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<title>1623/161 Kaninchenh&ouml;hle - Mordor and passages beyond</title>
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<h2>161 Kaninchenh&ouml;hle: Mordor and passages beyond</h2></center>
<h3>Overview</h3>
<p>The large trunk passages described on this page were originally
accessed by descending Mordor pitch from the <a href="oldmen.htm">
Country for Old Men</a> level in 2011. In 2012, this area was accessed
and explored from Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle via the Far from Support
traverses from the bottom of Fat Cat. The southern extremity
(<a href="#runnel">Runnel Stone</a> area) is very close to
<a href="sibria.htm#cfn">Chicken Flied Nice</a>, so in the future it
may prove easier to access these passages via an as yet undiscovered
connection in this area, thereby bypassing the Tyrolean traverse at
<a href="farnth.htm#viasa">Strange Acrossfall</a>.</p>
<hr />
<h3><a name="mordor">Mordor</a> (2011)</h3>
<p>Mordor is a small, very windy (blowing up) pitch at the northern
end of <a href="oldmen.htm#sudetenland">Sudetenland</a> (accessed from
<a href="oldmen.htm#country">Country for Old Men</a>) that is rigged
from the roof. After the initial 10m drop, the way on is to climb down
a further 10m to a second hang. It is also possible to get off the
rope and explore round a corner into windy rifts. The second drop
descends from a thread then a roof bolt where the pitch opens out. A
deviation ~7m down on a spike avoids a rub at a rebelay (huge thread)
to drop nicely in a large space to near the floor. A 60m rope is
recommended (this pitch was left rigged in 2011 and 2012). </p>
<p><i>At the foot of the first 10m drop is a soily climb up 12m to the SW.
It doesn't go. In the opposite direction, round a corner a narrow rift
passage can be followed upwards for 18m, then back down again to come
out near the top of the 2nd drop of Mordor pitch. All of this passage
is very windy.</i></p>
<p>The chamber at the bottom of Mordor is about 15m high. To the west is a
north-south trending rift leading to an impassable hole in the floor
at the S end, beyond which is <a href="#stables">The Stables</a>
[2011-161-XX C]. There is a hole in the floor at the north end of this
rift [2011-161-XX C] and a narrow slot in the wall near the foot of
the rope [2011-161-XX C]. East leads to <a href="#entmarch">March of the Ents</a>.</p>
<h3><a name="entmarch">March of the Ents</a> (2011)</h3>
<p>The large passage of March of the Ents heads eastwards from the
chamber at the base of <a href="#mordor">Mordor</a> pitch 4m
higher up, reached via an easy traverse. There is a strong draught
from east to west (into the chamber). After 18m, a t-junction is
reached with a much less windy passage (the base of the T) to the
right (south), which leads to the main route to the
south (<a href="#rivendell">Rivendell</a>). Straight ahead (east) the main passage continues uphill then
turns northeast. 30m beyond the Rivendell junction, climbing up to
the left in a complex area reaches the head of <a href="#sauron">No
Sign of Sauron</a> pitch. Most of the draught appears to coming from
the area around this pitch. Immediately beyond is a passage on the
left (bearing on 352&deg;) [C2011-161-XX B].
The phreatic passage zig-zags for another 30m. At the corner is a high (12m)
solution area in the roof [C2011-161-XX C]. Ahead the passage becomes a very high
hading rift with a short drop. Traversing across the drop leads to
<a href="#bored">Bored of the Rings</a>.</p>
<h3><a name="bored">Bored of the Rings</a> (2011)</h3>
<p>Bored of the Rings can be accessed either by descending a short
pitch and climbing up the far side, or (preferred) by traversing along
the right-hand wall of the hading rift (bolts placed for a traverse line).
