This route was the actually the nicest line I did while in Mexico. It was well bolted but had a trad feel about it. The original belay anchors are still there, homemade ring pitons. Put up by two locals in 1963, it was named for the cellophane factory in which the first ascentionist, Ramon Ramirez worked.
I had done this route the previous day with Bob and Roger. I found it so scenic and relaxing that I knew Jannette would love it too. Lots of photo ops on this route and an unobstructed view of The Outrage Wall....which is truly outrageous!
Jannette and I arrived kind of late. Which was good, a party was just coming down the trail, they had just done the route we wanted. So we had The Spires to ourselves this day. The approach is a little stiff. We huffed and puffed to the base of the climb, threw our packs down and had some lunch. I found a real comfy seat there in the dust and rocks and could have taken a nap. There in the shade it was cool, and the day was beginning to turn hot.
The first pitch has one awkward move down low, a little layback of some sort. It's so well bolted, the fear factor is removed. Pitch one takes you by a "cave" actually a large hole at the base of the spires maybe 90 feet off the deck, which gives you a nicely framed-by-rock view of the mountain ranges beyond. The top of pitch one is the saddle at the base of the two spires. About 125 feet up I guess. Very, very roomy belay, well bolted anchors, the original piton anchors are there too and look pretty good for being 39 years old, just like Jannette!
Pitch two is a beauty. Starts out with thin face, then angles left to the edge of the spire, here you climb the arete, and move to the back side of the spire, a little tricky, a little thoughtful, and very exposed! Then on to the top, another well bolted belay about 5 feet short of the actual top of the spire. If you peek around the corner from the anchor, you'll see the original piton anchor. And you can scuttle to the top, and perch yourself on the very tip of the spire. Great 360 view from there.
The sun at this point was just beating the hell outta me. So I tied the 2- 60 meter ropes together and rapped off, one rap, past some really hard overhung routes with some very shaky looking homade hangers. The last 120 feet of the rap is free, first one down can get some good photos of their partners rapping free with the spires in the background. Me....all I wanted was some shade and water.
A beautiful climb, a must do, if you go to El Potreo