This was not an Oxford University expedition. However it carried on the long tradition of OUCC expeditions to the Picos de Europa, and involved some OUCC members and a wide range of cavers from the UK and beyond.
The Expedition 's aims were:
- To facilitate and further the exploration of caves associated in the
region of Vega de Ario and the
hydrology of Cueva Culiembro. - To investigate the potential for a hydrologically integrated, 'super
deep' (over 1500m) system in the
Massif Occidental of the Picos de Europa. - To provide a central point for organising access and collating information to these ends
Significant advances were made in Torca del Regallon (C4):
- The cave was re-rigged to a depth of 300 m, and re-bolted the rest of the cave to the base of the final pitch (Marie Celeste) at a depth of approximately 587 m.
- The 15 m upstream waterfall was bolt-climed; it turned out to be 25 m to a steeply sloping ledge before continuing vertically upwards out of sight.
- The downstream sump (Special Agent Sea) was dived for approximately 50 m, with the way on still wide open.
Documents:
Paul Mackrill about to dive Special Agent Sea (Photo: Éabha Lankford)