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A note on areas and volumes

There are currently 15 areas:

Area 4
The area to the east of the Cabeza Julagua - Cabeza del Covu - Cabeza del Verde ridge, bounded to the south by the cliffs of Cabeza Llambria.
Area 5
The area around Ario, including the upper Valle Extremero (as far as the pond), the Green Ridge of Jultayu, the Jou La Cistra and the Xitu Col.
Area 6
The area around the Jorcada Blanca - Conjurtao ridge.
Area 7
The Jultayu bowl.
Area 8
The area between Xitu and Pico Gustuteru.
Area 9
The area around the huge shakehole La Jayada.
Area 10
The area on the far side (i.e. the Trea side) of the Green Ridge of Jultayu, and the lower Valle Extremero.
Area 11
The area behind the Cabeza La Forma - Cabeza Julagua ridge.
Area 12
The lower slopes of the gorge, overlooking Culiembro.
Area 13
The area beyond area 11, around Cabeza Muxa, and Vega Maor.
Area C
The slope of La Verdelluenga above Boca del Joon.
Area D
The Vega Aliseda, Jou de las Cuevas, extending as far east as the Joos La Manada Vieya.
Area E
The area roughly between Verdelluenga, El Regallón and Gustuteru.
Area F
The area around Top Camp.
Area G
The area between sods 3 and 4.

Why the odd system of naming areas? Historical accident really. The original areas 1-4 were around Lagos. Then in 1979 when the expedition moved up to Ario, areas 5-9 were introduced. Then one year, they forgot the shaft bashing guides, and so made up names for some more areas (A-F). Area A had no caves in it, so has been dropped from this guide. Area B lay inside area 9, so I've renamed the caves. In 1987 a new area was explored, which was named area 4, as nobody could remember where the old area 4 was. Since then areas 10-13 and G have also been added.

There are four volumes of this shaft bashing guide:

Top Camp Area
Covers areas 6, 8, 9 and C-F.
Ario Area
Covers areas 4, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 13.
Gorge Area
Covers area 12.
Total Area
Covers all areas.
Make sure you have the correct volume before setting out.


Next: Good places to shaft Home: Shaft bashing guide Previous: How to shaft bash
Gavin Lowe