I posted this on the travel board but figured I'd hop over here too since the Big Bend thread got some good responses.

Have any of you climbed El Capitan? How strenuous/dangerous is it? I've heard there's no trail and there's some permit you need to do it. Also, do you imagine Guadalupe Mtns Natl Park to be that busy during spring break? It's a fairly primitive area so I can't see that many people heading out there.

My alternate spring break idea is a trip out to Flagstaff to visit my brother. Do some stuff out there with him (hiking/snowboarding if the snow hangs around/etc.). What suggestions do y'all have for pitstops on the way back as far as camping and sightseeing? Maybe 3 or 4 places to spend a half-day. I figure I'll make it a 2-day trip one way and spend my time coming back.

Edit: I live in CS.

I've done it here is how: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151970/el-capitan-texas.html

No special permit needed, and I have never been there during spring break so I don't know how crowded it would be.

You say you've been up it: how much longer do you think it takes than heading up to the peak? The site you linked says you veer off just 50ft from the summit to head over to El Capitan.

What about the difficulty? I'm considering doing the trip w/ my dad and younger brother (12). My family started a tradition of the boys climbing to the peak at 4yrs old (a little rite of passage) so I'm not worried about my brother making the peak. However, my dad has expressed concern over the ruggedness of the El Capitan trip. He's considered doing it each of the 4 times he's been up but hasn't yet tried it.

BTW, thanks for the site. It definitely has some helpful info.

[This message has been edited by shoc08 (edited 2/25/2008 3:59p).]

I cannot speak for your physical shape/desired speed, but from the cut off it took me a little more than an hour.

I live in Alpine, which puts me about halfway between Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park, plus my GF lives in BBNP, so I get out and climb/bushwack in the mountains quiet a bit.

I have climbed all of the 8000 ft peaks in Texas and El Capitan is not too difficult, but I am familiar with climbing desert peaks without trails.
Expect it to be dirtier then hiking on trail, more tired, and a little bit bloody/scratched up when you are done.

[This message has been edited by CWNBAG (edited 2/25/2008 10:12p).]

My vote is for Flagstaff. On the way back definately check out Meteor crater off of I-40. You can also stop at Sante Fe. And while you are out there, you will only be a short drive from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Ya, Flagstaff would be fun. I don't want to be too rushed. If I did it, I imagine a fairly full 2-day drive to get out there (18hrs or so). Stay a couple or 3 days and spend 3 or 4 coming back, driving just 5 or 6 hours a day.