Strange rumblings in EPC

If this post is too long, here's the summary: Established state politician and owner of Rancho El Sendero is attempting to squeeze or eliminate local businesses through power and influence, has effectively banned locals from the park via local ordinances, has local police in pockets, all for the benefit of his business.

All quiet on the Northern entrance. Not a single car blaring rancheros, cumbia, or corridos. Crossing the Potrero Chico park entrance we were stopped by a man in some loose government official clothing and asked if we were registered. There was a hand written sign posted to a traffic cone that read "Registration is Obligatory." This was my fourth time in El Potrero Chico and was caught off-guard by this new process. We were guided into an office where a woman was waiting for us behind a desk. She explained that there is a new policy in place. All climbers must register at the entrance for access. This registration also carried a fee, which was explained was completely donation based, of $220 pesos or USD $12. The fee, she explained, would go towards rescue efforts incase you required them. It was a one time fee that covers the entire season, January through April. Whatever was going on here, I didn't mind much. We have to pay for entrance to parks in the states so why not support the park and its rescue efforts with a small fee and also receive a commemorative bottle opener. They also now maintained clean restrooms stocked with soap, that alone is worth the cash. 

As we made our way towards Mota wall, I noticed there wasn't any local activity whatsoever. It was a Thursday afternoon, maybe it was too early for the locals to gather and surely they'd be around later in the evening. On our walk back, nothing but a lone sprinter van parked in the quiet valley. No locals with music playing through their open doors gathered around offering you a beer or practicing their english in asking you how the climb was. On the walk out, we noticed fresh signs prohibiting drinking, open containers, and loud music. After half a dozen beers with various locals it started to become clear who was behind this new policy, and all signs pointed to Rancho El Sendero. 

Rancho El Sendero, as I came to find out, is owned and operated by a powerful and influential Mexican politician. If you've stayed there you might know him as Mario. Mario Alberto Garza Castillo is the President of the State Electoral Commission in Nuevo Leon and has held this office since 2014. I thought the same thing, why the hell would a politician open what is essentially a glorified hostel for climbers in a tiny town an hour outside of one of Mexico's biggest bustling state capitals? Considering the explosion of popularity of climbing in the recent years, paired with EPCs fairly easy access and developing tourism putting it well on its way to becoming a world class climbing destination, there's hard cash money to be made. Kick out the locals, starve the businesses at the entrance, make it gringo safe and you're set. Now instead of stopping there, you're more likely to hold your thirst and hunger until you get back to Rancho El Sendero, where there's a nice warm bar and kitchen waiting to serve you. That's exactly what's happening. Those businesses at the entrance are no longer selling to locals because they don't show up anymore. Having a beer outside the business? Illegal. If the business is caught having patrons with alcohol a foot outside its doors, they get a warning. Three warnings and according to new government policy, the business is permanently shutdown. One of the businesses already had two warnings. A climber walked out with his beer while a federale passed by. Federale left the climber alone but cited the business. I urged the local businesses to band together and fight to oppose this laughable policy, but they all expressed the same uneasiness and concern. Politicians in Mexico are almost untouchable. They do what they want, own the local police, and answer to no one. 

Oh, and that unsightly, overpriced Hotel Lemuria is also in-partnership with Rancho El Sendero.

All of this is not good for the future of El Potrero Chico. The locals have always been an integral part of the experience, providing the music, food and fiesta that one comes to expect from visiting Mexico. Frank Madden, author of EPC Climbing guidebook, states in his 1st edition, "expect to see a lot of locals in the canyon enjoying their weekends with loud music, good food, and beer." This entire experience for visitors, along with the livelihood of local businesses are in danger if we don't move to protect it. Please do your research when booking accommodations and use your dollar, whether Canadian or USD, wisely. I also heard there are some new places to stay opening up on the Southern entrance, check them out.

And before I wrap this more-than-lengthy post up, I'm not letting El Buho Coffee off the hook. This coffee shop posing as a Christian climber outreach is nothing more than your classic American grift. They do not contribute to the local community whatsoever, but only perpetuate the homogenization that one is trying to escape. Local people can't afford their coffee, and their employees don't get paid. Bring your own coffee and enjoy it without the taint. 

*Quick edit since people are asking more questions about El Buho:

From what I gathered, El Buho is not seen in good light by the community of Hidalgo. When it was first opened by an American Christian leader, they committed to the community to build a school and other contributions, none of which ever happened. One of the complaints by one of my local sources was that they are running an unpermitted business, or at least "operating outside of what they're permitted for while officials look the other way." 

How is this harmful to locals? Outsiders (religious gringos) open a business with religious association, sell a product at a price that the local population cannot afford all while contributing nothing to the local community. Why should climbers or tourists care about this? I suppose it comes down to ethics. Who you give your money to and what businesses you choose to support have short-term and long-term effects on any community. If coffee is your thing, try to source your coffee from a Hidalgo business that's a part of the community, if you can't find one, bring your own.

____

People may have their opinions, but I tried to present the facts of the situation to the best of my ability. 

Also, there is a limit to replying (5 a day) and I've exceeded that limit today.

Randy Zzyzxwrote:

Please do your research when booking accommodations and use your dollar, whether Canadian or USD, wisely.

What kind of research would you recommend when so much of what you're describing is behind-the-scenes politics?

Rachel Mwrote:

What kind of research would you recommend when so much of what you're describing is behind-the-scenes politics?

