Baja

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Messages 1 - 19 of total 19 in this topic

Ricardo Cabeza

climber

Meyers,CA

Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 18, 2008 - 08:51am PT

So,
I asked earlier about volunteer options and got some great responses, thanks guys.
Option 2 is to take a nice long trip down Baja from SD to Cabo. My neighbor here in NH is an avid kitesurfer and would like to come along. We'd like to spend 3 weeks on the road, climbing, kiting, trying to surf, hiking, and generally goofing off.
Dan isn't much of a climber, so we'd need to keep it to moderates, sport or trad. I know that there are crags near TJ, and some climbing and bouldering in Cabo, but are there any other spots worth hitting in between?
I'm sure there is lots of rock to be found just exploring, and lots of areas nobody wants to disclose, just looking for any suggestions.
I'm spoiled from living in the Sierra, the prospect of a full winter in New Hampshire scares the hell out of me. Can anyone say Seasonal Affective Disorder? Not a fun thought for someone trying to overcome severe depression.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Also, what's the situation with getting work in Mexico? I have a buddy who lives in Cabo and might be able to rent a room from him.

Best,
Brandon-

justthemaid

climber

Los Angeles

Nov 18, 2008 - 10:08am PT

Most of Baja is bouldering (as far I I have seen). There's that huge rockpile when you head south down hwy 1 (Not to mention the whole desert full of them). There's also a small climbing area near Catavina, but I've never really been able to get much info on it and I believe it is also mostly bouldering.

I've done a fair amount of hiking around in the central mountain range of Baja, and unfortunately, anything that is tall enough to be interesting is always composed of Mexican uber-choss that would be suicide to climb on. I actually have my one and only FA on a tiny cliff SW of San Felipe on a cliff that was some type of harder rock, but it's not worth the drive.

I'd also be interested in beta if anyone else has climbed down there.

justthemaid

climber

Los Angeles

Nov 18, 2008 - 10:23am PT

Good to know Warbler. I've been meaning to get over and actually check out Catavina for years, but I feared it was 100% bouldering. Our family home is directly east on the Cortez side, so there's not much excuse really.

survival

Big Wall climber

A Token of My Extreme

Nov 18, 2008 - 11:22am PT

As far as towns go, I didn't care so much for McCabo.
La Paz and Todos Santos were my faves.
Check 'em out!

justthemaid

climber

Los Angeles

Nov 18, 2008 - 01:08pm PT

Yup- Gonzaga Bay. For the last few years I've been driving down the Cortez side because it's faster/easier, so I'm out of touch with the hwy 1 side. I hope to change that. Seems like there ought to be some good rock somewhere down there.

New Years's Baja climbing exploration anyone? I'll have time off for a few weeks.

Ricardo Cabeza

climber

Meyers,CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 18, 2008 - 07:44pm PT

Yeah, that's right, I'm bumpin' my own post.

WBraun

climber

Nov 18, 2008 - 10:13pm PT

"somewhere down there."

Classic line, eh Kevin

hahahaha

east side underground

Trad climber

crowley ca

Nov 18, 2008 - 11:11pm PT

warbler. keep it quiet about the pointbreaks will ya :)

Pennsylenvy

Big Wall climber

Le' Bia

Nov 18, 2008 - 11:28pm PT

Brandon,

a bud and I traveled to Cabo around 92. We had the time of our lives. Go for it. My gut feelings about climbing and gear oriented sports is to stay simple. I've had a friend lose his truck, two windsurfers, mountain bikes and thousands in cash. Another buddy was like"guess who I just picked up in Idaho hitchhiking...........back from MEEEhhchico.

Anyways I would not want to be the one to spread paranoia, but I do think it's wise to focus. The traveling itself will be totally @$$kicking and take a lot of time. I am actually thinking of going on a heal my heart trip down there in Decxember. Not sure if I want to go alone or not. I think it could be kind of fun. Of course I won't take anything of value with me and bring my big german shepherd mutt.

I agree Cabo is lame. La Paz was a much better town. If you guys do this trip email me, I have a friend who I think will be there all winter kitesurfing. I also have connections to a kitesurfing bunch of gringos who live there. Tim

survival

Big Wall climber

A Token of My Extreme

Nov 18, 2008 - 11:30pm PT

There was tons of rock around La Paz, but I was on a family trip not a climbing trip. I remember seeing things that were pretty good sized looking crags, much bigger than boulders.

survival

Big Wall climber

A Token of My Extreme

Nov 19, 2008 - 01:44am PT

Bigger than boulders........
Smaller than El Cap.

Bertrand

Trad climber

Nov 19, 2008 - 03:28am PT

put me down for the Dec/Jan mission if one happens. I grew up driving down there w/ fam in the camper, staying on the beaches south of Mulege. More recently on a couple surf trips... always wanted to hit up Scorpion Bay, just across the Sierra. Agree on the Cabo sucks theme. Would love to go & climb/surf.

Ricardo Cabeza

climber

Meyers,CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 19, 2008 - 05:41pm PT

Talk to me, I'm heading there soon...

Juan Maderita

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Nov 20, 2008 - 01:47am PT

Brandon,
The reason you have so little response to climbing between Tijuana and Los Cabos is that there is so little climbing. Other that the basalt sport cliff of La Mision (aka: "Valle Azteca", between Tijuana and Ensenada) there is no developed area. There are the boulders at Catavina, a couple easy routes at Los Frailes on the East Cape, and some (mostly undeveloped) granite in the Sierra la Laguna. A few people think that taking gear to CSL has been worthwhile, but I wouldn't waste my time. Too much fun to be had in other ways.
95% of Baja climbing is in the Sierra de Juarez. You might hit that up before continuing south.

justthemaid

climber

Los Angeles

Nov 20, 2008 - 11:53am PT

Agreed^^

Melvin Mills

Trad climber

Albuquerque NM

Nov 20, 2008 - 12:53pm PT

There is excellent conglomerate near Loreto just waiting for some sport climbing action. I have only bouldered on it and it was great.

The cliffs are actually not that close to Loreto, but in the neighborhood, just keep your eyes peeled and drive off the highway.