LUSS in Spain: List of Caves Recorded by LUSS

This page is currently being developed using the information from LUSS Expeditions 1972-present.

Latitude and longitude references are taken from the map:- Edicion Militar No. 56, 1st edition 1943, Direction General del Instituto Geographico y Catastral (Carrena-Cabrales) Scale 1:50 000.

The areas described can be found on the Location Maps page.

Caves by Area

Tresviso Area

Top Camp - Andara/Sara Region

Some caves are described seperately since their description is quite large.

Tresviso Area

From cave no. 50 onwards the numbers given in the text are painted on the cave entrances.

No.2 Mine with natural shaft.

Lat. 43 15' 35" Long. 0 57' 55"
Explored Length 100m

Location: Follow the path from Urdon to Tresviso and after the steep section turn off right in front of the first cabana. Climb over the small ridge to the head of the steeply descending gorge.
Entrance: A small but obvious entrance which has an adjacent spoil heap.
Description: An old cobalt mine level, continues to 10m natural shaft. The shaft was descended for 13m with possible continuation. There are further mine workings in the Sobra Valley.

No.3. C.23.

Lat. 43 15' 40" Long. 0 58' 32"
Explored length 25m

Location: The entrance is 600m from the Tresviso bar, slightly above and to the east of the village, on the lower slopes of the ridge. It is level with and 100m to the west of two cabanas.
Entrance: A very large obvious entrance in the hillside.
Description: The entrance leads into a large chamber decorated with innumerable old formations. No way on from the chamber was found.

No.4. La Torca Cueto.

Lat 43 15' 25" Long. 0 58' 45"
Explored length 60m, Depth 65m.

Location: Approx. 250m from the Tresviso bar, the entrance is on the small ridge to the south of the village, just over the crest.
Entrance: Two closely placed, obscure entrances, approx. 2m across and found amongst the rock outcrops.
Description: The two entrance shafts join 40m down and continue to a boulder, bone and rubbish floor. A small passage leads off at the bottom and ends after 60m in a boulder choke.

No.5. La Cueva de Tresviso.

(not the local name)
Lat. 43 15' 28" Long. 0 58' 48"
Explored length 200m, Depth 30m

Location: The entrance is on a flat cultivated area of land, 100m east of the Tresvso bar.
Entrance: A large obvious shakehole which is surrounded by trees and the local cheese caves, contains the 8m high entrance. The stream which runs through Tresviso sinks into this cave.
Description: Apparently phreatic, the tube descends steeply for 200m over a floor of boulders and rubbish. The cave ends with a silted, impassable sump pool.

No.6. Cueva Muerte.

Lat. 43 15' 35" Long. 0 58' 52"
Explored length 200m

Location: Approaching Tresviso from Urdon, turn right after the first group of houses, on the right, in the village.
Entrance: The entrance is large and immediately obvious, placed in a small cliff. There is a further, smaller entrance just around the corner.
Description: This cave is used as the village cess pit, so beware of the many small inlets from local lavatories. the passages all have mud floors which eventually meet the roof. A 6m climb up mud and calcite at the end of the main rift may lead to a continuation via an aven. Near the second entrance, in the left hand wall, there is a series of narrow rift passages which end in loose boulder chokes and a further rubbish choked entrance.

No.7. Three Small Caves.

Lat. 43 15' 38" Long. 0 58' 56"

Location: From Tresviso walk 200m up hill along the valley between La Mesa and the northern ridge.
Entrances: There are three small entrances within 30m of each other in the valley floor.
Descriptions:
a.) Easterly entrance, approx. 30m long and ends in a small but well decorated chamber.
b.) Upper Entrance, passage continues for 8m to a small chamber, way on too tight.
c.) Lower Entrance, this cave might repay further investigation as a strong draught blows out of the entrance. The passage is tight and was followed for 20m before becoming impassable.

No.8. La Cueva de Conjtina.

