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Picos '85 Summary
The expedition was joined this year by SEG. Whilst there was significant
joint exploration, the three clubs led the way in the following areas:)
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The exploration of Pozo de Cuetalbo (M2) by York and SEII continued, increasing in depth from 250 m to 650 m, with a large un-descended pitch.
SEG did a lot of work in I-area, systematically locating many new caves: the most notable being Sima de Forcadoņa (I41) (-267 m) and I45 (-130 m).
York found two new significant caves: I34, which unfortunately doesn't end at -225 m; and M15, at an estimated depth of -200 m..
SEII's new cave, Pozu la Llerona (b10), currently reaches -300 m, and is an extremely pleasant pot with easy traversing and pleasing pitches
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View the Top Camp Log Book
Pozo de Cuetalbo (M2)
)
The first week out on expedition saw Pozo de Cuetalbo
(M2) rigged to its previous limit of 250 m. The first new
pitch was 50 m, to a platform called the Motorway
Services. This was to prove a useful kitchen on later trips. This
degenerated into the long, tight and slippery Play the
White Man before entering a pleasant, if rather wet in places,
pitch-ramp series ending in the Chamber of Horrors.
Traverses and climbs lead into the rather well decorated carrot patch
before a series of small pots and a dry stream way lead to the 65 m
Roo's Pitch, bottoming at -650 m with an
uninviting sump.
The way on is from the top of Blind Pot, 90 m further up with two pitches of 25 and 35 m to -634 m where a 4― s drop beckons.
Sima de Forcadoņa (I41) and I45
The best of the bottomed caves was Sima de Forcadoņa (I41). This is a fine trip down to 267 m with hardly a foot on solid floor all the way. Apart from the bottom chamber you only unclip form the rope at one point!
Descent of I45 begins with a 15 m pitch giving access to a narow rift. A series of small pitches descends to -130 m where the way on becomes impenetrable.
I34 and M15
I34 begins as a tight rift-controlled cave, has a 40 m free hanging pitch and currently finishes with a narrow vadose passage with walls which crumble as you touch them at -225 m. The continuation is similar; definitely a cave to be avoided.
M15 descends abut 200 m, a series of short pitches and rather devious routes through squeezes and out of chambers. This ends at a pitch guessed at 25 m.
Pozu la Llerona (b10)
Pozu la Llerona (β10) is a bright spacious cave. This year it was located and explored via deep roomy shafts to the base of Poso Peperonatta at -300 m.
Minor Finds
A number of other caves were found, explored and surveyed. Most notable of these were I7, I20, I21, I22, I23, I24, I25, I26, I27, I28, I29, I30, I31, I33, I40, I42, I48, I50, I51, I52, I53, I54, I55, I56, I57, I59, K6, K7, K8, M10, M11, STD-83.
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UK Contingent
| Gareth Davies | Steve Foster | Simon Fowler | Andy Kemp |
| Neil Kemp | Kev Senior |
Bibliography
York University - Picos de Europa 1985, Caves & Caving, Nov 1985, 30, 18-20 Neil Kemp in English.
Campaņa PICOS '85. Vega Huerta, GARMA, No 1, 19-26 Isidoro Ortiz, SEG in Spanish.