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Picos '89 Summary
Pozo del Llastral (β3)
The main objective this summer was the continued exploration of Pozo del Llastral (β3), left at the base of Pozo Negro at a depth of 425 m in 1988.
The entrance ramp required re-rigging to accommodate the still receding snow level in the cave. After reaching the 1988 limit of exploration within a week, exploration continued at a good pace. At the time Pozo del Mercenario was descended (to a depth of 692 m), trips were taking at least 20 hours, perhaps only adding one pitch.
The installation of an underground camp at this point, below the Thunderdome (P72) on the Rock of Gibraltar at about 590 m depth facilitated further exploration of the cave. By the end of the Summer, the cave had been pushed to a siphon a depth of 944 m. What appeared to be a draughting phreatic at the top of the final pitch gave the promise of a sump by-pass for the following year.
Sima de los Cuatro Caminos (K897)
The entrance K997 was found whilst prospecting on the border with the Π-Area. by Angus Martin and Steve Brooks, who later found Four Ways Pot (K897) which proved to be an alternative and easier entrance to the same system. Both entrance series dropped into Spitz Cavern. YUCPC pushed the cave as far as Babylon - at 130 m depth. The Spanish, with SCP, continued exploration gaining a further 190 m.
UK Contingent
| Dave Binks | Steve Brooks | Mike Edgington | Chris Gibson |
| Andrea Hartley | Pete Hartley | Steve Harrop | Angus Higgins |
| Henry Hill | Simon Mann | David Middleton | Bob Riley |
| Paul Thorlby | Martin Williams | Andrew Wilson |
Bibliography
Picos 89, Expedition Report, Paul Thorlby (YUCPC) in English.
Top Camp Log Book, YUCPC, 1989 in English.
"Beneath Vega Huerta"; Y.U.C.P.C. Picos '89 Expedition, Caves & Caving 49, Paul Thorlby (YUCPC) in English.
Kaos de Bloques No 4 1992, SEG in Spanish.