Sara
Full Description and Surveys
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 9,
No. 39.
2.20
Lat 43 12' 30" Long 1 01' 10"
Location:
Above SARA mine.
Description:Large, loose rift by water pool. About 30m of
easy walking mine passage to choke.
2.21
Lat 43 12' 25" Long 1 01' 15"
Location:
Above 2.20
Description:
Small climb splits into two passages. One chokes after 6m; the other is
small and loose, leading into a mined chamber. This chokes but daylight
enters from a nearby shaft.
2.22
Lat 43 12' 30" Long 1 01' 20"
Location:
A few metres NW of 2.21.
Description:
Mined. 2.5 second free-fall stone down shaft. May join SARA. Worth
investigation.
2.23
Lat 43 12' 30" Long 1 01' 15"
Location:
East of 2.22
Description:
Snow-plug entrance has two passages above it. One, a roof tunnel, sinks
to boulders, the other is a deep shaft, undescended, needing another
visit.
2.24. Tere.
Full description and survey
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 9 and
No. 15.
2.1
Lat 43 12' 20" Long 1 01' 05"
Location:
West of 2.24.
Description:
Small snow plug in old mine entrance. After 3m the passage sumps, but
as mine props continue further in, this must have been passable at some
time.
2.2
Lat 43 12' 25" Long 1 01' 10"
Location:
Directly beneath SARA mine, at base of spoil heap.
Description:
10m shaft is choke at the bottom by mine debris. Possibly a faint noise
of running water.
2.25
Lat 43 12' 30" Long 1 01 05"
Location:
South east of 2.1.
Description:
2m by 5m entrance, with snow slope appearing to overhang a ledge 7m
below.
2.26
Lat 43 12' 15" Long 1 01' 05"
Location:
South east of 2.25.
Description:
Tight entrance leads into low passage, ending after 6m.
2.27
Lat 43 12' 15" Long 1 01' 00"
Location:
Above 2.26.
Description:
Twin entrances. On the right a low and wet mine passage forks after
20m; one chokes after 10m, the second is blocked by a roof fall after
15m. Left narrow entrance leads into higher passage with shored roof,
which also chokes.
2.28
Lat 43 12' 25" Long 1 01' 10"
Location:
North west of 2.1.
Description:
Entrance filled with mining debris, but a small gap on the righthand
side could be cleared enogh to enter.
2.30
Lat 43 12' 10" Long 1 01' 05"
Location:
South of 2.27 in line with the ruined cabana by the track.
Description:
8m passage splits into several others, all of which choke quickly.
2.31
Lat 43 12' 20" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
South of upper cabana.
Description:
A mine named G-UVAS. 20m into the cave a 15m pitch lands on loose
rubble floor.
2.32
Lat 43 12' 15" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
South east of 2.31.
Description:
The entrance is beside an ice plug into -
2.32a
A mine passage, with some water, which continues for 250m before ending
abruptly after a climb up a boulder slope. Various side passages remain
unexplored.
2.33
Lat 43 12' 15" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
North of 2.32.
Description:
Stone wall on the North side marks the entrance. A 2m drop on to a small
ledge with a horizontal snow plug leads upward to unexplored passage.
2.34
Lat 43 12' 20" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
10m above 2.33.
Description:
8m of passage leads to the bottom of a 5m pitch emerging in daylight
again.
2.35
Lat 43 12' 10" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
South east of 2.33.
Description:
Low chamber leads to a passage with a 20m natural shaft in the floor.
The passage continues for another 30m before reaching a 10m pitch in a
rift. Some evidence of mining in the roof. Neither pitch was descended.
2.36
Lat 43 12' 10" Long 1 00' 55"
Location:
5m South west of 2.35, at the top of a scree slope.
Description:
10m passage is choked by mining spoil, and a mine level to the right
ends after 12m.
2.40
Lat 43 12' 25" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
East of upper cabana above Sara track.
Description:
6m shaft and 3m boulder slope leads to a small chamber, choked with
boulders and pitprops.
2.41
Lat 43 12' 15" Long 1 00' 45"
Location:
South east of 2.40, on the spur running parallel to the track.
Description:
Entrance to this mine level, is at the top of an obvious spoil heap. A
series of small trial levels all choke before 10m
2.42
Lat 43 12' 20" Long 1 00' 45"
Location:
East of lower cabana above the spur.
Description:
A small chamber is blocked by ice stals, but a small entrance, 5m lower
down, reaches a 15m undescended hading ladder climb.
2.43
Lat 43 11' 55" Long 1 00' 45"
Location:
Just below ridge on horizon, above the lower cabana.
Description:
Very large, obvious entrance, has been blasted to 7m diameter. The mine
level in the back leads, after 12m, to the top of a chamber 6m deep,
with a further 9m slope. the mine level continues beyond, but was not
explore due to collapsed wooden bridge.
