2016

Abstract

The 2016 expedition was undertaken with collaboration between a number of UK based caving clubs and the Spanish AD KAMI club, under the name of the Tresviso Caves Project.

As per previous years the majority of work was concentrated on the resurgence cave of Cueva del Nacimiento, a 12 km cave system with a height gain of over 495m from the entrance. The catchment of this cave totals 37 km2 and, if linked with known entrances high in the Eastern Massif, would create a potential 1500m+ deep underground traverse.

The main effort in 2016 was to continue work in the furthest reaches of the cave, around the areas known as Death Race 2000, Die Hard and Jurassic World. A series of steep ramps lead to the highest known points in the cave and a number of leads were investigated at these highest points.

Summary

The 2016 expedition has continued to build on the successes of previous trips advancing exploration in line with the expedition objectives and discovering a number of new leads and over 1km of cave was surveyed on the trip.

Cueva del Nacimiento

Over 500m of new passage was discovered and surveyed in Cueva del Nacimiento and a number of new leads identified. In addition, large sections of the cave were re-rigged with newer rope and a lot of old rope and rubbish in the cave was removed.

Dinosaur Aven
The main aven in Jurassic World was climbed for over 50m high. There is a slight draught at the top but further progress would require chemical persuasion.
The Wet Aven
The aven was climbed for over 50m to a number of small pitches entering the aven. A draught and constriction at the top holds promise for further extensions next year.
I’m Not into Yoga
Aven climbed for over 60m to tight continuation.
Joe’s Crack
Rift close to Death Race 2000 camp was descended for 20m, the passage continues and a draught emits from the passage. Very promising lead
Sandy dig
The dig at the furthest point in Nacimiento resisted attempts to pass it. This would require a long term assault and manpower.
Sand or Smeg Chamber
Large chamber, collapsed at both ends. No leads.
Howling Hole
Main passage climbed for another 10m to a small chamber with surface debris.
I Love Horses
The previously unclimbed 11m ramp was climbed, but closed down at the top. No leads

The following provides a list of the main leads outstanding in Cueva del Nacimiento:

• Jurassic World – 4 unclimbed avens / climbs,
• Jurassic World – Sandy dig – long term digging,
• Jurassic World – Dinosaur Aven – possible continuation of main aven,
• Die Hard – 1 unclimbed avens (possible connects to Dinosaur Aven
• Die Hard – I’m not into Yoga – narrow rift at top of aven,
• Death Race – Pina Colada sump – possible dive and high level rift,
• Death Race 2000 – main aven climb remains unfinished,
• Death Race 2000 – Joe’s Crack – draughting rift continues down,
• Teeth of Satan – Wet Aven – small hole (with echo beyond) at top of avens,
• Teeth of Satan – Hellsmouth – further passages unexplored,
• Dan’s Big Room – maze of unexplored passages above,
• Parting Friends sump – second sump remains unfinished,
• Far Upstream sump – major long term deep diving project,
• Road to Certain Death sump – major deep diving project.

Sistema Castillo

The expedition concentrated mainly on a reconnaissance of Pozo Castillo and rigging of Pozo Natacha.

Pozo Castillo

The main way on still appears to be collapsed and has been impassable since the 1980’s. A concentrated effort would be required to clear the blockage but potentially one of the other numerous entrances in the area may provide a route past the collapse. Pozo Castillo remains a cave with huge potential. The location and direction of passage suggests it may be a feeder into a much larger system that takes all the water from Pozo de Andara (The Lake Depression).

Pozo Natacha

The cave has been rigged down to the final pitch and an early trip, at the start of the next expedition, should be able to determine the potential of progression at the furthest point. The direction and current depth of the cave places it very close to the end of Castillo and most likely it will connect with the hypothesised main feeder system beyond both caves.

The following provides a list of the main leads outstanding in and around Sistema Castillo:

• Pozo Castillo – undocumented mine workings above second pitch,
• Pozo Castillo – undocumented mine workings (over 1km) before main junction,
• Pozo Castillo – undocumented mine workings on left after main junction,
• Pozo Castillo – half flooded main passage, not explored,
• Pozo Castillo – undocumented mine workings, heading up, beyond tight crawl,
• Pozo Castillo – undocumented connection to Segura 1,
• Pozo Castillo – continuation over the top of the 30m pitch,
• Pozo Castillo – Thatcher’s Squeeze. Sound of a large volume of water from beyond
• constriction,
• Pozo Natacha – upper series undocumented,
• Pozo Natacha – tight constriction at limit of exploration,
• Castillo II (FT17) – a possible bypass / safer route into Castillo – requires resurveying,
• Castillo III (FT16) – a possible bypass / safer route into Castillo – requires resurveying,
• T143 – on surface, just past Pozo del Castillo entrance, undescended 50m pitch,
• T147 – undescended pitches close to Pozo del Castillo,
• Blenda, Blenda II – draughting mine, north of Segura 2,
• T303 – undescended pitch, requires hammering, but may lead direct into T302 Torca del Reloj.

Members

Thanks also due to Howard Jones, Colin Boothroyd, Dave Checkley, Carolyn Ginnever, Toby Dryden and the people of Tresviso

Documents & Links

• Tresviso 2016 main report
• Tresviso 2016 (A.D.KAMI Spanish Version)
• Tresviso 2016 Ghar Parau summary report
• Picture Gallery

Abstract

As part of the Tresviso Caves project

Summary

As part of the Tresviso Caves project

Members

As part of the Tresviso Caves project

Documents & Links

• Memorias 2016 

Abstract

A continuation of exploration in VL-52 in the Vao de Los Lobos area

Summary

• Exploration of VL-52 continues to -140m
• Visit to Cueva del Rio Chico, the possible resurgence for caves found on the Vao de Los Lobos

Members

Documents & Links

• Bejes 2016

Abstract

Since 2016 Club d’Espeleologia l’Avern de Ontinyent (Valencia) have been exploring the area of Portudera in the Eastern Massif. The project aims to catalogue and explore the caves in this area

Summary

• >25 sites located and explored, exploration ongoing

Members

Individual members not recorded

Documents & Links

• Blog
• Portudera 2017 (2016 exploration included)