
Cigalèra Deth Malh Blanc
Avenc d'uns 45 m. de fondària a la Vall d'Aran
EspeleoWorld
Cigalèra Deth Malh Blanc
Avenc d'uns 45 m. de fondària a la Vall d'Aran
Vielha e Mijaran · Val d'Aran
Length: 50 m · Depth: 45 m
Updated record
https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/cigalera-deth-malh-blanc
Information can change. Always verify coordinates, access, weather, and cave conditions before setting out.
A pit about 45 m deep in the Vall d'Aran, in the Clòts de Betren area, with a single shaft and a significant plug of snow and ice.
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
It consists of a single shaft with a few ledges and a large entrance (8 x 4 m). 4 metres below the lower lip there is a sloping ledge.
Hydrology
On the sloping ledge 4 metres below the lower lip there is usually snow and ice, but from the -15 level onwards a large amount of snow and ice appears, leaving a passage only along one of the shaft walls and filling its entire diameter from the -25 level onwards. In the summer of 1985 a passage remained open between the snow and the wall, which on that occasion allowed reaching a depth of -35 metres. In July 2023 the snow plug is less thick and it is possible to descend about 10-15 m further.
Progression
The pit was located by members of SIRE – UEC Sants during a ski traverse at the beginning of 1980, but they did not return until the summer of 1982, when they were able to descend to a depth of 25 metres, observing a small passage between the snow that went down about 5 metres further. They themselves, by then as members of SIE – CEA, returned in the summer of 1985 and were able to descend 10 metres further (level -35), where it seemed to offer no possibility of continuation. On Tuesday 25 July 2023, the cave received a new visit from Yolanda Asensio and Jordi Francés, who were able to descend a few more metres between the wall and the ice, reaching an estimated depth of about -45m or -50m, being stopped again by a very solid ice plug that seems difficult to overcome.
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Bibliography
- Guarro, J. (1986).- “Cigalera del Mall Blanc (Escunyau – Vall d'Aran)”. Excursionisme (133): 22-23. Unió Excursionista de Catalunya. Barcelona.
- Guarro, J. (1986).- “Exploracions a la Val d'Aran”. EspeleoSie (28): 12-18. SIE del CE Àliga. Barcelona.
- Fitxa actualitzada (maig 2020), coordenades i fotografies facilitades per Josep Guarro de l'exploració realitzada per la SIRE-Sants el 1982. Participants J.M. Latorre i J. Guarro.
- Fitxa actualitzada (juliol 2023) amb dades i fotografies de Jordi Francès
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Source: Espeleoindex (espeleoindex.com), modified. CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/