2.5
Lat 43 12' 35" Long 1 01' 10"
Location:
Entering Sara depression, take old road leading off to the right for
about 100m.
Description:
Natural shaft 50m deep with 15m diameter entrance. At the pitch bootom
a rift continues. Not fully explored.
3.1
Lat 43 13' 15" Long 1 00' 50"
Location:
Just below the Beges track, at the base of a small east-facing cliff.
Description:
Small hole leads to 30m natural shaft. Several short passages end quickly.
3.2
Lat 43 13' 15" Long 1 00' 25"
Location:
At the bottom of a large inclined depression 275m below the Beges
track. A cairn by the road marks the depression.
Description:
Slightly inclined shaft, widening to 7m by 3m at a ledge after 35m.
This becomes narrow again and possibly descends another 45m. Needs
further investigation.
2.5.This is not placed as shown on the 1978 area map
and has not been found since 1977. It was probably confused with
one of the other entrances now labelled differently.
T163.
Lat: 43 12'57" Long: 1 1'40"
Location:
Follow the track towards Sotres for 300m down from the White House
to where the ground rises up on the right. The entrance is found lOm from
the track on the right.
Entrance and Description:
A 3m by 2m moss covered natural shaft 12m deep
to a small chamber. A low section leads to another larger chamber with the
continuation blocked by boulders.
T87. Mazarraza.
Lat and Long: as for T91.
Location:
5m from the White House.
Entrance:
A stooping timbered entrance and dam leads to wading passage.
Description: Pass two dams to Mazarraza cave system
(see LUSS 1977) - the large shaft on the right hand side. The
mine continues for some distance with a number a short natural
sections, but with nothing of great interest. However some of
the high level works have not been explored.
T88.
Lat: 43 12'43" Long: 1°01'30"
Location:
Climb up the spoil heap above T87 to the first level ground.
The entrance is on the left lOm from the spoil edge.
Entrance and Description:
A 2m square, muddy floored, mined entrance can be followed for
70m to a junction both ways on soon choke but one drauqhts strongly.
T.89.
Lat: 43 12'43" Long: 1 01'30"
Location:
Just above T88.
Entrance and Description:
A 2m square obvious walk in mine entrance with muddy floor.
The level splits after 25m but both ways soon end with roof collapses.
T91. RCA 6 - Lower White House Mine - Boulderosa - Italianos.
Lat 43 12' 43" Long: 1 01' 27"
Location:
30m from the mining (White House) house beside the track from
Sotres to Beges.
Entrance:
A large mined entrance in the cliff face just above and on the right of
the track.
Description:
This is the lower entrance to an extensive mine in which
we found much natural development. The mines RCA6, ltalianos and
Rosario (T144) link through to this level, coming down from the
Lake Depression. From the T91 level a number of
natural and mined workings continue down and these include the
spiral staircase and RCA6 lower level plus
Boulderosa and the area
beyond the aerial walkway. This final area was briefly
mentioned in LUSS 1977, but was more fully explored this year.
Beyond the Aerial Walkway
From T91 entrance by the White House continue straight
along the mine level, pass the dam and take rhe right
fork. Continue to the extensive wooden floored and
dangerous walkways. Traverse over the beams until
reaching the third collapse area
where it is safer to descend the lOm pitch to a lower,
large ledge and climb back up 1nto the passage at the
other side of the collapse. Soon afterwards on the left
is a large natural shaft best descended through an eyehole
round to the right. A 17m pitch leads to a traverse over a
wooden platform and 25m pitch in a mined rift. The rift
continues to a choke.
We think that T91 level and below have now been fairly fully explored.
Survey
Boulderosa Description
Italianos Description
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 9.
T144. Rosario.
Lat: 43 12'39" Long: 1 01' 46"
Location:
On the south side of the Lake Depression and just above
the lake. It lies between Italianos and RCA 6 mines
Entrance:
A 2m by 2m walk in mine entrance.
Description:
After 20m the mine passage spllts and right
leads to an 8m pitch. The scree descent leads to a 28m
pitch and extensive unexplored series ending in the T91
(Lower White House) mine level. The original left fork
was not explored.
T101.
Lat: 43 12'38" Long: 1 01'30"
Location:
From the square pond above the White House following
the zig-zag path south up the scree and into the valley.
Follow the path up to the head of the valley past TllO
and climb up to the spoil floor beside the mined entrance.
Entrance:
A lOm long by up to 5m wide mined fault rift.
Description:
Descend the southern end down the scree to the head of a lOm pitch
wlth snow floor. From the bottom two routes lead off, one via a 7m
pitch to a flooded mine level, the other leadlng to a 25m pitch and
mflne continuation. An interesting position on the fault and well
worth further investigation.
T121.
Lat: 43 12'35" Long: 1 02'8"
Location:
Continue along the track past the lake, in the
Lake Depression and from the shale mound branch
right up the scree to thbase of the cliffs. Follow
the path along the base of the cllffs over the small
col between the cliffs and the large upstanding rock.