Lat 43 15' 0" Long. 0 58' 52"
Surveyed length 250m, Depth 30m

Location: Follow the indistinct path leading off from the main track to Sobra, just past the last house in Tresviso. The path leads to a cabana after 0.5km of descent. The entrance is 70m south east of the cabana on the downhill side of a large boulder.
Entrance: The entrance is very difficult to find, being low, narrow and in the bank.
Description: After a short, tight, entrance section, the cave passage opens up a little and descends to a choke. A passage taking off on the right, leads past a shaft (not descended) to a climb up a mud bank and 5m high vadose passage. At the end, a crawl reaches a low, well decorated chamber. The passage continue s low and starts to ascend. A shaft is passed by an awkward traverse to a more roomy continuation and a further shaft (10m not descended). A passage on the left leads to another pitch and aseries of choked rifts.

The cave was discovered and explored by the people of Tresviso and may be part of an old resurgence. Descent of the various shafts may lead to further passages as the cave draughts strongly.

Survey

Survey(retraced)

No.9. La Torca las Garmas.

Lat 43 17' 42" Long 0 58' 55"
Depth 65m

Location: Follow the path from Corrales Aravanes up past El Ortigal and the group of largely deserted cabanas. The path runs southwards along the western side of the valley, and the entrance is 50m below it, approx. 500m past the cabanas.
Entrance: The entrance (3m across) is obscure, hidden amongst the rock out-crops on the valley side. A tree grows in the entrance, but does not stand proud of it.
Description: An entrance pitch of 30m leads into a rift and this descends in two further steps of 25m and 20m before becoming too tight.

No.10. La Torca Ustacares.

Lat 43 17' 40" Long 0 58' 57"
Depth 40m

Location: Follow the path from La Torca las Garmas, south for 500m to where the Collada Hermosa ridge can just be seen. The shaft is in a small depression which the path passes through.
Entrance: Just to the left of the path is a large tree and this hangs over the large rift entrance.
Description: This is a large solid-walled shaft which ends in a boulder floor. In August there was a pile of snow at the bottom.

No. 11. Cueva del Rio Chico.

Lat 43 14' 32" Long 0 59' 8"

Location: Follow the canal for 1km down from La Cueva del Agua. On the sharp bend in the canal (after walking through a tunnel on planks supported above the water) one finds a sluice gate and a cave entrance.
Entrance: The entrance has been modified by blasting and lies on the fault. A stream issues from the cave and joins the canal.
Description: The passage has been enlarged by blasting for the first 200m and the stream is carried by a man-made canal. This has re-directed the stream from its previous route which was down a steep fault-guided rift that we did not explore. A further 100m of walking and climbing leads, via a series of deep pools, to a sump, very large and clear. Possible continuations include steep upward slopes (see survey) and a draughting but impassably tight hole above the sump. Engineers had worked extensively in the cave, penetrating as far as the sump, presumably when the canal and hydro were built.

Survey

Retraced Survey

Also see Caves and Caving No. 28.

No.12. Bulls Head Hole.

(not the local name)
Lat 43 14' 50" Long 0 59' 22"
Explored length 15m, Depth 15m

Location: Follow the track from Tresviso towards Sotres for 600m and walk for 100m down from it on the left hand side.
Entrance: The entrance is a small shaft at the bottom of a steep grass-sided depression, surrounded by trees.
Description: The 15m entrance pitch drops into a passage running eastwards for 15m before choking.

No. 13. Cueva Del Agua.

Full description and Surveys.

Also see Caves and Caving No. 9, No. 28 and No. 36.

No.14. Cave.

Lat 43 15' 5" Long 1 0' 5"
Explored length 30m

Location: Follow the track from Tresviso towards Sotres and turn left at the wall, 100m before the Sobra gate. The entrance is 300m from the track on the far side of the small hill to the South.
Entrance: There are two small entrances close together amongst the rock outcrops.
Description: The entrances lead to two large connecting chambers with no way on.

No. 15. La Cueva Mueria.

Lat 43 15' 2" Long 1 0' 22"

Location: South side of the Sobra Valley. On a bearing of 227 degrees from the bridge below the Sobra dam.
Entrance: There is a large entrance which is crossed by a wall and surrounded by nettles.
Description: A winding phreatic tunnel 7m wide and 4m high forks after 35m. Left lowers to a bedding plane choked with calcite, right goes to another fork. Ahead a narrow headed rift, ends as a small aven, whilst to the right, a climb down into a chamber gives a choice of three ways on. Sharp right leads to a 10m blind pitch. Ahead is a lowering passage which seems to have been artificially blocked to create a cheese store, the walled entrance to which is on the left. Here a high rift containing rotten wooden shelves, doglegs sharply and opens to a 7m high chamber with some fine old flowstone.

