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El Potrero Chico
Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Rock Climbing Trip With Jason Blackwell
Christmas 1998
Getting Close
Climbers' Lodge
Link:
Video:
Almost There
Park Entrance
Pavilion & Café
"The Ghetto"
Three-Dollar-a-Night Tent Camping
Out in the Yard
First Day Of Climbing
"Space Boyz"
A Premier Route - Eleven Pitches - 1000 Feet
View from the Base
Beware of Falling Rocks
Jason in the Early Morning Rays
Atop the Fourth Pitch
On a Room-Size Ledge
My
"Alien" Silhouette...
..., and the master kept saying "Jump Grasshopper jump."
But Grasshopper replied "Master, I'll die!" The master responded "Stupid grasshopper, why are you so afraid? You'll never die. Can't you remember that you always wake up in bed, upon impact?" Grasshopper thought for a few seconds, then answered “Yes Master. I remember now.” Therefore, the impatient master again said “Jump Grasshopper jump.” Grasshopper continued to hesitate, so the master exclaimed “Chicken grasshopper, don’t be afraid. Just jump Grasshopper jump!” Grasshopper eased up to the edge and peered down from the daunting cliff but was still too afraid to jump. The frustrated master reiterated “Stupid grasshopper, you know that you’ll only wake up in bed. Quit being foolish, and just jump Grasshopper jump.” However, Grasshopper reluctantly answered back “But…but…but…Master, I can’t see the bed from this high up.” The confused and bewildered master saw no point in continuing the absurd discourse and faded out of the scene mumbling “What a stupid grasshopper - afraid to jump and forgets he can fly….”
After the master had disappeared, Grasshopper immediately checked his harness and rope before continuing up the cliff, sleeping through the rest of the climb.
"Kung Fu" Fable by Smokey Summit
Click To View Grasshopper:
Jason Leading Pitch Five
Perching for a Pose
Leading Pitch Six
Another Photo Op
Before Leading Pitch Eight
Jason Topping It Out
At The Top
Boreal "Vector" Size 8
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This was a great climb on a beautiful day. Other acquaintances who were excellent single-pitch climbers had described their fiascos and blundered efforts on "Space Boyz" resulting in retreats half-way up due to poor rope-management and lack of disciplined efficiency. Their reports were well considered. This was our first big climb, and a good deal of training, homework, and mental-preparation preceded the ascent. We were at the base ready to climb at the crack of dawn and arrived back at the ground shortly after dark. The duration had been about twelve hours. Thanks to teamwork and a good partner, our ascent was very smooth and nearly flawless. We surely owe the cherished and memorable event to each other.
Second Day Of Climbing
A Misty, Windy, and Frigid Day
Fingers were numb from the cold, so after a couple of single-pitch ascents, we called it quits and went touring in Hidalgo, the small town at the edge of the park. Afterwards, we bought a cheap bottle of tequila, the only brand available at the park's inconvenience-store, and got slightly smashed.
Third Day Of Climbing
"Snot Girlz"
Counterpart To "Space Boyz" Across The Canyon
Another Premier Route - Seven Pitches - 700 Feet
Another Excellent Ascent - Nippy In The Morning - But A Beautifully Cool Day
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Caution, Foul Language
Final Day Of Climbing
One Single Pitch
Too Spent To Operate The Camera
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