Team

UK:  Jonathan Sims, Paz Vale
Mexico:  Hymi, Veronica Maldonada

Exploration Summary

The main objective of this expedition was to explore the area to the north of Cueva D'Alpazat with the aim of locating the main resurgence for the Cuetzalan system and to try and locate a cave entrance that may connect to the further reaches of San Andres and/or Cueva D'Alpazat.
A detailed exploration was made of the Lower Malacoyatan valley.  Some of this area has been explored by previous expeditions and a large resurgence had been reported to exist in this valley near the village of Tonalix.  The team failed to locate this resurgence which suggests that it is a flood overflow to the main system that is only active in wet weather  (Exploration of this area in 1999 was during a long spell of very dry weather).  However, they were shown a resurgence cave, Ostonocapan, south of the village of Tonalix which may be a promising dive site.  The area to the north of Tonalix showed very little cave development as did the Lower Tozan valley although the area to the north east of Xaltipan, near Huitziltepec, was reported by locals to contain a number of caves.
Two large resurgence areas were discovered in the Zempoala river valley and one of these, located near Reyes de Vallarta, seems a likely candidate for the main Cuetzalan resurgence.  However, geological conditions in this area are more complex than those nearer Cuetzalan and it is possible that these waters may be sourced from the Lower Tozan valley and/or the area to the north east of the Malacoyatan river.
Exploration of the area around Cueva D'Alpazat failed to uncover anything that had been missed by previous expeditions.  The team were shown a small cave approx. 1km south of Cueva D'Alpazat, formed on the junction between the limestones and conglomerate, but investigation showed it to be a  local resurgence fed by small sinks in the field directly above.
A brief exploration was also made around the area of Tepetzintan.  This area has been investigated on previous expeditions, as it lies above the further reaches of the San Andres system and Cueva D'Alpazat.  The limestone outcropping in this area is the Tamaulpas limestone and there appears to be no obvious cave development in the area.

A secondary objective of the expedition was to locate another area of speleological interest that had at present been unexplored.  Initial investigation of maps and conversations with Mike Boon suggested that an area to the west of Cuetzalan may be promising.  The area map showed rivers sinking in two closed depressions, one near the town of Atlequizayan and another near the town of Caxhuacan.  Atlequizayan was investigated and proved to be a promising area with two major sites discovered.
A brief reconnaisance was made of the area around Huehtla, this area was less promising, with only one cave entrance identified on the outskirts of the town.  A conversation with a local police officer indicated the existance of a large resurgence cave in one of the southern tributaries of the Tehuancate river south of the town.

1.  Lower Tozan, Malacoyatan & Zempoala rivers

2.  Atlequizayan Area

3. Huehuetla

4.  Cueva D'Alpazat Area

Top of Page