Rules of the Ranch

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

THE OWNERS AND PERMITTED OPERATORS AND LESSEES OF CONTINENTAL RANCH HAVE NEVER INSPECTED, PLANNED, INSTALLED, APPROVED, OR MAINTAINED ANY OF THE INSTALLATIONS AND TRAILS. VISITORS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING, DETERMINING THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF ALL TRAILS, BOLTS, ANCHORS, AND ACTIVITIES ON THE CONTINENTAL RANCH. VISITORS TO THE RANCH ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. (INCLUDING ANY INSTALLATIONS OF EQUIPMENT, TOWERS, POLES, LADDERS, WIRES, AND OTHER INSTALLATIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS FOUND ON THE CONTINENTAL RANCH)

THE RANCH AND THE OWNERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ROUTES, BOLTS, CLIMBING HARDWARE, TRAILS, OR ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT ARE LISTED ON THE WAIVER OF LIABILITY RELEASE AND EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND AGRITOURISM ENTITY AGREEMENT.

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BRING YOUR OWN HELMET AND WEAR THE HELMET WHEN IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CLIFFS, EVEN IF NOT CLIMBING OR BELAYING. WIND AND WILDLIFE CAN UNEXPECTEDLY KNOCK ROCKS OFF THE CLIFF WITHOUT WARNING.

RULES TO ENSURE A SAFE AND FUN TIME AT THE RANCH

1. Only travel to and climb on the Ranch’s 3 currently established and designated climbing areas:

(a) “Weir Dam” area

(b) “Emerald Pools/BUTT” area

2. Monitor and avoid all livestock on the ranch roads.

3. Travel with 2 vehicles, 4 persons minimum. This helps ensure safety in numbers. HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES ARE ENCOURAGED. Road conditions on the Ranch can be unpredictable due to seasonal rains. If you plan to have a vehicle that does not have high clearance, please bring an inflated spare, a tire repair kit, and drive very slowly.

4. Only park and camp in designated areas in close proximity to the 3 climbing areas described on Ranch map. (High clearance vehicle required for Cabana/Solarium areas).

5. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to add any bolts to the Ranch cliffs. Do not alter the Ranch’s rock walls or landscape in any way or remove or disturb artifacts, cacti, insects or other flora or fauna found on the Ranch. PLEASE DO NOT GATHER WOOD ON THE PROPERTY for fires.

6. Do not swim across the river to access the neighbor’s property for climbing, hiking, camping, exploring, or any other activities.

7. Remove all trash and waste, including human waste, from the Ranch after each trip. The camping areas on the Ranch are primitive. There are no improvements, including toilets. As a result, all visitors will be expected to have, use, and pack out WAG bags for any solid human waste. The Ranch headquarters does not have a trash bin for visitor use. Dispose all trash after you leave the Ranch.

8. Dogs and other “pets” are NOT allowed on the Ranch. Though we love dogs, it's for their safety and everyone visiting that you do not bring dogs to the Ranch.

9. The Ranch is remote and much, if not all, of the Ranch is without cell phone service. Emergency services, including 911 emergency services, are not readily available. You are responsible for managing any and all emergency situations that may arise.

10. DO NOT HUNT OR FISH. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS AT HOME (camping/utility/climbing knives are fine).

11. Do not approach or interact with trespassers or undocumented immigrants. Please contact the Comstock Border Patrol as soon as possible.

12. Sign and agree to all WAIVERS, RELEASES, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THE OWNERS AND EVENT ORGANIZERS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF THESE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT SIGNED.

13. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THIS EVENT IF YOU HAVE BEEN SICK OR HAVE SHOWN ANY SYMPTOMS WITHIN 72 HOURS OF THE EVENT.

14. Swimming in the river is fine, but at your own risk. Bathing with soap or adding anything other than yourself into the water is not.

Other important numbers:

Val Verde Regional Medical Center 830-775-8566

Comstock Border Patrol 432-292-4600

Essential Safety Reminders

Water: Bring at least one gallon of water per person per day. There is no potable water available on-site.

Footwear: Wear closed-toed shoes, the terrain is rocky and full of cacti.

