<non_public>False</non_public><!-- 'False' or 'True'. True if the cave should only be visible to logged-in users. Caves are normally public, so enter 'False' unless you know otherwise. -->
<caveslug>1623-264</caveslug><!--(Ignored). Internal I.D. used to refer to this cave in entrance data files. Typically the same as the filebase, e.g. '1623-195' -->
<official_name>Balkonhöhle</official_name><!-- Name of the cave (normally in German) Use ü for u+Umlaut and ö for o+umlaut eg Höhle for Hohle and Glück for Gluck-->
<area>1623</area><area>2d</area><!-- the CUCC-defined areas shown in http://expo.survex.com/areas.htm -->
code used in the Austrian kataster e.g '1/S +' - https://expo/.survex.com/katast.htm
T Trockenhöhlen (Dry caves)
W Wasserhöhlen (Caves with water)
(W) Zeitweilig aktiv Wasserhöhlen (Caves with seasonal water)
E Eishohlen (Caves with ice formations)
S Schachthöhlen (Caves with pitches)
H Halbhöhlen (Rock shelters ?)
- unerforscht (unexplored)
= befahren (visited)
× teilweise vermessen (partly surveyed)
+ erforscht (exploration considered complete)
-->
<kataster_number>264</kataster_number><!-- (Either this or unofficial_number is required). Official number in Austrian kataster if one has been allocated -->
<unofficial_number>2005-05</unofficial_number><!-- (Either this or kataster_number is required). Initial temporary cave ID used until kataster number is allocated e.g. '2012-DD-01'-->
<entranceslug>1623-264</entranceslug><!-- Internal ID to refer to each entrance instance in the entrance files (typically the same as that filename (e.g. 1623-161c). Matches the 'slug' field in the entrance file -->
<letter></letter><!--Leave blank for single-entrance cave. If there is more than one entrace then the letter needs to be given. Generally matches the entranceslug ID. -->
<explorers></explorers><!-- 'CUCC Expo' and year(s) of exploration. To distinguish from caves explored by foreign groups. Individual names can be given too if it was a small cave. -->
<survex_file>caves-1623/264/264.svx</survex_file><!-- Name of top-level survey file for this cave. Relative to the 'loser' survex repository. So for most caves that's "caves/cavenum/cavnum.svx". (e.g. caves/204/204.svx -->
<underground_description><p><b>WARNING: Entrance pitch floods dangerously in wet weather</b> - wait at the bottom until it is safe to ascend. A bivvy bag, food and a brew kit should be left at the bottom of the entrance pitch!</p>
<p><em>The PT01 etc points and the RIG01 etc rigs are noted on the 2019 survey to make it easy to match up the survey to the description. The description could be added to the survey so they can be kept updated together and - more importantly - so they can be used together. Ditto the rigging guides.</em></p>
<p>From upslope above the entrance, descend a c6 (RIG01 - 15m, 1 bunde backup, 1 top hanger, 1 rebelay hanger ... needs another hanger at the top to make top-out easier) using a handline to reach a large ledge.</p>
<p><strong><em>Balkonhöhle above Hangman's Pitch (see "1623-uppertunnbalc2" survey)</em></strong></p>
<h2>Entrance series</h2>
<p>From the entrance (roomy and dry enough to leave surface gear), take the larger, R stooping passage (L passage runs parallel to this and re-joins at the entrance pitch) to reach the entrance pitch series (RIG02 - see rigging guide). This starts as a short, sloping drop which lands at a bridge. From here a second short drop reaches 2 ledges in a much larger shaft. Below these ledges traverse out to the longest hang. <em><strong>This is always wet and responds rapidly to rain, quickly becoming unpleasant and it can be impassable.</strong></em> This drops down with a deviation to a large, loose, drippy ledge. Traverse out to the final short drop to reach a spacious chamber at the bottom of the entrance pitch series called <strong>Room With A View</strong>. (An emergency dump - bothy, stove, food, etc. - should be left here in case returning cavers find the entrance pitch series too wet to ascend).</p>
<p><em>(Three passages off to the N of <strong>Room With A View</strong> lead to <strong>Levitation</strong> and <strong>Crushed Plumbs</strong>, see separate description below).</em> From the base of the pitch go to the high point of the chamber then descend to the far side along the R wall of the chamber, past some large boulders, (<em>The small passage leading down the boulder slope back under the pitch leads to the DigDug area, see separate description).</em></p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Levitation, Dig Dug and Crushed Plumbs </h3>