[FIXME: (Andrew/Julian) the survey shows two C leads at the bottom of the
rift, and a B lead at the top, also a p5 - is this a QM?] At the far end
of the traverse is a junction. Ahead leads after 10m to a pitch
[C2011-161-XX B]. A passage to the right here connects heads back to
overlook the hading rift.</p>
<p>The main way on at the junction is to the left (north). The passage
continues for 55m, past a pool (traversed on the left) to a rift in the
floor (undescended [C2011-161-XX B]). Left here leads to
[FIXME: (Emma/Olly) 2 QMs on survey, B and a C - descriptions? Also, c2
to the east of the passage - is there a QM there?]. Stepping over the rift
(traverse line advisable) leads to a breakdown chamber with lots of holes
in the floor. [FIXME: (Emma/Olly) extension to west near survey station
'a' leads to 2 B grade QMs - description?] Keeping right passes a small
passage on the right [C2011-161-XX C]. Clambering among the boulders leads to
a short climb down near the right-hand wall (handline useful) to
reach a drippy pitch (undescended). [C2011-161-XX B]. The
<a href="../204/pussyprance.html#support">Far From Support</a> traverses head
off along the right-hand wall of this pitch (left rigged in 2012) and is
the connection route to Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle, emerging in
<a href="../204/pussyprance.html#cirquedusoleil">Cirque du Soleil</a>. A tube
heading up on the right immediately before the start of the traverse
links back to overlook the pitch and also a possible continuation
east [C2011-161-XX C].</p>
<h3><a name="sauron">No Sign of Sauron</a> (2012)</h3>
<p>No Sign of Sauron pitch is accessed by heading north and uphill from
<a href="#entmarch">March of the Ents</a> into the wind to a
rock pillar at the pitch head. The pitch is rigged by traversing
along the left hand wall to a rock bridge overlooking a second,
connected hole that is the descent route. An aven above the pitch on
the left at this point appears to be main source of the draught
[C2012-161-XX X]. It would be relatively easy to continue the
traverse to an apparent passage on the far side of the pitch
[C2012-161-XX B] - it is unclear whether or not this passage
continues.</p>
<p>The pitch is a fine circular shaft, 5m round and 32m deep, and is
descended via a deviation 4m down and a y-hang rebelay approximately
halfway down. At the base of the pitch, a rift passage heads south,
accessed by climbing down through boulders. The passage was followed
for 15m, via a 2m down climb, and continues to the south, tight but
passable [C2012-161-XX B]. There is little discernible draught.</p>
<h3><a name="rivendell">Rivendell</a> and The Stables (2011)</h3>
<p>A 3m diameter phreatic passage heading south from
<a href="#entmarch">March of the Ents</a> for 25m leads to a chamber
<b>Rivendell</b>. A hole in the floor is approximately 10m deep with a pool at the
bottom [C2011-161-XX A]. There is possible passage uphill to the
northeast [C2011-161-XX B]. The way on is downhill to the southwest,
quickly arriving at a large T-junction with a horizontal passage. This
is very windy again (blowing from southeast to northwest).
Left is the large passage of <a href="#shires">The Shires</a>. Right
is the main way on.</p>
<p>After 17m, the passage opens out at a small streamway with a
junction, and splits. The two passages soon reunite at <a
href="#stables">The Stables</a>. Left continues downhill for 17m to
where the stream sinks in a too tight rift with an aven on the right
[C2011-161-XX-X]. The main way on is ahead (west).</p>
<p>In <a name="stables">The Stables</a> the passage continues past a
stagnant pool and quickly reaches
a 3m drop at a junction. Right connects to the north-south trending
rift accessed from the base of <a href="#mordor">Mordor</a> pitch, (but
is not passable).
To the left, a traverse round the 3m drop (left rigged) is the main
way on. Large passage continues, under a rock bridge and up a 2m climb,
reaching a junction 35m from the traverse. The main way on is to the
left into <a href="#gallop">Southern Gallop</a>. <i>Right
leads via wide passage to a hole on the right and <a
href="#soilothon">Soilothon</a> on the left.:.</i></p>
<h3><a name="shires">The Shires</a> (2011)</h3>
<p>Turning left (southeast) at the large T-junction by
<a href="#rivendell">Rivendell</a> enters a huge phreatic passage
5m across trending gently downhill, <b>The Shires</b>. This reaches a
pitch edge after 50m looking out into large chamber/area
[C2011-161-XX A]. The drop is about 10m, then another 10m in a further
hole. A small passage continues ahead for ~7m to look out over another
drop, probably the same space [C2011-161-XX B]. Halfway along the Shires
a small rift passage goes off [C2011-161-XX C]
[FIXME: (Wookey/Cat/Adam) not explicitly labelled on survey].</p>
<h3><a name="gallop">Southern Gallop</a> (2011)</h3>
<p>A short climb up gains access to a large passage heading southeast.
