MATIENZO CAVES PROJECT
Matienzo 2000

Cave exploration around Matienzo during Easter 2000
   The Matienzo explorers enjoyed summer weather for most of the time at Easter after heavy rainfall in the weeks before. Over 2.7km of passage was surveyed including nearly a kilometer of resurveying in the Catalans site VT62 (1176). The number of sites on the list increased by 46, producing a total of 1506. Underground, the highlights of exploration were

* in the Four Valleys System where about 300m stream passage was entered up a 15m aven at the end of Shrimpbone Inlet in Hoyuca (0107);
* the road side dig, site 1452, was excavated to the head of a 70m pitch which dropped into Cueva Bollón. Upstream exploration can easily occur after dry weather through this top entrance rather than the three sumps, bottom entrance route.
* extensions in Arenal were surveyed with more to do
* a number of sites were explored on the South Vega hillside and a couple hold exciting prospects for the summer (1338 and 1471)
* Martin Holroyd carried out a couple of dives in upstream Vallina - breaking surface into a short canal at the end but then meeting the next sump. 230m was surveyed.
* Cueva Abono was linked to a top entrance, 1470
* Cueva Tizones (78) was "finished" at the high level, adding 156m to the length
* Jivero 1 was dived through and linked to site 246.

   Once more, there were more questions raised for the summer than were answered at Easter.

   We were welcomed by Pablo at Bar German and the expedition is grateful for the camping facilities and the use of the restaurant for computing and drawing up. (Full year account)

The list below shows links to those sites which were extended or newly discovered over Easter, or which have had surveys updated or entrance photos added.

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