# Potrero Chico

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Potrero_Chico
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Potrero_Chico.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potrero_Chico
> Source revision: 1339560800
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|Rock climbing area in Mexico}}
{{ref improve|date=December 2022}}
thumb|350px|A view of El Toro and the Mota Wall
'''El Potrero Chico''' is a [rock](/source/rock_climbing) and [big wall climbing](/source/big_wall_climbing) area in the [Mexican](/source/Mexico) state of [Nuevo León](/source/Nuevo_Le%C3%B3n), {{convert|3|km|mi}} outside the town of [Hidalgo](/source/Hidalgo%2C_Nuevo_Le%C3%B3n%2C_Mexico), within the [Sierra del Fraile](/source/Sierra_del_Fraile) protected area. El Potrero Chico is a unique [geological formation](/source/geological_formation) of [limestone](/source/limestone) cliffs and spires, some as high as {{convert|2000|ft|m}}.

==Rock climbing==
There is a large range of different climbs, most of them in the 5.8 to 5.13 grade. The type of climbing can range from steep overhanging faces to easy slabs. The rock is usually quite sharp. The climbs are mostly situated in a canyon at the entrance of the park, while the interior offers undeveloped mountain terrain with many [mountain biking](/source/mountain_biking) routes, ranging from very easy to expert options.{{Citation needed|date=February 2026}}

Rock climbers from [Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas), notably, Jeff Jackson, Kevin Gallahger, Craig Pacinda, and Alex Catlin, along with Colorado climber Kurt Smith started developing the area in the 1990s. Development continued in the 21st century, notably by first ascensionists Alex Catlin, Ed Wright, and Dane Bass.<ref>{{cite web |title=The online guide to visiting Potrero Chico, Mexico. |url=https://potrerochico.org/about-potrero-climbing |website=Potrero Chico |access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref> Many climbers have attempted to build bridges with the local community, but there remains much work to be done.{{cn|date=January 2020}}

== Geology ==
The history of the creation of Potrero Chico's massive limestone walls goes back over 200 million years. At its core, Potrero Chico is the result of a [salt dome](/source/salt_dome) that pushed the existing limestone layers into the slanted vertical orientation that is seen today. With the limestone layers erected, the [weathering](/source/weathering) process within the canyon began. An overflow from a nearby water source breached the edge of the vertical limestone and poured over. The rate of erosion depended on the velocity of the exiting water, and began to form the Canyon we see today.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2011 |title=Where Did It All Come From: A Geological Look at El Potrero Chico, Mexico |url=https://discerningdickens.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/liturature-review_where-did-it-all-come-from.pdf }}</ref>

==References==
{{commonscat|Potrero Chico}}
{{reflist}}

{{coord|25|57|1.08|N|100|28|34.27|W|display=title}}

Category:Climbing areas of Mexico
Category:Climbing areas of Nuevo León
Category:Parks in Nuevo León
Category:Landforms of Nuevo León
Category:Tourist attractions in Nuevo León
Category:Rock formations of Mexico

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Potrero Chico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potrero_Chico) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potrero_Chico?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.