Cueva de Oxtalja
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| | Difficulty:Cave 3B II (v3a2 II) Raps:5, max ↨70ft
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| Best season: | Nov-Mar (avg for this region)
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21.5601, -99.0823
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Introduction[edit]
Very nice river cave located in a dolina SW of the town of Tamapatz that makes for a great combo for Sotano de Cepillo.
The cave has some really nice flowstone and rimstone dam formations and is mud-free except for the very end near the sump. An arroyo drains into the cave, so you may find quite a bit of trash that washed in from town over the years.
The air temperature in the cave has been measured at 23°C (74°F). The cave is usually flowing very low, but has crystal clear pools. A waterproof jacket or light wetsuit is advisable if planning to reach the end of the cave.
Approach[edit]
The cave is located at the base of a cliff, so even if very close to Sotano de Cepillo it is better to approach it from the other side, from the town. The first rappel is right at the entrance. Usually the
The dolina around the cave is cultivated and used as live stock pasture, so beware of moody cows.
Descent[edit]
- R1: 100ft sloped from rock DCL. A wide stream passage takes off from the bottom of the entrance drop and about 100m in on the L side is a large area of rimstone pools.
- R2: 25ft aerial rappel from DCR stalagmite
- R3: 20ft wet rappel/downclimb into a 3ft deep lake
- R4: 15ft wet rappel or downclimb, looks difficult but easy grabbing edge of potholes
- R5: 70ft from rock arch DCL, starts as a slope but becomes aerial half way down
After the final rappel a large passage extends several hundred feet to a steep but climbable slope. From this slope, the passage continues to a mud covered terminal room about 70' in diameter. The lowest point of the cave is the siphon at the bottom of this room.
Exit[edit]
Came back the way you came.
