Oxford University Cave Club

Cave of the Moors

Mrs. R.W. Howard

Location: On the west side of the Sello Gorge, north of the road junction to Beleño (near the 2nd base camp site).

Description: Entered by a very small aperture followed by a 15' scramble into a small passage which opens within a distance of 30' into a larger passage approximately 30' square. Gave passage (at a very slight downward angle) continues on down for approximately 100' long x 30' high x 50' wide, with a rift in the floor of the chamber which was descended to a depth of approximately 25' - this was choked, by boulders. The passage continues on past the chamber for approximately 200' (rising slightly) finishing in a 3' x 2' solid calcite passage. Quite nice formations in places with very large boulders on the floor. No other possible ways off.

Villa Verdia

A.C. Huntington

Approximately 1 mile to the west of the village and higher than it, to the south of a path that leads to a mine, several cave entrances arc to be seen in a cliff. The largest cave (which has an entrance the shape and size of a railway tunnel) can he reached by climbing about 25' above the head of the grass slope that ascends to the foot of the cliff. It goes back about 100', at right angles to the cliff, ending in a snail chamber with the rock dipping at about 50° . All of the caves explored in this area contained calcite formations which were in an advanced state of decay. They, the caves, appeared to be very old and were probably formed before the surface hills and valleys took their present shape.

Cattle Pen Cave

J.S. Huntington

On the left hand side of the valley going towards Beleño two large cave entrances are clearly visible from the road. The lower of the two entrances, which arc about 20 yards apart, is used as a cattle shelter. On crawling into the entrance passage in the upper opening, one finds a small chamber with a hollow floor which resounds loudly. Further in one enters a much larger chamber, about 40' in height, a flowstone slope, extending to the roof, forming the whole of one wall. The flow-stone is damp, the hollows lacing filled with water; the only water to be found in the cave. Two rifts, which soon become too narrow to follow, run from the main passage. Access into one is gained by means of a squeeze, practically blocked by formations, and into the other by means of a fissure. On following the passage one leaves the cave through the lower entrance.

Ghrubble Grotto

R. Whitehouse

On the day of the final visit to Cotozozia four of the expedition members who had set out some tine before the main party were resting on the path about two-thirds of the way from the road to the cave, when it was noticed that rocks tossed behind some boulders seemed to fall for quite a distance. On closer inspection, a way into a small cave was. found by squeezing through the boulders. They found themselves at the top of a loose rubble slope (hence the name) that led down a small but pretty grotto at the bottom. A possible continuation was discovered but was not forced due to the looseness of the rubble slope and the dubious appearance of the roof. Nothing else of interest was found so the party left, meeting the others who were just passing the entrance. See Survey.