mexico cave projects

Mexico contains the deepest caves in the western hemisphere and some of the longest caves in the world. There are very active projects in several of the caves of the Sierra Mazateca, in the state of Oaxaca, near the towns of Huautla de Jiménez and Cuicatlán.


Sistema Huautla

Sistema Huautla is the deepest cave in the western hemisphere at 1560 meters (5,117 feet). It has more than 20 entrances and is divided into 5 sections (San Agustin, Rio Iglesia, Nita Nanta, Li Nita and La Grieta). Exploration, survey, and scientific study in the cave system is being managed by PESH (Proyecto Espeleológico Sistema Huautla) under the joint leadership of Bill Steele and Tommy Shifflett. The PESH project has plans to conduct a month-long expedition every year in April from 2014 until 2023. Most of the exploration activity in recent years has been centered on the La Grieta part of the system.


sistema cheve

Sistema Cheve is the second deepest cave in the western hemisphere, and due to recent discoveries is now more than 46 km in length.