2003 Expedition

In the spring of 2003 an expanded team again traveled to Mexico to further the search for an avenue into the cave. The group prepared by bringing many more tools than they had previously hauled to the hill. They brought collapsible ladders, rock chisels, rock hammers, power tools and hammer drills.

The cave entrance, that is now closed, was observed as being open in 1979 when Neil Steede returned to Cerro Rabon to continue his investigation of the mountain as a possible repository for the ancient records referred to in both the Book of Mormon and the Popol Vuh. Neil had witnessed how the opening had a mist flowing from it during the morning hours as the face of the cliff warmed from the heat of the sun. The cool moist air of the mountain exiting the cave met with the hot air on the cliff face and formed a mist. Subsequently, condensation that formed at the opening provided an excellent environment for moss to develop.

Over the years the moss leached the gypsum and other minerals from the limestone rock composition of the mountain. With each passing year the opening got smaller and smaller until it completely covered over. What is left is a thick rock plug with the density of concrete.

The group worked very hard to quickly erect a metal ladder that reached the base of the closed cave entrance. The team members soon worked in shifts to beat away at the face of the cave, but to no avail. The rock plug was too thick and too dense for hand held tools.