From here, a downward slope ends in a small aven, while up to the left a climb up calcite with two holes on the right leads into a small passage ending in a choked chamber. The whole cave is dry and contains many old massive formations.

Survey

Retraced Survey

No. 16. La Torca Mordal.

Lat 43 17' 2" Long 1 0' 22"

Location: This shaft is situated near a solitary tree on the edge of a cliff. The tree can be seen to the right of the path leading from the Cabanas de Llau to Tamamdon, when the Tamandon-Oceno valley comes into view. Descended by Kinswood Caving Group (Reading) to a large chamber and choke.

A little further along the same path, just before the climb down to Tamandon, another shaft was noted, but was not descended. There are probably many other shafts in this area.

No. 17. La Cueva Calvenga.

Lat 43 17' 6" Long 1 0' 55"

Location: From Cabanas de Tamamdon, looking northwards towards Oceno, a large cave entrance can be seen on the eastern side of the valley.
Entrance: The entrance is well above the valley floor and about 500m from Tamandon. Several other large entrances were seen in 1974, but not visited, further down the valley. All entered by Kingwood Caving Group in 1975 (see Report).

No. 18.

Lat 43 15' 35" Long 1 0' 50"
Depth 50m

Location: Go towards Sotres along the Sobra Valley and proceed for 75m past the very sharp bend. The entrance is 4m from the track, up the right hand side.
Entrance: The entrance cannot be seen from the track and is a 4m wide hole in the rock.
Description: A fine abseil leads to a boulder choked floor.

18A. Torca Tajadura.

Lat 43 16' 00" Long 1 01' 10"

Location: Cross the ridge running parallel to the Tresviso-Sotres track at the first break after the sharp bend. This leads into the valley of the cabanas de Tajadura. Beyond the stream opposite the cabanas is the entance.
Description: The 3m by 2m descending rift is loose and tight, but opens up after 20m into a 5m passage. A further 10m pitch ends in a tight, impassable squeeze.

18B. Torca Hogo Nial.

Lat 43 15' 45" Long 1 01' 50"

Location: From 18A follow obvious valley up opposite side of the depression, bearing right on to rocks.
Entrance: The mouth of the big, round shaft is surrounded by rocks and trees.
Description: A 45m shaft with large canyon passage leading off. One direction goes to a sink, the other direction ends in a boulder choke.

18C. Torca Comino Slaguniosu.

Lat 43 15' 50" Long 1 01' 55"

Location: Follow path skirting around spur beside 18B for about 20 minutes.
Entrance: Obvious entrance, just to the left of the path.
Description: A 12m pitch is followed by twin pitches. One chokes after 10m and the other, not decended, looked unpromising.

18D.

Lat 43 16' 00" Long 1 01' 55"

Location: From 18C walk back down the path and take the left fork. Follow this as it curves back upwards.
Entrance: Tight rift in cliff face, is marked by large boulder in front of, and partly concealing, the entrance.
Description: Old cheese cave. Low passage leads into first store cave, where broken ladders indicate way on into further small chambers.

No. 19. Cueva De La Marniosa.

Full description and Survey.

Also see Caves and Caving No. 9.

No.20. Numerous sinks.

Lat 43 15' 0" Long. 1 1' 40"

Location: A number of streams form on the sandstone at the head of the Sobra Valley. Several of these form the head waters of the Sobra stream, but all of those forming below the track, on the south side of the sandstone and the limestone, there are at least four large sink holes and numerous shafts to be seen.

No. 21. Cueva C.29.

