17MB PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

149and color motion pictures. The first drop is no less than spectacularin size and beauty. However, it was a disappointment to findmuch refuse in the Entrance Room. The cave was very dry and weproceeded easily to the top of Fossil Pit. Here we thought of the3 heavy cameras we had with us and the 60 pounds of motion pictureequipment which was left just above the Entrance Room. So out wewent, taking still and motion pictures until the batteries in ourflood lights went dead. It was a very enjoyable trip, but thephotography equipment made it a lot of work.26-31 December The members of our group from Missouri returneddirectly to the u.S. while the three of us from Arkansas continuedsouth to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan and Mexico City for somesightseeing. Afterwards we returned to Monterrey by way of Highway57, a much shorter route than Highway 85 •• Persons: Ron Bridgemon, Chuck Pease, Ken Krans, Dave Nelson,Cort Schuyler (from Arizona)Larry Clark, Torn Thompson, Tony Thompson, Diana Hooton(from Utah)Kirk Holland, Richard Schreiber (from Tennessee)Date: 16-31 December 1966Destination: Xilitla, S.L.P. RegionReported by: Ron Bridgemon Tucson, Arizona16-18 December Car trouble delayed the vehicles from Arizona andthe complete group did not cross over into Cd. Juarez, Chih. untilnoon of the 18th. From there we continued toward Torre6n, Coah.19 December Twenty-five miles south of Matehuala, S.L.P. we stoppedto check two dirt sinks similar to those described by Reddellnear Galeana, N.L. (See AMCS Newsletter, v. II, no. 3, p. 50.)Both were about 60 feet wide and 30 to 40 feet deep. It would beinteresting to see if this was a continuation of the gypsite formationof the Ga1eana area. We passed through Cd. del Ma!z, S.L.P.about 5 p.m., then passed through a very interesting limestonearea. East of Ma!z the limestone was observed to dip nearly vertical.Several entrances and sinks were spotted but none wereinvestigated. At midnight our caravan stopped to camp at themouth of Arroyo Seco just outside of Xi1itla, S.L.P.20 December We pulled into Xi1it1a about 10 a.m. and met someIndiana cavers who were about to check a s6tano just west of town.We went on to the plaza to obtain a letter of permission and in- ,troduction but both the Presidente and clerk were out. We wereassured that this was an unnecessary formality. (Ed. note: Caversshould always check with local officials before entering any cavesunless it is known definitely that cavers have standing permission.)A crew of awe-struck cavers made their way along the beautifulmountain road to Rancho de Huitzmolotitla. After many photographswe arrived at the rancho and introduced ourselves to Sr. Larioswho welcomed us warmly and graciously allowed us to camp on thepatio of the ranch. After camp was put in order the group walkedinto the village of Tlarnaya where we met Sr. Toribio Marques whoalong with his two little daughters took us to the entrance ofS6tano de T1arnaya. We would enter the cave a week later unless wewere tied up elsewhere. Sr. Marques agreed to show us the localcaves the next day.