Introduction
Site list (GPS fixes) Walks (GPS tracks) Video clips Panoramas
Electronic projects:
Bat detector
Lamp tests
µ-controlled lamp
SEPIC-based lamp
ISP isolators
Making SMT boards
Expedition logs:
Spain 1973, 1974,
1975, 1976, 1977,
1979, 1982, 1983,
1985, 1986, 1987,
1988, 1989, 2000,
2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015,
2016, 2017, 2018,
2019, 2020, 2021,
2022, 2023
Mexico
New England
Translation:
Name: Rales System
Location: Above Rales village, near Posada
GPS: N43°24'39" W4°53'44"
UTM: 30T 346.64 4808.39
Lambert: Fuentica: 5020 9793 50; Molino/Samoreli: 5015 9793 120; Un-named 5015 9793 110; Manantial de la Aldea 5022 9793 40
Map: Nueva (31-II)
Survey: OUCC 1973 »
Description: Length 2.4km, depth 110m. See OUCC Proc. 7 » for detailed description. Upsteam is Samoreli with impressive large chamber; water incoming from upstream sump. The stream exits and crosses Pozo del Molino – a deep open pit with remains of a mill. Downstream of that the large passage becomes a tight squeeze and duck (often blocked) leading to 12m pitch and a fine series of cascades and flowstone pools of the main stream passage. This joins the mainly dry passages coming down from Cueva de la Fuentica big entrance. The streamway continues alongside the Main Chamber series to a sump which is about 30m from the resurgence (Manantial de la Aldea).
Car parking fairly near Molino is at: N43°24'37" W4°54'10" 30T 346.05 4808.34.
Visits:
1974 – through trip(?) from Molino to Fuentica down cascades and main stream
1975 – hot in wetsuits; surveyed upper Samorelli; down Molino to detackle and take photographs
1979 – wet through trip; lost rope. Mike, Bill, Elsa
1985 – tourist trip with Leopoldo + 7 others from Rales
1987 – tourist trip with Rafa + 1
2000 – no squalid pools, Mike impales back
2003 – GPS, descend Molino, short through trip
2005 – 20th anniversary trip with Leopoldo’s friends, etc.
2007 – an hour+ searching for route to Fuentica Main Chamber; photos
2015 – to squalid pool; photos
Other:
Possible site for hydrological experiments (tufa deposits in cave, etc.).