
Botet d'Esplugafreda
Temporary spring about 60 m long at Esplugafreda (Serra de Lleràs), on the right bank of the Esplugafreda ravine, with a vertical range of 12 m (+6/-6).
EspeleoWorld
Botet d'Esplugafreda
Temporary spring about 60 m long at Esplugafreda (Serra de Lleràs), on the right bank of the Esplugafreda ravine, with a vertical range of 12 m (+6/-6).
Tremp · Pallars Jussà
Length: 60 m · Depth: 12 m
Updated record
https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/botet-d-esplugafreda
Information can change. Always verify coordinates, access, weather, and cave conditions before setting out.
Temporary spring about 60 m long at Esplugafreda (Serra de Lleràs), on the right bank of the Esplugafreda ravine, with a vertical range of 12 m (+6/-6).
Topographic
Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.
Photos
Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.
Description
Morphology
A few metres from its start the entrance gallery bifurcates; on the left an upward step is climbed and it continues along a short upper gallery that ends closed at +6 metres from the entrance. Along the other gallery, on the right, it descends slightly and soon reaches a point where it is completely flooded. This first sump is 12 metres long, emerging into an air-filled gallery of narrow dimensions with an active water course; at this point a 3-metre-high step must be climbed and then descended again on the other side, where it gives access to the second sump. This one has larger dimensions; the gallery descends on a slope down to -6 metres, where the gallery continues horizontally for some metres before rising again to reach a point where there is an ascending tube that could be a bubble. The gallery descends again and ends in a passage that is currently impenetrable. The vertical range is 12 metres (+6/-6).
Hydrology
The flooded passage is not always flooded; in some dry periods it is possible to pass through. The first sump is 12 metres long and emerges into an air-filled gallery with an active water course. The second sump has larger dimensions and the gallery descends on a slope down to -6 metres.
Progression
On 10-06-2017 David Martinez (Proteus) passed the first sump and, after an air-filled zone with an active water course, reached a step of about 3 metres that gives access to a second sump (S2), a sump of larger dimensions where he covered 20 metres with a maximum depth of -6 metres, where an impenetrable passage blocked his way. A second dive was made by Josep Guarro, who installed a fixed line to work in the final stretch; the cave is still being explored.
History
It was explored on 5 October 1975 by members of the SIE – CEA and the ERE – CEC, accompanied throughout the day, and at a very reasonable cost, by one of the last inhabitants of Sapeira. It should be said that the companion insisted that this hole was just a small pothole and nothing more. To distinguish it from the others, the explorers chose to add d'Esplugafreda. This local guide also took them to another small pothole, that of Rejums, and to a third that was named Casa Rei, and that same day a first foray of about 250 metres was made into this important cave. (Information provided by Martí Romero, ERE – CEC).
In March 2017 Josep Guarro and Joan Carles Juderias relocated this small pothole, beginning a major dig since it was collapsed by a large quantity of pebbles and sediments.
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Bibliography
- Borràs,J.; Miñarro,JM.; Talavera,F.(1979).-”El Pallars Jussà”. Catàleg Espeleològic de Catalunya (Vol.3): 1-211. Ed Políglota.Barcelona.
- SIES A l'Avenç CC (2018).- Memòria d'activitats 2017. SIES. Esplugues de Llobregat
- Valles, Jordi de (2008)-.”Alta Ribagorça, Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà, Val d'Aran”. Catàleg Espeleològic de Catalunya (vol.1):101. Espeleo Club de Gràcia/Federació Catalana d'Espeleologia.
- Dades, coordenades i fotografies facilitades per Josep Guarro.
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Source: Espeleoindex (espeleoindex.com), modified. CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/




