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Baja California 
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LA HIDROELECTRICA 
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Mexico 


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Lat, Long: 24.0465, -103.2275 Map
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Administrators: Dane Bass, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: M.Morley on Jan 20, 2007

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El Pico de Orizaba, 18,701 ft, is the highest peak...

Description 

Mexico is a big country, roughly a quarter the size of the Lower 48 in land area. It includes the Baja California peninsula, extending nearly 800 miles south of the U.S. border.

Much of Northern Mexico lies within the arid Chihuahuan desert, with geography similar to west Texas and southern New Mexico. El Potrero Chico is located in the north-eastern state of Nuevo León, about 25 miles northwest of the city of Monterrey (population: 3 million). The Potrero is a sport climbing paradise, with limestone similar to Thailand (so I've been told) and routes up to 20 pitches in length.

Mexico is also home to several dozen volcanoes, both extinct and active. At 5,700m (18,701 ft), Pico de Orizaba is the highest peak in the country. Close behind are Popocatépetl "Popo" at 5,452m (17,887 ft) and Iztaccíhuatl "Ixta" at 5,286m (17,342 ft). All three are popular destinations for mountaineers in training for the bigger ranges.


Getting There 

Refer to areas for specific directions.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Mexico:
Dead Man Walking   5.9     Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 135 feet   El Potrero Chico : The Dihedrals
Aguja Celo Rey   5.10a     Sport, 2 pitches, 200 feet   El Potrero Chico : Las Agujas (The Spires)
Will the Wolf Survive?   5.10a     Sport, 4 pitches, 400 feet   El Potrero Chico : Los Lobos Canyon
Pancho Villa Rides Again   5.10c     Sport, 5 pitches, 500 feet   El Potrero Chico : Mota Wall
Treasure of the Sierra Madre   5.10c     Sport, 7 pitches, 700 feet, Grade II   El Potrero Chico : Mota Wall
Satori   5.10c     Sport, 7 pitches, 700 feet, Grade II   El Potrero Chico : Zapatista Wall
Snott Girlz   5.10+     Sport, 7 pitches, 450 feet   El Potrero Chico : Mota Wall
Space Boyz   5.10d     Sport, 11 pitches, 1000 feet   El Potrero Chico : La Selva (Jungle Wall)
Agua de Coco   5.10d     Sport, 3 pitches, 350 feet   El Potrero Chico : TNT Wall
Two Pump Chump   5.11a     Sport, 2 pitches, 200 feet   El Potrero Chico : Mota Wall
Estrellita   5.11a     Sport, 12 pitches, 1200 feet   El Potrero Chico : Las Estrellas (The Stars)
El Sendero Diablo (The Devil's Path)   5.11c     Sport, 6 pitches, 600 feet, Grade II   The Outrage Wall : Outrage Wall Proper
Pangea   5.11+     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   El Potrero Chico : Las Agujas (The Spires)
Don Quixote   5.11d     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Virgin Canyon : Lower Virgin
Yankee Clipper   5.12a     Sport, 15 pitches, 1500 feet, Grade III   El Potrero Chico : La Selva (Jungle Wall)
Time Wave Zero   5.12a     Sport, 23 pitches, 2300 feet, Grade III   El Potrero Chico : Time Wave Buttress
Celestial Omnibus   5.12-     Sport, 2 pitches, 70 feet   The Outrage Wall : Bronco Bowl
Mr. Big   5.12-     Sport, 1 pitch, 120 feet   Sense of Religion : The Mileski Wall
Mothership Connection   5.13a     Sport, 2 pitches, 240 feet   The Outrage Wall : Outrage Wall Proper
Surfer Rosa   5.13a     Sport, 90 feet   El Potrero Chico : The Surf Bowl
Browse More Classics in Mexico

Featured Route For Mexico
Arin Trook on one of the lower pitches of Yankee Clipper.

Yankee Clipper 5.12a  International : Mexico : ... : La Selva (Jungle Wall)
This is a long moderate route with the 15th pitch being 5.12a. If you don't do the 15th pitch, it goes at 5.10b. I only did the first 14 pitches. We climbed with a single 60m rope and on the raps, we had the knot up against our belay devices multiple times. I recommend the 60m rope, a 70m would be an extra 10m * 14 * 2 = 280m of rope to manage. The rock is sharper the higher you go, until the 14th pitch...in shade and not as sharp. Here are the pitches as best I can remember:All pitches ar...[more]   Browse More Classics in International


Photos of Mexico Slideshow Add Photo
Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

Classic view of The Sumidero Canyon taken by boat. This vantage point of the canyon is used for the state seal and official state flag of Chiapas.

