#2: [20-Oct-06]

English

30-May-2004 -- Estuve posponiendo esta confluencia porque el mapa topográfico (1:250,000) era elocuente, así que decidí verificar primero. A esta confluencia se llega manejando 2 hrs. de Monterrey hasta Rayones, pasando Montemorelos famoso por sus naranjales.

El camino cruza la sierra Santa Maria zigzagueando peligrosamente (foto 3), mientras mas avanzabamos mas se materializaban mis temores. La confluencia esta localizada en la cresta de una montaña traicionera (photo1) y lo mas cerca que llegue fueron 2.5km. Considero que esta confluencia es –una trampa-; estimo que tomaría 5 horas escalar sus 800m a través de rocas sueltas y cactus y ni siquiera estoy seguro que alguien llegue a 100m de esta.

La sierra Santa Maria divide el fértil valle de Montemorelos del yermo de Rayones, aun así, el río Pilón lo hace un lugar extrañamente agradable. La foto2 muestra al explorador-beta (mi hijo) refrescándose de la frustrante experiencia a 40 grados Celsius.

Lo siento, no tome foto del GPS, supongo que la cruda realidad (frustración) y el calor (40 Celsius) terminaron afectándome.

English

I’ve been postponing this visit for I knew a 2-day excursion might be needed, so I decided to scout the area first. The best way to approach this Confluence is driving 2 hrs. from Monterrey to Rayones, past Montemorelos, famous county for its oranges.

The road crosses zigzagging the sierra Santa Maria (photo 3), the more we drove my fears became more real (I kept the topo in my mind). The confluence is located on the top shoulder of the mountain (see photo1) and the closest we were to it were 2.5 km. I regard this confluence as –a trap-; my best guess is that it will take a painful 5 hours climb (800m) through loose rocks and cactuses and still unsure anyone could make it within 100 m (see photo 3 to get an idea of the terrain).

The Santa Maria sierra divides the fertile soil of Montemorelos and the rocky-dry valley of Rayones, yet the Pilon River makes it a mysterious place to be. Photo2 depicts explorer-beta resting from a frustrating 104-Fahrenheit experience.

Sorry, no GPS picture, I guess the bold reality (frustration) and heat (104’F) took it’s toll on me.

Coordinator's Note: Photos 1 and 3 have been changed since original photo 1 (now 3) had a visitor in it. Keep this in mind when looking at the topo map which makes reference to the photos by number.