Sa Fosca Gorge

Explored for the first time in the 1960s, the Torrente Gorg Blau (commonly known as Sa Fosca), is the king of Mallorca's canyons and one of the top 10 canyons in the world! Sa Fosca offers everything for experienced canyoneers/cavers; a long technical descent, 300 metre high walls and at some points the gorge is no more than 40cms wide. In wet conditions the trip is sporting and many parts are passable only by swimming, in high water conditions some parts of the canyon become ducks. Even in very dry conditions there are sections where it is still neccessary to swim, in such conditions one is forced to swim through rank, stagnant water - very smelly and unpleasant! In all conditions, a full wetsuit and flotation aids are essential. The water is always cold and often very deep. Just after the halfway stage in the canyon before the totally dark 400 metre long section there is a rigged escape route. Full SRT gear is advised if one chooses to use this exit.

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The Pegasus have descended Sa Fosca gorge in both very wet and very dry conditions, in very wet conditions there are large sections of Torrent de Pareis that also require swimming. The general consensus of opinion is that the wet option provides the most enjoyable trip. Whatever the conditions, small (2-4 people) parties are advisable, with each participant carrying a rope. Choosing this option a leap-frogging technique can be easily established, thus ensuring fast progress and greatly reducing the risk of hyperthermia. One long rope 45m, plus 2 or 3 shorter ropes are recommended. Rope bags and tackle bags need to have holes in, to ensure water flows through easily and flotation aids (eg:empty plastic bottles) also need to be placed inside the rope bags.

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The excursion starts at the aquaduct where the Lluc road turns off to Sa Colobra. It's a 15 minute walk to access the gorge from this point, walking down the road towards Sa Colobra, to an obvious entry point on the right hand side. 2 cars are essential, one to be left at the start where there is ample free parking, and one to be left at the pay car park in Sa Colobra, complete with a dry change of clothing and money for the car parking and for beer. The complete traverse from the start of Sa Fosca to the end of the Torrent De Pareis at Sa Colobra in wet conditions is a superb, sporting, thoroughly enjoyable trip. It should not however be undertaken lightly, and should only be attempted by experienced, competent and confident cavers. It is a serious undertaking, and has had more than it's fair share of incidents. Similarly the Torrent de Pareis is a serious undertaking in wet conditions, it is not a "walk", many people have drowned there.

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All the actual piches have 'P'hangers fitted at the pitch head and are obvious. These are best descended on a double rope with a rack or a Fig.8 descender, the rope can then be pulled through making for faster progress. The rest of the pitchs are arbitry,and the choice of using a handline, climbing or jumping is at the canyonner's discretion.In some cases the choice is not obvious. If in doubt use a rope, there are usually natural belays to be found. If you choose to jump, choose your entry point carefully there are lots of nasty sharp boulders lurking just below the surface of the water. The Beach is a permanently dry shingly section, often used for taking a break and having some food or a drink. The escape route is just before the cave section where the visitor book is.

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