12MB PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

Mexico Nevvscompiled Ly Peter S. SprouseFrench cavers from the Speleo­Club de Paris report that they havesurveyed a side passage off of theriver in Gruta del R10 Chontalcoatlan,bringing the length up to 5827meters. This enormous river cave isthe sister cave to Gruta del R10 SanJeronimo, both of which resurge inthe two massive entrances of DosBocas below Gruta Cacahuamilpa. DonCoons and crew have also done moresurveying in Chontalcoatlan and hehopes to publish an updated versionof his map soon.(Sources: Claude Chabert,Don Coons)Claude Chabert and members ofthe Speleo Club de Paris have exploredseveral caves in the Zongolica,Veracruz area, including a major sumidero.Sumidero de Atlaquia, elevation1245 meters, takes a large streanand the French cavers were stopped bylack of equipment to handle the heavyvolume of water. The river is believ··ed to resurge a kilometer away at ElPrecipicio, 395 meters lower.(Source: Grottes et GouffresNo. 68)kilometers downstream from the cascada,the large entrance to the Nacimientode Agua Clara carries a3 m3/sec stream which soon sumps.It is believed that this is the resurgencefor the R10 Galena.(Source: Mike Schulte)Cavers all across Mexico wereamazed at the severe cold front thatblew in on New Year's Day 1979.Snow fell in such diverse places asthe Purificacion area, the Sierra deGuatemala, Sotano de las Golondrinas,and Sotano del Buque. In tropicalCuetzalan, the freeze threatened thecoffee crop which is the lifeline ofthe local Indian population.In April 1979, Mike Schulte leda group of kayakers on the first successfulboat trip through the canyonsof the R10 Santa Mar1a between Ayutlaand Puente de D10s south of Cd. Valles.The six day trip took them throughfour major canyons involving many portages,some requiring technical climbing.Cave entrances could be seenhigh in the canyon walls and severalresurgences were located on the northside of the river. Five hundredmeters up river from the spectacularCascada Tamul is a spring flowing anestimated 2 m 3 /sec. Two to three2WinterA group of Kentucky cavers ledby Don Coons and Sheri Engler hasfinished the survey of Boca del R10Apetlanca, Guerrero at 2750 meters.After they first discovered thesumidero entrance several years ago,another entrance was found over 150meters lower where the river resurg-Liebman)