The La Venta Geographical Association was called to analyze the situation and if possible to find solutions. It was not a casual choice. The La Venta team is very familiar with the place: in 1993, with a complex and dramatic expedition, has dropped to 800 meters of the canyon wall to reach the cave that originates the waterfall, and explored it.
We think that the causes of the decrease of the water flow that feeds the waterfall are essentially two: deforestation occurred in the summital plateau and the progressive obstruction of calcite that is happening inside the cave, in a narrowing of the cavity that already in 1993 was evident.
It is impossible to determine without adequate studies which of the two causes is dominant, but it is certain that the decrease of the water flow has increased the speed of deposition of calcium carbonate in the cave, accelerating the obstruction to be much higher than today as observed 21 years ago.
For this reason the Association La Venta, at the request of the government of Chiapas and Sumidero Canyon National Park, has accepted the challenge: to go back to face the wall to enter the cave and unblocking mechanically the cap of calcite. But not only that: we want to take this opportunity to make underwater exploration and understanding of the water system.
No one has ever dropped a wall of this size, carrying heavy equipment, to go to "save a waterfall." And no one has ever thought to go to make a diving in those extreme conditions. But since this is necessary, we will try to do so.
Technically, the operation involves to stay in the wall at least 4-5 days, placing more than 1000 meters of fixed ropes and preparing to solve by our own any kind of problem: falling rocks, risks related to vegetation and insects, tropical storms, fog, wind, rain. The extreme verticality of the wall doesn't permit any possibility of air rescue.
The team will be conducted by a group of mixed Italian and Mexican partners of La Venta, assisted by two teams of logistical support positioned at the top of the wall and at the bottom, on boats, floating on the deep waters of the Rio Grijalva. The scientific coordination will be maintained by the Centro de Estudios Kàrsticos La Venta, located in Tuxtla Gutierrez, capital of Chiapas. We will have the support of public and private institutions.
The story of the rescue of the Arbol de Navidad is an operation of intense symbolic significance and universal breath. For this will become a documentary produced by La Venta and Terra Incognita.
Feverish the final days of preparation and inspections.
On December 2, we will bring our Christmas gift to the Arbol de Navidad.