Continental Ranch Round-Up!
Feb 16-19, 2024 (Fri to Mon Presidents Weekend)
Pecos River, TX
Cost TBA! Our goal partnering with AAC is for the weekend cost to go down! There is a good chance anyone attending will need to be an AAC member but the benefits FAR outweigh the cost of yearly membership. Final details will be sent in the weeks leading up to the event. Thanks to our sponsor, Climbtech, Kammock, Access Fund and The American Alpine Club ! You can contact the Austin Chapter at austinchapter@americanalpineclub.org
A limited number of climbing leases are also available directly through the ranch please contact Heather Gibbs if this interests you she can be reached at hgibbs2@hotmail.com
Come sample the world-class sport climbing at The Continental Ranch along the Pecos River! Join us for the 3rd semi-annual Continental Ranch Round-Up weekend, when this privately owned climbing destination opens it’s gates for a rugged and adventurous weekend of spectacular sport climbing along the banks of the scenic Pecos River.
About the Area:
The Continental Ranch is a privately owned piece of property along the banks of the Pecos River in west Texas. The rock is limestone of much higher quality than is found anywhere else in the state. Rock and Ice Magazine says the rock “has been compared to the fabled French cliffs at Ceuse.” While all established routes are single-pitch, the cliffs are uncharacteristically tall for rock in Texas, as some of the bluffs reach 300ft in height. Route ratings range from 5.7 – 5.13 with many classic lines over the whole spectrum of difficulty. Several routes are long, bring 60 or 70 meter ropes and tie knots in the ends. There are very few sport anchors here and climbers should come prepared to build anchors then clean and rappel or be lowered, if you are unsure ask OWA staff for assistance!
The terrain on the ranch is extremely rugged and has seen very little human impact, giving the climbing here a remote and adventurous feel. It is a wilderness climbing experience that is rare in Texas due to the vast swaths of privately owned land that makes up most of the Texas countryside. It is truly a gift to our climbing community that the ranch has opened its gates to climbers.
For more information on climbing at the Continental Ranch, check out Rock and Ice Magazine issues # 132 and 142 and this short article written by the ranch owners.
Why your support matters:
The owners of the Continental Ranch continue to look for creative and viable ways to allow climbing access on their land. This is an opportunity for the Texas climbing community to show private landowners how much we cherish and value the places we climb, and will hopefully go a long way in securing access. Reimer’s Ranch started out as private property and is now a protected climbing area thanks to the continued support of climbers. A limited number of leases will be offered this year, we can put you in touch with the owners if you want more regular access for yourself and friends. Rates will be similar to fishing or hunting leases.
The main goals of this event are:
Celebrate a weekend of incredible climbing at the Continental Ranch and help ensure that we are afforded this opportunity annually.
Rekindle interest in the high quality climbing at the Continental Ranch and hopefully, inspire further route development.
Encourage the Continental Ranch to explore new and unique ways to open their gates to climbers.
Lay a foundation for creative arrangements for climbing access to this incredible resource.
Seize the opportunity to demonstrate to private landowners that opening their land to the climbing community and other recreation groups can be a valuable and worthwhile venture.
What you get with your registration:
Access for the weekend to all the high quality developed climbing on the Continental Ranch
3 nights of primitive camping above the cliffs
Topos and information on routes and where to climb
You must remove all your own trash.
A rugged adventurous climbing experience with other passionate members of our Texas climbing community!
Registration will be limited, details and cancellation information to follow!
This year we are offering to Certify climbers through the American Alpine Club Universal Belay Certificate (this is optional) program to help give us and the ranch owners a better idea of who has demonstrated their abilities to belay safely on their own, we will also be offering this as an add on this weekend for $20.
Directions:
The ranch roads are extremely rough and great care should be taken when driving out to the campground, please use a vehicle with high clearance and go slow. Close ALL gates behind you (if you open them).
From the town of Del Rio, take Highway 90 northwest for 32 miles, passing a Border Patrol checkpoint, to Comstock. Continue on Highway 90 straight through Comstock for approximately a mile and turn right onto Ranch Road 1024. From this intersection, drive 10.8 miles to the main gate on the left side of the road. DRIVE SLOWLY The gate is extremely easy to miss because it is set back from the pavement about 100 feet. There will be a green Continental Ranch street sign on the left side of the road and the gate will have a maroon Sheep and Goat Raisers sign that reads “Continental Ranch II.”
Drive through the gate 4.3 miles to the ranch house. Along the way you will come to a bump gate and then another bump gate. Look for the Ranch House on the left and then follow the signs 11 miles (about 45 minutes) to the campground. Here is a map to the campground that also shows main climbing areas.
These driving directions as well as more information about arriving at the event will be emailed to registrants in the weeks leading up to the event weekend. The physical address is 10507B RR 1024 Comstock, TX 78837 Here is a map!
Finally:
Help us round up the support of our Texas climbing community to encourage further access to this world class climbing resource by spreading the word about this event. This is a great opportunity for us as Texas climbers to add to our already too small list of places to climb in the state and we don’t want to see it slip away!
Itinerary & Ranch RulesRoundup ClimbingEquipment ListContinental Ranch Release FormClick to download
Rock climbing inquiryAdd me to the list!
To learn more about other OWA trip in;Texas go here,