Carry straight on past the slanting
path up the cliffs whlch is the route to the 56
depression. Continue in thls direction until
reaching a large depression near the head of the
Lake Depression. The moss covered lake drains to
a small sink.
Entrance:
A small hole, 3m from the
sink, drops into the cave.
Description:
Follow the tight vadose trench down a 4m climb and
continue for a few metres until an impossibly tight
bedding plane is reached.
T143.
Lat: 43 12'32" Long: 1 01'46"
Location:
From the square pond take the left fork off the Lake
Depression track and continue past the fault valley
to the massive flat floored depression. Follow the SW
track from the entrance to the depression for approximately
500m past T145 (LUSS 1) to just before the point where it
starts to descend to mine RCA 22. The entrance is rlght,
beside and to the left of the track.
Entrance:
A lOm long by lm wide natural rift.
Descriptlon:
Two separate 50m shafts
connect at the bottom. The continuing
passage was propped and unstable. It was not explored.
T151.
Lat: 43 12'23" Long: 1 01'47"
Location:
From T143 continue along the track for 20m and
take the left fork up for about 200m. The
entrance is close to and on the north slde
of the track.
Entrance and Description:
A snow plugged N to S natural rift 30m deep
and inclined at 70 degrees. The rift becomes
too narrow.
T153.
Lat and Long: same as T151.
Location:
25m above and south of T151.
Entrance and Description: A large, natural, snow-plugged,
crescent-shaped shaft. At the eastern end a climb down
behind the snow plug to a large chamber. A lot of mine
debris was held up by rotting beams and the dangerous
descending passage, down the scree was not followed.
T154. CUESTA.
Lat and Long: same as T123.
Location:
Pass the square pond and continue a short way
into the Lake Depression. Take the track first
left up the side of the depression and follow
it over the fault rift into the massive, flat
floored depression riddled with unexplored
mines. Cuesta lies
in the back wall of the depression just above the
floor.
Entrance and Description:
A 2m by 2m walk in entrance. The lower entrance to T123 "ROSA".
T145. POZO DEL CASTILLO.
Description and Surveys.
T147.
Lat and Long: same as T145.
Location:
Pass the massive flat floored depression and continue
along the mining track to T145. The entrance is
20m below the track and opposite T145.
Entrance:
A natural cave entrance enlarged by mining and
entered through a natural arch.
Description:
20m of walking size natural passage leads via a
3m climb to mined passage. A hole in the floor
on the right is the only way on and leads down a
rubble slope to a wooden platform over a 20m shaft.
From the bottom a maze of mined passages lead
off with a 30m undescended pitch.
T150.
Lat and Long: same as T145.
Location:
Twenty metres south of T145 at the base of a smail cliff,
in a large rift.
Entrance and Description:
Walk in natural entrance with 10m continuation to choke.
T146.
43 12'26" 1 01'44"
Location:
From T145 follow the rift uphill and southwards for lOOm.
Entrance and Description:
A large mined rift plugged with snow at the north end,
but can be descended to the south. A lOm pitch
leads to a connection with the north end beneath a
boulder bridge.
T152.
Lat and Long: same as T146.
Location: 10m west of the rift containing T146
Entrance and Description: A 3m wide natural shaft 15m
deep to a rubble floor.
T148.
Lat and Long: same as T146.
Location: About 20m from and above T146. From
T146 follow the line of the large rift with T150 at its lowest point.
v
Entance: A 2m by 1m natural shaft.
Description: A 17m pitch to a descent over
boulders and 8m pitch. A short handline climb drops you
to the head of a fine 23m rift pitch and shortly following
21m pitch split by a bridge of rock, but with no way on.
A series of tight rift passages can be followed from the
bottom of the 23m pitch, but all either choke with snow or
become impassable.
T149.
Lat and Long: same as T146.
Location:
2m north of T148.
Entrance and Description:
Small natural shaft 5m deep with no continuation.
T126.
Lat 43 12'30" Long 1 01'41"
Location:
West of Pico E1 Graja and forming the outer edge of the
Lake Depression is a N-S cliff line. The entrance lies
40m below the rockface. Following the track up the
southern side of the Lake Depression the left fork
just after T143 is taken. This track is followed to
its end at an unmarked mine entrance. The entrance is
on the limestone pavement just above the mine entrance.
Entrance and Description:
One of a line of shallow depressions one of which
has a lm wide natural shaft at the bottom. An 8m
pitch or climb leads to a choked boulder floor.
T127.
Lat: 43 12'23" Long: 1 01'28"
Location:
A number of tracks lead up towards Pico E1 Graja,
from the Long Cabanas and Southern flank of the
Lake Depression. Several routes converge to the
break in the cliff line immediately west of the
rocky peak. A good path follows the N-S valley
corresponding to the break to the south of the peak.
Something like lOOm up this valley and close to the
track lies the entrance.
