Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 29, 2009 - 04:41pm PT
|
I agree this is awesome.
If you go through the website for Grupo Escala carefully, you will see they are into climbing, spelunking/caving, canyoneering, river descents, and all inter-related with Archeology.
They are finding many caves high up on vertical limestone cliffs with native bones and relics, never seen before by modern man. These Mayan like people were climbers thousands of years ago and did very serious ascents just to get home, or to worship in these vertical temples. Many human sacrifices were done also in these caves they have discovered (sick and weird but the way it was sadly).
Their discoveries are incredible. Pretty cool when you can seriously combine science and climbing together.
|
|
hoipolloi
climber
A friends backyard with the neighbors wifi
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2009 - 05:08pm PT
|
Really awesome. How would that feel to climb up into a cave to find relics of human sacrifice. Yikes!
|
|
Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Aug 30, 2009 - 11:26am PT
|
Awesome thread! Lots of stone south of the border!
On the way out of San Cristobal toward Guatemala, the restaurant on the second floor left serves the tastiest chile relleno ever! Dream food! I hope that it is still there!
|
|
elcap-pics
climber
Crestline CA
|
|
|
Aug 30, 2009 - 12:38pm PT
|
Great post... actually climbing related too... so rare now days!
Looks like endless bolting prospects .... Dave Turner, bring your endless supply of rivets!
|
|
wack-N-dangle
Gym climber
the ground up
|
|
|
Aug 30, 2009 - 01:11pm PT
|
Not to bring up bad blood, but doesn't Kurt Smith post on here sometimes. I think that he would have a lot of practical knowledge and skills. They would probably be valuable on a trip down there. Maybe Todd Gordon, and his experience with both aid, and American Southwest cultures could provide insight too. Does Nat. Geo. still accept proposals for expeditions, and provide funding?
The archaeological bit seems interesting. The cliff wall homes reminds me of something I saw about Chaco Canyon, located in the N. Amer. Southwest. I never got to read Jared Diamonds book COLLAPSE, but I suspect that there might have been some tumultuous times that affected areas across Central and North America.
If there was a large scale failure in agricultural, it might have caused migrations to areas that were more hospitable. The resulting pressure on resources likely resulted in conflict. Interestingly, people are still following the seasonal patterns that provide us with a stable food supply. Many other thoughts too.
Anyway, just watched part of a documentary on HBO, "Which Way Home". Definitely worth a look since the current economic crisis will likely result in more strict border closures. Also. I admire your work in Chiapas, as well as those that traveled there in the 80's and 90's.
In the words of the Karl B., Peace
|
|
Studly
Trad climber
WA
|
|
|
Aug 30, 2009 - 01:38pm PT
|
Awesome looking limestone walls! and the river below loaded up with crocs, that just makes it more exotic. Time for some ST'ers to mount up and do some first ascents!
|
|
Magic Ed
climber
Nuevo Leon, Mexico
|
|
|
Aug 30, 2009 - 11:29pm PT
|
Sorry to rain on everybody's parade but while the Sumidero Canyon is a spectacularly beautiful place, 99% of the rock itself is crap. Manky, chossy, crap. If you want good quality, big limestone walls you have to go to the Eastern Sierra Madre around Monterrey in northern Mexico. El Potrero Chico, Huasteca Canyon, El Salto (San Cristobal), Puente de Dios etc. And when I say etc., I mean ETC. There are so many miles of big walls in the area it boggles the imagination.
|
|
bicyclesmith
Big Wall climber
Oregon, USA and Chiapas, Mexico
|
|
|
Sep 19, 2010 - 06:54pm PT
|
If anyone out there is still interested in the sumidero canyon in Chiapas, Mexico, I just posted some info on mountainproject.com about the first ascent of hombres del panuelo rojo. For more specifics about this route or other climbing opportunities in the area, feel free to contact me at bicyclesmith@gmail.com. I was fortunate to live in Chiapas for six years and to be part of developing around 80 routes in the area. There is still endless potential for new routes, especially in the sumider canyon.
|
|
Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
|
|
|
Sep 19, 2010 - 10:14pm PT
|
Nice Klimmer!! Was always a big fan of climbing in Mexico, and just going to Mexico in general...Cheers!!:)
|
|
dirt claud
Sport climber
san diego,ca
|
|
|
Sep 20, 2010 - 03:22pm PT
|
I was in Chiapas at El Sumidero about 3 years ago, I wasn't a climber at the time so didn''t even think about that, but it would definantly be a good place to climb. Only thing is it gets very humid in that area. San Cristobal is a great place to visit and experience. It's a hub for International travelers that want to experience the feeling of colonial Mexico, I believe it was founded in the 1500s. Just walking through the town makes you feel like you stepped back in time a few hundred years. Awesome nightlife too.
I have video I took of the canyon when I was there, I will post it if i can transfer the video to a computer file.
|
|
Jordan Ramey
Big Wall climber
South Pasadena, CA
|
|
|
Sep 20, 2010 - 10:36pm PT
|
Rad! Sweet ascent and cool looking route. Is it mostly a free route? How much aid is there?
|
|
mike m
Trad climber
black hills
|
|
|
Apr 26, 2012 - 12:48am PT
|
Mexico looks cool.
|
|
Captain...or Skully
climber
|
|
|
Apr 26, 2012 - 12:51am PT
|
It's like you knew already, Mike. Folks that roam around find the Gold.
Lotta Gold in them thar hills, huh?
Still.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!