Trip
Crag Rock Climb - Big Wall Sport Climbing in El Potrero Chico
An Alpine Ambassadors-Hosted crag trip to EPC to climb multipitch sport routes in the 5.10 range. This is a 9-day winter destination climbing trip for active Mountaineers volunteers with multipitch sport leading experience. Applications are due January 1st. Candidates will be notified of the outcome no later than January 18th.
Contacts
- Sat, Feb 18, 2023 — Sun, Feb 26, 2023
- Alpine Ambassadors
- Climbing
- Rock Climb
- Adults
- Crag Rock Climb, Sport Rock Climb
- Moderate
- Mileage: 2.0 mi
- FULL (6 capacity)
- FULL (3 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Feb 18th is a travel day. Participants will fly to Monterrey International Airport (also known as General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, Apodaca) and meet with a taxi prearranged by our hosts at Rancho El Sendero. The taxi ride should take about 45 minutes but can be painfully slow at rush hour. Individuals will meet informally during the hostel check-in between 3pm and 8pm Saturday. The entire group will have a Welcome and Orientation Breakfast Sunday morning at the hostel restaurant, La Cumbre (The Summit).
Participants are responsible for paying their own airfare, airport transfer, trip insurance, and food for the duration of the trip. You should budget $900-$1500 to cover these expenses. The Alpine Ambassadors Committee is covering the cost of lodging for all participants (2/18-26). We've also programmed a 1-day falling clinic with Potrero Chico Climbing Guides at no additional cost, but do ask that you set aside $20-40 for gratuity.
This trip is intended to be a reward for active volunteers who generously donate their time and energy to The Mountaineers, as well as an opportunity to work on mulitpitch efficiency, climb hard, and learn to mitigate some of the risks of falling on lead.
Tentative Schedule of Events:
|
Day |
Date |
Activity |
|
Saturday |
2/18 |
Travel Day, Check-in at Rancho El Sendero 3pm-8pm |
|
Sunday |
2/19 |
Breakfast at La Cumbre followed by Single-pitch Cragging and Evening Pool Party! |
|
Monday |
2/20 |
Falling Clinic with Potrero Chico Guides |
|
Tuesday |
2/21 |
Rest Day (optional activities) Litter Clean-up AM, Tuesday Street Market PM. |
|
Wednesday |
2/22 |
Short Multipitch Climbs (2-6 pitches) |
|
Thursday |
2/23 |
Long Multipitch Climb (up to 22 pitches!) |
|
Friday |
2/24 |
Climbing followed by optional trip to the Friday Street Market. |
|
Saturday |
2/25 |
Multipitch Climbs, Evening BBQ |
|
Sunday |
2/26 |
Travel Day, Check-out by 1pm |
The application process is 4-steps:
- Complete the
- You will be contacted by the trip leader to schedule an interview between Jan 1st and 15th.
- After the interview you may be asked to submit additional information such as a climbing or volunteer resume.
- You will be notified of the outcome on or before Jan 18th.
Required Equipment
Personal Gear
- Harness
- Helmet
- Rock shoes (old pair near retirement because the sharp rock will trash them)
- Black Diamond ATC Guide or Reverso
- Grigri (optional but highly recommended addition)
- Personal Anchor
- Material for building quick anchors on bolts
- Autoblock and Prusiks
- Assorted carabiners with at least one large HMS locker for Munter
- Belay/Rap Gloves
- Crack Gloves or Tape
- Chalk
Group Gear
- Rope (70m preferred but 60m is sufficient for most routes)
- 15-20 Quick Draws
- Climbing Pack
- First Aid Kit
- FRS Radios
- InReach
Guidebook
- EPC Climbing: A Climber's Guide to El Potrero Chico, 2nd Ed, Frank Madden (ISBN 978-0-578-40765-4)