Day 1: Travel Day
- Please arrive at Monterrey International Airport, Mexico between 2-5pm. Transportation will be provided to the town of Hidalgo for an ATM and grocery run, then onwards to our accommodations in El Potrero Chico. That evening, enjoy a fresh home-cooked meal of fine Mexican cuisine. Enjoy ice-cold bottles of water and Tecate. Get to know your guides and prepare to experience the legendary rock climbing at El Potrero Chico! Throughout this trip there will be ample opportunity to relax, nap, swim, hike, or hang with the locals.
Days 2 & 3: Skills Instruction
- Participants will awaken to a nice breakfast and an early departure to practice rock skills on sharp grey limestone cliffs. Our guides will personalize the instruction to your skillset, but a typical progression will be to learn lead climbing theory, practice building and cleaning sport anchors, then rappelling, and lead climbing. If these skills are familiar to you, we can take it further, or just appreciate the opportunity to refresh them, learning from other climbers and enjoying the scenery of the area.
Day 4: Intro to Multi-Pitch and Crag
- Spend the morning discussing multi-pitch theory as you enjoy a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, the group will walk to the crags, learning the geography of the El Potrero Chico climbing areas. Depending on numbers, you may break into two groups for the day, with one sport climbing together while the other tackles a multi-pitch. Ideally sport climbers will be leading on their own, but your instructor will put up ropes if members are uncomfortable. Climbing will wrap up by dark with ample time to relax in the evening.
Days 5 & 6: Climbing!
- Continue building on what you've learned so far. Expect a thorough discussion and application of multi-pitch sport climbing. This includes an understanding of rope systems and when to apply them, safety while climbing, lead theory, anchor construction, belay station management, and belaying from above. Depending upon experience, you'll be able to lead on multi-pitch with your instructor as a safety monitor throughout the day. Note that lead climbing and multi-pitch climbing are not required. Keep your instructor informed of how you're feeling and what you're wanting to do.
- Pay attention to your body! Many participants use one of these days to rest and rejuvenate. Hidalgo's market is on Tuesday and is a great way to interact with the locals and try to find the best tacos in town!
Day 7: Group Cragging
- Learn and refine steep sport climbing techniques while watching others. Try something harder than you would normally, as there will be plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself. Enjoy an exploration of the area. The evening will consist of a going-away celebration with a great farewell feast!
Day 8: Travel Day
- Awaken early for a final debriefing of the experience and your last Mexican breakfast. Depart early in the morning for Monterrey and the airport. Plan to leave the airport in Monterrey after 10 a.m.
