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Area 5

Area 5 is the region around Ario. Its boundaries are:

to the north: the ridge behind the refugio, the Cabeza La Forma - Cabeza Julagua ridge (boundary with area 11);
to the east: the Cabeza Julagua - Cabeza del Covu - Cabeza del Verde ridge (boundary with area 4);
to the south-east: a line running from the small ridge in the Valle Extremero (just below the 53/5 pond) along the back of the Green Ridge of Jultayu. The ridge itself is in area 5; once you start descending towards Trea, you are in area 10;
to the south: the rim of the Jultayu bowl (boundary with area 7);
to the south-west: the rim of the Jou La Cistra (boundary with areas 8 and 9); the Jou La Cistra itself is in area 5;
to the west: the Xitu Col (boundary with area G); the area around the col (including Pozu del Xitu) is in area 5; once you start descending sod 4, you are in area G.

$\oslash$: 1/5 Pozu del Xitu
Location: From the view indicator, follow the path towards sod 4 for 100m. Xitu is the large cleft 50m to the left of this.
Description: See Proc. 10.

$\otimes$: 2/5
Location: An obvious hole in a shakehole near the Ario - Jultayu path, about 10 minutes from camp, opposite 3/5.
Description: A slippery 3m entrance climb leads to a ledge above a 14m pitch (2 bolt belays). At the bottom is a small chamber with a large snow plug. A crawl under boulders leads to a second 15m pitch (natural belay), landing in a small chamber with no way on. Survey in Proc. 10.

$\otimes$: 3/5 Pozu los Caracoles
Location: About 2m to the left of the Trea path, about 10 minutes from camp, opposite a large shakehole (2/5). A small pit from which a sharply descending rift leads off.
Description: Another entrance into the Xitu system. See Proc. 12.

$\otimes$: 4/5
Location: A large, obvious pothole about 20m deep in a small valley between two limestone outcrops.
Description: Chokes.

$\otimes$: 5/5
Location: An obvious 4m $\times$ 4m hole in the bottom of a dry valley, on the south-east side of the Jou La Cistra.
Description: Can be descended for 5m to a small snowplug. Revisited in 1987 and a small tube at the bottom was dug out, but the rift revealed was too tight. Probably connects with La Prevista de Santa Dominico in 12/5.

$\otimes$: 6/5
Location: Behind 3/5.
Description: A 2m wide, 8m deep rift which seems to be a continuation of the rift in 3/5. The rift chokes at all levels a few metres in.

$\otimes$: 7/5
A narrow rift with a boulder floor that diverges into two tight passages a few metres in. The left hand passage is too small for humans and the right one chokes almost immediately.

$\otimes$: 8/5 Cheese Cave
Location: About 100m South-East of camp, at the base of a small cliff in a dry, rocky valley. The entrance is covered with boulders to keep sheep out and the first crawl is occasionally used as a shepherd's cheese store.
Description: Removing thelargest boulder allows a legs first squeeze into a crawl past foul smelling cheeses, which emerges into a rift containing the first pitch of 10m (wedged boulder for belay). The second pitch (20m) follows immediately and is a nice free hang (two bolts). At the bottom, an awkward climb down is followed by a section of wider, more spacious rift which soon narrows down. Another 5m climb down into the rift leads to the top of the third pitch (15m, natural belays). The rift chokes at all levels 100m beyond this. Survey in Proc. 10.

$\otimes$: 9/5 Colin's Calamity
Location: About 100m North-East of 3/5. A small, unobtrusive hole in the ground on one side of some small hillocks.
Description: The 7m entrance pitch lands on a small pebble bed sloping into a small passage. The only possible way on rapidly becomes too tight.

$\otimes$: 10/5
Location: 150m South-East of camp, a large, obvious pothole about 20m deep in a small valley between two limestone outcrops.
Description: The bottom of the shaft chokes, but halfway down a ledge gives access to a number of passages. Behind the ledge, a fift can be followed for about 10m until it becomes too chossy and tight. Along the ledge gives a short crawl to a choke. Traversing across the shaft gives another tight crawl which chokes after 10m.

