Oxford University Cave Club2001 Expedition: "Xitu"Picos de Europa, Spain39/4 |
Xitu 2001 Report Contents
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Another new cave in area 4, which unfortunately died an early death.
GPS E:0344285 N:4789634, altitude 1625m
Overlooking Valley to North of Cabeza el Covu, Cabeza del Verde, at head of valley opposite obvious tree. 70m from tree on bearing of 040°, a concealed slot in rock slope.
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Original entrance is a 5m climb to small chamber with rift at the back,
which can be entered by a climb down. Clip onto a rope to do this as the
floor has an uneasy feeling to it (as if it does not want to be there). Nice
draft and popcorn.
An easier entrance was found close to the first, where a 3m climb gives access to the same rift. A 9m pitch follows (laddered), then a 25m pitch straight away. At the bottom is a tight slot, through which a broken 5m climb leads to a small chamber in hard limestone/crystals. The only way on was underneath the pitch through too tight rift. The passage is very immature, with no evidence of any widening.
Andrew Weaver hammering in 39/4's "tight slot" |
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