<p><em>[Description needed to Crushed Plumbs area]. </em></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Main route to the Trident</h2>
<p>On leaving a <strong>Room With A View</strong> enter walking
passage. (<em>The first R leads to <strong>Chasm Passage</strong> and a pitch head at PT01)</em>. (<em>Next, just beyond an obvious blind 10m hole in the floor, a small crawl on the L enters <strong>Hiltiaplenty</strong>. This leads to an extensive series of horizontal passages and pitches and a huge chamber, <strong>Galactica</strong>; see separate section below]</em>).</p>
<blockquote>
<h3><ahref="hiltiaplenty.html">Hiltiaplenty area and Galactica chamber</a></h3>
</blockquote>
<p>Keep walking upwards to soon reach the unobvious 2nd R which is a short-cut <em>(continuing along up the main passage leads over boulders to a modest chamber, <strong>Liar's Bakery</strong>, with water splashing down from an aven in the far corner. The obvious continuation is through a low wide archway on the R which then loops round right to eventually meet the end of the short-cut, at PT02); <strong>Lemon Snout</strong> is a passage that leads N from the L wall of Liar's Bakery up a short free climb. A bolt and a thread on either side of the opening can be used to rig a hand line)</em>. The 2nd R is a small passage which immediately lowers to a short crawl then regains walking passage and immediately reaches a junction at PT02. Turn R here <em>(L leads to <strong>Liar's Bakery</strong>)</em> and descend a rift made super-slippery by the passage of many cavers.</p>
<p>At the bottom a c2 down soon leads to the <strong>Natural Highs</strong> traverse (RIG03 - 30m?, 4 slings?, 2 hangers?; <em>named as it was originally rigged solely using naturals</em>). This traverses along the R wall over a series of pits. At a bridge before the final pit ascend a c4 on the R, either as a straightforward free climb with good holds or a rope can be rigged from anchors high on the R <em>(these anchors are in the sandy <strong>Chasm Passage</strong> on the R. This stomps uphill for a short distance to reach a ledge to a big pitch the far side of which is PT01; [<strong>the pitch has probably been descended but this needs checking</strong>]</em>. <em>(Continuing along the traverse beyond the end of the Natural Highs traverse leads to <strong>Bipedal traverse</strong> and <strong>Bipedal passage</strong>, see separate section below)</em>.</p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Lemon Snout</h3>
<p>Goes North off Liar's Bakery. Appears as a tall, narrow rift passage with a rocky floor. A short way in the passage turns sharply left then right, with an awkward boulder to scramble around on the second corner. The rift continues sloping gently upward, after a short while the floor drops about a meter and it is advisable to continue by traversing on the obvious footholds. The rift traverse turns right above a hole in the lower level which is large enough to crawl into, but only connects back to the main rift in two other places. Meanwhile, the main traverse curves back left and lowers to meet the floor. After this a pair of smoothed rock bridges cut the passage in two vertically, they can be climbed from between the two but not from the outside. After the bridges the passage forks, with the larger route heading left, and the right-hand route dead-ending after about 50m. A hole on the left route floor shortly after leads steeply down, but doesn't continue. Avoiding this you come to a slightly wider chamber with a cracked black mud floor, and then the rift closes up.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<h3>Bipedal traverse and Bipedal passage</h3>
<p><em>[Description needed to Bipedal Passage area].</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The c4 enters the roomy <strong>Leeds Bypass</strong> passage <em>(named as the team exploring it heard a team of ULSA cavers who they had overtaken and who were rigging in from P01 coming towards them)</em>. Leeds Bypass is a mud-floored phreatic passage which soon divides. <em>(R is taped off to protect mud formations).</em> Go L and after a few metres at the next junction turn R. <em>(L here soon reaches a p40 and ????; a small passage on the far side of the top of the p40 loops back round to the end of the Natural Highs traverse).</em> A third junction follows almost immediately, here go L <em>(R here is the other end of the taped off passage).</em> Descend steeply on slippy, smooth rock. <em>(Two modest holes on the L wall of this slippy section lead to the <strong>Dark Arts</strong>, see separate section below).</em> At the bottom go past a hole on the R <em>(QM35 and QM36, have these been checked?)</em>, taking the L passage.</p>
