Oxford University Cave Club2001 Expedition: "Xitu"Picos de Europa, SpainE12 |
Xitu 2001 Report Contents
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This cave was known to have a large boulder blocking progress. With considerable effort, this boulder (which became known as Bertha) was hauled out of the way, although it was left in a fairly precarious position! Below, another squeeze was hammered open, but below this was another even tighter section.
Originally numbered F85. On N slope of La Verdelluenga, bearings La Rasa 436, El Regallon 082. From Snow Pole head directly for El Regallon. The Cave lies at about the same height as the snow pole across two low ridges (keep high). Above a bowl shaped corrie is a horizontal entrance at the base of a small crag. Now cairned above the entrance.
The horizontal passage leads to a 20m pitch. A small window 4m above the floor leads to a muddy slope. Climbing down this slope breaks into the roof of a rift, and a 9m and 12m pitch follows, landing near 'Heels over Head,' the tight rift where Bertha needs further stabilizing. Squeezing past Bertha is tight and awkward. Below is a 10m free climb down through rift to another tight squeeze, 'Bloody Finger.' Below this the rift becomes very tight, with no obvious sign of it opening.