Entrance and Description:
A long rift largely full of snow, but which can be
descended for 18m with no way on.
T128.
Lat: 43 12'28" Long: 1 01'21"
Location:
500m, along the track from T127. The entrance is 5Om
below the ruined cabana on the ridge.
Entrance and Description:
A very large, N-S,
natural fault rift with a 25m pitch to a rift which
chokes in both directions. The mine levels 30m down
the hill also choke.
T122.
43 12'43" l 01'40"
Location:
From the long cabanas take the track towards the
White House and on the bend branch off left along a
walled track.
Entrance:
On the edge of the obvious
flat spoil mound is a large 8m by 4m shaft with rock
bridge across the centre. Snow partly fills the shaft
and a passage leads off from the bottom. A second
entrance is in a rift above the first.
Description:
Walk down the rubble and over the snow into the mined out
natural passage to where the upper shaft joins it. Shortly
a 20m pitch is reached with three blind mined galleries at the bottom.
T124.
Lat and Long: same as Tl22.
Location:
Follow the path from above Tl22 running up the side of
Pico El Graja. The path
runs Northwards and after lOOm
forks. The entrance is just by the fork on the left of the
track.
Entrance:
Two 2m by 2m entrances side by side, one
descending steeply.
Description:
One level is short with a pool, the other slopes down at
45 degrees to a mined rift. Mined passage continues with spoil
climbs to another entrance 20m above. This entrance is not
marked.
v
T123. "Minas Rosa".
Lat: 43 12' 26" Long: 1 01' 23"
Location:
From the long cabanas walk north along the track
towards the White House. Take the first obvious track on the
left past T122 and follow it up to the level ground and spoil
in front of the mine.
Entrance:
An obvious 2m by lm walk in
adit entrance in a snow filled rift.
Description:
Walk in to a junction 20m from the entrance. The right
hand passage leads to an undescended pitch whilst straight
ahead for 200m leads to a 40m pitch. From the bottom the
right hand route has not been investigated, but left past
an undescended shaft leads to a 20m pitch through platforms
and a further lOm pitch. From the bottom, to the left, over
two shafts (the second having been followed down to a flooded
level) the mined level continues to T154 (CUESTA). All the workinqs
taking off this level are blind including the lOm natural
shaft 30 metres from the exit.
T125.
Lat and Long: Same as T123.
Location:
Up the Scree 40m to the north of T123.
Entrance:
A 4m by 3m walled shaft in level ground, mined along a rift.
Description:
A 40m mined natural shaft leads left from the bottom,
to an undescended shaft in the rift. Right continues
over a rock bridge to a lOm shaft. From the bottom a
passage leads to a further pitch and continuation,
below it, steps to a wooden platform. The pitch
continuation was not descended due to the dangerous
condition of the platform. A windlass and buckets
were still in place.
T111.
Lat: 43 12'28" Long: 1 01'13"
Location:
From the long cabanas follow the track which leads down
into the Sara depression. 50m from the last cabana and to
the left of the track, is the obvious entrance.
Entrance:
An obvicus, impressive, high fault rift
which has been enlarged by mining. It is 5m wide
and 30m long.
Description:
There are three
approximately 8m pitches leading down to a
junction and snow choked passage. There are
numerous short blind workings taking off the
fault rift, but no promising continuation as
mentioned in the 1978 report. The location on
Map 5 in the 1978 was incorrect, but is correct
in this report.
2.29.
Lat: 43 12'30" Long: 1 01'5"
Location:
From the long cabanas follow the track eastwards
down into the Sara depression. The track crosses
over and then runs down the northern side of a
sizeable valley. Where the ground levels out in
the valley floor,and is grassy,a path runs back
across the valley. The entrance is in the valley
bottom beside the path.
Entrance and Description:
A 2m square shaft, 8m deep to a draughtinq snow choke.
T98. "Fugaz".
Lat: 43 12' 30" Long: 1 01' 10"
Location:
From the long cabanas follow the track
eastwards down into the Sara depression.
The track crosses over and then runs down
the northern side of a sizeable valley.
The entrance lies 20m below the walled
crossover point, in the floor of the valley.
Entrance and Description:
A 2m by 1m hading natural entrance marked "Fugaz". It is a blind tunnel 25m long.
T70.
Lat and Long: same as T98
Location:
Level with T98, 30m from it, up on the south side of the valley.
Entrance and Description:
A small obscure entrance beneath a small rock face.
A 13m natural shaft leads via a short passage to a
small chamber and choke.
T83. "Karen".
Full Description.
T79. (T81)
Location:
Just south of T82.
Entrance:
An obvious lm wide east-west rlft runnDng through the ridge.
Description:
Can be entered anywhere along he rift,
but the easiest route Ln is he lowest, passing over
the rocking boulder. A steep boulder descent and
short climb lead to a snow floored chamber with light
entering. Left over the snow and down the rubble floored
passage leads to a further slope and the last pitch or
rope climb in Karen (T82). This is the easiest entrance into the
Karen-Sara mine complex.
