Caving trips between the 13th and 18th of October 2026, mainly following up on work previously carried out in October 2025. Peter T Eagan (UK), Dave Bell (UK), Patrick Devine (UK), Torben Redder (Denmark) and Santi Urrutia (ADES)
13th October. Our first trip this October was to Espada #0103. We had two objectives to finish in the top level but probably came back with more. We climbed the rope climb (marked B on the survey) and pushed through a tight short section into a 3m Dia chamber with only a partial floor. Lights shone down were seen below and with a vocal connection we were able to conclude it wasn't going anywhere, so we de-rigged the climb. We then climbed down into the slightly lower area shown blue on survey and broke up the Boulder blocking the way on. We then capped out a short section which allowed us to look down a 0.5 metre Dia blind Pot. Climbs above this area were noted as looking quite easy and needed a return visit. Back at the base of the de- rigged climb it was possible using combined tactics to enter a passage leading to a climb down which choked. A short but narrow section near the climb up was also entered which went about 6m before closing in. A T-junction near to this looked quite good but was not pushed hard as time was running out. At least 4 bats were seen in the climb area and one near the entrance. Once again Espada will be tempting us back.
14th October. Puerto #0024 We split into two teams to see if the passage climbed up into previously connected to the main passage just before the traverse. This it did with a good visual and vocal connection, but no physical connection. A mash hammer and a few caps would sort it, but it was decided no one would use the alternative route as it is tight in more than one place and a bit awkward. Digs beyond the traverse were checked but proved too small. Climbing in the rift located a tube previously seen, but this was only one body length long. On the way out of the cave we walked along a previously pushed and surveyed passage with a draught. We could not see anywhere that the draught may have come from. A short side passage was seen that may continue beyond a climb. This has been left until we have checked the survey.
15th October. We returned to the previously explored (summer 2026) Cowboy avens in Vallina #0773 Shatter Passage area - named because entry was first gained by throwing a rope up through one hole and luckily having it return through another - and checked out various other avens seen previously. If time permitted, we would drop an undescended pitch into the lower level and check out a hole in the main passage wall. Torben bolted up the first aven to a short section of 4m wide passage which ended at an alcove with a climb up to a shelf. With combined tactics this was climbed. A short shelf led straight to a pitch into another aven. This unexpectedly led to the first cowboy aven. We surveyed back from a known point to the passage floor where we had started. We then turned our attention to the pitch down to the lower level. With a lot of gardening the top was made safe and bolted. The rock was poor, so it was rigged quite low down from the pitch head. The pitch was quite narrow and sharp at the bottom but not too difficult. We followed the passage a short way downstream to a climb down and then exited having proved its connection. This way into lower level will be much easier than the corkscrew climb, which is very tight and twisted at the bottom. We then went to the hole in the wall. This was free climbed to the bottom where only a small bit of passage was seen. At a pit in the floor next to the hole in the wall a section of passage, not shown on the survey, was pushed to a 90-degree corner and a continuation, which looked down into a wider passage with blocks in the floor. A ladder or rope will be needed to get down. A return visit is planned for Easter 2026. Santi dug the end of a passage (easy dig) which may continue another 5m before the roof may dip down. Other bits of passage were also looked at in this area. We exited the cave only a few minutes short of our call out time with 30m surveyed.
David Bell in "pitch connection", at La Puerta cave. Photo: Peter Eagan
17th Boob Tube. After a good day’s rest, when the rain had cleared a little, we went to the Boob Tube #5000 to dig in the entrance passage. We had previously identified this as a good place to dig. This is just beyond a choked passage below, explored on previous October trips. We quickly removed a large block from the dig giving access to a climb down in a rift. The climb down split at the bottom into two blind pots that may dig. We surveyed this to get the depth, then turned our attention to the passage at the top of the rift, blocked with dry mud. This dug out very easily and we made good progress until there was nowhere left for us to put the spoil. A plank of wood and digging tray will be needed to make further progress. Due to recent large discoveries in Vallina by the Catalans, we decided that our last few days would be spent walking around the Seldesuto area A smoke test had proved inconclusive with only a possible smell of smoke noted.
18th October. We parked at the end of the road near Arenal and walked up to #1298 which was not draughting out as usual. A venture into the entrance proved it was sucking in. We followed the new track, checking out above and below, but saw only a rock arch on the sharp corner. Two known water sources were also seen but nothing else. We returned to the van via the east side of the valley (a big mistake as it was very hard going) and saw absolutely nothing. On the plus side Santi collected a large bag of Porcino mushrooms which he cooked later for our evening meal.
19th October. On our last day we walked up to the barn at the foot of the meadow SE of #1298 corner. We followed the track towards the depression containing #0044 and other sites but failed to locate #0044. We then headed for #0580 staying high. Nothing was seen until 50m short of #0580 where Santi found a shaft about half the size of #0580. A ladder will be needed to check it is not choked. Below the new shaft a few small holes (animal size) were noted. This time we returned to the van by the much easier track. Another great October trip with more to look at next year.
Peter T Eagan
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