El Palacio de Tufas Rock Climbing
Elevation: | -11,456 ft | -3,492 m |
GPS: |
18.12476, -66.5256 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 396 total · 19/month | |
Shared By: | Heliodor Jalba on Jul 13, 2023 · Updates | |
Admins: | Heliodor Jalba |
Description
This sector is the main attraction of the crag: roof and overhang climbing on tufas!
Don't let the ratings deter you! Climb as far as you can on each route and lower off the permadraws.
The tufas can vary from clean to dusty to slimy, depending on the particular tufa and whether it rained recently. Here's a chart of how much rain there is over the course of the year. (the pattern holds for the whole island)
WARNING: Wasps! The chance of getting stung by a wasp is higher than at other crags. 1) You'll be grabbing the back of tufas blindly and there might be a new nest where you intend to place your hand. 2) You'll be lowering through the trees and there might be wasp nests on the leaves.
However, they're smaller and friendlier than the standard variety. You can be inches away from the nest and they'll leave you alone. Also, the stings don't hurt as bad.
Don't pee under the roof! It doesn't rain there and it will stink for a while.
Cell service is spotty, going in and out of reception.
Getting There
It's the overhang with tufas that you reach at the end of the approach trail.
Maintaining a good image with the neighbors is important so that we don't lose access or cause trouble. Don't bother the neighbors and keep noise to a minimum. The valley echoes strongly and the houses are close by.
Drive carefully. It's a tricky road.
The trail head is the one obvious wide trail. It takes 10 minutes to get to the crag. Most of it is flat and easy, with only about two minutes of steeper walking near the beginning. When the steep part flattens out, look for a left turn into the tall grass.
Bringing a machete is a good idea. There's lots of sawgrass and it grows very quickly. It's full of spider webs every single time (including the big orb weaver spiders). Use your machete or a stick to get rid of them. (Or use your face!) Wear long sleeves or the grass will give you a bunch of scratches. The trail can get a bit muddy, so closed-toe shoes are helpful.
Classic Climbing Routes at El Palacio de Tufas
Weather Averages
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J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Photos
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