Avenc dels Arítjols

A 92 m deep pit at the head of the fondo de Vallbona (Garraf), with an 80 m shaft discovered in 2014 by the GREC after clearing a narrow passage.

Sitges • Garraf 130m 92m

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Avenc dels Arítjols

A 92 m deep pit at the head of the fondo de Vallbona (Garraf), with an 80 m shaft discovered in 2014 by the GREC after clearing a narrow passage.

Sitges · Garraf

Length: 130 m · Depth: 92 m

Updated record

https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/avenc-dels-aritjols

Information can change. Always verify coordinates, access, weather, and cave conditions before setting out.

Topographic map of the main entrance — Main entrance · ICGC topographic map

A 92 m deep pit at the head of the fondo de Vallbona (Garraf), with an 80 m shaft discovered in 2014 by the GREC after clearing a narrow passage.

Characteristics

Type: Pothole
Municipality: Sitges
Region: Garraf
Unit: Garraf, el
Length: 130 meters
Depth: 92 meters
Major Unit: Serralada Litoral
Lithology: Limestone
Updated on EspeleoÍndex: November 20, 2020

Location

At the head of the fondo de Vallbona (Garraf). From the Campgràs, take the path to the pla de les Basses, following the perimeter of the landfill. When the small path that descends towards the Bassot de l'Arbre branches off to the right, continue along the ridge on the right and keep descending until after the junction of two small torrents that form one of the heads of the fondo de Vallbona. Then descend towards the streambed and go up about 10 metres on the opposite slope, amid dense vegetation that makes progress difficult. Very difficult to locate.

Entrances

Always verify coordinates and access conditions before setting out.

Avenc dels Arítjols
Elevation: 415 m
41.288163, 1.922032
UTM 31T (ED 50) 409831 4571511
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Topographic

Avenc dels Arítjols - Topography, Sitges, Garraf

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Description

Morphology

The entrance leads to a 3.5 metre pit, and its base is a steep ramp of earth and stones that ends in a narrow passage that had to be cleared. Once past it, a large pit opens up with a vertical drop of about 80 metres, called Pou Picapiedra because of the large quantity of stones that had to be broken and removed. A broken flowstone prevents the stones from the ramp from rolling down the pit. About 12 metres below the access to the pit there is a large embedded block from the ceiling that serves as a ledge. 18 metres below this block there is a second, larger ledge, followed by 43 more vertical metres to reach the base of the pit, which has a circular section. The bottom of the pit connects, via a ramp, to a small chamber.

Speleothems

The pit is decorated with some forms of lithogenic reconstruction. At the base of the pit there is a curious large stalagmite.

Hydrology

At the bottom of the small chamber the water seeps between the stones.

Progression

WARNING: A cavity with serious lack-of-oxygen problems. Anyone interested must contact the GREC (les Corts), the group that is still carrying out work inside the cavity.

History

Located by L. Muntan (GES – CMB), who explored it on 25 January 1986. With no news about it, members of the SIE-CEA located and explored it in 2001, naming it avenc de l'Arrel. The pit then reached 6 metres in depth. In 2014, members of the GREC (les Corts, Barcelona) relocated it and undertook a hard clearing task at the final narrow passage, which resulted in the discovery of a magnificent 80 metre pit.