "They are mountaineers and they know the area very well. Every year they go up, they are experienced people. in difficult work ".

"U.S. too we realized that there were people intoxicated ethically and with narcotics, that's part of our responsibility, the accompaniment since we have a training and provide first aid, "Honorio said.

The litigant, who is also part of the group, explained that they were accompanied to the "navel of the volcano" and that from there, the trip to the summit was undertaken. The empirical knowledge of these people is very valuable.

"They have the means to know when the volcano will react, especially to observe the animals.If they break down, it's a warning signal because they are more sensitive and will not get up, they know where to go, "he said.

"With us, he went with a dog, one of the villagers with whom we went told us clearly, if the dog comes back or refuses to ride, at that moment we go down, are animals that know the area, he added.

He also pointed out that they are aware of the risks involved: "we do not want to put other rescuers in danger, we are aware that we should not put more people in danger in a useless way, we understood we ask you not to downloadbut when they are clean, the planned decisions, yes. We even sign leave to exempt any responsibility from our families, we do not ask for any compensation. "

Finally, he stated that his goal in the ascent of the volcano was as follows: "We can help them to create new public policies of civil protection. All the time there are climbers who climb, the difference is that some do it in public and others do not, and it is better to adapt routes and panels ".