<blockquote>
<h2>Dark Arts and Tight Yorkshireman</h2>
<p><em>[Description needed to Dark Arts area]. From the web: The main stretch of the darks arts in tall and narrow. It includes an up pitch and is a combination of stooping, crawling climbing. This section has been thoroughly tidied up. Probably do not return. From Fleur: Leads still remain here including a large, drippy pitch at the far, SE end and a p15 at the S end of Tight Yorkshireman. Becka: there's also a dodgy bit of survey in this section. </em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Continue to descend a c2, go through a short rift section to soon reach the Water Source traverse <strong><em>[I'm not sure if this is right - anyone remember between Leeds Bypass and the 2nd traverse?]</em>.</strong> (The waterfall on the L at the start of this 2nd traverse is a good place to drink and to check water levels - high if the spout below the pool is a single wide sheet, progressively lower if 3, 2 or just 1 spouts. <em><strong>[This water and the traverse isn't marked on the survey, it should be]</strong></em>. Water Source traverse (RIG04 - 30m?, 7 hangers?, 2 slings?) follows a large ledge on the R wall past 2 long holes to reach a phreatic tube requiring a brief stoop or crawl to a junction <em><strong>(I don't remember this junction - anyone?)</strong></em>. <em>(A major passage leads off on the R here leading to the <strong>Far Side</strong> and <strong>Flapjack Regained</strong> area, see separate section).</em></p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Far Side and Flapjack Regained area</h3>
<p><em><strong>[AT WHAT POINT DOES THE MAJOR PASSAGE TO THE FAR SIDE LEAD OFF AND HOW?] This leaves the main route at PT03. </strong></em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Go L to a c2 down into a short rift that soon reaches a p6 (RIG05 - 18m?, 5 hangers? <em>Awkwardly rigged, this should be improved</em>). This drops to a large ledge <em>(the pitch continues with no survey data, is this still a QM?)</em>. Turn R to follow the rift down to a c2. Descend this and follow varied passage to <strong><em>a chamber with a water inlet</em> - IS THIS HERE OR IS IT BEFORE PITCH, PERHAPS WHERE FAR SIDE GOES OFF? -</strong> then to a small chamber with a pit on the L <em>(this is still a QM and is undescended I believe)</em>. Take the c3 up through a window on the R of the central pillar and climb over boulders (care - the boulders may be loose, use the worn route; do not climb direct, to the L of the pillar). At the top turn L <em>(R leads steeply up to the base of a climb, <strong>Backslash</strong>. This ascends a steeply sloping aven. The climb was started in 2019 by Radost and Crossley and is still going</em>; QM83x). From here follow easy, ascending walking passage to reach a distinctive three way junction, the <strong>Trident</strong>, with a prominent survey station 34 painted on it.</p>
<h2>Beyond the Trident</h2>
<p>At the Trident turn L <em>(straight ahead soon ends at QM73C). (R leads to a <strong>CHECK chamber with a deep hole which cannot be traversed without rigging???? CHECK.</strong> Beyond this hole is the complex chamber at PT04. At PT04 the main route comes in from the L (W), and continues up a climb to the N whilst the passage to the R leads E then S back towards the entrance, eventually looping back to PT03 via <strong>Flapjack Regained</strong> and the <strong>Far Side</strong>)</em>. After 4m the main route continues up, curving R at PT05 <em>(here, at PT05, an obscure L turn leads to <strong>Honeycomb Pitch</strong>. This is the only route to the lowest levels of Balkonhöhle, see separate section).</em></p>
