Mexico Rock Climbing

Mexico is a big country, roughly a quarter the size of the Lower 48 in land area. It includes the Baja California peninsula, extending nearly 800 miles south of the U.S. border.

Much of Northern Mexico lies within the arid Chihuahuan desert, with geography similar to west Texas and southern New Mexico. El Potrero Chico is located in the north-eastern state of Nuevo León, about 25 miles northwest of the city of Monterrey (population: 3 million). The Potrero is a sport climbing paradise, with limestone routes up to 20 pitches in length.

Mexico is also home to several dozen volcanoes, both extinct and active. At 5,700m (18,701 ft), Pico de Orizaba is the highest peak in the country. Close behind are Popocatépetl "Popo" at 5,452m (17,887 ft) and Iztaccíhuatl "Ixta" at 5,286m (17,342 ft). All three are popular destinations for mountaineers in training for the bigger ranges.