Classic view of The Sumidero Canyon taken by boat....

Gavriel J. bouldering in Catavinea desert, Mexico

Gavriel J. bouldering in Catavinea desert, Mexico

Joel on the first part of La Gripa 11d in the near climbing area near Monterrey Mexico La Cueva Del Oso.

Joel on the first part of La Gripa 11d in the near...


Comments on Mexico Add Comment
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Comments displayed oldest to newestSkip Ahead to the Most Recent Dated Jan 29, 2013
By Anthony Anagnostou
From: nyc
Dec 27, 2008

it would be really great if an administrator could adjust the mexico page so that the climbing areas are grouped by state, or at least central/north/southern mexico..

By Hank the Tank
From: Golden, CO
Dec 28, 2008

I'm on it Anthony.

By amps
Nov 29, 2010

here you go! there are some links from people talking about their experience at potrero at this time.... come and enjoy it as always!

www.youtube.com/turismonuevoleon#p/u/2/IDnvTIhUL8Y
www.motorcyclemexico.com/2010/11/ride-report-el-potrero-chic>>>
thedeal.cleansnipe.com/escape-winter-climbing-in-el-potrero->>>
blog.visitanuevoleon.travel/?p=3256#more-3256

be well

By kubes
From: Littleton, CO
Dec 7, 2010

A great resource for good climbing info for places in Mexico, including lots of other spots besides El Potrero is:
www.xpmexico.com

Click on the English button on the top left to change languages, then click guides for info on some nice spots. If you're down around Mexico City, go to Aculco! Sweet and quality basalt splitters very reminiscent of Paradise Forks.

By Royce
Dec 29, 2010

Hey - was wondering if anyone had information about outdoor bouldering in the state of Mexico City and nearby. Have tried escalando.net, which seems to have a fair bit of info - but have been frustrated trying to locate (the relatively few) boulders mentioned on that website. Any tips as to useful websites or email addresses much appreciated!

By Dmitriy Litvak
From: Pacifica, CA
Jan 31, 2011

Flying back to the states, do not put ropes or cams into your carry-on.
You will get turned around and will have to pack them into your luggage.

Potrero was very safe. Good time to visit it this year as the place is not busy at all. People not coming down probably due to the economy.

By David Kozak
Jan 9, 2012

I'm headed to Potrero in a few weeks and was wondering if anyone could point me to some new long routes (4 pitches or more)to do in the 5.9 to 12a category. "New" as in the past three years or so. Thanks!

By Lee Frazer
Feb 27, 2012

El Potrero climbers...Flying into Monterrey Friday, March 2. Anyone else coming in then, and if so, want to share a taxi?

By Evan C
Jul 3, 2012

I want to climb, the family wants a tropical beach trip. Where should we go?

By Adam Stackhouse
Administrator
Sep 1, 2012

Thanks Mike for making this area a bit more user friendly!!

By MaRey
From: Salty lake, Utah
Sep 3, 2012

Hello,
Just wanted to let everybody know that Potrero chico is safe and awesome.
We went in the beginning of August and it was amazing. pretty hot, but you definetly can chase the shade with the help of those beautiful 2000 ft limestone walls.
Check it out!
Magicedspotrerochico.com is a really good website for more info, and you can contact magic Ed for a shuttle.

By Mark Grundon
Sep 4, 2012

Hey David, Maybe a few months late but a four pitch route at 12a in El Salto that might interest you could be found here: elpotrerochicoguides.blogspot.com/2012/02/lawtons-route-el-s>>>

By MaRey
From: Salty lake, Utah
Sep 7, 2012

Hello administrator here's a link for a website that has a lot of info of climbing areas in the Jalisco area.
Puntomuerto.com.mx/

By amselby
Dec 22, 2012

Does anybody know about driving across the border if passport and registration will work or is the car title required?

By Josh McCoy
From: Joshua Tree
Jan 25, 2013

Registration works. Title not needed. I just drove in at Laredo three weeks ago without a problem.

By Patrick Mcfadden
From: Portland, OR
Jan 29, 2013

Is this Josh McCoy I picked up hitching in new Zealand? Small world. I am heading down to EPC next week. My plan was bussing from San Antonio. looking for beta on Mexico travel. Last Fri in hildago some twenty people went missing. Anyone have any comments on EPC or travel?