After 10m a hole is reached that can be traversed on the right (rope
useful) to gain access to the continuing passage. [FIXME: (Julian/Andrew)
have I correctly identified this obstacle? Is the hole a QM].</p>
<p>After a further 10m, a 4m climb down into a rift is reached (becoming
progressively more awkward on the return as ever more mud becomes smeared
on the footholds). The rift passage heads south for 20m to a junction
where the left hand branch quickly closes down [FIXME: (Julian/Andrew) does
it close down? survey is unclear] and the main way on is to the right.</p>
<p>The passage continues in fine style for 100m to a breakdown chamber.
[FIXME: (Julian/Andrew) Are there really no QMs on this entire stretch?].
Clambering up and under the biggest boulder leads to a continuation in a
tall rift. The passage continues for a further 50m to a local widening
with an undescended pitch to the west [C2011-161-XX A]. Ahead the rift
closes down, but a 5m climb up (rope left rigged) leads to
<a href="#maddogs">Mad Dogs</a>.</p>
<h3><a name="maddogs">Mad Dogs</a> and Holey Cow (2011)</h3>
<p>From the top of the 5m climb from <a href="#gallop">Southern Gallop</a>,
Mad Dogs continues south, with a draught heading from north to south,
for 30m before turning west. After a further 80m, a 3m pitch down is
reached. An immediate 4m climb up from the base of the pitch arrives at
<a name="holeycow">Holey Cow</a>, an area with many holes to avoid
falling down (bolts placed for a traverse line). A pitch estimated at
20m deep at the top of the climb is undescended [C2011-161-XX A], as is
an estimated 5m pitch in a side passage a little further on
[C2011-161-XX B]. Traversing round the right hand (western) wall
gains a mud floored passage heading south, with an unexplored passage
heading east immediately after the holes [C2011-161-XX B]. 10m south
from here a side passage to the west has been explored for 15m
[FIXME: (Julian/Andrew/Cat) to a pitch??] with a draught heading to
the west [C2011-161-XX B]. The main route continues for 15m to a junction
opposite an undescended 8m pitch on the left [C2011-161-XX B]. Right
at the junction leads to <a href="#blownaway">Blown Away</a>. Straight ahead
is the continuation towards the <a href="#runnel">Runnel Stone</a>.
At this point the draught changes direction, with the combined airflow
from the point of entry and continuation heading down
<a href="#blownaway">Blown Away</a>.</p>
<p>The continuing passage turns northeast and heads uphill past a side
passage on the right after 15m [C2011-161-XX B]. The passage develops a floor
trench and turns each. The next four passages on the right all connect to
<a href="#laerchen">L&auml;rchenrepublik</a>, with the main route to
this area being the easternmost and largest of these. Immediately
beyond this junction, a passage to the right rejoins the main passage some
15m further on. The main route continues southeast, past the junction with
<a href="#polkadot">Polka Dot Passage</a> on the left after 20m. 15m further
on the passage briefly divides in two before turning east. 15m beyond
this corner, a low sandy passage to the right opens out at the head of
a soil chute down to the head of a pitch near the Runnel Stone. Ahead is the
main route, which opens out at the top of the <a href="#runnel">Runnel
Stone</a> chamber 10m further on.</p>
<h3><a name="runnel">The Runnel Stone</a> (2011)</h3>
<p>The access route from <a href="#holeycow">Holey Cow</a> emerges at the top
of a large chamber sloping down to the right. A passage heading uphill and
to the north opposite the point of entry leads to <a href="#runnelnorth">
Runnel North</a>. Descending into the chamber, another passage on the left
also leads to Runnel North. Immediately beyond is a massive boulder (the
Runnel Stone). An undescended pitch on the right (west) here can also
be accessed from the soil chute [C2012-161-XX A]. Continuing beyond
the Runnel Stone, the chamber narrows to become rift passage, at which
point a passage on the right (south) is <a href="#welly">Welly Popper</a>.
