In April 2019, a small team of cavers and divers visited the Rio Uluapan, which is a resurgence that emerges below the Cerro Rabon. The Cerro Rabon is the Eastern prominence of the Sierra Mazatec range of Southeastern Mexico and the surrounding plateau receives an average annual rainfall of 5 meters a year. More than twenty years prior, divers had explored the lake just inside the cave and reported a waterfall room about 1,500' into the cave. With no way to exit the water the divers were forced to turn back. The difficult logistics and lack of permission from surrounding municipalities have kept cavers and divers out of the Uluapan for years.
With permissions secured and logistics sorted out, the 2019 team were able to pass the waterfall room and explore Sump 2 to a distance of 1,100 m (3,630 ft) and a depth of 101 mfw (333 ffw). While Sump 1 was impressive with 100' wide passages and 60-80' visibility, Sump 2 was truly incredible with 100'+ visibility, white sand floors, and enormous Eagle's Nest or Diepolder sized passage. We are currently making plans for our return in 2020 to push Sump 2. We will just be getting back from Mexico just in time for TekDiveUSA.2020 and will have fresh exploration updates including incredible photos and videos to share with attendees.
