El Potrero Chico, Mexico
AN ALL INCLUSIVE ADVENTURE RETREAT

Get ready for an epic adventure to the sport climbing paradise of El Potrero Chico, Mexico! This all-inclusive retreat combines professional climbing instruction, rejuvenating yoga and recovery movement, a vibrant community, and endless fun.

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We’ll stay at El Cubil, in their newest addition called High Rocks. It's a charming spot just a 10-minute walk from the climbing. Located near the small town of Hidalgo in Nuevo León. Our destination is only an hour from Monterrey, making it an easy and accessible destination, and flights from the U.S. can get you there in less than half a day.

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With over 600 sport routes, El Potrero Chico, or “Little Corral,” is a limestone climbing mecca that rivals the world’s top destinations. The approaches are short, the routes are breathtakingly vertical, and they range from 5.4 to 5.13, offering something for climbers of all levels. Whether you're new to climbing or an experienced adventurer, El Potrero Chico will leave you inspired and craving more!

• Endless fun, community, learning, and psych!
• Beautiful, but modest accommodations boasting stunning landscapes, an outdoor pool, and an on-site bar and restaurant with shared community spaces for meeting other like-minded climbers and travelers.
• Fresh prepared meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Professional, guided climbing instruction: top rope and sport lead climbing. No experience necessary. All Levels welcome!
• A daily yoga practice, breathwork, sound healing, recovery movement, as well as group work and journaling.
• Gift box with a t-shirt and goodies to enjoy!
• Gratuities for hotel and restaurant services.
• Climbing ropes and quick draws provided.
• A detailed trip preparation and packing list with travel resources and recommendations.

• All levels are welcome! 
• Top rope and sport lead climbing
• Anchor systems and rope management
• You can opt to stay a few extra days to work with Erik one-on-one to learn more in-depth multi-pitch skills and/or achieve big multi-pitch objectives (ex: 6-24 pitch climbs), experience and skill dependent. 

• Daily morning yoga practice. It will be a juicy, slow warming practice to open the body and calm the mind.
• Daily evening yin and restorative yoga with extended stretching and restorative postures to renew the body and recover from climbing. (Evening yoga practice is optional)
• Group and partner work to cultivate a greater capacity for courageous living and personal connection.

El Potrero Chico is a climber's paradise located just outside the small town of Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Mexico. Famous for its dramatic limestone formations that rise like giant fins against the sky, this stunning park offers more than 600 sport routes, making it a mecca for climbers of all levels. The fin-like ridges create thrilling vertical routes, with solid rock providing excellent holds and texture for an unforgettable climbing experience.

Formed from the remnants of an ancient salt dome, the limestone cliffs circle around the park in a perfectly shaped formation when viewed from above. Covered in old solution pockets and cut-outs, the rock features immaculate, incut edges and huecos that are ideal for sport climbing. With short approaches and routes ranging from 5.4 to 5.13, El Potrero Chico offers something for everyone.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced climber, this world-class destination with year-round climbing, epic views, and jaw-dropping routes will leave you inspired and eager for more. Trust us—El Potrero Chico is an adventure you won't want to miss!

• Wifi

• Hot water

• Clean drinking water

• Fire pit

• A restaurant serving food, coffee and treats

• A community kitchen

• Outdoor lounge areas with covered patio seating

• Stunning mountain Views 

My name is Erik and I’m the founder and lead guide for Vertical Pursuits.

My goal for Vertical Pursuits is to create meaningful mentorships and experiences for climbers looking to push themselves in the vertical world. Through my climbing progression, I’ve had the luxury of being coached and mentored by high level guides and climbers, which allowed me to take my climbing to new heights. I’m hoping to give that same level of knowledge back to the climbing community. 

Whether your a new gym climber looking to take yourself outdoors or a seasoned trad climber looking learn the skills to conquer big objectives, Vertical Pursuits is here to take you to new heights.  

Come climb with us!

Hi, I'm Britany Paradis! 

First and foremost a student, I am deeply committed to living and sharing the practices of yoga and climbing in a joyful, authentic and accessible way. My path as a teacher began in 2015 in the city of San Francisco and continues today in Salt Lake City, UT.

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On the mat, I'm passionate about creating a safe space where students of all levels and walks of life can enjoy a well-balanced, dynamic, and intelligently sequenced class. The teachings of yoga are timeless and the benefits are exponential. It is my hope that each experience on the mat will inspire students to take the practice into their everyday lives, equipped with the tools to support and empower their growth – mind, body, and spirit.

Learn more about Britany and her offerings here. 

• Ability to hike two miles over varied terrain while carrying a 15lb backpack
• Ability to do 20 squats and 1/2 a pull up
• Must be 21 years of age or older

Select your preferred accommodation with the "payment plan" option. This is a pay as you go plan. A $350 initial deposit is required to secure your spot.

Preparation Details: 

• You'll fly into Monterrey, Mexico. This is the closest International Airport. 
• The climbing and accommodations are about 45-60 minutes from the airport. You can take a taxi ($50 US) or a shuttle bus designed for ride share ($130-$195 round trip). We will provide you with information to make arrangements with our trusted partners in Mexico.
• A passport is required for travel. 
• Please download WhatsApp (we'll be using this to communicate with each other). Keep an eye out for a group text message, we’ll be connecting everyone there. We suggest downloading Google Translate. 
• You will need pesos to pay for your taxi to La Posada or to buy anything while in Potrero Chico. We suggest using an ATM in the airport upon arrival. 
• The park asks for a donation from each person upon arrival on the first day only. You’re welcome to contribute whatever you feel is fair. A donation of 500 MX or $25 US is suggested. 
• With your cell phone carrier, you may need to activate an international plan to ensure you can continue to receive data and service. 
• You may want to let your bank or credit card companies know that you are traveling so that they don't block necessary transactions.
• This is the Mountain Project link to the EPC climbing area (El Potrero Chico). You can explore the area using this link. You will want to download the app and the park area before arriving. 

