No injured cavers recorded.
In March of 1981 three cavers, John Burkig, Steve Knutson, and Todd Rasmussen were scouting for caves on the 10-11,000 foot high Cuilco Plateau in Guatemala. On the day in question Burkig remained in camp while the other two hiked several miles across the plateau in search of the elusive cave. Finding a pit, a rope was rigged and, stepping through a small tangle of brush at the lip, both descended the 40 foot drop. A sloping passage led to another pit and a second rope was rigged. This second pit proved to be about 80 feet but offered no continuation. At the entrance pit, Rassmussen began to ascend when suddenly burning branches began falling! Speeding his ascent through smoke he arrived at the top to find the brush around the pit in flames - indeed the only part not on fire was the root of a tree over which the rope passed at the breakover. By the time Knutson ascended, the fire had been extinguished.
Reference: Steve Knutson Personal Communication July, 1982.
Analysis: The fire had been ignited by the cavers' carbide lamps but this had been so subtle - it apparently only smouldered at first - that they did not notice it. If the rope had burned through they might never have been found. Take heed.
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.