Playa la Junta

VERACRUZ CAVING CAMP

12-16 March 2007

This event will be a week of caving and fellowship along the lovely Atoyac River near Cordoba, Veracruz. Our goals for this event are to visit the many caves of the area both known and unknown, and to promote fellowship between Veracruz and Texas cavers. Our hosts will be the cavers of Espeleo CEMAC Veracruz, and cavers from Cordoba, Orizaba, and Xalapa. Our camp will be at Playa la Junta, about 10 km north of the town of Paraje Nuevo.

The Rio Atoyac emerges from the breakdown pile above the spring. Climb through the boulders into the cave and you hear the awesome sound of the unexplored river ahead. Bring wetsuit, PFD, whistle, and vertical gear! Other caves include Cueva del Cabrito, this is a horizontal stream cave that has been explored for several kilometers with no end in sight.

It is a 600 m hike to the cave from our camp, if you dare to cross this bridge!

If you decide to float the river, be sure to take out before you reach the Atoyac Gorge! There are plenty of inner tubes for us to use at the Playa la Junta.

To get there...follow the dang signs! Well the signs are only in the last few km so here's how to get there. From the Port of Veracruz take the 150D toll road one hour west toward Cordoba, Orizaba, Mexico City, etc. Take the first Cordoba exit off the toll road, UTM NAD27 coordinates 14 724048 2086650. After you exit you will be on the old free road heading into Cordoba. Take the first right turn where the sign points to Potrero. Go east about 8 km (estimated!) to the little town of Paraje Nuevo. Take the only prominent left turn, there is a taco stand on the right at this intersection. You'll be heading north through occasional villages, there are several Y intersections and bear left at these. Look for the dang signs! The last turn to Playa la Junta is a right turn into a cane field, when you get there you will be at UTM NAD27 14 723710 2093103, elevation 564 m. There is a modest daily camping fee to stay at Playa la Junta, and the only rule is you can't bring beer in - you must buy it from them. They have a small tienda and will cook meals as well as serve beer. There are cold showers and flush toilets, if you want a hot shower bring your camp stove and shower bag. We will have a digital projector set up in the bar area each night to watch the slides of the day. Questions? petersprouse@yahoo.com