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About El Potrero Chico Climbing
School
What is El
Potrero Chico? In Spanish El Potrero Chico means “the little corral”. To
us at EPCCS it means the perfect learning environment for rock climbing of all
kinds. From bouldering techniques to big wall skills El Potrero Chico Climbing
School offers a class room, and a teacher for every rock climbing
discipline. EPCCS was started by
Andy Baldasar after a climbing trip
in 2003. From the need for essential climbing information EPCCS was born. Now we
continue to teach the most modern safety skills and cutting edge multi-pitch,
self rescue, big wall, speed climbing, and single pitch sport climbing
techniques there are. All of our safety and teaching practices adhere to
American Mountain Guide Association
standards.
The guides at
EPCCS offer a level of safety equal to or above the
international standard set by the IFMGA and
AMGA while giving the greatest level of instruction possible.
We want to be the most professional group of instructors and guides in Mexico.
Our teachers are encouraged to have a flexible teaching style because we
understand that everyone has their own way of learning to rock climb. Whether
you are a 5.12 climber or a complete beginner we are sure that we can help to
improve your climbing.
Our Mexico Guiding office is located at La
Posada in Hidalgo Nuevo Leon It is open six days a week, closed on
Sunday.
Our Climbing Guides &
Instructors
Our guides are a talented group of
climbers who love to climb. They live, breathe, and eat climbing. They are also
gifted teachers and expert climbers with years of experience as AMGA or NOLS
guides. All of our guides are well-trained in climbing safety and self-rescue,
and all have Wilderness First Responder or EMT medical training. The training
required to be an EPCCS&G guide or instructor is extensive, and at or above
the industry standard set by the AMGA.
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Luis is the operator
of his family business, La Posada, and part owner & founder of EPCCS&G.
Luis grew up in Hidalgo, the town where El Potrero Chico is located. He attended
Tec de Monterrey and the Tulane University Business School in Louisiana for his
degree in business. His studies in both countries have afforded him a unique
perspective on culture and language. Luis is at the center of all that happens
at La Posada. He is the person to find if you have questions on anything from
the cultural history of the area to the nearest hot springs.
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Beckett Honicker: Guide and co-owner of EPCCS, Beckett has been a Rock Climbing
Instructor in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for four years. When he is
not climbing hard on granite, limestone, sandstone, gneiss, or schistose he
enjoys reading about geology, juggling. cycling, and running. His best day of
climbing is enjoying silence and focus while working a hard pitch thousands of
feet off the ground .Beckett’s goal and passion in life is teaching. He has been
teaching for four years. He is a certified Rock Instructor with the
American Mountain Guide Association. |
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Pete Fasoldt
is a climber and sailor. He often seems to find himself in
remote areas. He
has traveled extensivly in
Central and South America, climbing whenever
possible.
Pete is a seasonal rock guide in Acadia National
Park.
Amidst all his travels, he has found
the time to get a
bachelor's degree in Hispanic
Studies, an AMGA Top Rope certification, and
has completed an AMGA
Rock Instructor Course. |
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Nico Magnan
has dedicated herself to climbing for the last two years. She is working towards
being a full CMGA Mountain Guide. Being from Jasper Alberta in the Canadian
Rockies she has had plenty of opportunities to hone her climbing skills; from
Alpine and ice climbing to sport and trad climbing. Nico enjoys travelling the
world in search of new and exciting climbing locations. While travelling to
Morocco last year Nico established some new routes in Toubkal National Park,
summiting several mountains including Jbel Toubkal. Nico is a safe and fun
person to climb with. She takes great joy in instructing and watching climbers’
progress. |
About El Potrero Chico
The beauty of El Potrero Chico has
inspired climbers since the first ascents in the 1960s. Today, climbers from all
over the world visit El Potrero Chico for its excellent climbing, warm climate,
unique culture, and diverse ecology.
American, Canadian, European, and local Mexican climbers put new routes
up almost weekly.
El Potrero Chico is famous for its
variety of limestone sport climbs and year-round climbing. There are climbs for
everyone, from the beginner to the experienced climber looking for a challenge.
Route lengths range between 80 ft. and 2300 ft., and include steep cliffs and
spires.
The Potrero is the mecca of rock
climbing in Mexico. During the holidays climbers come from all over Mexico to
have a great time climbing and partying with friends.
El Potrero Chico is located
just 4 hrs south of Laredo, TX and 1 hr. northwest of Monterrey, MX, just
outside the small town of Hidalgo. Hot springs and caving opportunities exist
nearby.
Hidalgo is a very safe town with the
basic amenities: a 24-hour clinic, a grocery store, a pharmacy—and many beer
stores, restaurants, and street markets.
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