Lat 43 14' 0" Long 1 2' 12"
Length 250m, Depth 150m

Location: From the head of the Sobra Valley follow the track towards Sotres. After the narrow pass there is a T-junction and the right hand track is taken. Shortly after this more level ground is encountered and the track passes through a shallow grassy depression. To the right and left of the track are large steep sided dolines. C29 is marked on the small cliff above the entrance to the cave, just 30m to the left of the track. A small stream sinks further back up the dry valley, in which the entrance is situated.
Entrance: The entrance was excavated and is a small hole between boulders in the rock face. vv
Description: Once through the entrance squeeze, there is a 2m climb down into a small chamber. A low passage leads off and the mud floor had initially to be dug out to enable further progress. Muddy crawling leads to a high narrow trench passage and the top of the first pitch. Loose boulders necessitated the use of a wedged beam at the take off for this pitch. At 5m down there is a narrow ledge and a further 11m pitch in a large shaft. A climb and 4m pitch over a jammed boulder leads via a stooping passage to a junction. A climb to the right, down a hading fault formed rift, leads to a massive shaft. 23m down a clean wall lands upon a spacious ledge. (No belay points). The shaft continues with an awkward take off to a fine free-hanging abseil of 50m.

The passage, now more roomy, continues through various pools to a climb and a furhter pitch with an awkward take off. Unfortunately, the continuation becomes wet and low, soon sumping.

This cave is more typical of Yorkshire than Spain, but makes an excellent days caving. If it drains towards Sotres and Tielve it has 500m of depth potential. Towards Tresviso it has considerably more.

Survey

Retraced Survey

No. 22. Region of many caves/sinks opposite track to C29.

Just across the track from C29, there were two bedding plane cave entrances and a little further up the Valley a gated cheese cave. Following this dry valley down northwards led to a large depression draughting strongly through the boulders at its bottom. In the sides of this depression were five cave entrances; three of which choked and none of which were explored, but they were explored by SUSS in 1977.

No. 23. Series of sinks near Caballar

Following the track from C29 towards Sotres, near the cabanas of Caballar, there is a large depression on the right hand side of the track. In this depression at least twelve entrances were noted, two of these were very large and one of the two had been previously descended by a French group. This region has been explored by SUSS.

No. 24. Torca.

Lat 43 15' 35" Long 1 2' 22"
Depth 40m

Location: Follow the track from Tresviso towards Sotres and 200m before the bend at the head of the Sobra Valley, climb up and over the break in the ridge. Once over the ridge, there is an obvious deep valley which can be followed down to a number of large depressions.
Entrance: A small stream sinks just befor the depression containing the shaft's twin entrances.
Description: The two shafts join near the bottom, and one can be free climbed for the first 20m. At the bottom there is a large chamber with a crawl leading off. Another visit would be worthwile.

No.25. Cave.

Lat 43 15' 35" Long 0 59' 45"
Explored length 25m

Location: At the western end of La Mesa follow the dry valley north up towards the ridge and then around to the east. At the junction of the sandstone and the limestone, directly behind a lone cabana, lies the entrance.
Entrance: Approx. 3m high, the entrance is situated in a small cliff face.
Description: The entrance leads directly into a large chamber which is used for housing goats in the winter. There is no way on.

No. 26. Cave.

Lat 43 15' 32" Long 0 58' 42"
Explored length 40m.

Location: From No.7 (Three small caves) walk 400m east. The entrance is 10m above the wall which marks the start of the rough pasture.
Entrance: A small entrance in the hillside which is approx 1m across.
Description: The rocky entrance leads via a squeeze, to a climb and a small chamber. From the chamber, a descending rift can be followed for 20m to a corner and then a further 20m to a calcite choke.

NOTE: THE MAJORITY OF THESE CAVES ARE INCLUDED ONLY FOR COMPLETENESS AND EVEN WITH THESE DIRECTIONS MAY BE DIFFICULT TO LOCATE WITHOUT A LOCAL GUIDE.

No. 40. The Hole of the Rotten Sheep.

Lat 43 15' 45" Long 0 59' 30"
Length 25m. Depth 66m.

