Queta & Pete working in the store back in the 1990’s
Pete’s involvement with climbers started around 1982, when Todd Skinner approached him about using the upstairs portion of the hut as a crash-shack. According to local climber Don Morril, “Skinner offered to clean the place in return for free use of the upstairs. Story has it that Todd got some cats from the El Paso Humane Society and let them loose. They disappeared down a hole in the floor and ate rats for a month.” As time went on, more climbers “discovered” Pete’s – it was hard to miss, on the left about a mile outside the entrance. Legendary for squalor and lack of amenities and sanitation, it was nevertheless “the” place to stay from 1986 to 1998, in large part because of Pete’s personality and generosity. Many an impoverished climber was allowed to stay, and even eat, without being charged – “pay me when you can”. Pete’s cooking was simple but tasty traditional Mexican food – tamales, burritos, gorditas and the rest. For years and years, it was the tradition to stop by on the way back to town for beer and food, capping off what seemed like a never-ending stream of satisfying climbing days. His business really took off in the early 1990’s with the annual Hueco Tanks Rock Rodeos that were held each spring on the last Saturday in February. Many now famous climbers wintered at Pete’s; some worked in the store and kitchen to pay for room and board. In the late 1990’s, Dean Potter was camp host and backup cook, long before his name began appearing regularly in the climbing rags. Dean Potter, Bobbie Bensman, Lynn Hill, Jim Karn and Tim Toula were just a few of the other “big” names.
Regulars Back-In-the-Day
Todd Skinner Founder / Staff |
Dean Potter Camp Host / Cook / Staff |
Obe Carrion Camp Host / Staff |
Donny Hardin Staff |