<p>Continue to follow this L, main passage up to a T junction. <em>(L here quickly leads to a complex junction. From this complex junction heading L (to the S) leads to a wet pitch at <strong>Cathedral Chasm</strong> and this eventually connects back around SE to PT05 via <strong>Avalanche Experience</strong> and the <strong>Mendips</strong>; R, to the N connects back to the main route at PT06 near <strong>Turtlehead</strong>; a further R - a few metres W of the 1st R - heads N for some distance then ends <strong>at what? No QM?</strong>). </em></p>
<p>R at the T junction immediately reaches PT04 at a chamber with 5 routes off. <em>(R, to the S, is the end of the route from the R turning at the Trident, described above. Ahead, to the E, is the route into Flapjack Regained and the Far Side described in a separate section)</em>. The main route involves a c4 up the L wall of the chamber at PT04 then continue straight north along <strong>Turtlehead</strong>. <em>(The 1st L ends in a dig. The 2nd L and 3rd L soon re-join at PT06 and then lead to Cathedral Chasm). </em></p>
<p>Further along Turtlehead the 1st R and 2nd R both lead to the same passage running parallel to Turtlehead. Both passages eventually connect to <strong>Ice Cock</strong> aven (named after a priapic ice stal, knocked over on original exploration) and the <strong>Frozen North</strong>, named due to the ice floor and snow slopes that suggest a nearby entrance that has, to date, remained elusive. <em>(The first connection made between Balkonhöhle and Tunnockschact came in down Ice Cock Aven, connecting in to the <strong>March of the Penguins</strong> area of Tunnockschacht).</em> This area is complex and involves a maze of interconnected passages at various levels and interspersed with pitches. <em>There may be plenty of leads remaining here and it should only take 1-2 hours to reach this area from the entrance to Balkonhöhle.</em></p>
<h2><em>Balkonhöhle below Hangman's Pitch (see "1623-midtunnbalc2" survey)</em></h2>
<h2>Trident to Hangman's Pitch </h2>
<p>To reach the lower areas of Balkonhöhle take an obscure L turn at PT05, around 4m along the L branch at the <strong>Trident</strong>. This leads immediately to a short, flat out crawl then, after <10m, it returns to walking passage. Honeycomb Pitch is now very close - go past 3 dead bats, each marked with red/white conservation tape, the first 2 on a slope down then turn sharply back on yourself to the R and ascend past the 3rd dead bat <em>(there is a maze of climbs and interconnected passages in this area)</em> to a small chamber. <em>(Ahead soon reaches a wet pitch, the far side of which eventually reaches P04 via Cathedral Chasm. This was the original route in to this area).</em></p>
<p>Take a fairly well hidden R turn in this small chamber to immediately reach a short traverse on the L wall to the head of <strong>Honeycomb Pitch</strong> (RIG06 - see rigging guide; <em>named after the abundance of golden dogtooth crystals</em>). A short descent with a long deviation to a bridge leads to the main hang with several rebelays to a final wide Y-hang rebelay then a swing into a prominent ledge around 10m above the blind base of the pitch.</p>
<p>Take the tube off from the ledge then go up an easy c3 to a p6 (RIG07 - natural and 1 hanger, 12m?; <em>this rigging could be improved with another bolt</em>). Stay on the R wall <em>(descending to the base of the chamber below the pitch leads to a narrow crawl. This soon opens up to a large, undescended pitch with the sound of water, QM 2017 01???)</em> and ascend a c4 (RIG08 - 2 hangers at top and 10m?). Descend along the R wall <em>(with a QM to an undescended pitch on L side)</em> then continue to follow the R wall in a rift as holes appear in the floor to soon reach the start of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> (RIG09 - see rigging guide; <em>Hangman's pitch is named after the monstrous boulder perched above the main hang. Climbing onto this boulder leads to <strong>Myopia</strong>, described in a separate section below</em>). This begins as a fairly narrow, catchy descent down the final hole in the rift <em>(this was free climbed in 2017 when it was surveyed)</em> to land on a roomy ledge with a stream cutting below. From this roomy ledge the main drop of Hangman's descends via a rebelay and a deviation to reach a bouldery floor <em>(the pitch down continues below the boulders here but it sounds unenticingly wet; still a QM)</em>.</p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Myopia</h3>
