Expedition Name (& Club): Andalucia 2012 (MCG)

Destination country: Spain
Region:

Lat: 36.7000 Long: -5.0167 Elevation: m
MEF funding: none

Leader: Miguel Tome

Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

Further exploration of caves in the Sierra Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves national parks.

How can the GPF support your Expedition?:

Please explain the aspects of the trip which make it eligible for Ghar Parau funding.

These expeditions are characterised by very close ties to the local caving community. Objectives are likely to change as we try to aid local cavers with projects as they arise. Some locals will join us on our explorations, and we expect to have about 5 of them with us at any one time. Although not totally focussed on exploration, as some sport caving will be done as well - especially by those on their first visit to the area. This is an excellent venue for those new to expeditions to learn their craft. This is the third MCG expedition to the are in recent years, and it is hoped that the ground work done in the furst two expeditions will now allow us to make some exciting discoveries. It is also hoped that these expeditions will become a regular series.

Detailed description of objectives:

Give a more detailed account of the purpose of the trip, including any particular known caves you intend to visit, specific areas where you will explore for new cave, and scientific experiments you will attempt.

Sierra Grazalema - some sports caving in the local systems, but primarily helping local cavers with exploration (in particular digging) in the new deepest cave in the area (found last year, un-named and at a site we suggested they dig!) and digging at Sumidero del Guante. A sink very high in the mountains with excellent potential. Currently 25m pitch into chamber and boulder choke with strong draft. It is also hoped to visit the extensive Motillas system about 1 hour away with a view to establishing potential for further exploration with the group controlling access.
Sierra de las Nieves. Continuing exploration in our exploration permit area of Las Turquillas. Main objective is passage visible above the last pitch in Sima Mones. Also to descend series of "PA" shafts logged and descended in the 1960s but not descended since. The area has depth potential in excess of 800m, thought to feed the risings in Igualeja. In addition expedition personnel will be available to aid specific projects with local cavers (as in previous years). In the past this has included camp equipment replacement in Sima GESM and portering diving equipment into Alfaguara de Cinojal.
Further digging will be carried out at Sumidero Ruscayu, where good progress has been made to date. Hopes are high for a major breakthrough into the system feeding the resurgence at Igualeja. Finally sites around Navasillo logged last year will be revisited and potentially dug, especially Sima del Agua Sin Agua which shows good potential to drop into the postulated Igualeja system.

Previous work in this area:

Give details of any previous work in this area by your own and other teams. Include references to reports and articles published on the area, and the names of any local cavers or academics with whom you have discussed the Expedition.

This trip is building on two previous visits (2010 and 2012), the former of these trips received support from the GPF. The MCG now have excellent links with local cavers. Major discoveries have eluded us so far, but hopes are now high that with the ground work in place significant discoveries are a realistic possibility.