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Authors: Emile A. Pessagno
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past—to the age of Mayans, Toltecs, and Aztecs.
The farther the group descended into the Canyon of the Río Vinasco, the more the climate changed. By the time the geologists reached the canyon floor, the climate had changed from the cool temperate climate at the canyon rim to a steaming hot tropical climate. As the climate changed, the vegetation followed suit. The canyon bottom was populated with large banyan and cypress trees accompanied by underbrush consisting of ferns, caladiums, bananas, papayas, and other plants that only a botanist knowledgeable about tropical plants could identify. Not all of these smaller plants were friendly. Some were nettles that could cause a severe reaction if they brushed against your skin.
By now it was about eleven thirty in the morning. Miller said, “Arturo, I suggest that you tell the handlers to unload the camping equipment and supplies near the old deserted stone building at La Calera. We’ll make La Calera our base camp. Then we had better start measuring some sections. According to Burckhardt’s studies, contacts between the Santiago, Taman, Pimienta, and Chapulhuacan formations are exposed near La Calera. I guess today we will try to collect samples from the Santiago and Taman formations and measure their thickness. Arturo, ask the handlers to obtain some bananas and papayas from the local Indians.”
The heat and humidity in the canyon were oppressive. The thermometer that Miller carried in his backpack read 110 °F. Miller judged the humidity was at least ninety-five percent. Although the geologists had loaded up on Gatorade, Gary and Miller both succumbed to severe heat prostration and started throwing up. They returned to camp and put ice packs on the backs of their necks. After an hour, the two geologists attempted to rehydrate themselves with more Gatorade. Fortunately, Arturo and Felipe were in good shape and were able to tend to the needs of their companions when they returned to camp.
It was not until eight o'clock that evening that Gary and Miller felt like eating. Arturo fixed a quick meal from a large can of beef stew and bread that he had received from Dr. Toa Vaca’s wife. The bananas, papayas, avocados, and limes that the handlers had gotten from the local Indians balanced out the meal. When dinner was done, the topic of conversation naturally changed to geology and how things had gone today. Apparently, Arturo and Felipe were able to complete their work on the Santiago Formation. Miller and Gary didn’t fare as well—they were only able to measure and sample the lower part of the Taman Formation because of their heat prostration as well as unexpected problems due to the presence of several faults.
Miller said, “Tomorrow, I suggest that we finish measuring the rest of the Taman Formation, the Pimienta Formation, and the lower part of the Chapulhuacan Limestone. This may be difficult, because the quality of the rock exposures isn’t as good as it was described in the geologic literature.”
At sunset, a weird sound arose from somewhere nearby in the canyon. Arturo said, “What in the hell is that? It makes my skin crawl. Look over there. There’s a green glow rising from somewhere upstream.”
Miller said, “I had a bad feeling about this place as we went down into the canyon. What we just saw and heard fits in with what Guillermo Toa Vaca told us about the ghost of an Aztec war chief blowing a horn made out of a conch shell at sunset. The sooner we get out of this canyon, the better. The last geologist to visit this place died of a mysterious disease soon after.”
CHAPTER 14
Field Expedition
Saturday, May 13, 2000: Huayacocotla, Day 3
The sun rose with the sound of howler monkeys and squawking parrots. At least there were no loud trucks spewing clouds of black, oily smoke. The geologists had no trouble waking up.
Miller and Gary cooked some bacon and eggs and later made some toast in a frying plan. There was more than enough food to feed both
The farther the group descended into the Canyon of the Río Vinasco, the more the climate changed. By the time the geologists reached the canyon floor, the climate had changed from the cool temperate climate at the canyon rim to a steaming hot tropical climate. As the climate changed, the vegetation followed suit. The canyon bottom was populated with large banyan and cypress trees accompanied by underbrush consisting of ferns, caladiums, bananas, papayas, and other plants that only a botanist knowledgeable about tropical plants could identify. Not all of these smaller plants were friendly. Some were nettles that could cause a severe reaction if they brushed against your skin.
By now it was about eleven thirty in the morning. Miller said, “Arturo, I suggest that you tell the handlers to unload the camping equipment and supplies near the old deserted stone building at La Calera. We’ll make La Calera our base camp. Then we had better start measuring some sections. According to Burckhardt’s studies, contacts between the Santiago, Taman, Pimienta, and Chapulhuacan formations are exposed near La Calera. I guess today we will try to collect samples from the Santiago and Taman formations and measure their thickness. Arturo, ask the handlers to obtain some bananas and papayas from the local Indians.”
The heat and humidity in the canyon were oppressive. The thermometer that Miller carried in his backpack read 110 °F. Miller judged the humidity was at least ninety-five percent. Although the geologists had loaded up on Gatorade, Gary and Miller both succumbed to severe heat prostration and started throwing up. They returned to camp and put ice packs on the backs of their necks. After an hour, the two geologists attempted to rehydrate themselves with more Gatorade. Fortunately, Arturo and Felipe were in good shape and were able to tend to the needs of their companions when they returned to camp.
It was not until eight o'clock that evening that Gary and Miller felt like eating. Arturo fixed a quick meal from a large can of beef stew and bread that he had received from Dr. Toa Vaca’s wife. The bananas, papayas, avocados, and limes that the handlers had gotten from the local Indians balanced out the meal. When dinner was done, the topic of conversation naturally changed to geology and how things had gone today. Apparently, Arturo and Felipe were able to complete their work on the Santiago Formation. Miller and Gary didn’t fare as well—they were only able to measure and sample the lower part of the Taman Formation because of their heat prostration as well as unexpected problems due to the presence of several faults.
Miller said, “Tomorrow, I suggest that we finish measuring the rest of the Taman Formation, the Pimienta Formation, and the lower part of the Chapulhuacan Limestone. This may be difficult, because the quality of the rock exposures isn’t as good as it was described in the geologic literature.”
At sunset, a weird sound arose from somewhere nearby in the canyon. Arturo said, “What in the hell is that? It makes my skin crawl. Look over there. There’s a green glow rising from somewhere upstream.”
Miller said, “I had a bad feeling about this place as we went down into the canyon. What we just saw and heard fits in with what Guillermo Toa Vaca told us about the ghost of an Aztec war chief blowing a horn made out of a conch shell at sunset. The sooner we get out of this canyon, the better. The last geologist to visit this place died of a mysterious disease soon after.”
CHAPTER 14
Field Expedition
Saturday, May 13, 2000: Huayacocotla, Day 3
The sun rose with the sound of howler monkeys and squawking parrots. At least there were no loud trucks spewing clouds of black, oily smoke. The geologists had no trouble waking up.
Miller and Gary cooked some bacon and eggs and later made some toast in a frying plan. There was more than enough food to feed both
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