Hueco Tanks & Last Chance Canyon

Michelle on See Sharp, Hueco Tanks.
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Our first stop in the south west was Hueco Tanks, Texas. We had been here around the same time last year and found it to be an awesome winter bouldering destination. The weather warm, the people friendly, and beautiful surroundings. Here in the state park, you find yourself among artifacts from hundreds of years ago. The fact that we can work together with Preservationist to keep this place open to the public is crucial to the bouldering community. The are so many bouldering problems to keep most people busy for their entire lives just at this on estate park. There are few exceptional climbers who have ticked the main hard problems and are left to find new lines that excite them and keep the rest of us in amazement.

Michelle on Hour Glass, Hueco Tanks. Super fun and funky problem.
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The entrance to the park is not as bad as everyone makes it. Sure, on the weekends it may be a pain to get into the park, due to line ups, but it is well worth the wait! If you are crazy, or stupid enough like us, you can set your alarm for some ungodly hour, wake up and drive to the gate in the early a.m. This hopefully gets you into the park at 8am, when they open the gates. I would not recommend parking in front of them over night, due to a death a couple of years ago. Just respect the rules, and pleeease stop complaining that it's so bad! Overall Hueco is great bouldering spot where you can make new friends from all over the world.

awesome winter bouldering destination

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So we ended up staying about 10 days in Hueco, then 10 days in last Chance Canyon, on and off for a month and a half. The drive between the two is 5 hours and well worth it. This limestone cliff has amazing features to offer. Small crimps, to pockets, to big juggy overhanging rock. It is breathtaking. Especially when you may be the only ones camping out in the wilderness. There's nothing better than waking up to a gorgous sunrise, and ending the day with a sunset. Magnificent. I also recommend checking out Carlsbad Caverns. It's this huge cave system that runs 7 stories under ground and has amazing stalactite features. Super good day trip!