Paddling Underground

Watch as adventure paddler Rafa Ortiz and his team hike into and kayak down an underground river in the cave system of Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park deep in the heart of Mexico.

The topography of the land meant there wasn't a ton of vertical drops over the 3km section, but there were some Class III and even small sections of Class IV rapids. Not the kind of thing you want to be unprepared for – especially in the dark. So, equipped with high-powered headlamps, the team ducked, dived and paddled until they saw light at the end of the tunnel – literally.