The Asociación Espeleológica de Patagonia (EspeleoPatagonia) has initiated its 2025 training cycles in the region, beginning its first caving exploration campaign in the Exploradores Valley.
By Patricio Segura
The Asociación Espeleológica de Patagonia, a non-profit organization aimed at developing and consolidating the discipline of speleology in our country, has started its calendar of training modules this year in the Aysén region, in the town of Puerto Río Tranquilo, in the municipality of Río Ibáñez.
Three courses are open to people interested in learning caving progression techniques using ropes, self-rescue and cave surveying. The courses allow the participants - a total of 12 men and women from different parts of the region - to develop independently this discipline dedicated to the sporting and scientific exploration of the underground world.
The introductory caving modules I and II, in their second version in Puerto Río Tranquilo (the first was carried out in 2023), have been implemented by EspeleoPatagonia on El Cototo hill from February 4 to 7, adding for this year the application of module III on cave surveying, which was carried out on February 8 and 9 at Kilometer 20 of the Exploradores Valley.
The logistics of the modules in Puerto Tranquilo were managed and supported by the Hotel El Puesto as an operations center for the technical equipment used and as a venue for the screening of the film “Patagonia, la última frontera” (by French director Gilles Santantonio), a documentary shown on February 10th about the last expedition carried out by the speleological organizations Centre Terre (France) and EspeleoPatagonia in the summer of 2023 in the Madre de Dios archipelago..
Getting to know our subterranean heritage
The third caving module in Puerto Río Tranquilo took place in the heart of the Exploradores Valley, where more than 16 years ago a team of Italian cavers prospected three marble caves. Today, these caves provide the ideal setting for learning the full range of knowledge relating to subterranean exploration and the practice of surveying techniques.
Thus, the participants in the cave surveying course (module III) went to the area to set up a camp that was not without its challenges and, of course, pleasant stories and moments of camaraderie. Such experiences were made possible by the logistics of the camp, which was set up thanks to the hospitality of the local Ricardo Cadagán and his family.
The third caving module in Puerto Río Tranquilo took place in the heart of the Exploradores Valley, where more than 16 years ago a team of Italian cavers prospected three marble caves. Today, these caves provide the ideal setting for learning the full range of knowledge relating to subterranean exploration and the practice of surveying techniques.
Thus, the participants in the cave surveying course (module III) went to the area to set up a camp that was not without its challenges and, of course, pleasant stories and moments of camaraderie. Such experiences were made possible by the logistics of the camp, which was set up thanks to the hospitality of the local Ricardo Cadagán and his family.
From caving training to the consolidation of the Espeleo Mármol team
The introductory caving courses in Río Tranquilo are the second cycle carried out in the region since 2023, the year in which, in addition to participating in the aforementioned training, 10 local residents formed Espeleo Mármol, a group that aims to strengthen the practice of caving in the region.
The Espeleo Mármol group is currently open to new members who have completed this year's modules, and has unique and exciting potential considering the range of possible speleological activities in the area.
Explorers Valley Campaign 2025
After the training cycle, the Asociación Espeleológica de Patagonia will carry out an exploration campaign in the karstic sector of the Explorers Valley, with the aim of prospecting the area and identifying what any speleologist is passionate about: discovering caves and exploring them. Caving can be carried out in areas called karstic, that is to say, in areas of marble or limestone in which water has carved out cavities.
The Explorers Valley Campaign 2025 will take place between February 10 and 24, in the town of Puerto Río Tranquilo (western shore of Lake General Carrera), and will involve the participation of six members of the organization (including a speleologist from the French Speleology Federation), as well as members of the local group Espeleo Mármol.
Among the main activities of this campaign, of particular note is the implementation of a contingency and safety plan, which is being coordinated with the Ministry of National Property and the GOPE rescue unit of the Aysén region.
The results of the “Valle Exploradores 2025” exploration campaign will be shared with the Ministry of National Property and through Espeleo Patagonia's main media channels (www.espeleopatagonia.cl on the web and social networks @espeleopatagonia on Instagram and @espeleoPatagonia on Facebook).
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