A 28-year-old alpinist from Puebla died after a fall on the Iztaccíhuatl volcano over the weekend, prompting a challenging 20-hour rescue operation that concluded early Tuesday. Roberto Montoya muñoz was climbing the notoriously tough “Arista de la Luz” route with three companions when he fell into a ravine, according to authorities. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering, even for experienced climbers on one of mexico’s most popular peaks.
A mountain rescue operation lasting more than 20 hours in challenging conditions concluded early Tuesday with the recovery of the body of Roberto Montoya Muñoz, a 28-year-old alpinist from Puebla. The incident underscores the inherent risks of mountaineering, even for experienced climbers.
Montoya Muñoz fell into a ravine on the “Arista de la Luz” route on the Iztaccíhuatl volcano on Sunday, December 21, 2025, authorities said. He was climbing with three companions, also from Puebla, with the goal of reaching the summit known as “Mujer Dormida” (Sleeping Woman).
The group began their ascent on Saturday, December 20, from the Dos Aguas ecotourism park in Tlalmanalco, Mexico State, entering through the Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park.
Rescatan cuerpo de alpinista fallecido en el Iztaccíhuatl; accidente ocurrió en la Arista de la Luz.
Foto: Especial.
State of Mexico security officials received an alert about the fall at 11:13 a.m. on Sunday. The location was determined to be more than 13,100 feet above sea level.
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A rescue operation was immediately launched involving the State of Mexico Mountain Police, the Red Cross of Amecameca, and the San Rafael Agreste Rescue Group.
Rescuers began their ascent in the early hours of Monday, December 22, at 4:00 a.m. They located Montoya Muñoz’s body around 12:45 p.m. near the Arista de la Luz, and confirmed he had died from injuries sustained in the fall.
Rescatan cuerpo de alpinista fallecido en el Iztaccíhuatl; accidente ocurrió en la Arista de la Luz.
Foto: Especial.
Authorities in Chalco granted permission at 3:00 p.m. to package the body and begin the descent. Additional support from the San Rafael Agreste Rescue Group, the Red Cross, and other volunteers arrived throughout the afternoon and evening.
The search team arrived at the Dos Aguas ecotourism park with Montoya Muñoz’s body in the early hours of Tuesday, December 23. State investigators processed the scene before the body was transported to the State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office in Chalco for an autopsy at 5:00 a.m.
Rescatan cuerpo de alpinista fallecido en el Iztaccíhuatl; accidente ocurrió en la Arista de la Luz.
Foto: Especial.
The Arista de la Luz is a restricted and high-risk area due to its technical terrain and exposure. Authorities reminded climbers of the importance of adequate preparation for high-altitude activities, especially during the winter months when conditions can be severe.
Rescatan cuerpo de alpinista fallecido en el Iztaccíhuatl; accidente ocurrió en la Arista de la Luz.
Foto: Especial.
This incident highlights the dangers of mountaineering on the Iztaccíhuatl, one of the most frequently climbed volcanoes in the country.
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