086 La Cuvia
La Secada VN53229800 Alt. 285m Length 290m+  Depth 26m

Updated summer 2000; 31st December 2000; 23rd February 2001

Steps lead down into the large cave vestibule that contains two water troughs in its entrance. The entrance chamber has probably been in use since prehistoric times. A climb down on the right of the chamber (where prehistoric pottery has been found) leads to a small, meandering passage that breaks out into a large chamber and a superb 7m high column. Just before this, on the right of the main passage, is a crawl through to the head of a 7m pitch down into a sandy-floored chamber, with a small passage and separate "chamber" at the far side. The main cave passes through breakdown chambers with formations and then becomes small to the right, ending at a choke of boulders.
On the left of the entrance chamber the left route leads to a 13m pitch that drops in through the roof of the main passage; the right hand route passes through a decaying "doorway" and heads down to a choke above the main passage.

Much poking about in the floor and roof near the end has extended La Cuvia by little. At the end there seems to be a passage which is well choked with cobbles and sand but is not a diggable prospect. The cave may have drained the Matienzo depression in the past. It lies close to Tres Niños and well above the end of Argument Passage in Cueva Carcavueso.

References: Manchester University Speleological Society, 1982; anon., 1975b (logbook); Kendal Caving Club and Manchester University Speleological Society, 1975 (survey); Cope J et al, 1976; Mills L D J and Waltham A C, 1981 (survey); Corrin J S and Smith P, 1981; anon., 1983b (logbook); anon., 1993b (logbook); Smith P, 1985 (survey and photo); anon., 2000c (Summer logbook); anon., 2000d (Christmas logbook)
Entrance picture : yes   route down to cave
Underground picture(s): Photos by Juan Corrin. Click to enlarge.

Entrance chamber	Left passage from entrance	Down past the "doorway"	Left passage from entrance
Climb down from entrance chamber	Final chamber	Formations in main passage	Formations in main passage
Formations in main passage	Formations in main passage	Column in main passage	Column in main passage
Small meanders to the main passage	Miguel in the small meandering passage

Detailed Survey : 1:1000 (surveyed 2000)
Line Survey :
On area survey :
Survex file :