Mineral del Chico.Knowing that the weather forecast was calling for rain the following day, we wanted to get a quick climb in that same day. The classic route up the north face of Ventana Mayor formation seemed to fit the bill: 4-pitches, 5.9 and with a five minute approach. Resemblance to Oregon choss is striking – like something from the Menagerie or even the Columbia Gorge. Despite its look and mossy smell, the rock on our route of choice was solid, the climbing fun and in an hour we were basking in the warm Mexican sun on the summit. The last of the good weather we’d have for the next week. Later that afternoon we were exploring the beautiful village of Mineral del Chico in the heart of the park. This is one of Mexico’s pueblos magicos – a small collection of villages scattered throughout the country with historic or scenic appeal where the government has been trying to improve the tourist infrastructure. Steep, winding, cobblestone streets and a picturesque village square complete with a church and a market.
Photos
Departing Mexico City on a “cuota” (toll) road. People selling stuff seemed to be a one off at this toll booth; most other places had armed police recruits instead (Dec. 2013). Shirley being serenaded over a meal on the shoulder of a four-lane highway. Every few kilometers we’d see these make-shift tents with “barbacoa” being advertised and people trying to wave cars in. The advertising campaign obviously worked on us. Again, this is something that seemed to be unique to the Mexico City – Pachuca highway (Dec. 2013). Welcome to the state of Hidalgo . Notice the via ferrata ad…as it happned, it was a new one installed on the formation we wanted to climb the next day in El Chico National Park (La Tanda)…a shame (Dec. 2013). Valley De Las Ventanas trailhead (Dec. 2013). Unknown climber rapping off the little La Botella formation near the Las Ventanas in El Chico (Dec. 2013). Parque Nacional El Chico. Conglomerate formations of Parque Nacional El Chico. Some Parque Nacional El Chico flora (Dec. 2013). Shirley atop the second (our first) pitch – hope you like your moss! The easy (nicely exposed though) pitch 2 traverse on the classic route (Dec. 2013).
Shirley finishing up the traverse – lookee that knob! Leading the third pitch (5.9ish crux) on the standard route up Ventana Mayor – a very fun series of conglomerate jug pulling (Dec. 2013). View of the Rifugio Miguel Hidalgo (and the trailhead) from somewhere on the route (Dec. 2013). Looking back at Shirley from the lead of the third knobby pitch (Dec. 2013). The easy low 5th class finishing pitch (#4) on Las Ventanas’ classic route (Dec. 2013). En route pretty-ness. If it weren’t for the succulent semi-tropical plants poking out of the moss we’d have sworn we were climbing Oregon choss (Dec. 2013). Shirley exploring the summit ridge of Las Ventanas in search of the rap anchor (it’s climber’s right from the top out point; Dec. 2013). Hiking down to the rap anchors on the summit of Las Ventanas. After a single rappel you pick up a trail on the backside (south side) of Las Ventanas formation (Dec. 2013). The Ventana Mayor formation. The classic route, “Transversal”, climbs this (north) face from the left to right (Dec. 2013). The village of Mineral del Chico (Dec. 2013). Checking out the village – pretty charming with its cobble stone streets (Dec. 2013). The main square in Mineral del Chico a couple days before Christmas (Dec. 2013). Mineral del Chico. Los gatos of Mineral del Chico (Dec. 2013). Mineral del Chico. Shirley with the church square of Mineral del Chico in the background. A scene that made us think of southern Europe (Dec. 2013).