Good question. Information regarding this issue is limited and localized. I'd say, after having read this post and knowing what you know now, use your best judgement. From the information I gathered, the only two businesses involved in this story are Rancho El Sendero and Hotel Lemuria. 

Randy Zzyzxwrote:

If this post is too long, here's the summary: 

And before I wrap this more-than-lengthy post up, I'm not letting El Buho Coffee off the hook. This coffee shop posing as a Christian climber outreach is nothing more than your classic American grift. 

interesting that someone is using religion to scam people. 

petzl logicwrote:

interesting that someone is using religion to scam people. 

Had to mention it, especially since it was brought up by the people who filled me in. 

You make it all sound pretty nefarious, but you don't see food trucks blasting party music in Yosemite valley.  And I don't think you see people openly drinking alcohol around the loop in Red Rock.  Some folks might see this as cleaning the place up.  (Disclaimer: never been to EPC so I don't know what I'm talking about.)

JaredGwrote:

 (Disclaimer: never been to EPC so I don't know what I'm talking about.)

That's right, you don't know what you're talking about.

Randy Zzyzxwrote:

Had to mention it, especially since it was brought up by the people who filled me in. 

What exactly are they doing to harm the locals or climbers?

petzl logicwrote:

interesting that someone is using religion to scam people. 

I presume that you are being sarcastic, because, sadly, that has been going on from ‘the beginning’.

As for the principal topic of this post, it seems to be a very sad and disturbing development and I’m surprised that it hasn’t been more heavily discussed. There is nothing inherently wrong with some ‘ controls’ for the park and the fee doesn’t sound unreasonable ( presuming it is being used for the purposes mentioned and not merely lining someone’s pockets), but barring the locals from their own park and squeezing out locally run businesses ( which are the livelihoods of the owners and employees) are very concerning.

Is there any indication that this is a government instituted program/-any of those signs appear to be official? What is the position of the local ( and local expatriate) climbing community concerning these developments?

Isn’t this kinda what happened to Kurt Smith back in the day?

Randy Zzyzxwrote:

Good question. Information regarding this issue is limited and localized. I'd say, after having read this post and knowing what you know now, use your best judgement. From the information I gathered, the only two businesses involved in this story are Rancho El Sendero and Hotel Lemuria. 

Kevin Mokracekwrote:

Isn’t this kinda what happened to Kurt Smith back in the day?

I think that Kurt was a colateral casualty in the dispute between Homero and his brother. However, there was something similar in 1999 when the local PD put a booth at the entrance and started collecting entry fees. At that time someone complained, the Federales took over and fired all of the local cops. This iteration sounds like it is more organized with more political weight behind it. 

Information regarding this issue is limited to your imagination - especially in reference to El Buho.  I have flagged this thread and requested it be taken down.

petzl logicwrote:

interesting that someone is using religion to scam people. 

Shocking!  That has never happened before...

petzl logicwrote:

interesting that someone is using religion to scam people. 

I'm not clear at all on how they are scamming people?  Is it just a differing point of view?  Are they taking money from people saying they are going to do one thing with it and then use it for something else?  How exactly is El Buho scamming people?

@jack I’m interested in hearing more about the info you have?

Sorry MP won’t let me quote today for some reason. 

Randy Zzyzxwrote:

And before I wrap this more-than-lengthy post up, I'm not letting El Buho Coffee off the hook. This coffee shop posing as a Christian climber outreach is nothing more than your classic American grift. They do not contribute to the local community whatsoever, but only perpetuate the homogenization that one is trying to escape. Local people can't afford their coffee, and their employees don't get paid. Bring your own coffee and enjoy it without the taint. 

 El Buho raised money to build a school in a nearby small town a couple years ago.

Yeah, fuck Potrero Chico then. I don't ever need to return to that place with this kind of bullshit going on.

Jack Wursterwrote:

Information regarding this issue is limited to your imagination - especially in reference to El Buho.  I have flagged this thread and requested it be taken down.

Imagination? This post is a report on what I heard directly from local business owners. I was also informed that El Buho was sold by the original "founder" to another American. Why is that relevant? When businesses change hands, the business itself generally changes.

F r i t zwrote:

 El Buho raised money to build a school in a nearby small town a couple years ago.

The conversation I had with my source was specific to Hidalgo and did not include a "nearby small town." I'd also add that "raising money to build a school" is not the same as actually building a school.

Alan Rubinwrote:

I presume that you are being sarcastic, because, sadly, that has been going on from ‘the beginning’.

As for the principal topic of this post, it seems to be a very sad and disturbing development and I’m surprised that it hasn’t been more heavily discussed. There is nothing inherently wrong with some ‘ controls’ for the park and the fee doesn’t sound unreasonable ( presuming it is being used for the purposes mentioned and not merely lining someone’s pockets), but barring the locals from their own park and squeezing out locally run businesses ( which are the livelihoods of the owners and employees) are very concerning.

Is there any indication that this is a government instituted program/-any of those signs appear to be official? What is the position of the local ( and local expatriate) climbing community concerning these developments?

This is indeed a government instituted program with official signs that are being enforced by local PD/federales. I did not hear of any confrontations with climbers/tourists. Their main target are the businesses near the entrance of the park and I would add to that, locals defying new rules. However, the entire time I was there, I hardly saw any local visitors in the park at all. 

I couldn't tell you the position of the local climbers, or local expatriate for that matter. One thing I did note was far fewer Mexican climbers. I didn't encounter any outside of those you see daily that either live close by or work in the area.