Excellent New Guidebook Serves Cuba Climbers

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A few weeks ago I received a review copy of a new book–Cuba Climbing, by Anibal Fernández and Armando Menocal. I was surprised, and joyed, by its excellence in every regard.

This indispensable guide, illustrated throughout with superb color photography, includes photos, charts and diagrams of scores of routes.

The book's primary geographical focus is Viñales, in the western, mountainous province of Pinar del Río. Viñales–named a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty–is evolving as a mecca for caving and climbing. Say the authors: "This valley has that combination of high quality rock, accessibility, and ambience... that [it] could become one of the top sport climbing destinations in the world. The climbing is superlative; cranking jugs, pockets and stalagmites in chiseled karst limestone on improbable lines through stunning overhangs leaves one breathless."

Scores of climbing routes (more than 250 to date) have been mapped up the tufa-riddled walls of mogotes–vast freestanding limestone formations that loom over the exquisite valley.

Many internationally acclaimed climbers, such as Lynn Hill, Timmy O'Neill and Neil Gresham, have recently journeyed to Cuba to savor the frisson of the forbidden and to join a growing band of Cuban climbers savvy to an as-yet-unsung climbing destination with unique appeal.

Their unofficial base camp is the Viñales home of Oscar Jaime Rodríguez (Adela Azcuy #43, tel. 048/69-5516, oscar.jaime59 [at] gmail [dot] com), who is also a good source of information. Oscar can put you in touch with local climbers.

And Fernández and Menocal? Cuban-born Fernández got involved with the Cuban Caving Society at an early age and has been at the forefront of climbing and caving exploration in Cuba from the beginning. Since leaving Cuba, he has climbed extensively in North America and Europe, has gained rock guide certification, and returns annually to Cuba to climb. U.S-born Menocal has Cuban heritage and "discovered" Viñales while on a family roots trip to Cuba. A world-class Wyoming guide and founder of The Access Fund and Access Pan America climbers' organizations, he was been banned from visiting by the Cuban government for fostering an independent climbing community in Cuba but, says Outside magazine, continues "helping the Cuban rock-climbing community get off the ground."

For further information on climbing in Cuba, buy the book or visit www.cubaclimbing.com.

For further information about travel in Cuba, buy Moon Cuba

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker