Trip Report
Potrero Chico PSA
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Sunday November 6, 2011 2:03pm
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Having just returned from two weeks in the Potrero, I wanted to pass on some information about local conditions. The drug wars combined with the July bombing of the Monterrey casino have reduced the gringo factor to a mere trickle. In short, we had the entire place to ourselves.
Despite rumors of violence and questionable looks from friends that heard of our travel plans, we had no safety issues whatsoever. The locals are as friendly and kind as ever, and they definitely need the support of the international climbing community. The prime season just started - go check it out!
More here: http://chriswinter.blogspot.com/2011/11/el-potrero-chico-psa.html
Winter
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About the Author
Winter is a punter from Portland. |
Comments
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all in jim
climber
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Thanks for that... I miss that place!
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Knave
Trad climber
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I was there in February and had no issues. Fly in, taxi straight there. I would go again without too much hesitation. I wouldn't drive there however. Still some risk involved but once in Hidalgo it's pretty safe from violence, I believe.
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
WA, & NC & Idaho
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Stellar TR bro, thanks!
Glad Y'all had no problems!
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jfailing
Trad climber
PDX, North Slope, The Open Road
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Nice - a note signed by ST's own K-man and Adamame... Glad you had fun, and the place to yourselves!
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Manimal
climber
SLT, Ca
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I wish "we had no problems" meant something about the conditions. I'm not saying I wouldn't go but this means nothing with respect to the risks involved. Nothing happens until something happens. I'd be interested though in what the locals are reporting. I've heard one should get transportation straight from the airport to EPC and to look as scruffy as possible, no stops, no shopping, nada, as the dangers are very real in and around Monterrey. Hopefully the cartels have better things to do than exploit the presence of international climbing tourists, but hey, let's be real, there's opportunity for profits wherever those with the resources to travel are.....some not so pleasant!
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Winter
climber
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Author's Reply
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Nov 7, 2011 - 09:33am PT
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Manimal -
Just to be clear, we did get transport directly from the airport with Ed, which I would recommend to others, although I don't have first hand experience with Monterrey outside the brief time we spent in the airport. We talked to a fair number of locals form both Monterrey and Hidalgo. They all generally agree that their country is in crisis mode right now with the gangs and violence but the Potrero, Hidalgo, and foreign climbers have not experienced any issues to date. As with all travel in developing countries, YMMV, but I never felt any more at risk than I have in lots of other places - in fact less so. Just my .02.
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Jim Brennan
Trad climber
Vancouver Canada
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While leaving El Potrero Chico on our way to the airport at Monterrey, a couple asked if they could join us into town by sharing the cab. We didn't think it would be a problem and called the cab company to confirm this. They did.
At point of departure, the cabbie held out his hand and wanted the money for the extra travelers. They paid him and I didn't protest. The couple looked at me like I was implicit in the scam. I wasn't. The situation cost $40.00 extra, pretty cheap for being free to go and costing the extra people something for their passage.
Mexico has a real capitalist economy. You want something ? pay for it.
The guy who owns the cab could give a f*#k about what the silver tongued dispatcher said to us.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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A friend there just reported (and I mean yesterday) that they received word that 10 people were shot and killed (3 innocent) in Hidalgo--the little town by El Potrero. Details are sketchy now. Just thought I'd put that out there. Maybe this report will prove untrue, but the source is quite reliable.
Glad the posters had a great time. It's a beautiful place!
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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Winter, Adamame and K-man are Adam and Kelly Rich, highly talented stalwarts from Santa Cruz and of course post here with those handles. Both awfully talented climbers; kind of a May-September setup though
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Winter
climber
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Author's Reply
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Nov 9, 2011 - 08:34am PT
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Ah thanks Peter. My comment was made kind of tongue-in-cheek. I met and climbed with those guys in Potrero back in April 2010 and knew they were Taco-ites.
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