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Guyonskis
Dec 15, 2010, 4:59 PM
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I'm going to Cuba in February to El Oasis for some bouldering. I'm relatively new to bouldering so when I was looking at the pictures I got worried about the difficulty of the problems. People who have been to this region: what's the range of difficulty of the problems? Does anyone have topos they'd like to share?
Thanks!
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cam1936
Dec 21, 2010, 3:45 AM
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Im heading there Jan. 1st and would also like some beta. Anyone know what resort is the "oasis" resort mentioned on this page?:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/photos/Bouldering/Romeo_y_Julieta_Info_103679.html
Looks like there are a few resorts with that name.
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billcoe_
Dec 23, 2010, 8:15 PM
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Guyonskis wrote: I'm going to Cuba in February to El Oasis for some bouldering. I'm relatively new to bouldering so when I was looking at the pictures I got worried about the difficulty of the problems. People who have been to this region: what's the range of difficulty of the problems? Does anyone have topos they'd like to share? Thanks!
Nope, as Americans we are prohibited from going there at all. Anyone who does not only risks fines and jail, but really does a disservice to our foreign policy experts, effectively telling them "Piss off, I'll do whatever the hell I want".
You're welcome!
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Guyonskis
Dec 23, 2010, 8:52 PM
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I am Canadian, and I'm fairly certain there aren't only Americans on this forum. I know Americans are prohibited from going to Cuba so I didn't expect responses from Americans. Don't worry, I'm not doing a disservice to anyone.
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billcoe_
Dec 28, 2010, 1:43 AM
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Guyonskis wrote: I am Canadian, and I'm fairly certain there aren't only Americans on this forum. I know Americans are prohibited from going to Cuba so I didn't expect responses from Americans. Don't worry, I'm not doing a disservice to anyone.
Canadian? Harumph. Well - I hope you post some pictures of your trip. In fact, if you could look up Fidel and Raoul and ask them if they could give our criminals back their casinos that they nationalized, maybe we can all move on and we can go there together at some point. Meantime, you go and stab your next door neighbor in the back.
Have a nice trip and remember to have fun!
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Express
Dec 28, 2010, 5:53 AM
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To get technical, we are only prohibited from spending money in Cuba, not visiting it. But, of course, it is essentially impossible to visit a place without spending a dime. When you return to the U.S. and Customs sees that you've been to Cuba, you are going to get fined a lot of money when they find out what you've been up to.
Under certain circumstances, however, some Americans can get waivers to go to Cuba to visit relatives or whatever, in which case they are exempt from the embargo.
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Guyonskis
Jan 4, 2011, 5:25 PM
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billcoe_ wrote: Guyonskis wrote: I am Canadian, and I'm fairly certain there aren't only Americans on this forum. I know Americans are prohibited from going to Cuba so I didn't expect responses from Americans. Don't worry, I'm not doing a disservice to anyone. Canadian? Harumph. Well - I hope you post some pictures of your trip. In fact, if you could look up Fidel and Raoul and ask them if they could give our criminals back their casinos that they nationalized, maybe we can all move on and we can go there together at some point. Meantime, you go and stab your next door neighbor in the back. Have a nice trip and remember to have fun!
I'm staying at a Casa Particular run by a Cuban family. I'm not supporting the Regine in any way. Definitely not stabbing anyone in the back. Before you start attacking me why don't you look into why the revolution happened in the first place. Fulgencio Batista was a US-backed dictator!
Regardless, this forum is for discussion about climbing, not politics. Go troll somewhere else.
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Mariofercol
Jan 6, 2011, 11:05 PM
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I never heard of Oasis. I know there is some bouldering around Santiago but that's it. There is also very good climbing around Vinales and Santiago. Vinales is amazing, lots of 6-7 single pitch climbs (they use the French rating system). You can hire a guide really cheap and you will only need to bring your harness and shoes. There is a guide written for two Cuban expatriates .
Btw, if you go to Cuba, they do not stamp your passport, so if you don't tell immigration you went to Cuba, they don't need to know.
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Guyonskis
Jan 10, 2011, 5:12 PM
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The bouldering around Santiago is mostly near El Oasis. We originally planned to go to Vinales but I heard that most of the bouldering is in caves rather than actual boulders. Cave climbing is cool too but the boulders we heard of around Santiago are more appealing. I'll have to check out Vinales once I get into lead climbing! Did you try the bouldering in Vinales? If so, what was that like?
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billcoe_
Jan 10, 2011, 10:22 PM
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Guyonskis wrote: .....Before you start attacking me why don't you look into why the revolution happened in the first place. Fulgencio Batista was a US-backed dictator! Regardless, this forum is for discussion about climbing, not politics. Go troll somewhere else.
Hah, Canadians are a lot nicer than you are, you probably moved there from New York City or have American parents. GOOD DAY TO YOU SIR!
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davidbr
Jan 11, 2011, 8:25 PM
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Guy -
If you're staying at a c.p., you are helping the family, but as long as it's done legally, most of the money is still going to the government, as well as most of everything else you legally spend while there. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with that (though I sense others on this forum may disagree), but it's not fair to say you aren't backing the regime in any way.
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Guyonskis
Jan 11, 2011, 8:35 PM
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davidbr wrote: Guy - If you're staying at a c.p., you are helping the family, but as long as it's done legally, most of the money is still going to the government, as well as most of everything else you legally spend while there. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with that (though I sense others on this forum may disagree), but it's not fair to say you aren't backing the regime in any way.
Oh, I didn't know that. Maybe I should have gone camping. Well it's still better than staying at a resort I guess.
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davidbr
Jan 11, 2011, 11:19 PM
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I don't mean to insinuate that you shouldn't do it, quite the contrary. Whatever a person may think of the government, the country does need revenue. And while you can make a lot of legitimate arguments against the regime, it need also be recognised that the government does uphold many egalitarian principles. Much of what goes through offficial channels does filter down to street level, both in Cuba and, through Cuban aid, to other developing countries.
Go and enjoy.
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