$\oslash$: 11/5
A shaft 22m deep (35m rope, 2 natural belays). A number of parallel shafts join up underground, but noway past the snow could be found. Maybe worth digging out.

$\otimes$: 12/5 Pozu la Cistra
Location: To the left of the Jultayu path, about 100m before the junction with the Trea path, below a small cliff.
Description: Another entrance into the Xitu system. See Proc. 12.

$\otimes$: 13/5
Location: Below and to the right of 12/5.
Description: A narrow 7m deep rift which widens at the bottom. Chokes rapidly at all levels.

$\otimes$: 14/5
Location: A small chamber in boulders in the rift containing 10/5.
Description: ``A choke leads into the 10/5 shaft, but this self-destructed when John tried to get in.''

$\otimes$: 15/5
Location: 100m South-West of camp, although eating Mornflakes makes it seem further.
Description: Twin 11m shafts in bare limestone. Used as the camp toilet during recent expeditions.

$\otimes$: 16/5
This is the same cave as 5/5.

$\otimes$: 17/5
Location: 400m South of the viewpoint, overlooking Jou La Cistra.
Description: A small entrance that terminates within a few metres.

$\otimes$: 18/5
Location: Near 17/5. Entered via a rift running South-West.
Description: A 12m pitch beneath a spectacular rock bridge leads down onto a snow plug. The rift divides into two small passages that choke immediately.

$\oslash$: 19/5
Location: Near 17/5.
Description: A spectacular entrance consisting of an 8m shaft which connects with a rift running North-West - South-East. The shaft can be climbed with care to a snow plug from which two ways on are seen. The left-hand one is a steeply sloping passage leading to a junction a few metres on. To the right quickly becomes too tight; to the left ends in a small chamber with a boulder floor, through which another chamber, about 2m high, can be glimpsed. Returning to the snow plug, the rift may be followed down the snow for about 5m, where the passage ends in a pebble bed where the roof closes down to floor level. A line is essential for a safe ascent of the snow plug.

$\otimes$: 20/5
Location: Near the signpost on the way to Xitu.
Description: A small hole emerges in a tiny chamber after 4m. From here a 10cm rift leads off.

$\otimes$: 21/5
Location: Near the northern edge of Jou La Cistra. A crack which is virtually indistinguishable from the clints and grikes around it.
Description: 20m pitch emerges via a slender aven with an alternative horizontal entrance. Climb down leads to two small chambers. One can be climbed to a small aven, at the top of which a small crack of light is visible.

$\otimes$: 22/5
Location: Two intersecting rifts in an area of heavily shattered and jointed limestone.
Description: A 9m pitch lands on a snow plug.

$\oslash$: 23/5
Location: In a small, unpromising hole facing south.
Description: Those with large hips will find it easier to approach the entrance slope feet first and on their backs, but should be aware of the 2.5m drop into a rift. The rift slopes gently eastwards away from the main Ario depression and many small roof collapses impede progress. After 50m such a fall effectively blocks the rift, although various small holes may lead on. Revisited in 1987 and surveyed, but no way on found.

$\O$: 24/5
Noted, but not pushed, or even found again.

$\otimes$: 25/5
Location: 100m South of 15/5. A large, open shaft 8m deep, 8.5m long and 2m wide.
Description: Passage quickly leads to a boulder choke.

$\oslash$: 26/5
Location: Horizontal slot 1m by 0.3m.
Description: Descent leads to an earthy rift inclined at 45 ${}^\circ$ ending in a 10m pitch. At the bottom is a small chamber containing a narrow vadose trench 20m deep with a samll stream at the bottom. Descent is only feasible in one place, and the trench is allegedly too narrow to follow, but might be worth a look, if you can find it.

