What to Bring to El Potrero Chico? Here is a little check list I put together to make sure I didn’t forget anything. You can use it as a general guide for your trip. One piece of advice is to carry on your essential gear. All of the climbing gear listed below is cleared for carry on. You can even carry on one bic lighter per person.
Climbing Gear
- Helmet (definitely not optional, there is a decent amount of loose rock and there are often people climbing/rappelling above you)
- 70m rope
- 15 standard quickdraws
- 5 alpine draws
- Auto Block belay device (Reverso, ATC Guide)
- GriGri (needed for simul-rapping)
- 4 locking carabiners
- P.A.S. (A personal anchor system makes rappelling way easier, but not 100%, necessary you could girth hitch slings from alpine draws)
- Chalk bag fully stocked
- Climbing tape
- Solid Headlamp (90 lumens minimum)
- Small pack you can climb with that can hold a 2Lwater bladder
- Comfortable harness
- Comfortable climbing shoes with a lot of rubber still on them
- Approach shoes (I brought a pair of light-weight running shoes, but I wish I had brought approach shoes with stickier rubber. Some of the approaches involve going up slabs and loose rock that would be much easier with good approach shoes.
- Guide book
Camping Gear
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Towel
Personal Items
- Sunscreen
- Climbing balm (my personal preference is ClimbOn, but your skin does take a beating)
- Sun glasses or hat
- Water bottle/coffee mug for the tent
- Toiletries
- Rain jacket
- Warm jacket
- Light-weight long sleeve
- Warm hat and gloves
- A few pairs of warm socks
- Climbing snacks if you are picky (you won’t find cliffbars in the local mini super)
- Camera Gear
- Phone and charger (if you want to check whether reports using wifi the phone is useful, I didn’t get cellular in Mexico)
If you need to pick up any climbing/camping gear, Sierra Trading Post usually has the best deals on quality equipment, and by using the above link you are helping to support this website!
Bierson's Beta 