<p>Climbing on top of the monstrous boulder above the main hang of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> lets you reach the far wall. From here, a short drop down (RIG09-01, see rigging guide) lets you descend a few metres and then swing into a window in the main pitch that leads to large, horizontal passage. This is called Myopia <em>(named as one of the original explorers repeatedly failed to notice it)</em>. This passage slopes up and is generally large with many loose boulders and huge amounts of dogstooth coating some rocks as well as some dead bats. It soon reaches the 1st Myopia traverse (RIG09-02, see rigging guide). This airy traverse follows the R wall past a large, undescended pitch (QM 2018 XX). The large passage continues to quickly reach the 2nd Myopia traverse (RIG09-03, see rigging guide). This was started but not finished in 2019 leaving QM 2019 XX for the wet pitch below and QM 2019 XX as the obvious passage continuing on the far side of the pitch that the traverse needs to access.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Below Hangman's Pitch to the bottom of Mongol Rally</h2>
<p>From the bouldery floor at the base of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> there is an easy, albeit loose traverse across boulders (RIG10 - see rigging guide; <em>the traverse rope ends at the far side of the body sized tube where a final, extra bolt would be good rather than the poor naturals used in 2019</em>) along the L side (loose rocks fall down the large, undescended, wet sounding pitch on the R, QM2018 XX). On reaching the far wall turn R <em>(L ascends <strong>Snail Trail</strong> (RIG10-01 - see rigging guide); this climbs steeply up loose boulders then soon ends</em>) and go past the conservation tape protecting mud formations on the L. Climb up a rock nose then a steep, muddy bank to enter a body-sized tube around 3m vertically above the taped-off mud formations. Wriggle through the tube for a few metres (it is easier to drag large tacklesacks). The passage soon widens then quickly reaches a p4 (RIG11 - see rigging guide). This drops to a large ledge with a slot down. (<em>Continuing the traverse rather than climbing up to the body-sized tube ascends to an obvious, large passage, <strong>Hangman's Daughter.</strong> This splits to two parallel passages that soon re-join then end at a small pitch down (RIG10-02 - see rigging guide). This drops into a small chamber with apparently no way on. However, the team exploring from Balkonhöhle spotted a well-placed survey station there and, after some scrutiny, spotted the tiny tube high on the SW wall that provided the 2nd connection made to Tunnockschacht, at <strong>Fecking Tight</strong>). </em></p>
<p>Keep on rope to protect the walk along the ledge then up a muddy slope to reach the ledge at the top of <strong>Mongol Rally</strong> (approx p200, RIG12 - see rigging guide; <em>named after George and Luke saw cars on their ferry out to Expo that were heading out to do the Mongol Rally</em>). The upper part feels surprisingly friendly as it descends via numerous rebelays and 3 large ledges then 2 hanging rebelays to a rebelay at PT07. This is at an obvious, large window that leads to an extensive, largely horizontal level called <strong>Pitstop</strong> (<em>PT07 is around 130m below the Mongol Rally pitch head and Pitstop is described in a separate section</em>).</p>
<p>From Pitstop continue to descend around 50m further past 2 rebelays to a large ledge. (<em>From this ledge R leads W to a c3 down. At the base of the c3, R goes N to a wet pitch (with no QMs???) whilst L continues W into <strong>Floodland</strong> over fine mud banks in wide passage to a steeply descending mud slope down that needs protection (RIG12-01 - see rigging guide). Rigging from the R wall leads to an ongoing ???A QMA???</em>). A final short drop to the L (to the E) from the large ledge leads down to a huge, bouldery chamber at the base of Mongol Rally and the start of <strong>Grand Prix</strong>.</p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Pitstop and Turnback Time</h3>
<p>The Pitstop area begins at PT07, at a large ledge which you swing into from the main Mongol Rally pitch in order to do a rebelay. At this ledge, straight ahead, to the E, soon closes down. A traverse (RIG12-02 - see rigging guide) along the N wall leads to a large and obvious horizontal passage on the far side of the main Mongol Rally pitch, called <strong>Turnback Time</strong>. This ends at two??? undescended pits that are nearly above large, lower passages so they probably just connect in, QM2018 XX.</p>
