17MB PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

15620 feet. At this point the passage continued farther for 150 feetwhere it narrowed down to a 2 foot wide, 3 foot high stream stoopfor 25 feet. Beyond the stoop, which contained water to a depthof 2 feet, the passage widened to 20 feet and began descending at60 degrees or more, requiring much climbing and worming throughbreakdown. The stream was now following the downward slopingfloor. After descending vertically for approximately 75 feet thepassage widened to 50 feet and a dry left-hand lead away from thestream channel was found. This was followed for 100 feet horizontallywhere it descended vertically for 60 feet along a slopingpassage which pinched out. The stream passage was followed fromthis intersection downward for roughly 60 feet, vertically, to apoint where the passage narrowed to 4 feet in width and with ceilingheights of 3 feet. At this point a large slab of rock blockedfurther easy access to the passage beyond. It was noted that thepassage beyond sloped at approximately 50 degrees and enlargedagain in width. A strong air flow was noted also.Richard returned to join Dave and Tony in their area of exploration.Many pictures were taken by the trio on the return tothe entrance from here. Upon reaching the bottom of the entrancedrop, Tom Thompson, one of the support crew of three, was foundwaiting for our return. Waiting on the top were Ron Bridgemon,Kirk, and Chuck Pease. We prusiked out, derigged the 600 footrope, then returned to our camp in Gruta de Navidad.In conclusion, it is our belief that s6tano de La Sil1etawill be found to be considerable deeper than what was explored onthis first visit, approximately 700 vertical feet below the entrance.The group will be returning in the future to survey andfurther explore this most interesting pit cave •• Persons: Ed Alexander, Tommy McGarrigle, Terry Raines, BillRussell, Bud Stewart, Tom TracyDate: 17-30 December 1966Destination: Cacahuam11pa, Guerrero area and Huautla, Oaxaca areaReported by: Terry Raines and Bill Russell Austin, Texas17 December Nightfall found us arriving in Cd. Mante, Tamps.alter spending the day driving from the United States. On thesouth side of town we took a well-marked gravel road for about5 miles west to I1El Nacimiento del Rio Mante". Here a large resurgenceis located at the base of the Sierra de El Abra. Fromthis resurgence the Rio Mante flows out across the plains to theeast, prOViding irrigation water for the many farms of the region.The area immediately surrounding the Nacimiento has been made intoa park which is an excellent camping location. Here we spent thenight.18 December One of the first things noticed was the high waterlevel or the resurgence. Part'of the campground and several concretebenches were submerged. This was due to the heavy rains thearea has been receiving within the last few months. From the Nacimientoour route took us on south thro~h Cd. Valles, S.L.P. tothe turnoff to Xilitla, S.L.P. (new road). Here Danny Evans andGary Helman, who had come with us from Austin, caught the bus upinto the mountains to the west. It was their plan· to hike intothe high plateau area north of Tlamaya. There they hoped to