[Monolith]

anyone stayed at hueco for an extended period and found a job? Am interested in going away somewhere for a while bouldering/getting a job. Preferably Hueco or somewhere dans la USA. Would be keen to hear from anyone done something similar. Any advice appreciated holmes.

[SA Chris]

Of all the places in the world, I would thave thought El Paso area would be the least likely to have gainful employment. Unless you are prepared to work for slave wages along with all the other illegal immigrants from across the border. You may be fortunate to find an employee who will pay you cash in hand, but it is highly unlikely, considering the huge fines they can get. Are you at school or uni or anything? Getting a job through BUNAC or similar may be your best bet. Otherwise visas and stuff can be a right pain. Trust me.

[Monolith]

hmm, cheers for the info. No, I'm not a student anymore, just looking for a new way to spend time I suppose. Perhaps elsewhere in the US would be better.

[SA Chris]

Visas are a pain pretty much anywhere in the US, but you have a better chance of finding work in bigger places. If you do get nicked working illegally you risk fine and deportation.

[Monolith]

yeah wasn't too sure on the old visas front. Will contact a department out there if I end up going. Perhaps Canada may be an easier place to find work, with all their lodges around the national parks?

[SA Chris]

Even an H2B (temprary work visa) requires an employee in the US to petition the state department to issue you a visa request. For the petition to be accepted there needs to be a justification for employing you ie shortage of labour, specialist skills etc. You then need to fill in a load of forms showing mortagages, letters from employee that you have a job to go back to, bank accounts, contact details of relatives, etc etc. And attend an interview at the embassy before you will be issued a work visa.

Canada seems to be easier, as it's commonwealth. Depending on age, you can be issued a temporary work visa straight way. Otherwise someone like AndyR can probably fill you in better than me, as he currently resides in Cannuckland.

[edg]

Have a look at Mammoth Lakes, CA. They have a summer biking operation run by Intrawest so there should be some employment around, either with the company or associated with it. Bishop (Buttermilks etc.) is about 45mins down the road, there's climbing all around the area (there is a guide, but it seems to be in short supply) and Yosemite is about 3 hours over the Tioga Pass (which itself contains some burly climbs)...

[AndyR]

Canada seems to be easier, as it's commonwealth. Depending on age, you can be issued a temporary work visa straight way. Otherwise someone like AndyR can probably fill you in better than me, as he currently resides in Cannuckland.

Wish I could help, but I'm actually blissfully ignorant of the situation - I'm on a permit at the mo', but that was all arranged by an immigration consultant. Sorry.

[SA Chris]

Mammoth is a good call, but the summer jobs are prettly heavily oversubscribed, the season brief, and the weather too hot for most bouldering during the biking season. Better off getting a winter job at Mammoth Mountain and making the most of cold conditions and killer powder. Interwest are pretty good with H2Bs, the resort I worked for was run by them too. With a British Passport, Whistler might be an easier bet, if you are still young enought to get a temporary work visa.

[Monolith]

cheers for the advice lads. Pity there isn't a UK summer bouldering commune, would be a sweet idea.