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 123)
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!