The Matienzo Caving Expedition

Matienzo, Easter 1997

Second Draft Summary of the Easter explorations

In Cueva Hoyuca, a 10m pitch at the end of Wardrobe Passage was linked into a chamber first entered 11 years ago through God Knows Passage.
In Cueva Molino (Bustablado), resurveying and further exploration has extended the cave to over 1400m. Rupert Skorupka, in the upstream sump, has broken the European record for depth during a exploration dive. A not-quite-finished survey can be seen here.
Torca XLs was "Hilti-capped" and pushed to a total depth of 74m, with possibilities of extension through a cobble dig.
The shaft entrances of Codisera were finally surveyed to link into the main cave and the nearby Cueva del Pino was surveyed to 46m.
In Azpilicueta, a passage on the south of the China Syndrome was linked with the final aven and surveyed. Some plans are afoot to bolt this aven to look for the link with Cueva Valline. In Valline, some passage was explored off Toc Gallery. The summer should see joint explorations with the Catalans to push around here.
Cueva de German was entered above Volvo. A living room-sized entrance chamber had a small hole at the back which revealed Bronze Age pottery before entering 100m of passage. The route starts through nice chambers (photos 1 2 3) but degenerates into a bouldery mess. Unfortunately, this site appears to be an isolated fragment in the possible link between Regaton/Mostajo and Carcavueso.
In Camargo, a small but impressive gorge entered a 10m high entrance with pitch which closed down after 123m. Carlos entertained a photographer from El Diario.
La Cuvia de Seldesuto (site 370) has been pushed to large passage near Toad in the Hole. The extension contains deposits under calcite with apparent bear bones.
With various shafts at Llueva descended and other small holes, the site count has now risen to 1233.
Lank Mills managed to set fire to the hillside above Volvo while prospecting for draughting holes with a carbide lamp. Despite the devastation, no new holes were found!

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