$\otimes$: 27/5
Location: Opposite Xitu, 500m distant and out of sight of the refugio on the slopes of Gustuteru. 40 ${}^\circ$ to top of hill above Xitu col, 75 ${}^\circ$ to Cabeza del Covu (the hill with the shepherds huts on it), 234 ${}^\circ$ to Gustuteru. A large doline full of shattered rock, marked OUCC 80.
Description: Leads to two choked holes which were originally described as emitting a strong draught. However, there was no sign of any draught in 1992. Doesn't go at all.

$\O$: Unnumbered entrance
Location: Possibly in area 9. Just up slope and 3m up valley from 27/5.
Description: Two blocked shafts. The larger of the two contains many butterworts (Pinguicula grandiflora). Between the two blocked shafts, and under the rock arch separating them, is a 3m drop, best negotiated via a short crawl from the larger shaft. Not descended, but worth a look.

$\O$: Unnumbered entrance
Location: Just below the top of Gustuteru, approach from the left side of Gustuteru and climb up the obvious gulley near some sheep shelter caves. Bearings Jultayu 135 ${}^\circ$ , Cabeza Llambria 095 ${}^\circ$ , Cabeza del Covu 074 ${}^\circ$ .
Description: Two SIE-marked shafts 20-40m deep. May be well worth a look.

$\oslash$: 28/5
Has been renumbered 3/9.

$\oslash$

29/5
Location: First visited in 1981 (see Proc. 10), but the description suggested a return to push the too-tight rift at the end might be worthwhile. From the junction of the Trea and Jultayu paths, follow the Trea path for about 20m until a smaller path leads off to the left. Cut diagonally left across the valley ahead, to join a well marked path on the other side. Follow this for a few hundred metres, to an obvious shaft on the right, with a tree growing out of one wall.
Description: 15m entrance shaft lands on a boulder floor, from where a short passage to the left leads to the top of a 37m pitch. Descending the pitch to the bottom, leads to a large rift, which ends at a muddy pool. Penduling right, 20m down the pitch, leads to a further 5m drop into a small chamber, the 1980 limit. From here two very narrow rifts lead off. The right hand one was hammered, and the first squeeze passed, to another squeeze. Both rifts seem fairly deep and draught slightly. Rigging guide:

Pitch	Rope	Rigging
Entrance pitch (P15)	20m	Natural backup; bolt and natural Y-hang
Second pitch (P30)	35m	Two spike Y-hang; bolt and spike rebelay at -5m; long tape round block for rebelay at -20m.

$\otimes$: 30/5 Red Circle Cave
Location: Directly behind where the big tent is normally pitched. Named after the SIE red circle outside the cave. Entrance is a stoop under a pile of boulders.
Description: Chamber with a hole in the floor 5m deep leading to a rift, both ways becoming impassable. A second entrance of a 5m climb enters in the chamber.

$\oslash$: 30/5 Pozu Optimisto
Once called 31/5. Now renumbered 1/11.

$\otimes$: 32/5
Location: Below 12/5
Description: A tight, T-shaped passage. Gets worse.

$\otimes$: 33/5
Location: On the Northern slope of Cabeza Forma.
Description: A large open pot, 25m deep ending in a snow plug. A smaller surface shaft connects with the main shaft about 10m down. A tiny hole in the secondary shaft continues for 10m to a mud choke.

$\otimes$: 35/5
A dig under a cliff above 39/5.

$\otimes$: 36/5
Location: Above 5/5 in the Jou de la Cistra.
Description: 10m pitch leads to steep slope and rift decorated with formations. Too tight.

$\otimes$: 37/5
Location: To the South of the Trea path on the slopes of Jultayu
Description: 4m free climb leads to 15m pitch. Chokes.

$\otimes$: 38/5
Location: Near to 37/5.
Description: A large chamber with tiny rift leading off.

$\otimes$: 39/5
Location: A 50m shaft marked SIE 86 $\otimes$ , below 12/5 on the slope down to Trea.
Description: Choked.

