Oxford University Cave Club

Reconnaissance expedition to the West of Cangas de Onís

A. C. Huntington

Little was known of the area 50 miles to the -west of Cangas de Onis. Maps told us that, there were both limestone and caves in the area. The party headed south from the camp site to Beleno and after looking at a large dead end cave entrance there, turned north to Cangas. From Cangas we travelled along the route 634 westwards through Oviedo to Trubia.

At this point, the southern road following the Rio Trubia was taken. After a few miles a gated resurgence was found beside the road. The system seemed to be active and a cold draught was felt coming out of the entrance. The general geology of the area seemed similar to the west of the Picos, with steeply bedded limestone.

A few miles later in a village called Traslavilla the group was told of a group of French cavers who had been in the area a few days before. They had been exploring caves high up in the hills to the west of the valley. These rise to about 1000m above sea-level.

Continuing down, the valley to Caranga the eastern fork to Quiros was taken. The road passes through a deep gorge at the top end of which a dam is being built. Still travelling in limestone country 1000m was reached before dropping to the Rio Pajares at Pola de Lena.

The journey from here back to Cangas via Pola de Laviana was done at night so little, was seen of the surrounding country. From what was observed during the trip it was felt that it was not worthwhile moving camp and operations to this area, in the few remaining days of the expedition.