Medical Travel Insurance Required:  

• Please purchase medical travel insurance with 25k minimum of coverage, that is not exclusionary of climbing activities.
• You can purchase that here for about $30 

Accommodation Details: 

Accommodations: La Posada en El Potrero Chico 

Carr. A Potrero Chico #825, 65600 Hidalgo, N.L., Mexico 

Taxi or Shuttle Bus: 

• For Taxi Services, Mario Morin is our trusted taxi service. We work with him directly every year. 
  • Cost: $40-$55 US / About $1200 MX per taxi / Up to 4 people can share this 
  • WhatsApp: +52 814 152 4208 
  • Additional food and snacks can be purchased at the supermarket with Mario’s taxi service on your way from the Airport, or there are a few limited options at La Posada.
• For Shuttle Bus Services, you can coordinate with La Posada and other retreat attendees. Here are the details. 
• Email: reservaciones.enelpotrerochico@gmail.com 
• Cost: 
  • 1-3 people: $155 US / MX $3,200.00 (round trip) 
  • 4-6 people: $193 US / MX $4,000.00 (round trip) 

Weather 

Weather is generally very nice around EPC in the winter. However, if high or low pressure systems are present over the area, the weather can fluctuate quite rapidly day to day or hour to hour. We’ve seen the highs go from 80 one day and then drop to 40 the next day! Come prepared with warm jackets, rain gear and pants in case we have cold snaps or precipitation on our visit there. Here's a good weather forecasting tool through Windy for the area. 

Water & Additional Food or Snacks

• Water will be provided upon arrival, and you will receive a 16oz bottle of water in your lunch box each day. 
• Clean water is available on site. 
• Additional bottled water, food and snacks can be purchased for 50 MX at the La Posada office or you can make a stop at the supermarket with Mario’s taxi service on your way from the Airport.
• Additional food and snacks can be purchased at the supermarket with Mario’s taxi service on your way from the Airport, or there are a few limited options at La Posada.

Packing List 

Climbing & Yoga Gear 

• Harness 
• Helmet 
• Climbing shoes 
• Auto-locking Belay Device (gri gri, neox, etc)
• Chalk Bag and Chalk 
• Travel yoga mat 
• Journal + writing utensil

Personal Gear 

• Sunglasses 
• Sunscreen 
• Lip balm/ Chapstick 
• Snacks 
• Water Bottle (2 Liters minimum) 
• Day Pack, Hiking or Crag Pack 
• A headlamp with extra batteries 

Clothing 

• Fleece or a mid-weight layer 
• Puffy jacket/ belay jacket 
• Beanie & Sun Hat (optional) 
• Hiking/Trekking or Climbing Pants 
• Approach, hiking, or trail running shoes 
• Athletic shirts or Sun hoody
• Tight fitting clothes for yoga 
• Swim suit (optional) 
• Socks

• Airfare
• Climbing gear: climbing shoes, harness and helmet; atc guide and grigri, PAS or personal anchor system (required) 
• Travel yoga mat (required)
• Trip protection with $25k of Medical Coverage ($30, required)
• El Potrero Chico Parqué Donation ($25, required)
• Transportation from Airport to La Posada upon arrival and departure
• Gratuities to guides and yoga teacher (We recommend $250-$500 experience dependent

100% of the total cost of your trip is refundable if you find someone to take your place regardless of when you cancel. If you are unable to find someone to take your place, this policy applies:

• 75% of the total cost of your trip is refundable if we are given more than 90 days notice

• 60% of the total cost of your trip is refundable if we are given 89-70 days notice

• 50% of the total cost of your trip is refundable if we are given 69-32 days notice

• If given less than 31 days notice refunds are unavailable

• All day Arrivals & Check-in

• 6:30pm Intros

• 7:30am Coffee 

• 8:00am Yoga & Morning Meditation 

• 9:15am Breakfast & Pack bags for the day

• 10:00am - 6:00pm Climbing & Instruction (group energy level dependent)

• 7:00pm Dinner & Fireside chill time

• 7:30am Coffee 

• 8:00am Yoga & Morning Meditation 

• 9:15am Breakfast & Pack bags for the day

• 10:00am - 6:00pm Climbing & Instruction (group energy level dependent)

• 7:00pm Dinner & Fireside chill time

We will take a rest day to recover from two days of climbing and yoga. All activities are optional., but encouraged. Actives include:

• 8:30am Coffee

• 9:00am Morning restorative and yin yoga

• 10:15am Breakfast

• 12:00pm Trip to the Termas de San Joaquin How Springs
  

• 7:00pm Dinner

Optional: A Massage Therapist in available by request

• 7:30am Coffee 

• 8:00am Yoga & Morning Meditation 

• 9:15am Breakfast & Pack bags for the day

• 10:00am - 6:00pm Climbing & Instruction (group energy level dependent)

• 7:00pm Dinner & Fireside chill time

• 9:00am Breakfast

• 11:00am - 12:00pm Trip Recap & Farewells