$\otimes$: 40/5
Location: Located in the left hand wall of a small side valley at the top of the Valle Extremero.
Description: A climb over a large boulder leads to a network of phreatic passages and another entrance inaccessible from outside.

$\otimes$: 41/5
Location: 10m up valley from 40/5.
Description: Tight rift closes down.

?: 42/5
There is no 42/5.

$\otimes$: 43/5
Location: Valle Extremero.
Description: 20m free climb with squeeze at the top, becomes too tight.

$\oslash$: 44/5
Location: 10m below 43/5
Description: A 10m pitch to a too-tight vertical rift behind a dead sheep (1988). Draughts strongly; stones rattle down merrily.

$\otimes$: 45/5
Location: Next to 43/5
Description: 10m pitch, choked.

$\otimes$: 46/5
Location: Above 44/5
Description: 13m pitch, choked.

$\otimes$: 47/5
Location: Valle Extremero
Description: Choked rift containing a dead sheep.

$\otimes$: 48/5
Location: In the Valle Extremero
Description: 30m pitch to snow plug, no way on.

$\otimes$: 49/5 `My Little Rabbit Hole'
Location: Located 400m from the Ario camp on a bearing of 210 ${}^\circ$ , on the Ario side of a large depression. Located on a bearing of 169 ${}^\circ$ to Jultayu, 225 ${}^\circ$ to La Verdilluenga, and 64 ${}^\circ$ to Julagua.
Description: A mud slope leads to a 10m pitch. A squeeze leads into a 1m diameter phreatic tube with a vadose rift below it. A few metres beyond the squeeze it is possible to climb down 6m to the base of the rift, but no further progress is possible as the rift is too tight. Continuing along the phreatic tube it is possible to make progress for a further 50m or so to where the going becomes a bit awkward. Further progress may be possible by a more determined team. About 20m from the squeeze a three way junction is met. Straight on (130 ${}^\circ$ ) is the continuation of the phreatic tube already mentioned. To the left are two small chambers both too small to enter and one of which contains a small inlet. Just prior to the threeway junction is a narrow T-shaped passage. After a few metres it is possible to climb down to the floor of the passage 6m below. This passage contains a small stream. Downstream flows into the vadose trench of the main passage, but quickly becomes too tight at all levels, at a point where there is a 5m aven probably below the threeway junction. In very wet weather the sound of water can be heard beyond the present limit of exploration in the main phreatic tube, so this may be worth another visit.

$\otimes$: 50/5
Location: Follow the Trea path from camp until it turns sharp left where it meets a green valley. At this point turn right to follow the green valley away from the path. After about 30m two cave entrances will be seen on the left; the first is 51/5 and the second is 50/5.
Description: A tricky 5m free climb (best laddered) lands in a small chamber with two ways on. Both routes rejoin at the top of a pitch into a second chamber with no way on. From the smaller of the two routes to the pitch a small climb (2-3m) lands in a passage connecting with 51/5.

$\otimes$: 51/5
Location: Located a few metres closer to the Trea path than 50/5.
Description: Easy climb to a chamber, a low arch at the lowest point of the chamber provides a 1m climb into another small chamber. A passage back under this climb eventually connects to 50/5. (Neither 50/5 or 51/5 were marked).

$\otimes$: 52/5
Location: An unmarked shaft near 15/5.
Description: Boulders were removed from the entrance to facilitate entry to a 2m free climb down past unstable boulder to a tight rift. The rift seemed to close down around the first bend, but no attempt was made to verify this by actually entering the rift.

$\oslash$: 53/5 Cueva de la Rana.
Location: The cave is located in the Valle Extremero. A large valley comes down from Jultayu to meet the Valle Extremero, just above a small pond. The cave is an obvious large entrance directly above the pond, in the right hand side of the valley.
Description: See elsewhere.

