Cerro la Negra is the primary site selected for the construction of the LMT. It is located to the east of the city of Puebla next to Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico. My visit involved a relatively easy drive from Cholula, where I was visiting our sister institute, the INAOE, to a location about 4000m elevation. Then it was a difficult climb up to the 4600m (15,000 ft) summit of Cerro la Negra.
| | This is a picture of the site from a distance, taken in the afternoon returning from the mountain. Note the nice dust devil. |
| | A view of the summit region. Pico de Orizaba in the background. Site test radiometers located along ridge to the right. |
| | A view of the summit region, with site test radiometers. |
| | Here I am atop Cerro La Negra. The altitude is about 15,000 feet. The site test radiometers are in the stand to my right. Pico de Orizaba in the background. |
| | Pico de Orizaba - the neighboring peak to Cerro La Negra. This is the highest point in Mexico. What a terrific view! |