8MB PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

Entrance to 5 kilometer long tunnel.THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONIn the years 1982-83 a British expedition,including Laurens Smets from Holland,went to this area. The group vainlysearched for access to the cave system onthe plateau. After two months, they foundthe resurgence cave, Veshtucoc, near EIZapota!. The cave was explored for alength of over 3600 meters to a height of288 meters. At some point during the Britishexpedition, most of the team memberscontracted histoplasmosis and were forcedto terminate exploration in Veshtucoc.THE DUTCH EXPEDITIONContinued exploration in Veshtucoc becameone of the major goals of the Dutchexpedition to Mooco that took place fromDecember 1984 through February 1985. ByAugust 1984, the team members had beenchosen and extensive organizing was takingplace. Letters requesting sponsorship werewritten to organizations and comPanies, andthe team received much publicity in thenewspaper and on radio. They receivedsleeping-bags, underwear, boots, and medicalsupplies, as well as donations from 25individuals. Much of the caving equipmentwas lent to the expedition by regionalsections of Speleo Nederland and privateindividuals. Each team member was given acertain task, and together they practicedcaving and rescue techniques on severaloccasions. An interpreter was recruitedfor the expedition, as well as a Germangeologist-photographer.The group equipment was sent in advanceto Houston, Texas. On 23 November 1984 thefirst team left for Houston. In Austinthey bought a 1975 Ford pickUp and headedfor Mexico. The trip down was characterizedby flat tires and oil problems. Onone occasion the gear-box had to be dismantledbecause of a leaky oil seaL On 12December the team arrived in Tuxtla Gutierrez,and here the authorities gave permissionto the expedition by means of a letterof recommendation. A house was rentedin EI Zapotal for use as a base camp. Theother team members arrived between the 17thand 21st of December.VESHWCOCWhen the cavers arrived at the entranceto Veshtucoc, they found the entrance"sump" to be completely open. The waterlevel in sumps 2 and 3 appeared to be thesame as two years before. The sumps werepassed on 23 December, and new handlineswere attached. Several trips werenecessary to carry all the needed equipmentto the end of the cave. Sump 3 caused alot of trouble because the bags of equipmentgot stuck.On 18 January 1985 a trip was made toMoctezuma's Revenge, the spot where theBritish expedition had stopped. The Dutchsecond sump in Veshtucoc.44