asscciation for mexican cave studies box 7672 ut station austin ...

5uestination: Sierra las Alazanas and Cueva los Hundidos, CoahuilaDate: February 10-14, 1977Persons: Sheila Ba1sdon, David Honea, Janet Honea, Peter Sprouse, andTerri TreacyReported by: Sheila BalsdonThe objective of our trip, besides having fun, was to check severalsinks (Hoya la Loba, Hoya Armenia, and Hoya 10 Sartenejas) in the Sierrade las Alazanas, near the town of San Antonio de las Alazanas. The townis located about 60 km SE of Saltillo. Driving as far as possible, weparked at an elevation of about 7000 feet. We continued hiking for severalhours up an old lOfginP- road eventually reaching a high ridge at about11,000 feet. We camped in the first sink, Hoya la Loba, for ~o nights.Drinking water was not available on the ridge and had to be brought upfrom the stream about 1000 feet below.Although the ridge top is a reasonably developed example of AlpineKarst, no caves were located in any of the sinks. This was most likelydue to heavy sedimentation in the sink floors and to the general youthof the development. Frost fracturing seemed to be an" important mechanismin the karst development.One family resides in Hoya la Armenia. Vegetation was typical ofhigh altitude areas and included pine, spruce, and aspen trees. Numeroustrees had broken limbs or trunks suggesting a recent heavy snow. On thesecond afternoon of our stay, it snowed 1-2 inches. The high altituderecord for snow frisbee was set at 11,000 feet on February 12. Thesunrise on the snow the next morning was spectacular as was a leisurelyhike back to the vehicle.Driving about 15 km S of San Antonio brought us to the vicinity ofCueva 108 Hundidos. After waiting in the tents for a rain shower to pass,we took the appearance of a brilliant double rainbow as a good omen. A30 minute hike brought us to the cave. We were not disappointed. The 'caveis developed in gypsum, the walls and ceiling show beautiful marbling ofgray and white bands. The large trunk passage reaches dimensions of asmuch as 150 feet wide by 30 feet tall, ending in breakdown. The cave wassurveyed, with a length of about 500 meters. He returned to the car afteran exciting midnight hike through the desert chaparral to the tune ofcoyote howls.We drove to ~~nterrey on Monday, the 14th. After visiting the Cetenaloffice to purchse maps, we gorged on cabrito and left for the border.Letter sent ~-1ay 2 from the French Readers Digest requesting slides ofSotano de las Golondrinas. Interested cavers with slides of Golondrinasshould contact them soon.l..]e are looking for our book "Natural l.J'onders of the t-Torld" for transparenciesshowing "Sima de las Golondrinas in ~1exico." Hould you be ableto send us a choice of transparencies on the subject or if not could youtell us an address where to make our request? Looking forward to receivingsoon your answer.C. Van HieuDocumentation PhotographiqueSelection du Reader's Digest5 ~ 7, Avenue Louis Pasteurn - BagneuxFRRiCE