<p>The main way on from PT07 is the short, stooping passage to the S that soon opens up. (<em>Continuing ahead leads immediately to some deep, undescended pits, QM2018 XX, that probably connect down to the large chamber at the base of Mongol Rally</em>). Take the walking passage on the L. This ramps down steeply, zig zagging until it pops out at an obvious, important T-junction with a significant stream entering from above (this is a good source of drinking water). At this T-junction, L enters Southern Pitstop and R goes to Northern Pitstop.</p>
<h3>Southern Pitstop</h3>
<p>Southern Pitstop begins as wide, horizontal walking passage then, after a pool, it starts to slope steeply down. It reaches an obvious junction. (<em>Here, L slopes up a muddy ramp with hundreds of bat bones - care - this should have a path marked with conservation tape. This passage ends at a pitch with the sound of water (QM2018 XC) and a rift continuing above. This rift may just lead to the same pitch, QM2018 XB</em>). R at the junction continues down to the <strong>Safe and Comfortable</strong> area. The passage initially descends steeply then enters a complex, open area with multiple interconnected streamways.</p>
<p>At this complex area the first R leads up to an aven then goes R and descends a rift. This ends at a small pitch requiring a p4 down then a c4 up to regain ongoing passage, QM2019 A (RIG12-03; <em>is there a rigging guide?)</em>. The 2nd R is where the water descends (tt?). A 3rd R is a steep c8 up with a continuing, unpushed climb, QM2018 B?. Opposite this c8 is a L passage which climbs up to an undescended pitch???, QM2018 B?.</p>
<p>Continuing straight ahead beyond this complex area soon reaches a T-junction with a deep slot in the floor at the start of the <strong>Lipstick Dipstick</strong> area. Here, at this deep slot junction, L slopes up steeply with a R quickly connecting back to Lipstick Dipstick at PT08 and straight ahead quickly reaching a T junction with QM2019 leads going both L and R. R at the deep slot junction requires rigging a series of alternating traverses and short drops (RIG12-04 - see rigging guide) to reach a large false floor with deep holes (<em>a L partway along leads to PT08)</em>. Here, the survey suggests that two undescended deep holes, QM2019 A, will connect to Inferno pitch in Tunnockschact. There is also a climb above the pitches here, QM2019 C, and a possible continuation beyond the pitch, QM2019 B.</p>
<h3>Northern Pitstop</h3>
<p>Northern Pitstop follows downstream in spacious walking passage (care to keep to the path) to enter a medium sized chamber (<em>here, R is a QMA at a strongly drafting, wet pitch; L is a QMB up a sloping climb / aven)</em>. The main route continues opposite where you enter the chamber, down a c2. The easy walking passage passes two QMB climbs on the L and continues until it briefly lowers to a 3m crawl on mud. This opens up to a high sloping passage. Clamber up on the L and continue in easy walking passage to finally reach a bouldery ledge overlooking a medium sized chamber. A sneaky clamber between the boulders on the R allows you to free climb down to the upper part of the chamber <em>(there are aven QMs above the lower part of the chamber)</em>. The only exit to the chamber involves crossing it to the far, N wall and clambering down either of two nearby holes. Both holes drop a p6 to reach the same point (<em>neither route was properly rigged in 2019. This pitch needs gardening, bolting and a rigging guide,</em> RIG12-05).</p>
<p>The p6 lands in <strong>Northern Powerhouse</strong>, a further section of horizontal passage. It begins with two parallel passages, both tight but the R is easier (<em>the L passage has a QMA climb off on the L)</em>. These two passages re-join and, shortly after, you arrive at a balcony looking out onto a large, wet pitch <em>(the small L descending passage immediately before the balcony soon ends whilst an easy-to-miss c4 on the R a few metres before the balcony leads to a second balcony which overlooks the same big pitch)</em>. This deep pitch is as yet undescended, QM2018-A.</p>
