Ox Bel Ha - Jun 27, 2007 update

Dive Team: Danny & Franco

Surface support: Fred Devos

Dive site
Name: Yax Chen
Coordinate: WGS84 UTM 451245 2226084

Conditions: The water clarity in the Yax Chen basin wasn’t exceptionally brilliant. There was heavy rain earlier on for a few days. This has affected the visibility tremendously especially downstream from the Yax Chen basin.

Dive Objectives:

Re-survey old Gary Walten line. This line is supposed to connect Yax Chen East to Ox Bel Ha.

Summary of results:

Re-survey completed ok around the L-Shape Cenote. This line confirms the link between OBH and YC east. OBH has now over 100 miles of surveyed cave passageways (539, 080 ft).

Possible follow up:

More exploration in the YC area. This is a big cave with interesting features and tremendous potential for future exploration.

Comments/observation: The connection between OBH and YC was done back in 1998 by Gary Walten and re-connected in the last Dec project by Danny, Mark and Beto. This connection re-enforce the fact that good survey is a priority in order to validate any exploration work.

Line name:	Connector
Passage width (meters):	2
Passage Height (meters):	2
Passage Shape:	Phreatic tube –
Fauna:	Isopod - shrimp
Speleothems:	No
Sediment:	Red & Brown – organic -
Infill:	Breakdown
Water:	Slightly tannic – Hydrogen sulfide-
Additional Comments:	/

Equipment and Survey:2 x EAN 32 stages and 1 x 33amp + 1 x 24amp scooter per diver.

Dive log:
Dive # 1
Time in:	10h45
Time out:	12h30
Total run time:	165 minutes
Max Depth:	45 ft
Av Depth:	30 ft
Divers:	Danny & Franco