| El Potrero Chico | | | | Coast of the US and California Alpine Guides operates |
| I've been hopelessly misled for years. I sincerely | | | | from the West coast. Both of these services offer |
| believed that the best winter climbing areas in North | | | | American Mountain Guides Association certified rock |
| America were in Joshua Tree, CA and Red Rocks, | | | | guides. Also available is a guide service that operates |
| NV. I was wrong. I have just returned from El | | | | seasonally out of Posadas managed by a fellow by |
| Potrero Chico in Mexico and it is my pleasure to | | | | the name of Andy. |
| report that I have found a truly amazing place. | | | | Stop going to Joshua Tree for the winter cold and |
| Picture a towering limestone canyon tucked away | | | | crowds festival. Get you and your friends down to |
| from the bustle of developers and hidden in the | | | | some warm sport climbing in Mexico! I'll see you |
| sleepy country of Mexico. Rock towers two | | | | there... |
| thousand feet high, warm 11 hour winter days and | | | | Rock Climbing the Incredible Hulk, Positive Vibrations, |
| more bolt protected sport climbs than one could | | | | Sierra Nevada California |
| possibly count. | | | | From Apply Now, |
| How to Get There The best way to get there from | | | | Your Guide to Climbing. |
| the West coast is to fly into Monterrey, Mexico. | | | | FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! |
| From there, you can arrange for an airport pick-up by | | | | The Incredible Hulk is one of the best alpine rock |
| a staff member from one of the accommodations | | | | climbing formations I have ever climbed on. The rock |
| listed below. | | | | is comprised of clean compact granite that rivals |
| From the Mid-west or East coast, many people | | | | many of the routes found in Yosemite Valley. The |
| endure the long drive. | | | | Hulk host many challenging routes for the advanced |
| Where to Stay Homeros and Posadas are the two | | | | rock climber, including the Red Dihedral and Positive |
| main places to stay. Drop them an email or give a call | | | | Vibrations which are the two moderate lines on the |
| to arrange reservations and airport pickups. | | | | main face. |
| What Gear To Bring You will need car camping style | | | | The Hulk is located in the Sawtooth Range of the |
| gear if you are staying in one of the ranch style | | | | Sierra Nevada mountains which is located just outside |
| accommodations. There are small family run | | | | of the town of Bridgeport, CA. The approach is |
| restaurants in the Potrero as well as community style | | | | moderate compared to many backcountry |
| kitchens and cook areas. At Homero's you will need | | | | formations in the Sierras taking only about three and |
| to bring stoves as well as cookware, while at | | | | a half hours. |
| Posadas you just need cookware and food. | | | | The formation itself is over 1000 feet in height and |
| The climbing gear you need to bring is rather simple. | | | | offers between 8-12 pitches of climbing. Standing at |
| Bring twenty draws (with a few long slings mixed in) | | | | the base of positive vibrations, I believed the climb |
| and a 60mm rope. A 70mm rope can be helpful to | | | | would be done in no time. |
| link rappels and pitches. Make sure to bring | | | | I realize afterwards, I had under estimated the |
| comfortable climbing shoes for the long moderate | | | | formations formidable size. After six pitches of full |
| routes as well as your tight sport shoes. A helmet is | | | | value technical climbing I started to wonder when the |
| a must due to the abundance of other climbers and | | | | climb was going to let up. By the ridge line after pitch |
| the sometimes loose limestone. Sport climbing with a | | | | 8, I was grinning from ear to ear but ready for the |
| helmet, go figure... | | | | climb to end. |
| When To Go I visited the Potrero in early January | | | | Peter croft, Author of The Good, The Great and |
| and the weather was fantastic. From my | | | | The Awesome which is the best guide book for the |
| understanding, the Potrero is too hot in the spring | | | | area, put up a new hard route last year on the Hulk. |
| and fall. Also, the New Years party is always a good | | | | The route is rated 5.12D or so, and looks absolutely |
| time. | | | | difficult. You can get a good view of the climb while |
| Guide Services There a couple choices of professional | | | | on Positive Vibrations, 5.11a. Below is a link to the |
| guides that know the area. | | | | brief description of that ascent in Alpinist. |
| Mooney Mountain Guides operates from the East | | | | |