When I first came to La Huasteca to open the route Nayeri (500m, 12b, AAJ 2010) and later Pau (550m, 5.13b, AAJ 2016), both on the Tatewari Wall, I saw a beautiful black, north-facing wall across the valley. It was begging to be climbed.

La Pared del Ombligo del Mundo (“the wall of the world's navel”) was named by indigenous people from the state of Nayarit in western Mexico. Best known to the world as the Huichol, they refer to themselves as Wixáritari ("the people"). They frequent Cañon de Guitarritas to perform ceremonies involving the taking of peyote, which they get from La Huasteca.

On February 12 and 13, 2020, Álvaro Peiró and I, both from Spain, bolted a route up this wall ground up, gaining height by hooking and free climbing on easier sections. Marcelo González from Mexico helped with cleaning the lower pitches and photographed the climb. On our third day we finished the route, climbing eight pitches (250m) in total. After cleaning the entire route during one more day, we free climbed it in a single push, finding difficulties up to 5.12d.

The route, Tinder Push, is just excellent, on perfect limestone. The rock on the first four pitches, up to a sweeping arch, is black and features mostly clean crimps and some pockets. The upper half of the wall is composed of gray rock with amazing friction and features a bigger variety of holds. Every pitch is a joy for lovers of technical face climbing.

All that is required to repeat the route is a 70m rope and 14 quickdraws. Anchors are fixed to rappel. The approach is only 10 to 15 minutes, following a steep trail on the left of the wall to the base (fixed ropes in place).

– Oriol Anglada, Spain