<p>A traverse (care, loose rocks) along the L wall from the first balcony is followed by an ascent of a short pitch (RIG12-06, see rigging guide) to reach the upper part of the chamber above the big pitch and the start of <strong>Medusa's Maze.</strong><em>(This upper chamber was originally accessed by a climb on the R wall then a squeeze through loose boulders - not recommended).</em> From this upper chamber a QMB passage leads off the L wall. The main passage continues W out of the chamber via a c5 down. This is easiest to descend by climbing past boulders on the R wall with a possible QMB at this point. The main passage soon reaches a 4 way junction. Ahead quickly leads to a pitch, QM2019-B. L enters a low, wide room and is an enticing QM2019-A. R immediately goes to a T-junction. <em>I won't continue to describe the route here until at least some of the QMs are cleared up and the main way on is clear.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Base of Mongol Rally along Grand Prix to the deepest connection to Tunnockschact at Anthemusa</h2>
<p>The massive chamber at the base of Mongol Rally seems only to have one way on, <strong>Grand Prix</strong>. This is reached by initially descending past huge boulders then traversing up R as the roof lowers and the walls close in. This passage soon reaches the p15 into <strong>Little Boy chamber</strong> (RIG13, see rigging guide). This pitch starts with a protected c2 down to a loose, muddy slope and then a vertical drop with a rebelay into a large, attractive round chamber. <em>(Little Boy chamber was used as a camp later on the 2018 Expo by moving the camping gear from Camp Kraken in Tunnockschacht which had been used in 2016, 2017 and early 2018; the Little Boy camp was not used in 2019 and was completely removed that year).</em></p>
<p>The main passage, <strong>Grand Prix,</strong> leaves Little Boy chamber as a low arch to the SE, roughly opposite the pitch. It starts wide but is low and bouldery. Take care to try to follow the footpath. <em>(A second passage to the R of this main passage, leaves Little Boy chamber at the lower, S part, to get to PT09. From PT09 there is a network of passages including <strong>Scoopy Loop</strong> and <strong>One Direction</strong> as well as to the <strong>Rubberman</strong> pitch series, see separate section). </em></p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Little Boy chamber to Rubberman pitch series and associated passages</h3>
<p>From PT09, just outside Little Boy chamber, there are three ways on though this isn't immediately obvious. First, turning L here immediately re-joins the main passage into Grand Prix.</p>
<p>Second, going straight ahead enters <strong>Scoopy Loop</strong>. Scoopy Loop leads to a junction <em>(L is a QM2018- B)</em> where R enters <strong>One Direction</strong>. One Direction can be followed until it drops down at PT10 to join the main route to Rubberman described below or, by turning L at the next junction, it can be followed to <strong>Crab Louse</strong> which ends in a QM2018-A.</p>
<p>The third and final way from PT09 involves turning R to take the main route to the <strong>Rubberman</strong> pitch series. This starts as a c2 down to enter walking passage. <em>(Along here an easy-to-miss passage high on the L at PT10 is the far end of <strong>One Direction</strong> described above).</em> The walking passage splits at a junction. R follows a stream up a narrow canyon a short way to the base of a waterfall and large pool. This is where water for camp can easily be collected. The main way on is L, up a c2, to a short rift. Descend and bear R to quickly reach a pitch head at the start of the Rubberman pitch series <em>(traversing beyond this point leads to a bridge and ???a window onto the same Rubberman pitch??? So no QM?). </em></p>
<p>The upper section of the Rubberman pitch series (RIG14 - see rigging guide) is an awkward, sloping and loose rift descent via a series of ledges to where the pitch opens out <em>(rigging down here needs significant improvement and more bolts to avoid rubs and loose rock)</em>. Here, swing over to the obvious ledge into ongoing passage on the R - care, stones here drop onto the remainder of the pitch that corkscrews below you. The rope can be tied off here. Descend off rope past boulders and mud, to the continuation of the pitch after around 30m?? <em>(The obvious L passage shortly before the lower continuation of the Rubberman pitch series leads S to a p10 QM2018 A on the R and a p5 QM2018 B straight ahead. <strong>This area is not far below You Don't Know You're Beautiful near Crab Louse - this may even be a better route in to this area</strong>)</em>.</p>