T92.
Lat and Long: same as T82
Location:
6m west of T79.
Entrance:
4m square unstable walled shaft.
Description:
Approx. 15m to snow with a further 15m between the snow and the walls, leading into the Karen-Sara mine complex.
T84.
Lat and Long: same as Karen
Location:
6m west of T79.
Entrance:
4m square unstable walled shaft.
Description:
Approximately l5m to snow with a furvher
l5m between the snow and the walls, leading into the Karen-Sara m1ne complex.
T80.
Lat and Long: same as Karen
Location:
In the same rift as T79, but on the other side of the
ridge.
Entrance and Description:
A 3m square entrance in front of a small rock face
leads via a steep climb down, to the Karen-Sara mine complex.
T78.
Lat and Long: same as Karen
Location:
Just over the ridge and a few metres north of Karen, in a 20m
long, shallow valley.
A 3m by lm mined out, descending, natural rift.
Description:
The upper passage is blind whllst the lower leads,
via a short climb, into the Karen-Sara complex.
T97.
Lat and Long: same as Karen
Location:
Above Sara Mine and on the slope below .78.
Entrance and Description:
A large 8m wide natural shaft which has been mined. A clL=b
down the rubble slope at one side leads to a level with two
ways on, both of which are choked. On the NE side snow bIocks
all ways on.
T115.
Lat and Long: same as Karen.
Location:
Just South of T97 in the same long depression.
Entrance:
A 1.5m wide shaft.
Description:
A lOm pitch to snow and a lOm climb down
with a rope to the west 1eads into T97. To the east a 45 degree
rope descent down loose rubble for 150 feet leads down
into the Sara mine level very close to the start off Sara II.
There were a number of mine levels taking off which
were not checked out.
T159.
Lat and Long: same as T115
Location:
lOm SE of T115.
Entrance and Description:
A 12m wide shaft is easily climbed to a short
section of mined passage and choke.
T160.
Location:
20m south and at the same level as T115.
Entrance and Description:
A sloping rift entrance at the base of a cliff, which quickly chokes.
T157.
Lat: 43 12'25" Long: 1 Ol'l5
Location:
From the long cabanas walk east to the track
winding up the small ridge with Karen (T82)
etc. in it. Over the top of the ridge follow
the track down for 5Om toward Sara mine
overlooking the depression. The entrance is
below 2.21 and beside 2.20 on the edge of the track.
Entrance:
A 4m by 3m shaft connected to a 2m wide walk in entrance 8m from
and below it.
Description:
Walk down the entrance slope
over the snow beneath the shaft and continue via a low crawl to
2.21, which can be climbed with difficulty.
T158.
Location:
5m below 157.
Entrance and Description:
A lm w1de high mined rift leads down a steep rubble slope
to a snow filled chamber with visual connection to 2.22
shaft over the snow. Down on the left hand side leads to
blind or snow filled mined passages.
T161.
Lat and Long: same as T157
Location:
Below T158 and the track with a smaller track
leading to it.
Entrance and Description:
A 2m wide shaft requires a handline for the initial
7m descent leading to a blind mined passage.
SARA III.
Another entrance to the Sara System, chiefly explored by the SEII.
Location:
This is the easiest entrance into the Sara (II) deep
cave system (see Tresviso 78). From the entrance of
Sara mine continue past the original Sara (II) first
pitch in the floor of the mine, over the collapse to
the poLnt where Karen joins on the right. The Karen
link is a large, ascending, mined, natural passage.
Follow this passage for lOm and climb up 3m on the right,
into a higher mined series. Continue past the flooded shaft
for lOm and climb up to the right at the end. Here the mine
reaches a natural rift passage which can be followed to the
head of the first pitch.
Description:
A 3m pitch from a block
leads to a tight take off for a free hanging 34m pitch. From
the ledge the next 70m pitch continues with two bolt breaks
to a small ledge. The next pitch has only one breaR lOm down
and is then free for 115m. This reaches the boulder floor in
the Heinous Shaft just by the 52m final section of this 281m
shaft. This higher entrance makas the Sara system 13m deeper
at 648m, and must be one of the worlds more impressive shafts.
T77.
Lat: 43 12'14" Long: 1 01'02"
Location:
In the centre of a flat pavement area on top of the
large N-S spur coming down the centre of the southern
end of the Sara depression. A shale floored stream
gully lies to the east of the spur.
Entrance:
An impresslve 6m by lOm natural shaft, part filled with snow but with a
possible continuation.
Description:
It is probable that this was
descended, but all records were lost. It is worth further investiqation.
T71.
