1987

Eastern Massif, Picos de Europa, Northern Spain

In 1987 there were three main expeditions, the exploration of Sistema Sara by Lancaster University Speleological Society (LUSS) and the diving expedition in Cueva del Nacimiento by the South Wales Caving Club (SWCC). Verbond van Vlaamse Speleologen (V.V.S.) also returned to Sistema Sara to continue exploration of the Rio Mancondiu, discovered the previous year

Tresviso 1987 (LUSS)

Sara, a 600m deep cave explored in 1978 down a sporting streamway to sump well short of its potential. Were there high level routes to take us to greater depths, that existed in caves like 56? Much surface exploration over recent years had revealed little. Although a few mines led to deep systems, like Sara, hundreds didn’t go anywhere. Surface and mine exploration was becoming increasingly harder and more demoralising. Was Sara the only big lead in Andara and if so would she carry us on towards Agua?

Tim Nichols

Abstract

Objectives:

  • explore possible high level leads in Sistema Sara,
  • explore beyond the -293m limit in Pozo Castillo
  • continue exploration of Clockwork Pot, found in 1986
  • continue surface prospecting
  • carry out various water traces

Summary

Approx. 3km of new cave was found in Sara 2. The system was re-surveyed and found to be -591m deep. The Rio Mancondiu section was explored by the Belgian Verbond van Vlaamse Speleologen (VVS) group, to a sump at -571m, directly above the Sara 2 sump.

Clockwork Pot was explored for -100m, including a large 83m shaft, entering the Pozo Natacha series of the Sistema Castillo.

T145 Pozo Castillo (part of the wider Sistema Castillo) was attempted to be re-explored but progress was blocked by a severe snow collapse

Members

NameClubNationalityYearExpedName
Brian ThompsonLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Colin DentLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Dave HetheringtonLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Dave WarringtonLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Jes PetersonLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Martin JohnsonLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Neil TurtonLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Paul OldhamLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Sarah FagentsLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Tim NicholsLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987
Cath FearnLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Tresviso 1987

Documents & Links

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Tresviso 1987 6 MB 3 downloads

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    Agua 1987 (SWCC)

    Agua 1987

    The aven looks horrendous. It would probably take 2 days hard work. The walls are covered in very liquid mud and there is a consistent stream of water coming down.

    Anon

    Abstract

    The main objective of the SWCC 1987 expedition was to set up a 4 person camp in Consort Hall of Cueva del Nacimiento and push all the known leads in the Teeth of Satan series, discovered in 1986.

    Additionally, an attempt to dive the terminal sump in Cowshead Cavern was to be attempted and a dive of the Parting Friends sump in the Road to Wigan Pier section of Cueva del Nacimiento.

    Summary

    Cueva del Nacimiento

    Teeth of Satan was re-rigged to the Wet Aven a further climb above leading to walking canyon passage and chamber, Space the Final Frontier. A further ramp was climbed to further high level canyon. The canyon continued through numerous boulder falls to a small chamber (P-Chamber) before further rift passage led to an enormous chamber, Death Race 2000

    A pitch at the far side of Death Race 2000 was dropped down >60m to a small stream

    Parting Friends was not dived due to high water levels. An inlet sump near Spangle Junction was dived, but emerged in the downstream end of the Road to Certain Death passage.

    Cowshead Cavern

    Sump 3 was dived to -31m before ascending to surface. After 5m of dry passage Sump 4 was encountered.

    Members

    NameClubNationalityYearExpedName
    Cathy MackaySouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Fiona ThomsonSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Gavin NewmanSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Helen RichardsonSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Janice RichardsSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Jim ThomsonSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Marco PaganuzziSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Nick AireyLancaster University Speleological SocietyUK1987Agua 87
    Nigel AshcroftSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Pete FrancisSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Phil HallSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Phil RustSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Roddy McLauchlanSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Sarah TyndallSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Steve JonesSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87
    Steve RichardsonSouth Wales Caving ClubUK1987Agua 87

    Documents & Links

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    Agua '86 - '87 3.5 MB 1 downloads

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      Sara 1987 (Verbond van Vlaamse Speleologen)

      Systema Sara 1987

      Summary

      • Exploration of Sara (continuing exploration of the Belgian Connection / Rio Mancondiu)

      Members

      NameClubNationalityYearExpedName
      Andre SleursVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Eddy SchrevensVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Frank De ClerckVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Jan DielsVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Jan MasscheleinVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Jos BeyensVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Koen MandonxVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Patrick BlommaertVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Rik KuenenVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Ronny PonetVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87
      Wim CuyversVerbond van Vlaamse SpeleologenBE1987Sara 87

      Documents & Links

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      Systema Sara 8 MB 3 downloads

      1987 Belgian Journal? ...
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      Systema Sara 44 MB 2 downloads

      Spelerpes 1987 (Jos Beyens) ...
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      Systema Sara 229 kb 2 downloads

      2020 translation of the 1987 article (Jos Beyens, Phil Walker) ...