Cova i Avenc del Calvari

We enter through entrance no. 1, also known as avenc del Calvari, an entrance 1.5×1 m leads to a small P-2. At the base of the small pit, we find a gallery; if we continue down it about 6 metres and on a steep slope, we reach a narrow passage blocked by the rocks of the ramp; at this point a dig was carried out removing blocks and widening the passage, but it was not possible to get through, although the continuation is evident, since there is a pit behind; a more forceful dig would be needed to continue the exploration.

If we go upwards we find a pile of blocks; a narrow passage on the right and below the blocks leads us to a small chamber with no continuation.

Returning to the base of the small pit, we climb an r+0.70 above a block; at three metres, we see on the right a fissure between blocks that allows communication with a lower zone, which we will discuss later.

Four and a half metres further on, a passage 0.6×0.7 metres between blocks leads us two metres lower to intercept a corridor 0.5 metres wide and 1 metre high. If we follow it to the left, at 5 metres it turns suddenly to the right and ends 2 metres further on.

If we follow it to the right, at 2.5 metres we find a pit of -6 metres. Descending this pit, at -1.9 we observe an ascending ramp that communicates with the sector mentioned before.

At the base of the pit we find a joint 1.4 metres wide, heading N, which ends at 3 metres of passage; on the other hand, heading S, at 4 metres we notice a strong air current coming from a raised passage. We climb a block (r+1.30) and 1 metre later by means of a window we connect to a pit that turns out to be the junction with entrances 1 and 2, hence the air current.

If we head 20 metres towards the S we will find entrance number 2.

Entrance no. 2 is quite wide, it is 4.8×3.3 metres, it is the traditional access of the Cova del Calvari and has an old rope tied to a tree to facilitate the descent.

Entrance no. 3 is 0.8 m to the S of the previous one and is 1×1.5 metres. It has a pit 8.5 metres deep that drops into the S gallery of entrance 2.

Through this entrance we descend carefully down a steep slope about 5 m; if we go towards the S, the cavity descends, we advance 18 metres. We come across some rocks; on the right, lower down, it continues 4 metres more. If we climb the blocks (r+2.20), we continue 4 metres more until we find a step. We pass it by a passage on the right between the blocks, and carefully descend 5.5 metres and a small step of -0.8 metres. The gallery continues heading S and with a width of one metre, the height varies around 11 metres; it is a joint covered with wall formations. We advance 14 metres and the gallery forms a small meander where we observe a curious stalagmite. In this stretch, at the lowest point we reach 23 metres of vertical range.

Two and a half metres further on the corridor forks: on the right we find an ascending gallery that ends at 7 metres of passage. On the left the joint becomes narrower until at 4 metres it becomes impenetrable.

If from the base of the entrance ramp we go heading North, we climb some blocks, and within a few metres we reach the head of a pit where we place a spit; it is a P-1.40, which deposits us on a block; here we see the continuation and install another spit to descend a P-6.30. Descending this pit we observe the window of junction with the zone that comes from entrance number 1 that we described before.

At the base of the pit, we access laterally and by means of a ramp a gallery about 1.5 metres wide. This gallery, heading S, ends at 2.5 metres. On the other hand, heading N we find a P-2.50. Having descended this we find ourselves in a small chamber; on our right and heading SE a narrow descending gallery allows us to advance a few metres and reach the maximum depth of the cave: -28 metres.

Further to the right, heading NE, we climb to a sloping chamber with very unstable and quite dangerous blocks; this chamber about 5 metres long by 2.5 wide is on a higher level and no continuation is detected.

If we continue heading N, we descend an r-1.30 to continue along a gallery about 10 metres. At its end there are two small pits (P-2) of which only one is passable. This gallery brings the cavity to an end.

The gallery heading S, one metre wide and of variable height around 11 metres, is a joint covered with wall formations. In a small meander a curious stalagmite is observed.

Access through entrance no. 1 (avenc del Calvari): entrance 1.5×1 m that leads to a small P-2. At the base of the small pit, a gallery continues down about 6 metres on a steep slope to a blocked narrow passage. Upwards, a pile of blocks and a narrow passage on the right leads to a small chamber with no continuation. Returning to the base of the small pit, an r+0.70 is climbed above a block; at 3 metres, a fissure between blocks communicates with a lower zone. Four and a half metres further on, a passage 0.6×0.7 metres leads 2 metres lower to a corridor 0.5 metres wide and 1 metre high; to the left it turns at 5 metres and ends 2 metres further on; to the right, at 2.5 metres there is a pit of -6 metres. At -1.9 there is an ascending ramp. At the base of the pit, a joint 1.4 metres wide heading N ends at 3 metres; heading S, at 4 metres, a strong air current comes from a raised passage. A block is climbed (r+1.30) and 1 metre later, through a window, one connects to a pit that joins entrances 1 and 2. Twenty metres towards the S is entrance number 2.

Entrance no. 2, 4.8×3.3 metres, is the traditional access and has an old rope tied to a tree to facilitate the descent. Entrance no. 3, 0.8 m to the S of the previous one and 1×1.5 metres, has a pit 8.5 metres deep that drops into the S gallery of entrance 2.

Through entrance 3 one descends down a steep slope about 5 m; towards the S one advances 18 metres to some rocks; on the right, lower down, it continues 4 metres more. The blocks are climbed (r+2.20) and one continues 4 metres more to a step, which is passed by a passage on the right between the blocks; one descends 5.5 metres and a small step of -0.8 metres. The gallery continues heading S; one advances 14 metres to a small meander. Two and a half metres further on the corridor forks: on the right an ascending gallery ends at 7 metres; on the left the joint narrows and at 4 metres becomes impenetrable.

From the base of the entrance ramp, heading North, some blocks are climbed and within a few metres one reaches the head of a pit where a spit is placed: P-1.40, which deposits one on a block; here another spit is installed to descend a P-6.30. At the base of the pit one accesses laterally by a ramp a gallery about 1.5 metres wide; heading S it ends at 2.5 metres; heading N there is a P-2.50. Having descended this, on the right and heading SE, a narrow descending gallery allows one to advance a few metres to the maximum depth of the cave: -28 metres. Further to the right, heading NE, one climbs to a sloping chamber with very unstable and quite dangerous blocks, about 5 metres long by 2.5 wide, on a higher level, with no continuation detected. Continuing heading N one descends an r-1.30 and continues along a gallery about 10 metres; at its end there are two small pits (P-2) of which only one is passable.