12MB PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

tion of the lower Isopod River trunk.It basically paralleled the mainpassage (Camp II) for 150 meters toa sump. Resurvey was also startedin Sheila's Lead off the main routejust north of the Monkey Walk. Itforks after 40 meters and they tookthe survey left. This eventuallyled to a windy breakdown zone wheresome recon investigation was required.Peter K disappeared for quitea while and the others finally hearda distant yell. "I've found theMonkey Walk," was the message, indicatinga new loop had been discovered.They surveyed through complexbreakdown to tie in to- the MonkeyWalk survey near the Seven LeadsRoom.The "dry team" mapped 5 loopsin the large passages close to CampII. Total surveyed length for bothteams that day was 946 meters.Isopod RiverApril 22 was to be the lastfull day of mapping in the Camp IIarea, so the "wet team" returnedto the water - Isopod River. Thefirst step in the Isopod River surveywas to map downstream to the sumpdiscovered by Smith, Lloyd, Kerr andStone in November' 78. ·Two shortloops were mapped along the way, andthe approach of the sump was announcedby the accumulation of calciteice on the water surface. From thesump, the survey proceeded into aright hand side passage which soonled to a breakdown choke blowing astiff breeze. Peter K and Randy exploredinto it. removing obstructingrocks as they went. Soon history repeateditself when they again poppedinto the Monkey Walk, creating anotherlarge loop. When this survey was tiedin, they returned to Sheila's Lead.in order to survey the right handfork. This led through sand~ stoopwaysto the shore of Isopod River98downstream from the sump. Surveyingupstream. the passage made abrief jog to the right. At thispoint a high lead could be seen continuingon the original trend. and~eter K dared a tricky climb to getinto it. He explored down a windypassage to an area of tubes. To getback down off the climb he leapedinto the deep river. making an enormoussplash.From that point on. the riverwas all swimming. The lead surveyorsmapped ahead calling survey data.while Peter S plotted the figures untila place could be found to sketchfrom. Then he swam ahead memorizingthe passage shape to be drawn whilecrammed into a wall alcove. An innertube would certainly facilitatethis type of surveying. Eventuallythey reached the sump, and the teamretreated back to where they'd begunthe river survey. The downstreamriver beckoned, so Peter K and Randyswam a 100 meter lake to yet anothersump. however Randy discovered an upperlevel passage which may prove tobypass the sump. But time was runningshort and it was left for another trip.WindsumpThe "dry team" started at the latrineand mapped a passage that loopsover Isopod River and connects backin above Camp II and then continuesas the Wind Sump Passage. This passagewas mapped to its end where alarge mass of breakdown fills thepassage. The wind could be heardhumming out its song through thesmall cracks in the breakdown. Severalleads were left in the passage.Computer plotting puts this WindSump very close to the Netherhalland is probably part of its massivebreakdown pile.Total surveyed length for thetwo teams for the day was 1279 meters.