Lat: 43 11'31" Long: 1 02'43"
Location:
A track runs between Pico el Graja (overlooklnq the
Sara Depression from the west) and the cliff line to
the west of the peak. Take thls clear track and follow
it to the col with a startling view down to Potes. The
track then descends before climbing onto the E-W ridge
overlooking the Lake Depression. It follows the ridge
before levelling and going southwards across a grassy
area. The track finally turns west and descends the
rubble through the narrow gap between the two cliffs
to the collapse area and roofed section blasted from
the cliff face. Cross the snow covered section of
track (with care!) and lOOm further on leave it and
walk for 50m down to the focus of the most easterly
snow slope in the depression. The depression is
approximately 5OOm long: lies between
Lechugales, Evangelista and Arce peaks; faces S.E.
and is at a height of 2,200m. There are three shafts
next to each other near the snow focus.
T71A.
Nearest to the track in a large depression is a
lm by lm shaft. Below there is a rift and a lOm
pitch to a ledge. Snow is reached soon afterwards,
but this can be passed to a choked bedding plane.
T71B.
l5m west of T71A in a large shakehole is a
low entrance. This leads to a 15m sllde down
a rubble slope, a squeeze and a chamber with choke.
T71C.
5m WNW of T71A is a rift in a rocky
depression. It is a tight awkward 26m pitch
which chokes at the bottom.
T72.
Lat: 43 11'37" Long: 1 02'38"
Location:
From T71 walk towards the steep descent at the
end of the hanging valley. A large fissure
crosses the valley floor 60m from T71.
Entrance:
The entrance fissure is 5m long and lm wide with
vertical walls.
Description:
A 20m pitch leads to
a snow floor and rift continuation. The rift can be followed
to a further 20m descent and choke.
T73.
Lat: 43 11'30" Long: 1 02'43"
Location:
20m from T71C at a bearing of 40 degrees.
Entrance and Description:
Large fissure containing snow whlch can be descended down a
gulley from the surface. From the snow level, to the right a
25m pitch leads to a choked rift. To the left a 9m pitch leads
to a choke with possible continuation through tight squeeze.
T76.
Lat: 43 11'37" Long: 1 02'38"
Location:
80m from T71, directly across the valley floor.
Entrance and Description:
A lOm by lm rift which can be climbed for lOm to the head of a
12m pitch and further Sm descent to a choke.
T85.
Lat: 43 11'31" Long: 1 02'43"
Location:
lOm from T71 at the focus of the
snow slooe. Beneath the overhung snow edge.
Entrance and Description:
Climb down beneath the snow for
eight metres followinq the draughting tunnel. A tight
take off leads to an 8m pitch. Further descent leads
to a snow floor and 16m pitch to a choke.
T86.
Lat: 43 11'30" Long: 1 02'37"
Location:
In the same hanging valley as T71 but in the back wall
below Lechugales. The entrance is in the centre of the
back wall lOOm above the valley floor.
Entrance and Description:
A lOm deep snow doked shaft with two small entrances
at the top, which become too tight.
T162.
Lat: 43 11'38 Long: 1 02'30"
Location:
Follow the track to T71 and climb up the
scree to the right of the path immediately after the
blasted section. The entrance is 30m above the path at
the base of the ciiffs.
Entrance:
An obvious 5m wide cave entrance.
Description:
The entrance leads, by a rubble slope, down into a 30m by
lOm wide ehamber. A elimb up at the back of the chamber
leads to a elimb and decorated rift passage whieh ean be
followed for some distance to a choke. This is an interesting
example of large, old high altitude vadose development.
Mazarrasa Mine Area - LUSS Journal 1987
Following the track at the top of the slope above the White House leads
to a fork. Right leads on into the Lake Depression, whilst left goes
up to a vast area of mine overlooking the Lake Depression. After
passing the large open hole of the Rosario Complex the track leads via
a zig zag path to a small knoll. After the forth bend there are three
large holes labelled F, G and H on the map. H is the entrance to
T304.
Map of Mazarrasa Mine Area
Mazarrasa Area showing French (LSD) discoveries
T302
Location:
Situated approx 70m across from T304 on the left of the track.
Entrance:
Enlarged grike in shattered limestone pavement.
Description:
Narrow 8m deep shaft in shattered rock. Very small hole leading off at
the bottom.
T303
Location:
Immediately right of track 15m opposite T304.
Entrance:
A small hole at other end of T304 depression.
Description:
A crawl for a few feet leads into a crouch size chamber. A hole
in the left hand wall leads to a large shaft, 'a 7 second drop'.
Extensive hammering needed to allow descent. Oral connection with T304.
Worth returning to.
T304 - Clockwork Pot
Location:
As above
Entrance:
A hole under a rock wall at the base of a rubble floored depression.
Description:
Crawl forward into small chamber. Exit straight across leads to the
bottom of the 5m shafts of F and G. On the right on entering the
chamber is a rift. Sliding down and traversing forward leads to a p5.
A further traverse leads to a p70, 'Storrytime'. A squeeze through
boulders gives a climb down in a rift to a short crawl to the head of a
p5. Immediately beyond is an undescended p25 with an old bolt in the
top! Due to its position relative to Pozo del Castillo, this must be
investigated further.
