Hi,

I'm planning a Southern trip (I'm Canadian, everything is southern for me) for this February and thought of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. I have a few questions for the locals.

How's the weather in February? Is it windy, rainy, cloudy? etc. As far as temps go, I don't mind it if the temperature drops below 32 at night but 32 or above is preferable for climbing. I've climbed many times when it was 20 and have good tricks for Winter climbing but would rather enjoy relative warmth.

Partners during the week Will I be able to find route climbing partners? Does it get a fair bit of traffic during the week? I'll get on anything from 5.5 to 5.13- sport and 5.0 to 5.12- trad. I'm happy climbing moderates all day or pushing myself. I just love climbing! I thought of HCR because there is also bouldering there and days I don't have a partner I can jump on boulders.

What's the local scene at the Horseshoe Canyon? I plan on camping. At night are there other climbers that camp there in the Winter or will I be alone all the time? Is there a bar there with Wifi?

That's all for now. I'm trying to plan this trip as my contract ends late January and I have friends that will be at Miguel's in early March and could do a month somewhere. Again, I'm thinking HCR or Chattanooga as the bouldering/route climbing gives more options for days sans partners. I much prefer route climbing though. (Whether sport or trad)

Thanks and if there is a better forum for reaching out to locals than MP please let me know

Dom

I don't live in AR anymore, but I did for a few years. February can be cold. Weather can change quickly, but thats generally going to be the coldest month- if you get snow or ice storms, thats when it comes. You can see monthly averages for Jasper (nearest town to HCR) on weather.com or any other weather site. Averages are about 50 during the day, 30 at night, BUT if its ever going to drop to 0 in AR, thats when its gonna happen.
As for other sources to contact locals, I always used rockclimbing.com in Arkansas, it has a lot more info on local routes. There is a great AR guidebook that came out a few years ago: www.bentgate.com/rock-climbing-arkansas.html
HRC does have cabins if you want wifi, ect. Other than that, you'll have to drive to Jasper.
Hope that helps some.

the weather is very sporadic around then. i have seen it snow 10 inches in march and be 60 degrees the next day. partners will be a hit or miss. for bar and wifi info id call them. 870-446-2555 the hours seems very minimal in the winter but i am not positive on that