$\otimes$: 54/5
Location: A phreatic tube overlooking 53/5 (visible from 53/5 when looking back towards the Ario camp).
Description: This cave consists of an upward sloping phreatic tube trending to the left with, from about 10m in, moonmilk gours on the floor. After about 15m there is squeeze past a partial stal blockage. The cave ends at a series of larger gour pools; the passage continuing to the right is too tight.

$\oslash$: 55/5
Location: Further up the valley towards camp than 54/5, on a bearing of 114 ${}^\circ$ to Cabeza Llambria and 191 ${}^\circ$ to Jultayu.
Description: The large entrance is clearly used as an animal shelter. The rift at the back of the entrance leads after 8m to a small 6m diameter chamber containing a muddy pool. There is no way on except the aven above. To the right of the main entrance is a small rift about 3m above the ground. This entrance leads to climbs up into an aven (rope and protection required). Alternatively a narrow rift lower down is still going.

$\otimes$: 56/5
Location: Located on a bearing of 207 ${}^\circ$ to Jultayu, 56 ${}^\circ$ to Cabeza Llambria, and 148 ${}^\circ$ (100m distance) to where the Trea path crosses the green Jultayu ridge.
Description: A 10m ladder pitch to a boulder floor -- no way on.

We also looked at a short crawl about 30m Southeast of 56/5 and a small hole about 20m Southwest of 56/5 both of which close down after a couple of metres.

$\otimes$: 57/5
Location: Located on a bearing 199 ${}^\circ$ to Jultayu and 124 ${}^\circ$ to 53/5. The entrance is an ``obvious'' dark, 8m vertical slit on south facing slope looking down into the Valle Extremero, reached by an awkward climb. The entrance is not marked.
Description: The 40 ${}^\circ$ entrance slope leads to a chamber containing a lot of dead flow stone -- no way on.

$\otimes$: 58/5
Location: Above 55/5 in the face of Cabeza Llambria a series of interconnected phreatic tubes, with several entrances/exits one of which emerges well above the ground.
Description: All the passages eventually choke but they may be worth digging. The cave has not been marked.

$\O$: 59/5
Located about 20m to the right of 32/5 (looking downhill), a 4s drop. Marked by the SIE in '86 as finished, but not marked by OUCC. May be worth a look.

$\otimes$: A-Hole Cave
Location: A transected phreatic passage in the cliff of Cabeza Llambria, opposite 2/10. Reached by climbing.
Description: Chokes.

$\otimes$: 60/5 (Unmarked entrance.)
Location: A small draughting hole about 20m from 8/5 (and 100m from camp) was enlarged by Paul Brennan.
Description: A small descending vadose passage ends in a tight squeeze, described as requiring someone small to push it. Someone small (LB) was unable to get out of daylight. No draft.

$\otimes$: 61/5
Location: Originally described as ``On the way to the green ridge of Jultayu, in a promising looking valley with no marked caves''. Actually it is in the Valley of Dry Bones, up valley from 69/5
Description: A blind 20m shaft.

$\oslash$: 62/5
Location: At the top of a bed of limestone sloping at 45 ${}^\circ$ , overlooking the 53/5 valley, near a small shakehole with a choked rift at the back. About 200-300m down valley from 40/5. On a bearing of 140 ${}^\circ$ to 53/5 (out of sight), 22 ${}^\circ$ to Cabeza Verde, 74 ${}^\circ$ to the boss on the ridge and 96 ${}^\circ$ to Cabeza Llambria.
Description: An 8m free climb reaches rift. May go in either direction. Beware! Loose boulders at top.

$\O$: 63/5 Dowser's Delight
Location: At bottom of cliff below Jultayu path, about 200m north of junction with Trea path. Originally found by dowsing.
Description: Very tight, possibly too tight, slot descends about 5m.

$\oslash$: 64/5
Location: About half way between 29/5 and where the Trea and Jultayu paths meet.
Description: A strongly draughting shakehole which was dug to a depth of about 3m before being abandoned as too unstable. May be worth another look.