<p>The lower section of the Rubberman pitch (RIG15, see rigging guide) descends to a loose slope. Traverse to the R wall and continue down to a ledge on the L where a waterfall fills a pool on the L. Traverse along the ledge, past the waterfall, following the L wall then scramble up a steep mud slope to the top of the L wall <em>(a 2018 traverse rope up here and beyond was left in situ in the 2019 derig trip)</em>. At the top of this slope descend the slope and cross to the R wall to continue the descent (QM2018 A).</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Grand Prix</strong> continues as 20-30m wide passage then it narrows before opening out again into more huge passage. At the start of this section you need to move a cheval (shuffling along with one leg each side of a triangular ridge) to cross from the R to the L wall.</p>
<p>At the far side of this a cheval ridge a p40 (RIG13-01 - see rigging guide) descends to <strong>Suction Cup</strong>, a complex area beneath the main, huge Grand Prix passage. <em>(Below the p40, a further p20 may be a QM2018 A. The main route in Suction Cup scrambles S then E through boulders then climbs up steeply sloping ramps to reach an aven with QM2018-B's off it. Near the base of the ramps a passage on the R leads to QM2018 A)</em>.</p>
<p>Beyond the p40 down to Suction Cup the huge, main passage of <strong>Grand Prix</strong> continues heading steadily SW until it closes down leaving a climb (QM2018 XX) on the L and the connection to deep Tunnocks on the R, at PT11. Here, climbing up to the far corner as the roof lowers reveals a tall but narrow rift with an enticingly strong draft blasting through. After a few metres this rift pops out above a substantial chamber, <strong>Anthemusa</strong>. This looks like it will need rigging to access but, in fact, backtracking and clambering down under boulders allows you to straightforwardly free climb down to the bouldery chamber of Anthemusa.</p>
<p>From the bottom of the down climb immediately and carefully descend the steep, loose boulder slope on the L then traverse down and R to enter the main <strong>Kraken</strong> chamber. A minimal traverse line (RIG13-02, 25m? 3 hangers; <em>could be improved</em>) along the R wall reaches the boulders at the bottom of <strong>Inferno</strong> (the final pitch from Tunnocks coming via String Theory, Procrastination, Bring on the Clowns and the Number of the Beast). Walking up the boulder slope reaches the traverse line for the start of the p50?? ?Kraken pitch (RIG13-03 - see rigging guide) that drops down to a huge chamber which was the site of Camp Kraken in 2016, 2017 and 2018.</p>
<p> See survey section below for links to surveys </p></underground_description><!-- Underground description. (description of approach and entrance goes in entrance file). For a small cave this will be the entire description. For larger caves it will be the front page of the description, or a short intro, containing links to other pages with the cave description in, or even nothing but a link. -->
<equipment></equipment><!-- For a small cave, summary of gear needed to descend. For longer caves it could be blank, a table, or just refer to the description/topos. Leave blank if this info is in the description. -->
</ul></survey><!-- Drawn-up surveys. Scans of paper surveys or images/PDFs of electronic surveys. Should include HTML to display current plan and elevation, with links to larger versions (See section on URLs and files). Could list links to multiple years of survey, or even a separate survey page if it's complicated enough. -->
<underground_centre_line></underground_centre_line><!-- 'In dataset' if it is in the survex dataset. Blank if not, or notes about status such as 'surveyed, but no entrance fix so not yet in dataset'. -->
<notes>The original ID 2005-05 was also used (briefly) for another entrance, which was found the next day to connect to 204, and designated as 204G. The number was reused due to an acute tag shortage.</notes><!-- Normally empty, but place for anything else that should be noted, such as info on cave maybe being a duplicate, or lost -->
<url>1623/264/264.html</url><!-- (Required). Relative URL of this cave. i.e the URL this cave appears at on the website, not including 'https://expo.survex.com/. Normally area/cavenum., e.g ('1623/000')-->