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 37,
No. 39.
Valdominguero Area - LUSS Journal 1987
From the campsite in the Lake Depression go up steep slope (as for 56)
to a col and along a high valley parallel with the Lake Depression.
After approx 1km a grassy pond is reached. Ascend a steep rock slope
on the right and follow this round to the left. Continue until an
obvious large depression is reached below Baldominguero peak.
Sketch Map of Valdominguero Area
Sketch Map of French discoveries
List of French (L.S.D.) discoveries
T306
Entrance:
A 2m by 8m shaft.
Description:
Descend slope at W end with a rock bridge. Boulder choked 10m down.
T307
Entrance:
A long rift entrance.
Description:
Rift 10m deep to snow plug. Descends a further 5m between snow and rock.
T308
Entrance:
A long rift entrance.
Description:
Rift 9m deep to snow plug.
T309
Entrance:
At W end of rift is 1.5m diameter shaft.
Description:
Shaft 10m deep to snow plug. Smaller adjacent shaft gives a better
entrance on the same rift, approx. 15m to snow with a possible route
on.
T310
Entrance:
Small shaft under block, 5m W of T309 in same rift.
Description:
Shaft 12m-15m deep to snow.
T311
Entrance:
Shaft parallel to T310.
Description:
Shaft 6m deep to snow plug with a further drop of 5m.
T312
Entrance:
Small sloping rift entrance.
Description:
A 4m climb leads to a 3m pitch, choked by rock.
T313
Entrance:
Small cave entrance at bottom of shakehole.
Description:
A tight sloping passage leads for 4m to where it appears to open out
into a chamber. NOT ENTERED.
T314
Entrance:
Small rift entrance.
Description:
Boulder choked 6m down.
T315
Entrance:
Under north wall of snow filled gulley.
Description:
A climb down leads to a small slopng cave entrance. NOT ENTERED
T316 - Crystal Pot
Entrance:
Under small overhanging cliff near centre of depression.
Description:
A 10m handline climb over snow leads into chamber with snow and boulder
choke at bottom. A 13m pitch in hole in right wall is very loose.
Rift leads to 6m climb. Choked hole in floor. Large hading rift, full
of loose clay descends for 10-15m. Looks too tight.
T317
Entrance:
Rift 6m by 3m.
Description:
Rift 10m to snow plug.
T318
Entrance:
Rift 5m by 3m, next to T317.
Description:
Rift 5m deep to snow plug.
Grajal Depression
The Sara depression at its head splits into three main cirques.
From E to W, these are closest to the Collado San Carlos, the Vega del
Hoyo Oscuki and that under the cliff wall between Castillo del Grajal,
and Pico del Grajal de Abajo, (nece called the Grajal Depression).
From the Whire House take the track to the long cabanas, past the hole
in the spoil, contouring on grass under Castillo del Grajal. The Grass
leads into the Grajal Depression.
Sketch Map of Grajal Depression
T330
Entrance:
Approx. 150m N of 'long gash', below perched block on ridge.
Description:
A 12m sloping descent to choked floor. Welly sized hole to one side
emits slight draught and stones fall some way. Would need a LOT of
hammering.
T331
Entrance:
Obvious long gash on E ridge above minor depression.
Description:
A NW end walk down to snow plug. Hole below subsidiary entrance drops
between snow and rock for 10m to choke. At opposite end a 12m open
shaft and duck under wall leads into main rift. A short traverse ends
in steeply sloping 15m pitch to snow and boulder choke.
T332
Entrance:
A 2m by 3m hole, 6m from the base of crags above perched block.
Description:
A 25m pitch, with last section past unstable snow, choked at foot.
T333 - Unpainted
Entrance:
Obscure hole in grassy area in centre of slabs above the minor
depression. Level with obvious 'caves' in gully.
Description:
A fine 35m pitch, in two stages, ends in a chamber with mini snow pile
and no way on.
T334 - Unpainted
Entrance:
Large block filled hole in gully area above and to right (SW) of minor
depression.
Description:
Two alternative pitches of approx 6m drop through holes between block
to chamber. A 10m handline descent in NW corner leads to a 20m pitch
inlarge shaft, choked at foot.
T335
Entrance:
A 50 foot long gash just below ridge at edge of minor depression.
Description:
A 15m shaft to a snow choke.
T336
Entrance:
Above and approx SW of T334 is an area of limestone pavement with a 5m
by 8m hole in it.
Description:
A 5m scramble down ends in a 8m pitch onto snow pile. Various holes
between rock and snow lead to a similar choke after a further 8m.
T337
Entrance:
Obvious large shaft below T336.
Description:
A 10m pitch lands on snow. To SW of snow pile it is possible to slide
down another 5m-7m between rock and snow. Continues downs but appears
to get tight and unpleasant.
