Portero Chico over Christmas/New Years

the trick here is to really chug back alot of Caguamas, those will cure/prevent all ills.

is anyone driving down, and would like someone to help pay give me a pm, im lookibg for a ride.

Sorry Rick, I am flying down there. I wish I could help you out on the ride. If I go back next year, maybe I will drive. Good luck finding someone to split a ride with.

@sonya, why do you say, "Those who want belayed, need not apply!"?

I'd like to have a partner, but mostly just to get belayed.

Is anyone looking for a ride down to the Potrero? Currently have three people in a car with room for one more. Would be willing to pick you up anywhere along highway 35. Will be traveling Dec. 23-24th. Send me a PM if interested!

I lived in Monterrey for two years back in '99 and 00 and have visited family and friends frequently since living there. You can drink the tap water without worry and I have to say it is pretty silly if you do not try the food. Try some of the Mexican BBQ if you are down there on a Sunday. Going straight from the airport to EPC is your best bet if you are worried about safety. If you decide to go into Monterrey, then try and be back before it gets to late and use common sense and you will be fine. It might sound strange but a lot of the narcos take a break from their gangster lifestyle over the holidays as well so it is a really good time to go to Mexico if you are concerned about safety. Safe travels and have fun!

Oh! I can explain the belay thing. There have been times where people who climb 5.12 or something like that just want me to stand around all day and belay them on really hard stuff that I can't possibly do. I have no interest in climbing with someone with an attitude like that. On the other hand, I have climbed with 5.12-5.13 climbers that climb stuff I can do until I'm blown and then climb hard stuff the rest of the day that I belay them on. I'm cool with that. Do you get it now? Which one are you?

I'm a bit concerned about safety, but I agree with the statement that with a little common sense and planning, things should be fine. I'm glad to hear the water is ok too. I got very, very sick in Mexico during a 2009-2010 caving trip. I don't wish to repeat that experience. I really wouldn't get to climb if that was the case. I'm getting pretty excited about the trip! It is coming up soon!

Happy to say this is my first trip to Potrero and will be down there with a group of friends the exact same dates. There will be several girls climbing 10 and below that would welcome company. We haven't firmed up where we'll be staying. Will have a gray honda element covered with stickers & several frenchies.

Hank, Wayne! Howdy friends!

A bit ashamed that this is my first, but better late than never. Have any route recommendations? Looking for big and hard... though not too hard... years of work are catching up with me. Hopefully this will get me back in gear. El Sendero is enticing, but El Toro seems much more realistic for me and my crew.

cheers,
Matt

be careful Twyman!! get up on El Sendero, they can't get to you there.
borderlandbeat.com/2011/12/…

"Hidalgo and El Carmen are two of Nuevo Leon's municipalities that no longer have a standing municipal police force"

thanks hank.
wont be seeking out any drugs in Hidalgo at night fortunately. gonna keep it to groceries during the day and bookin it out before dusk.
matt

Twyman, as well as El Sendero(ya' gotta' give that thing a whirl), to the left is "Land of the Free", many 5.10 pitches tall. In my opinion, just a really neat view you don't get when you're in the Potrero proper. Since this is your 1st time, you just can't go wrong on most choices. 1 pitch would be Hombre de Rifle 12d/13a, Cyclops and PLEASE do the easy route up the spires, 5.9, and then on the backside of the spires, Gondawonaland-tough12d and Pangea 11c right next to it. Have a rad time.

hc

Everyone heading to the Potrero at any point this Winter, be safe and have fun. The reports I'm getting is that driving on Toll Roads only is fairly safe and that crossing the Border in Laredo is rather hassle free. I would reccomend flying, but if you want to drive, follow these directions or better yet, get ahold of Ed Wright magicedspotrerochico.com/, apparently he will even pick you up at the Aeropuerto and bombard you with useful advice and beta while driving you to the Potrero.

If you are driving this is the bridge I recommend using (Colombia – Solidarity International) and have used for years. The lines are shorter over the holidays; although, all of the lines are going to be long during the holidays and most important it allows you to bypass Nuevo Laredo and Laredo. Here is some information on the bridge - Bridge- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colom…

Stay on the toll roads and drive during the day time only. Try and plan your trip so you can hit the low traffic hours on the outskirts of Monterrey. Also have all your paperwork & documents ready when you get to the bridge. Tons of people speak English at the boarder so ask somebody in line to help if there are language issues.

Military, Marines, and majority of the Federal Police can be trusted to a certain point. A lot of the Municipal Police or Transit Police work for the cartels which is why so many of the Municipal and Transit Police forces have been disbanded in that region of Mexico. They are not to be trusted and typically can be easily bribed.

Be safe!

Does anybody know about how much money to bring to Mexico? I assume it should be changed over to pesos in Monterrey? Any advice on that? Thanks to anyone who has experience, just putting the finishing touches on my packing list!

No need to bring much cash--you can always get what you need from the ATM's in Hidalgo.

Any greenbacks you bring will have to be exchanged at the currency exchange at the airport.