Lighting: Always bring a headlamp to the crag, along with extra batteries in case you return after dark.

Wag Bags: These are required for all human waste. There are no toilets on the property, and all solid waste must be packed out to protect the land.

Helmets: Everyone needs to bring and wear their helmet when climbing or belaying or near the wall. Rockfall is common in areas with less climber traffic, like the ranch.

Prohibited

No pets of any kind. While we love our companions, for their safety and the safety of other attendees, please leave them at home.

No guns or weapons. Firearms and other weapons are strictly prohibited. (Camping, utility, and climbing knives are allowed.)

No hunting or fishing. Fishing during the event is not permitted. Catch and release may be available only to leaseholders at other times.

Anyone who violates these rules will be asked to leave the event immediately.

Camping Gear

Water (1 gallon per person per day)
Tent / Shelter
Sleeping Bag (0–15° for colder nights)
Sleeping Pad
Utility Cord (for windy conditions)
Shade Tent (optional)
Camp Chairs
Camp Stove
Cookware (utensils, bowls)
Cooler with Ice
Food (non-perishable, easy to cook)
Dish Soap
Garbage Bags
Headlamp

Hygiene & Waste

WAG Bags (waste disposal)
Hand Sanitizer
Sunscreen
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Wipes
Other personal hygiene items

Anchor cleaning skills and equipment to build an anchor
Helmet
Personal Anchor System
Climbing Shoes
Rope(60-70m)
Belay Device(Gri-Gri Preferred)
Chalk bag
Extra Chalk
Quickdraws
Locking Carabiners

GETTING TO THE RANCH

Before heading out to the Ranch, fill your gas tank and air up your spare tire. The last gas station is about 12 miles from the ranch entrance. Bring a reliable vehicle, consider carpooling, and carry a tire patch kit and pump; this is remote desert terrain, and car trouble can become serious.

You’ll pass through a Border Patrol checkpoint on your way to the Ranch.

Cell service is extremely limited once you arrive. Download the Google Maps satellite view in advance, and use the provided PDF ranch map to navigate.

The campsite at the top of The Butt is about a 50-minute drive from the highway on gravel roads.

Please drive no faster than 25 mph and leave all gates exactly as you found them to avoid disturbing livestock.

The ranch has both swing gates and bump gates. Bump gates open when slowly pushed with your front bumper. If traveling alone, be prepared to use them.

CAMPING AT THE RANCH

Participants are expected to be self-sufficient and come equipped for leave no trace, primitive camping in a semi-arid environment. Don't forget your Wag Bags; they're required!

No parking in the road. Keep access clear so vehicles can come and go freely.

No hammock setups. There are no trees suitable for hanging hammocks.

Use freestanding shelter. We recommend a tent or structure that can be securely anchored, the soil is very hard and traditional stakes may not hold.

CLIMBING AT THE RANCH

Climbing routes range from 5.7 to 5.13+, and most require lead climbing. Anchors do not have fixed sport clips, so you will need to build and clean your own anchors. While some routes can be top-roped from above, most are lead-only.

If you are not confident in belaying or lead climbing, please climb with experienced partners who can mentor and supervise. Ask for help when needed.

The Butt, Emerald Pools, and Painted Canyon crags are accessed via a third-class scramble from the campsite. These areas are mostly shaded and have short approaches between 5 and 30 minutes.

To reach Weir Dam and Solarium, there are three approach options, two of which require rappelling and top-belay skills. These areas are exposed to full sun, so plan early outings and carry extra water. Travel in groups when possible, and notify an AAC event organizer of your intended route. Expect the full approach to take over an hour, including driving, hiking, and descending.

More access details are available in the Approach Beta section of the website. A downloadable PDF version is also available for offline use on the ranch.

Always use caution and good judgment while climbing. The remote location means that injuries carry greater risk. Climb within your limits, use stick clips, and support fellow climbers in practicing safe habits to help preserve access in future seasons.

Please contact Heather and Miles Gibbs, Continental Ranch Pecos River Expeditions, LLC at 830-734-2444 or hgibbs2@hotmail.com for information about climbing leases.