Why go to El Potrero Chico
Where do I even start? There are so many reasons to visit El Potrero Chico. Home to THOUSANDS of world-class sport climbs just inside the gates of the park. Depending on what you are looking for, your approach could be anywhere from a 5-minute stroll to a 1-hour sweat-fest of a hike. There is a little bit of everything for everyone, no matter your style of climbing. Above all, the views from the top are something else but I will get into how I felt at the top later in this post. If you are willing to haul a drone up with you on some of these multi-pitch climbs, as I did, you won’t be disappointed with the results.
From experience, just beware of birds potentially attacking the drone. Along with stunning 4-star climbs that do not disappoint, El Potrero Chico is a great place to meet people from all around the world who have come to this one place to create a very special community. Whether you are coming alone or with friends, the opportunities to build new bonds or strengthen old ones are endless. And did I mention how inexpensive it is? I stayed at La Pagoda in a 3 bedroom house with 3 other people and divided the cost amongst us. So, I believe my part for 4 full days of food and lodging ended up being $160 USD.
Note: LOTS OF SPIKY PLANTS! Watch where you step and place your hands. Wear durable clothing or clothes you don’t care about tearing up.
How to get there
Getting to El Potrero Chico is pretty simple logistically. Firstly, fly into Monterrey Mexico. After that, take a car to wherever you are staying. Usually, you can arrange a car with the host where you are staying to pick you up from the airport and take you back. Hidalgo is about 1 hour north of Monterrey
- Park and lodging are about 2 miles from town (no tree coverage if you plan to walk)
Note: At the time of this post you needed to have a negative covid test to re-enter the US; even if you have proof of vaccination. The airport has Rapid testing that takes about 20 minutes for results
What to Bring
Here is a list of what my climbing partner and I brought to El Potrero:
- Helmet
- This place is known for rock falls, recommended to wear even when belaying
- PAS, Harness, Prussic, Chalk
- Autolock belay device
- There are going to be a lot of long rapels (ALWAYS TIE YOUR KNOTS)
- 70-80 meter Rope
- there are some climbs where a 70 meter rope will not be long enough to touch the ground on a rapel but if you only have a 70, there is usually beta around it
- 22 quickdraws per pair (if you plan on linking pitches on some of these climbs)
- TIP: Have one person bring rope and one person bring draws per pair, there is no sense in having everyone bring everything. This also helps keep travel emissions lower, even if its minimal
- MultiPitch Backpack with a water pack (Light as possible)
- Headlamp
- Climbing Shoes
- Light approach shoes
- Resilient climbing clothes or clothes you don’t care about tearing up
- lots of cacti and spiky plants that will snag and cut through clothes
- Pesos
Where to Stay Near El Potrero Chico
I stayed at Quinta La Pagoda. We stayed in a 3 bedroom front house with a full kitchen, full bath and it was a little home away from home. Mario and the staff are incredibly hospitable and helpful. Free washer, but you have to fill the washer up with water and hang dry. I have a lot of friends who love staying at La Posada. Staying at La Posada adds a little bit of luxury to your adventure. One of the oldest El Potrero Chico lodgings, they have revamped everything to look modern and hip. On this trip, I met quite a few people who stayed at Rancho El Sendero – a little far from the park but a great place to meet people, especially if you are traveling to EPC alone. Hostel, camping (raved about), private rooms, most affordable. A few others are:
- Cabanas El Dorado – Right outside the park gates. Super convenient. Right by the taco shop and beer stop. Washing and drying service for about $5
- La Casita and Ariel’s Chalet – right inside the park
Getting Around
You don’t really need a car to get around, but the option is available if you want. Here are a few ways to get around:
- Hitchhiking into town
- Rent a car
- Walk (very little tree coverage outside of park)
Where to Eat in El Potrero Chico
The food here is delightfully inexpensive and you definitely get bang for your buck. After a long day of climbing and all you want is a snack, right outside the gates of the park is a little taco shop where you can find 50 cent tacos and 1 dollar beers. Whether this is going to be your lunch, dinner, or snack, this conveniently placed stand will not disappoint. The Chicharron is deliciously rich (recommended no more than 2 of these or you’ll feel them), salsa is spicy yet refreshing, and tortillas are freshly made within eyesight.
For dinner, there are a few options. Leo’s Place will post on Facebook on the nights where he is making fresh ribs right in the yard like a friend inviting you over for dinner. This little bright yellow building on the way to town is home to Leo, who is the most hospitable host. Coming here will feel like being invited into a Mexican home. On Tuesday nights he does Mezcal and Karaoke!
El Buho is a fantastic coffee shop in town with a beautiful history. Started by teachers who wanted to find a way to continuously help fund and build schools, El Buho is a nonprofit coffee shop run by volunteers. They roast their own coffees, serve snacks, and also have a little library and seating area to hang out. On Tuesday nights, there is a Climber’s BBQ where you bring your own meat and drinks and BBQ it right there on the rooftop and mingle with climbers from all over the world and locals. If you are looking to socialize and make new friends, this is the place to be. So if you are a solo climber, what better place to find a partner for the trip!
Checo’s, located right in front of Posada. Boasted to have some of the best vegetarian and vegan Mexican food, you won’t be disappointed by this quaint family-owned restaurant conveniently located close to the park. If you have never had it before, I definitely recommend trying cactus, you won’t regret it
Rest day Activities
Now I know the main reason for coming to El Potrero Chico is to climb the thousands of routes in the park but to climb your best you’ve got to have rest days, and what better time to explore the town and experience the life there!
- Tuesday street market
- Freshly street made Gorditas
- They make everything and fry everything on the streets. From beginning to end, like an assembly line, you can see your food being put together
- Delicious and so full of flavor, but it’s tough to have more than 2. Very rich and heavy
- Freshly street made Gorditas
- If you like coconut, there are these milk coconut bars that are homemade and are an absolute must try
- So many shops on both sides of the streets, from fresh vegetables to shoes and clothes. I bought a pair of Chacos for $20usd
- Read a book or do a little work at El Buho
- As mentioned before, El Buho is a hip coffee shop in the heart of town that has its own little library where you can either rent or buy a book, have a cup of coffee and chill
- Check out the little town of Hidalgo
- Immerse yourself into the food and lifestyle of a small town in Mexico
Give back to the Community
- El Buho – non profit coffee shop run by volunteers. As a result, proceeds go to funding a local school
- Great coffee
- Great staff
- Awesome community space
- Little library
- Tuesday night climber bbq – Bring your own meat and bbq with the climbing community, meet people from all around the world, mingle, create new friendships, and find partners to climb with
- Leave no trace
- Donating rope and gear to Karla at El Potrero Chico Search and Rescue
Most Mindful Moment
- At the top of Estrellita, while looking out into the valley and all the mountains surrounding me, I became so engrossed and enveloped in the moment that I could swear I heard music. As crazy as it sounds, it was LOTR style orchestral music and it filled the air and I could feel it vibrating through me. Absolutely majestic, words aren’t enough to describe the feeling. Staring out, it didn’t feel real. I felt so light, and free. This is freedom. I was no longer a body looking out into the scenery. It felt like I was one with my surroundings. I was no longer my body but a part of everything around me, like my energy and molecules were fusing with nature. I just was. The wind was an orchestra playing music for my ears. The mountain air embraced me like an old friend. Every breath filled my soul and I felt whole and complete. Using every sense, I drank in the moment. I could feel it, taste it, smell it, hear it. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else existed. It was only this moment. So this is what it means to become one with nature. I knew that in this very moment, in this very place, I was exactly where I was meant to be.
