4050: Pipe Cave
Garzón, Solórzano 30T 450136 4802469 (Datum: ETRS89. Accuracy code: G) Altitude 197m
Length 142m Depth 46m
Area position : Site entrance in context : Logbook search


Updated 11th December 2014; 18th October, 7th December 2015; 11th February 2016; 24th May; 5th June, 29th September 2017

   A grey, 150mm diameter pipe runs into a large depression. A descent through boulders by the pipe has an excavated, draughting continuation beyond at ends at the narrow top of a spacious 17m pitch. At the base, 30m of walking and scrambling leads to a large breakdown chamber. An 8m pitch at the end of this leads to a draughting blockage of large boulders.

   The site was surveyed in October 2015, when a previously undescended pitch was dropped to a choke.

   In October 2016, the intended dig/capping site was found to have washed out giving a tight climb down a short rift. A left downward climb (which needed capping) led into a small chamber. Another downward climb led to a large chamber in boulders, and a slope down to a further chamber.  At the base a narrow vadose trench in sandy rock continues but needs ‘thinnies’ to make progress. There is a good draught. The estimated new depth 20m, length 30m (not included in the above surveyed dimensions.

   In April 2017, a dead dog was found at the base of the first pitch. At the end, the tight squeeze was pushed over a false floor which was removed from the far end to make room for the other caver. A "circular" chamber was entered, 3x4x5m high with the way on down a silt-filled passage, 600mm square and 2.5m long tapering to 300mm square The passage turns sharp left but is far too tight to follow. The route was surveyed adding 32m to the length. Flood debris was found in the final chamber, 2m above the floor.

Reference: anon., 2014c (summer logbook); anon., 2014d (autumn logbook); anon., 2015d (autumn logbook); anon., 2017b (Easter logbook)
Entrance pictures : August 2014 : April 2017
Underground pictures : autumn 2014 : April 2017
Video :
Detailed survey : plan and elevation : 2017 update plan and elevation
Line Survey :
On area survey :
Survex file : after 2017 exploration

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