$\oslash$: 65/5
Location: 80 ${}^\circ$ to Cabeza Llambria, 196 ${}^\circ$ to Jultayu. Altitude about 1515m. Best route is to contour west from a point in the Valle Extremero at an altitude of about 1525m. A large well vegetated rift entrance.
Description: 40m shaft leads to several routes, all choking. One site could be dug, but would be a long term project.

$\otimes$: 66/5
Location: The entrance is situated halfway up a pile of boulders in an area of shakeholes about 40m to the right of the Trea path and about 150m before the path starts descending steeply. The entrance is marked by a poorly visible cairn.
Description: See description elsewhere.

$\otimes$: 67/5
Location: 20m from 66/5 on a bearing of 300 ${}^\circ$ . Narrow shaft in shakehole.
Description: A shaft into too-tight rift, dug open but no way on.

$\otimes$: 68/5
Location: 40m W of 67/5, at base of cliff.
Description: A shaft which chokes, with lots of perched boulders at the top.

$\oslash$: 69/5
Location: In the Valley of Dry Bones, a strongly draughting hole.
Description: Dug to 6m depth over a number of trips, from where a side rift lead into a small chamber in a boulder choke with no way on. Dug further to reveal another small rift into chamber with three drafts. Both left and right are diggable with extreme care but have been left for another day

$\oslash$: Pozu Jenga
Location: In Valley of Dry Bones, under cliff. Smaller of two holes with noisy draft coming from rift. Diggable.
Description: Cliff face demolished to gain entry to a 6m pitch "Gravity Crisis" in the rift. Squeeze through boulders including the chockstone reaches a very drafty chamber. Easy digging in this unstable area looks really promising.

$\oslash$: Unmarked cave
Location: Far end of valley. Last of drafting holes.
Description: Short climb down, then head steeply down to boulder dig.

$\otimes$: 70/5
Location: In the green valley going west from the metal signpost on the Trea path towards the site of the 1992 flooded campsite. A bedding plane crawl on the S side of the valley at an obvious overhang.
Description: A T-shaped passage, a bedding plane with a rift in the floor. After 5m it becomes flat out and two moonmilk stalactites impede progress slightly. Beyond a wiggle and squeeze, The Squish, leads to a right hand bend which must be passed on ones right side. Squeeze passed to reach standing passage (!) and two 25 foot climbs to total choke. Thank Christ!

$\otimes$: 71/5
Location: 150m from camp on a bearing of 292 ${}^\circ$ .
Description: This cave was dug open by removing a large boulder. A 15m pitch is followed by an 8m handline climb down to a boulder floor. An inlet rift part way down the pitch soon becomes too small.

$\O$: 72/5
Location: 0 ${}^\circ$ to base of Jou de le Cistra. 276 ${}^\circ$ to Gustuteru. On slope overlooking Jou de la Cistra, about 100m west of Jultayu path.
Description: 2m diameter pot, 5m deep. May have rift leading off at bottom.

$\O$: 73/5
Cabeza Llambria 065 ${}^\circ$ , Jultayu 143 ${}^\circ$ . Likely digging site in steeply descending rift at edge of Jou de la Cistra.

$\O$: 74/5
Location: Jultayu 146 ${}^\circ$ . 1m square hole in centre of green depression in Jou de la Cistra, suitable for midgets who like flies and caterpillars.
Description: Hole filled with ferns and with a wide rillenkarren catchment to south west.

$\oslash$: 75/5
Location: Labelled 72/5. UTM ref 434E890N. 50-100m S of 27/5. Found by contouring east from Martini Pool. 2m high rift at base of shakehole with a small phreatic tube at top.
Description: Boulders removed to make accessible to thin cavers. Slight draft and bigger passage or chamber about 2m in.

$\oslash$: 76/5
Location: Possibly labelled 72/5. Valle Extremero. 30m E of 54/5.
Description: 1m diameter phreas ending in a calcite blockage. View to passage beyond.

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Gavin Lowe