During most of the year, very close to the Jalisco capital, it is possible to practice the exciting sport of climbing.
During most of the year, very close to the Jalisco capital, it is possible to practice the exciting sport of climbing.
If you like climbing or want to learn how to do it, it will be very good for you to know the areas of Guadalajara where you can practice this unique sport. To begin, you should know that the city has a long history within the mountain culture, so you will find several quite accessible places with a splendid landscape.
In the first place there is the area known as El Diente, near the town of Río Blanco, in the municipality of Zapopan. This place is the meeting place for the most fanatical climbers and it is here where the history of mountaineering in Guadalajara begins.
El Diente gets its name from the rock formation it presents at first glance. Here people learn to climb and develop the skills and techniques of the sport. But this is also where the avant-garde of sport climbing in Mexico is generated, because when arriving at El Diente, you really do not know where to start, and the local climbers have so much imagination that they climb even under the stones ... and it's no joke. On the site are many granite blocks of multiple shapes and the size of a house or a five-story building; On the small blocks, bouldering is played, that is, the climbing of the blocks for their most difficult part, which gives rise to improbable maneuvers, without exceeding one and a half meters above the ground; others play it simply to warm up the muscles.
The good thing about the site is that there is a level for everyone, since El Diente offers countless possibilities for climbing and a climate that is close to ideal almost all year round.
So it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a master of climbing, you just have to put a little imagination. The most advisable thing is that you decide on a particular type of climbing, climbing routes or bouldering, because the day is short and the skin is little, and the rock of El Diente will skin your epidermis almost without you noticing .
As a suggestion we will only tell you that you should carry a good amount of duct tape and your grandmother's best remedy for chafing.
The place is very close to the populated areas of the Zapopan municipality and is visited by Sunday walkers, who unfortunately discard a large amount of garbage, without appreciating the true value of the place.
As it will not be possible for you to climb for more than two days in El Diente, you will have to know the other places. The closest is La Hidro, a small area near the town of Mesa Colorada. It is so called because it is located near a dam that functions as a regulating vessel for Guadalajara's wastewater, and is part of the Oblatos ravine system that flanks the periphery of the city on its eastern side.
In La Hidro you will find about thirty routes that will allow you to continue ascending without interrupting your rhythm; If you have climbed El Diente a few days before and have very sensitive hands, you should know that the La Hidro rock is basaltic, so it is a little kinder to the skin.
Climbing in La Hidro is very fun, because the routes are close to each other and you can move quickly from one place to another, and make the most of the day; It is also an impressive scenic site, because even if you do not climb more than 25 m you will have the sensation of a great unevenness under your feet because the walls point towards the ravine and your eyes will not find the bottom of it.
The level that is required to climb in La Hidro may be a bit demanding, since it is necessary to know how to handle safety implements at least in its most basic form.
La Hidro's routes are sporty in style and some offer a high degree of difficulty, so don't underestimate them. Well worth a visit to test your strength. Local climbers go there until weekdays due to its proximity and easy access, but it is a bit difficult to find because it is located behind a road and is covered by a small hill. So the only point of reference is the dam that can be seen from the road.
Another point that is recommended to visit is the Huaxtla canyon, which is also part of the Oblatos ravine; Inside this canyon is the place known by climbers as El Cuajo, in the town of San Lorenzo, and they call it that because from a distance it looks like a gigantic cut of a machete; It is very accessible and practically new, since only recently about 25 routes of all levels have been equipped, thanks to a specialized mountain and climbing shop that provided the protective equipment, since this is expensive and not all climbers have the economic solvency to buy it.
El Cuajo is made up of basalt rock walls about 80 meters high, and is surrounded by tropical-type vegetation; it is oriented towards the south, which implies heat throughout the day, or rather the sun on your back from morning to afternoon, so it is best to arrive a little late, to avoid sunstroke, and carry more water with you to drink what you usually need; But don't worry, because you won't be walking much.
As in La Hidro, you will need to know how to handle the equipment for your own safety; If you are a beginner or if you want to learn to climb you should go to an association where they teach you, regardless of your gender, age or physical complexion, you should only have good health and be able to perform physical efforts.
Guadalajara's climate is hot-humid, and climbing is possible almost all year round. Just be careful with the rainy season, which are usually abundant; In El Diente and La Hidro you can take refuge without problems, but in El Cuajo you must be more careful, withdraw from the wall and leave the climb for another day, since rock falls may occur due to softening. Outside of this, you should only be careful of the cows that graze around these places and that sometimes turn out to be very curious.
The truth is, these are not the only places where you can practice rock climbing, since the Oblatos ravine is immense and hides so many walls at each turn or ravine, all suitable for the practice of this sport, that it would be materially impossible. the development of the whole area, and I don't think there is someone who has the time to do it.
As is often the case, daily life enslaves us and climbing has to wait until the weekends. But if you have time, it is already possible to train in specialized gyms, and Guadalajara has two very modern gyms that offer you the possibility of climbing without neglecting your activities, or even complementing with other types of sports without wasting any of that valuable time that we all need it.
Climbing is widespread in Guadalajara and the vast majority of those who practice it are boys between 12 and 28 years old; Women also participate, although in fewer numbers, but not less eager, and it is normal to see dating couples practicing bouldering, deciphering a route, or even arguing about the degree of difficulty.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO CLIMB TO GUADALAJARA
Curiously, the three places are located north of the city of Guadalajara. To access the town of Río Blanco, going over the peripheral we will come out at the height of the Zapopan Norte development neighborhood, on José María Pino Suárez street heading north; We will continue along it until we find Río Blanco avenue, which will take us to the town of the same name. Once there, just ask for El Diente.
For the area of La Hidro, also on the northern peripheral we will take federal highway no. 54 to Jalpa (Zacatecas) until reaching the regulating vessel; the rocks are exactly in front of the dam and behind the small hill.
To get to El Cuajo we will take federal highway no. 23 to Tesistán and we will turn off at the exit to Colotlán; We will continue along this road for approximately 20 minutes until we reach the exit indicated by the town of San Lorenzo. We will continue through this exit and before reaching the town there is a path that will take us directly to the walls. The city of Guadalajara has all kinds of tourist services, so finding accommodation will not be a problem. If you like camping, you can do it in any of the three sites, but it is best to stay in the city and enjoy the attractions of the "Perla Tapatia".
Source: Unknown Mexico No. 282 / August 2000