Location: Above 'La Mesa', near Tresviso village. From Tresviso follow path climbing up on the eastern end of 'La Mesa', following a small valley at the junction of the sandstone and the limestone. Once you reach the plateau, continue for about 300m until you reach three cabanas. The entrance lies 100m up the slope, above the last of these cabanas.
Entrance: The entrance is hidden in a rock outcrop. It is about 2m long, and 0.5m wide, with a large boulder straddling the drop. (This makes a good belay).
Description: Below the entrance is a pitch of about 40m down a shaft which bells out slightly to a cross-section of 4m by 3m. There are numerous ledges, covered with loose boulders, mud and dead sheep. The rock is rotten and brittle. A parallel aven can be entered at one point on the descent. At the foot of this shaft is a boulder floored chamber, into which both avens enter. Two parallel pitches of 16m lead into a lower chamber from which a small stream trickles down a further 10m, which can be free-climbed. At the foot of the climbs, a small rift passage can be followed towards Tresviso for about 6m and then becomes impassably tight.

No. 41. Cueva 41.

Lat 43 14' 50" Long 1 00' 5"
Length 20m plus.

Location: South side of the Urdon Gorge. Follow the track toward La Cueva del Agua from Tresviso. Beyond Invernales de las Espinas turn right and follow path which traverses along the gorge side. After 200m turn left at fork and descend to the floor of the gorge. Ascend once more on the far side until the path traverse without rising or descending. After about 150m a large cave entrance can be seen about 100m above the path.
Entrance: The entrance is a large solution hollow, used by goats.
Description: On the left hand side of the entrance chamber a short climb leads to an old phreatic tube. the passage is 2m high and 1m wide and twists and turns tortuosly. It continued for 20m with no end. Might be worth a return visit.

No. 42 C42. - Two Caves

No. 43. Railway tunnel Cave.

No 44. Las Minas de los Ingleses.

No. 45. Armadillo Lodge.

No. 46. La Cueva de Resplenda.

Survey(scaned image)

Survey(retraced)

No. 47. Torca 51.

No. 47a.

No. 48. La Torca Grande.

No. 49. Skull Cave.

No. 50. La Cueva de Valdediezmo.

No 51. Chough Cave.

Middle Camp.

Map of Middle Camp Area.

T64

Location: Follow lower track to end, then take bearing 300 degrees for 150m.
Entrance: On flat ridge exposed shaft by erosion.
Description: 20m shaft, bells out slightly but chokes with flat bottom.

T65

Location: Take a bearing of 190 degrees through trees after reaching the end of the upper track. T65 is on the edge of a rocky outcrop.
Entrance: Open shaft 7m across.
Description: Vertical drop of 50m to snowplug.

T66

Location: Immediately adjacent to T65.
Entrance: Open shaft.
Description: 20m shaft to snow plug.

T67

Location: Continue on the bearing of 190 degrees for another 50m from T65.
Entrance: Shakehole on exposed ridge.
Description: Narrow rift 15m long is open on one side of the shakehole. This drops 28m to a snow covered floor. In the bottom corner of the shakehole a 10m passage leads into an impassable, tight rift.

T68

Location: To right of upper track. Obvious and marked with painted white arrow on the floor.
Entrance: Open shaft 15m across.
Description: 30m drop to snowplug. Shaft narrows to 10m.

T69

Location: In depression adjacent to T68.
Entrance: Small draughting hole at farthest point from track.
Description: 7m pitch to squeeze and 3m climb into small chamber. A rift leads off, this draughts strongly but is too tight.

T90 Elusive Pot.

Location: From cairn bear at 130 degrees for 30m.
Entrance: 1m wide hole in grass and rocks.
Description: 33m shaft with passage at bottom, this chokes.

T94

Location: At 30 degrees to T68 traverse to the right of a large rock outcrop. Drop into right hand side of depression.
Entrance: Boulder choke.
Description: 5m pitch through choke to small chamber and another 3m climb. This leads into a passage with chokes in two directions.

T95

Location: 150m below T68 but on left of track.
Entrance: Hole in rock wall immediately below track.
Description: 5m pitch to rift with another 20m pitch, chokes.

T99. All Down Pot.

Location: Where track takes a right turn about T68, drop down and skirt to farthest side of shakehole. This leads to a rock ridge. Continue for 100m to small cairn and drop down to left for 18m.
Entrance: Small open hole among rocks.
Description: 56m shaft opens slightly towards floor but chokes with flat bottom.

3.2. Fallen Bear Hole.

Full description.

Sara Region.

Sketch map the Sara Region

Top Camp Sketch

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

Flower Pot No. 15
Torca LabargaNo. 31

LUSS@lancaster.ac.uk