T338
Location:
To SW of minor depression and approx 100m further above it, is a line
of cliffs which eventually meet those at the back of the Grajal
depression. Follow the scree slope below them up until just before
they finish.
Entrance:
At the base of cliffs is a shaft.
Description:
Shaft is 25m deep to snow and rock choke.
T339
Entrance:
A 3m by 2m hole 50m down from T337.
Description:
Floor is visible 7m down, apparently choked. UNDESCENDED.
Marniosa sink region.
Starting from the first grassy area below Marniosa, walk up the valley
bottom and branch left uphill, up a very green area. The region is
about 1km away and is where the ground levels out again. Approx.
around map ref: lat 43 12' 42" long 1 02' 02"
T166 Soddit Pot.
Active streamway disappears into the ground at base of a beach tree.
20m pitch in twisting shaft leads to a damp 3m climb into chamber with
stream sinking in floor and no way on.
T167. Strawberry Pot.
A 10m deep shakehole leads to an easy climb down into rift passage with
stream. A 17m climb down the rift into the stream passage leads to a
further 23m descent to the head of a 9m pitch. The pitch lands in a
large chamber. The rift passage (rich in fossil remains) continues to
a tight squeeze, Strawberry -Jam. Beyond the streamway finishes after
100m with two small avens and a rift too narrow to negotiate. From the
Jam two passages lead upstream. On the left mole hole leads to a
stagnant duck and aven with 7m waterfall entering and sinking in
floor. The right hand passage again splits into ricks crawl, which
chokes after more stagnant water and Dave's crawl which ends in a small
chamber.
T168. Vampire Cottage.
By rock outcrop near T166. 4m of passage closing after sharp bend.
Pico Del Moro Region.
Sketch map of the Pico del Moro area
52.
53.
54.
Sima 55
Full description and Surveys.
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 31,
Sima 56
Full description and Surveys.
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 9,
No. 19,
No. 28 and
No. 31.
57.
Lat: 43 12'57" Long: 1 02'18"
Location:
200m due north of 52
close to prominent gully.
Entrance:
A high snow filled rift in a lOm by 2Om
depression sloping down to the south.
Description:
A 45 degree descent down the snow cone for
35m leads to a sharp bend and further 30m steep
descent into a large chamber. The 15m by 25m
chamber contains many ice formations, but no
way on was found.
58.
59.
61.
62.
Lat: 43 12'52" Long: 1 02'18"
Location:
From 56 walk 200m on a bearing of 180 down the rocky hillside.
Entrance and Description:
A small jagged rock entrance in a small depression. A 3m
climb leads down to a small rocky chamber with impenetrable
slot continuation.
63.
T173. Dossers Delight
Full description and surveys
Also see Caves and Caving
No. 15,
No. 28,
No. 31 and
No. 37.
Sierra de la Corta
T232.
Location:
N.E. of the Canto Tras las Torres is a small peak. Approx 50 yds. down
on the east side is a large shakehole with a few trees and a large detached
flake against E wall.
Entrance:
Tight shaft in W wall of shakehole.
Description:
Belay from tree and dubious boss givers free hang for a while.
After approx. 25m beyond massive sharp rub points, shaft
chokes with major collapse evident in final chamber (5m in diameter).
T233.
Location:
In same shakehole as T232.
Entrance:
Slot at N end of shakehole.
Description:
Initial climb of 2m onto ledge of jammed boulders where dubious belays
can be arranged but don't give a free hang or boost confidence. Shaft
is tight at first, but after 10m rebelay possible on jammed boulder.
5m below this the shaft bells out and at the bottom is approx. 5m in
diameter. Floor reached after 30m - solidly choked. Parallel rift at
opposite end of tight rift also chokes.
T234.
Location:
30m NW of T233
Entrance:
Open shaft 4 m by 2m at one end of large boulder and nettle strewn shakehole.
Description:
Massive 'Y-hang' gives free-ish descent. Shaft is 35 deep and chokes,
but rift development in the walls at both sides, approx 5m from floor.
Needs climb/pendulum to enter - needs checking as we were unable to
enter the rifts.
T291
Location:
Northern end of the Sierra de la Corta are four depressions, all on a
fault. The most northerly has a rock bridge.
Entrance:
Entrance has a rock bridge with a pitch to an unstable slope.
Description:
Beyond entrance is a furhter 45m drop. UNDESCENDED. Its position is
about 500m from the top end of Agua.
T294. Oh What Pot
Location:
On the Sierra de la Corta, on the E slope of la Gobia, near summit.
From the White House, follow the Beges track until due N of Mancondiu,
descend and go along a ridge to two depressions which are close
together in a col.
Entrance:
Boulder filled entrance on same level as col.
Description:
A 2m drop between boulders leads onto a 20m pitch to the floor. Outlet
passage is a small rift, which after a climb up and down is followed by
a bend. CONTINUES.
References yet to be written
See Caves and Caving
LUSS@lancaster.ac.uk
