Event Registration
El Potrero Chico: Holiday Climbing Meetup

Event Registration Name
El Potrero Chico: Holiday Climbing Meetup
Activity Group
Climbing
Start
12/19/2026 2:00 PM
Event Subtype
Sport Climbing
End
1/2/2027 11:00 AM
Leader
Kelsey Hollenbaugh
Location
Hidalgo, Nuevo León Mexico
Description
Are you looking to travel somewhere warm to climb for the Holidays? Have you always wanted to climb in Mexico but feel limited by the novelty and distance? Maybe you have never heard of El Potrero Chico! This sport climbing paradise exists in the form of limestone canyon walls in the state of Nuevo León, in northern Mexico. Known for its plethora of long, sport multi-pitch climbing, as well as bolted cracks and fantastic single pitch, this place has something for everyone. Many of the climbs are 5 minutes off the main road into the canyon, and the canyon is a short 10 minute walk from most of the accommodations. This is an informal, open-invitation climbing trip rather than a guided trip or organized climbing program. My partner and I are planning to spend Dec 20th-Jan 2nd in Potrero and are inviting other climbers who would like to join. I have been to Potrero once before and am by no means an expert. I am happy to share what knowledge I have learned from my previous trip, and create an opportunity for other climbers to come along and experience this area together. I can offer some local knowledge, logistical information, and be a social point of connection for people interested in climbing here. If you're coming with a partner, great. If you are hoping to meet other climbers, this is a good opportunity to connect with others who may be looking for partners on this event page. You can join for a few days or stay for the entire trip, and there is no expectation that everyone follows the same itinerary or climbs together. I am not offering any guiding or instructional services on this trip. You are responsible for your own climbing, equipment, partners, transportation, food, accommodations, and personal decisions. It is ideal to fly into the city of Monterrey and take a taxi from the airport to your accommodations. We are staying at La Posada which I have stayed at before. They offer simple rooms with 1 or 2 bed options, deluxe tents with beds, an area for camping and setting up your own tent (cheapest), and small houses with multiple rooms that you can rent. They have an on-sight restaurant with great food, they have bathrooms/showers (shared if camping, individual in the rooms and house). They have community fridges and a kitchen for those that want to make their own food. People say they have no problem with the water that La Posada offers, though I drank bottled water when I was there before out of extreme caution. There are other hostels and accommodations around the entrance to the canyon including El Sendero climbers hostel, La Pagoda, and likely others. Besides climbing, members of my previous group took a taxi to a hot springs an hour or so away, and you can hike in the canyon, or hang out by the pool at La Posada! Let me know if you have any questions or want more information. When I first went to Potrero, I was intimidated by the thought of climbing in Mexico and went with a guided group. I am now hoping to offer some of that knowledge to others, and we could have a ton of fun climbing in the sun and warmth in December!