Climbing at Hueco Tanks

Climbing at Hueco Tanks
D5A0426-Edit.jpg


Follow me on instagram http://instagram.com/patricklatter

Hueco Tanks is a very unique geological formation just outside of El Paso, Texas. The rock is a weak form of granite called syenite that was formed roughly 35 million years ago. This syenite was eventually exposed due to weathering and created the heucos (Spanish for 'hollows') in the rock. A special combination of features has made Hueco Tanks one of the best areas in the world for bouldering; which is a form of climbing short, difficult problems with only the use of pads instead of ropes.

The sun was just setting as we landed in Seattle for 1 of 2 connections on our way to El Paso, Texas.

_D5A8754

The following day we finally arrived at 'Hueco Hacienda', which is a small hostel near the park. If you are looking for a place to stay I highly recommend it! The hosts were incredibly nice and helpful with everything we needed or inquired about. As well as everything being extremely well organized and clean.

_D5A0303

_D5A9315

A fantastic view of Hueco can be seen from the main sitting area.

_D5A9337

_D5A9739

_D5A9765

They even had a setup to play horse shoes outside and small climbing wall to train.

_D5A9835

_D5A9838

_D5A0691

_D5A9848

The Hacienda also came complete with a very stoic dog named Tinsel.

_D5A0238

A little less stoic after a run.

_D5A0314

Early the next morning we made the short drive towards Hueco and met up with our guide Luke. A guide is required if you want to enter anything but 'North Mountain' in the park. Luke was fantastic and really helped us make the best of our short time on the rocks.

_D5A9297

_D5A9219

_D5A9895

Once we had our group together we began to hike in to the first climbs of the day.

_D5A9378

Hiking in with the large 'crash pads' on your back can be difficult at times due to the tight spaces.

_D5A9522

_D5A1033-Edit

We spent the next few days exploring/climbing the beautiful rock in the park.

_D5A8842

Photo credit: Paige Sorger

_D5A8871

_D5A8919

Occasional we'd see civilian and military planes fly over head with the airport and base close by.

_D5A8878

_D5A9406

_D5A9473

_D5A9450

_D5A9135

_D5A9538

_D5A9567

_D5A9656

_D5A9939

_D5A9464

_D5A0013

_D5A0899

_D5A0049

_D5A0072

_D5A0152

_D5A0194-2

_D5A0208

_D5A0935

Each night the sun would set behind Hueco meaning it was time to head out of the park as at closed at 6pm sharp.

_D5A9020

_D5A9176

_D5A1036-Edit

_D5A0438-Edit

_D5A0426-Edit

_D5A0490