Winter rock climbing in a safe little corner of Mexico

As the head guide here in EPC I don't really see much snow through out the year. Many of my friends are winter guides in places like the Tetons and New Hampshire. They can be quick to poke fun at the fact that I am a southerner and do not like the cold. Don't get me wrong; I can tough it out with the best of them. I just don't like to and I know it. So I avoid winter. I come to El Potrero Chico to guide winter rock climbing. I first came here 5 years ago on vacation, and now I live here half the year. I never feel threatened like the media would like me to feel. I always feel welcome, strong, well fed, and most importantly; warm.

I love all of the winter rock climbing down here in El Potrero. The classics that I guide never get old: Space Boys (5.10d), Estrellita (5.9), Pancho Villa Rides Again and many others. I also like to pick a fitness project every year like: Mother Ship Connection (5.13) or Hombre de Rifle (5.13a). I really like to stay fit during the winter and El Potrero is the best place for me to do it. I could go to Spain or China or Thai Land, but why? Mexico is close, easy and welcoming. The bolts are safe because we monitor and replace them as needed. There is a rescue service that we, El Potrero Chico Climbing School provide free of cost. There are even free self rescue courses offered every month. The camping is easy inexpensive, clean and safe. The food is sooooo good. There is a real family atmosphere around La Posada. Also ITS WARM! I love winter rock climbing in Mexico.

New FREE Programs and Seminars for 2009/10

Every month this year we will be offering a variety of seminars for free to the qualified public. The first of these will be a free self rescue seminar focused on teaching competent multi-pitch climbers to be safer. Most of what we will be covering in this day long course will be "preventative medicine". After the free course on the Third Thursday of every month we will offer an inexpensive two day self rescue course at a cost of $50usd a day with a maximum 5:1 ratio.

The second program we will be offering for free is for local Mexicans. La Posada/ EPICS have been trying for years to find interest in the town for a kids camp, but so far it has been a stretch for parents to hand over their young ones. However what has worked has been free days of community climbing. On the second Saturday, or El Sabado Segundo, of every month we will offer a free day of climbing to anyone in the community who wants to give climbing a try. We will be looking for volunteers in the climbing community. If this is something you would like to do on your vacation please contact us and sign up. There will be a free lunch or diner offered in appreciation of you help.

Programs will start in November. Please contact via email (guides@elpotrerochico.com.mx) if you are interested in participating or if you would like to donate to our causes of corroborating a safer climbing community and building bridges between the climbing community and the community of Hidalgo, NL.

Slide show from El Potrero Chico

Free Self Rescue Course

This year EPICS offered a 3 day self rescue course to qualified applicants. 13 people showed up including 4 locals from Hidalgo. The idea was to train climbers who could no afford expensive professional instruction. The great thing that happened is we ended up training locals who can be called upon to preform rescues in the event of an emergency. Everybody learned a lot and was very appreciative. We will be offering at least one a month next season. Please contact the school (guides@elpotrerochico.com.mx) for info about dates.

Another Great seaon in El Potrero Chico

As the director here at EPICS I was out of touch with many of our clients this year. I spent the season alpine climbing and festering in a tent in Southern Patagonia. However I did have a couple clients whom I climbed with and like a lot. We climbed some great stuff like Time Wave Zero in 5 hours, Space Boys, Treasures of the Sierra Madre, Estrellita, and the Spires. We are looking forward to a great season next year. We are offering a 10% discount for booking 4 months or more in advance. Mike, David, Peter... Thanks for a great March!