Cenotes infos

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brian Wiederspan on February 9, 2010 at 5:33pm

Great idea, Ela.

Could be a very nice resource

Permalink Reply by John Bailey on February 10, 2010 at 6:26am

This is a great idea. Although I expect many to keep their "secrets" to themselves, I would appreciate access to resources about the cenotes. I will probably seek a guided trip for a day or so each time I'm in Mexico but I don't always want to be guided. I assume I can buy maps somewhere but I'd also be interested in stick maps if they are available online.

Permalink Reply by Emanuela Bertoni on February 10, 2010 at 8:19am

John you are totally right, anyway we are trying to change this mentality here , as you said you may want to have a couple of days guided to learn new places but not the all week , you can then go and dive those places to learn them no need to have a guide with you all the time.
Regarding maps we (as well as other dive shop) sell QRSS map plus we have some stick map to show you when you come down.
Take care
E & A

John Bailey said:

This is a great idea. Although I expect many to keep their "secrets" to themselves, I would appreciate access to resources about the cenotes. I will probably seek a guided trip for a day or so each time I'm in Mexico but I don't always want to be guided. I assume I can buy maps somewhere but I'd also be interested in stick maps if they are available online.

Permalink Reply by Lynne Flaherty on February 12, 2010 at 3:52am

The QRSS maps are great to give you an idea of the layout of the cave, but stick maps are better for planning your dives. A good stick map is worth its weight in gold!

I'm very happy to see this attitude of openness, Ela, although so far, I haven't run into anybody who wasn't willing to share information.

Permalink Reply by Don Chennavasin on February 12, 2010 at 12:40pm

Most of the people I know have been very open with information, though detail does differ. I think it's based on intension and the guides personal judgement on the skill level of the divers asking.

One person I know likes to give very detailed instruction to the cenote site and how to enter and find upstream and downstream lines, but beyond that, the recommendation is "go and explore."

Other people I've noticed slowly give out information. First time, it'll be details on the mainline. Second time, I'll get recommendations on a jump off the mainline. Third or fourth time, it'll be a recommendation of an unmarked passage to explore.

Now that we've gone to Mexico a few times (each year, and multiple times a year), the first discussion is where we've been and seen. From there, the person we meet up with will offer new suggestions at that level or maybe a little step above.

At the same time, I have seen the opposite. Where people are unwilling to share any information about a particular site, even when directly asked for clarification of a particular section or area. There are valid reasons to without information, but when it's for profit or pride, then it's ridiculous.

Permalink Reply by Emanuela Bertoni on February 12, 2010 at 1:16pm

Very well said Don we agree.
We also believe that is up to each one of our consciences to go or not in some places , so far what we have noticed down here is that if you are an allert and good skills diver you can find all the "unmarked jump" anyway.
However what we are trying to do is to pubblish all the new caves that are explored, not telling people which dive they should do.
For example we started the tread "Sistema Ixchel", we gave some info of where is this new system and what we suggest would be a reasonable team size in this cave , now is up to each cave diver responsability not to destroy it or putting themself in danger.
I think we can avoid having the caves destroy by providing people with good training not closing up sites or not telling people where they are.
So I guess we are on the same page, feel free to add any new Cenote infos in this group.




Don Chennavasin said:

Most of the people I know have been very open with information, though detail does differ. I think it's based on intension and the guides personal judgement on the skill level of the divers asking.

One person I know likes to give very detailed instruction to the cenote site and how to enter and find upstream and downstream lines, but beyond that, the recommendation is "go and explore."

Other people I've noticed slowly give out information. First time, it'll be details on the mainline. Second time, I'll get recommendations on a jump off the mainline. Third or fourth time, it'll be a recommendation of an unmarked passage to explore.

Now that we've gone to Mexico a few times (each year, and multiple times a year), the first discussion is where we've been and seen. From there, the person we meet up with will offer new suggestions at that level or maybe a little step above.

At the same time, I have seen the opposite. Where people are unwilling to share any information about a particular site, even when directly asked for clarification of a particular section or area. There are valid reasons to without information, but when it's for profit or pride, then it's ridiculous.

Permalink Reply by Emanuela Bertoni on April 30, 2010 at 12:29pm

Update on Xtabay, Chikin Ha and Ixchel:

the access still closed, many voices around, the owner promised to open soon, we are all looking forward to have access again.
At the moment there is a Alltournative van parked permanently in front of the gate from inside, hope all the issues will be resolved soon so we can all enjoy the fantastic Cenotes that that land has, Xtabay is great for diving and training, Chikin Ha is a very popular Cenote tour site and Ixchel, well is our little baby so we desperately need to access to that place, otherwise we will need to find connection from somewhere else!!!
Enjoy cave diving!!!
Best
Ela & Adam