The Cuba Connection [Cont.]
foreigners for developments to continue. When visiting Cuba, make sure to pack an extra bag with as much gear as you
can bring, donating anything and everything you can. Though unlikely, locals that climb in Vinales and beyond can face
imprisonment for pursuing the sport they love. It is a small price to pay to see that such unique and beautiful areas
continue to grow.
What gear you bring is often dependent on your disposition. The established climbing in Cuba is much like Europe, very
modern and almost entirely sport. A rack of quickdraws and a few 60-meter ropes would be more than enough to
explore Mogote del Valle and the greater Valles de Vinales area. If your temperament is a bit more adventurous, then
you need more gear, such as a drill or a rack of trad. The sheer amount of potential that exists in Cuba is staggering.
From Vinales in the north to the Sierra Maestra's, a 6000-foot mountain range in the southeast, Cuba is a climber's
paradise. The position of the Cuban government is regrettable, relegated mostly to Vinales, but can always be
expande