Avenc de l'Estel
Avenc de 87 m. de fondària a Pratdip (Baix Camp)
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Avenc de l'Estel
Avenc de 87 m. de fondària a Pratdip (Baix Camp)
Pratdip · Baix Camp
Length: 125 m · Depth: 87 m
Updated record
https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/avenc-de-l-estel
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An 87 m deep pit in Pratdip (Baix Camp), known as Avenc de l'Estel, with a 35 m entrance shaft and a route among blocks and ramps.
Topographic
Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.
Description
Morphology
The exterior appearance of the fracture is chaotic, with different entrances blocked by large blocks. It is a typical detachment fissure that follows a NW – SE direction.
At the westernmost end is what we can consider the most accessible entrance mouth, through which one can descend a pit with subvertical walls, 35 metres deep, with a ledge at elevation – 12. The base of the pit is a ramp that, in an ascending direction and among blocks, can be traversed for about 20 metres until the diaclase remains closed; in the opposite direction there is a small 6 metre pit that leads to the start of a short but inclined ramp, which opens into a new vertical drop, of 20 metres of height difference, with narrower walls and wedged blocks. At its base continues a sloping gallery that, after 20 metres of route, reaches a wider area, which forms a kind of chamber subdivided by the piling up of large blocks. It is in its lower sector that the point of maximum height difference is reached.
Progression
From Pratdip take the PR – C96 path and follow it to the Pla de Marinons, the point where you must turn left onto the path that climbs toward the Coll de la Seda and keep climbing to near the Pi de la Seda. Here you must turn west to seek the upper part of the nearest crag.
At the westernmost end is what we can consider the most accessible entrance mouth, through which one can descend a pit with subvertical walls, 35 metres deep, with a ledge at elevation – 12. The base of the pit is a ramp that, in an ascending direction and among blocks, can be traversed for about 20 metres until the diaclase remains closed; in the opposite direction there is a small 6 metre pit that leads to the start of a short but inclined ramp, which opens into a new vertical drop, of 20 metres of height difference, with narrower walls and wedged blocks. At its base continues a sloping gallery that, after 20 metres of route, reaches a wider area, which forms a kind of chamber subdivided by the piling up of large blocks. It is in its lower sector that the point of maximum height difference is reached.
Other details
The entire lower sector of the cavity is covered by large quantities of guano.
History
The first news we have of the exploration of this cavity appears in the activity list of the GIE del CE de Gràcia, who visited it twice during the month of November 1970 and gave it a depth of 102 metres, baptizing it as Avenc del Cingle.
It is not until two years later that it is explored again, this time by members of the SIE – CEA who visit it on 17 December 1972 and who do not return until 14 November 1976 when they complete the survey.
In Pratdip this cavity is known as Avenc de l'Estel (it seems that nearby there is a flat rock they call Roca de l'Estel) and some also give it the name Avenc de la Tornera.
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Bibliography
- Borràs, J.; Miñarro, JM.; Talavera, F. (1984).- Catàleg espeleològic de Catalunya. Vol. 7 (el Baix Camp, el Priorat i la Ribera d'Ebre). Políglota: 283 pp. Barcelona.
- Miñarro, JM.; Lázaro, P. (1977).- “Breves notas descriptivas sobre algunas cavidades de la Serra de Llaberia (Baix Camp, T).” EspeleoSie (20): 45-63. SIE del CE Àliga. Barcelona.
- Montserrat, A. (1979).- “Sobre algunes cavitats de les comarques del Baix Camp i Priorat”. Espeleòleg (28): 489-530. ERE del CEC. Barcelona.
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Source: Espeleoindex (espeleoindex.com), modified. CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/