Ox Bel Ha - Jun 05, 2007 update

Dive Team: Fred & Chris

Surface support: Franco Attolini

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:

Take GPS reading of Cenote Rojo
Go back to the section of cave previously explored by Danny & Chris. Line name “freak” to push through restriction and further exploration.

Summary of results:

GPS reading taken of Cenote Rojo OK. The team extended the line to the cenote surface. Data taken on the way back.
The cave opened up past restriction. This is an interesting cave, low ceiling, restrictive and silty. Added 700ft at the end of “Freak”.

Possible follow up:

The end of the line is open but v small in catacombs like passageways.
Main lead is off the freshly laid line running NW. There’s more exploration to do in the area.
Future exploration will need to start from Cenote Rojo. This would be more practical, in order to avoid v silty downstream with scooters and multiple bottles.

Comments/observation: The passage is at 50ft and flow is perceptible. This area could potentially break into larger cave conduits. It would be best to start next dives in that area from Cenote Rojo. The scooter ride downstream YC with gear is not easy with the thick organic silt covering the bottom floor.

Line name:	Croc & Sigue
Passage width (meters):	2
Passage Height (meters):	2
Passage Shape:	Phreatic tube – canyons – flat ceiling
Fauna:	Isopod - shrimp
Speleothems:	Yes
Sediment:	Red & Brown – organic -
Infill:	Breakdown
Water:	Slightly tannic – Halocline mid passage at 42 ft -
Additional Comments:	Fossils in abundance

Equipment and Survey: 4 x EAN 32 stages and 1 x 33amp + 1 x 24amp scooter per diver.

Dive log:
Dive # 1
Time in:	11h45
Time out:	15h22
Total run time:	217 minutes
Max Depth:	54 ft
Av Depth:	45 ft
Divers:	Fred & Chris

Team: Sam & Franco

Objectives:

Jungle hike to locate Cenote Rojo
Jungle hike to locate Cenote Perla

Summary of results:

The team located both Cenotes ok. GPS coordinates were taken of Cenote Perla and other interesting cave features in the area.

Comments/observation:

This is a harsh terrain. There are a lot of wetlands in that particular area. Mosquitoes were ferocious that day especially after the first rain of the season.