Report #1 of the EJIDO JACINTO PAT EXPLORATION EXPEDITION

Yesterday the first team members of the "Away Team" arrived.

Stephen Keene, Sue Sharples, Lee Gibson, Kevin Mack, Connie LoRe and Travis LoRe. Yesterday Brian Kulka made an attempt to connect Macco's Marvel (M1) to Cenote Kentucky Castle. Had a good look at it. Very optimistic he can do it. Strong flow, hard flow stone with NO silt. Has to use a "No Mount" technique to succeed. Ed Grossenbacher of Austin, Texas (certified through Jim Bowden) added 1700 feet to the M1 cave system yesterday. Saw tons of going big leads. A Goldmine! M1 now has over 18,000 feet. When connected to Cenote Kentucky Castle, it will jump DOS OJOS from 118,000 feet up past 136,000 feet. Everyone is excited. Jonathan Lesh of Spring Systems Dive Outpost will working as DIVEMASTER at BASECAMP. Last night we had a two hour organizational meeting. We now have over 50,000 feet of guideline added to our supply invemtory. Thank you to DIVERITE! Second wave of TEAM MEMBERS arrive today. Bill Renaker, Jill Rabjohn, Paul Heinerth, Gary Lemme, Rich Chapski and Bob Griffith. OCEANIC - Barry Warner came through with two DPV's, regulators, etc. Yes. 500 special directional markers made it from Richard Rachel of ULTRATEK in Jordan, Utah. They are fantastic. Sistema EJP stamped into each one. Portable compressor - 7 h.p. working like a champ. Everyone impressed with BASECAMP. Full time Cook and camp tender hired - Macco - owner of the land at M1.

Tom Young and Lance Milbrand arrive June 14th to begin shooting the VIDEO footage for PBS. Bill Dooley arrives June 14th.Michael Menduno arrives June 14th.
Steve Irving, Steve Berman, Pat Watson, Keith Kinard and David Miner - my "Ace of Spades" team arrives June 15th.

Guy Bryant dropped out because of Grandmother's death yesterday. We can transport ALL equipment by 4 wheel drive to within 6 minute walk of Kentucky Castle and M1. Soon as Brian Kulka "Secret Weapon" connects M1 to Kentucky Castle then we move him to Sistema EK BE and begin working on that connect. Steve Keene begins pushing toward Xel Ha today...

Thank you to our SPONSORS and DONATERS.
DIVERITE, OCEANIC, IANTD - TOM MOUNT, NACD, SCUBA WEST, VILLAS DEROSA/AQUATECH, ULTRATEK, IT'S DIVE TIME - ROB HARRIS (Oh, EVERYONE LOVES OUR BASEBALL CAPS PROVIDED THROUGH ROB HARRIS in COLUMBUS, OHIO), SPRING SYSTEMS DIVE OUTPOST, HENDERSON WETSUITS, AMERICAN UNDERWATER LIGHTING, etc. SUCCEEDED in getting ALL DOS OJOS DATA loaded on to the SMAPS program. WE are rocking with that.

Thank you to HARVE THORN with his help! TODAY will be hectic getting things in place. Sending Lee Gibson downstream HILARIO's WELL. He will find the saltwater zone.