My name is Don Antonio Quiroz Ornelas Guiterrez Cravioto Rolan de Coyocan and I
recently woke up prior to turning 40 years old with a thick beard and a need
for purpose in my life. My current environment has poisoned my ambition as I
live among the gluten-free water, Lululemon wearing and soy lattes drinkers of
the City of Angeles. I long for the carnitas tacos of Michoacán, the tequila of Chihuahua, the real sugar Cokes and for the rough and hewn life to satiate my inner Mexican. Arcing back to the time of the conquistador; it has become self-evident that by climbing the 5 tallest Volcanoes in Mexico that there lies the key to win the hearts and minds of Mexicans and welcome me as their new leader in the “Reconquista”. As I looked into the mirror that fateful morning “The Beard” truly spoke to my inner soul and my inner being was tugged to realize what I truly was, I am a Conquistador!  Driven by the Beard’s need for adventure, I now seek to understand what it takes for the Reconquista and the preparations for my pursuit to engage in such a physical challenge.

It has become clear that the prize of the Reconquista lies south of the border
among these towering peaks.  Surrounding the valley of Mexico City, the most populous city in the Americas, stand the Volcanoes of Mexico which have guarded and witnessed the evolution of man from pre-Colombian times to present day.  These lumbering snow-capped giants that are well above 14,000 ft. in altitude with a few hitting heights of above 17,000 ft. above sea level stand as monuments of time and nature.  Including the Pico de Orizaba, a day’s drive from Mexico City, and part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, these giants make up some of the highest
peaks in North America to climb outside of Alaska’s McKinley’s range.  However, they represent so much more than just a climbing challenge due to their proximity to one of the oldest cities in the Americas. These peaks are an integral part of the history of Mexico from the times of the Aztecs to their conquest by Hernando Cortez and establishment as the colonial seat for the Spanish Empire in North America. Fast forward to present day and these Volcanoes have watched over the growth of Mexico City from a horse drawn carriage city to a car thick, industrialized
metropolitan landscape full of dichotomies between the “Haves” and the “Have Nots”.  With over 22 million inhabitants who generate a $411 billion in GDP, the contrasts are found at every corner with the sights, noises and smells that make up such human struggle.  

Whether it is the sheer size or the tales of Aztec legends describing the formation of
the peaks as the embodiment of a warrior prince and princess, these monoliths  old
a certain magic for me and the challenge of reaching heights of an 18,491 ft. stratovolcano in search of the key to hearts of Mexico.  Now as a large bearded  an, invigorated with a sense of urgency to accomplish something, I am looking to  document my adventure in reconquering Mexico.  The resulting tale will be a 60 to 90 minute documentary of the adventure to be released for friends and family in the Summer of 2015.  To climb these peaks is not a sterile outback
adventure; instead, it is a journey through history and humanity that makes up
the very core of Mexico. And, so will begin my quest to find meaning in this life, my mission that has transcended throughout the years to re-conquer the promised land of Mexico, land of my forefathers, land of my mother.  Please join me and support my adventure of epic proportions and improbable success to reconquer Mexico one bearded step at a time. Long live the Beard!

*Non-active climbable Volcanoes