The rift passage continues east for 35m, past undescended pitches of
20m [C2011-161-XX B] and 5m [C2011-161-XX B] to a further pitch
[C2011-161-XX B]. This point is very close to
<a href="sibria.htm#cfn">Chicken Flied Nice</a>, and it is thought likely
that this passage may be accessible by rigging a non-trivial bolt
traverse over this pitch. Right immediately beyond the pitch head also
leads to <a href="#welly">Welly Popper</a>.</p>
<h3><a name="welly">Welly Popper</a> (2012)</h3>
<p>[FIXME: (Holly/Noel) description needed]</p>
<h3><a name="runnelnorth">Runnel North</a> (2012)</h3>
<p>[FIXME: (Becka/Julian) description needed]</p>
<h3><a name="polkadot">Polka Dot Passage</a> (2012)</h3>
<p>Polka Dot Passage heads uphill and east from the main route to the
<a href="#runnel">Runnel Stone</a> with a breeze blowing from east to west.
The passage develops a small floor trench, and after 20m a junction is reached.
Most of the breeze eminates from the right-hand branch, which can be followed
for 15m to reach two holes in the floor. These are very close to the
northern end of <a href="#runnel">Runnel Stone</a> chamber and are
presumed to connect. There is a possible continuation that could be reached
by traversing over these holes, but it is highly likely to connect to either
the chamber or <a href="#runnelnorth">Runnel North</a> [C2012-161-XX C].</p>
<p>Left (north) at the junction, a much less windy walking passage (breeze
from north to south) continues past a roof tube on the right [C2012-161-XX C]
and a too-tight rift on the left, beyond which the passage narrows and becomes
more rift-like. Some specks of mud on the right hand wall at this point
give the passage its name. 50m from the junction a pitch is reached, which
is located directly above the northern extremity of <a href="#runnelnorth">
Runnel North</a>. A climb up to the right immediately before the pitch head
leads only to a further hole with a visual connection to this pitch.</p>
<h3><a name="blownaway">Blown Away</a> (2011/2012)</h3>
<p>[FIXME: (Becka/Julian/Andrew) description needed]</p>
<h3><a name="laerchen">L&auml;rchenrepublik</a> (2012)</h3>
<p>L&auml;rchenrepublik starts as a substantial walking passage heading south
from the trunk passage between <a href="#holeycow">Holey Cow</a> and
<a href="#runnel">Runnel Stone</a> with a significant breeze blowing from north
to south. A 3m climb down is quickly reached, beyond which the passage turns
right reaching a junction at which left is the main way on.</p>
<p><i>Right at the junction leads to a series of passages that all ultimately
connect back to the main trunk passage. The first of these is a tube on the
right reached after 10m that joins the main passage at the junction with the
main route into L&auml;rchenrepublik. 5m beyond, a 2m climb down is reached on
the left. Ahead at this point is a tube reached by a short climb up that goes
through a puddle to join the trunk passage 10m back from the main junction
towards Holey Cow. Descending the climb leads to a narrow winding passage that
joins the trunk passage af further 10m back.</i></p>
<p>Turning left at the junction, the passage continues downhill in fine style
with a northerly breeze past some nice crystals (gypsum?) - care required to
avoid damage. After 50m, the roof lowers briefly, then opens up at a tall rift.
The rift passage continues south and has not been followed, but does not appear
to carry a significant draught [C2012-161-XX B]. A 6m climb up at this point
leads only to a drop that is presumed to connect to the rift at a lower level.</p>
<p>The main way on is found by turning right then immediately left and crawling
under a boulder to emerge in a parallel rift passage. A roof tube doubling back
over the point of entry is presumed to connect back to the main passage near
the point where the roof lowers. The continuing rift at floor level does not
appear to be draughting [C2012-161-XX B].</p>
<p>The way on is found by via an easy 6m diagonal climb up into the rift on the
right to enter the <a name="spiral">Spiral Staircase</a> area, so called because
the route to the continuing passage is somewhat convoluted. At the top of the
climb, a narrow, draughting, phreatic rift passage heads off. After 10m, a climb
on the right is the way on. <i>Straight ahead at floor level leads, after 15m,
to a pitch estimated at 12m deep [C2012-161-XX B]. There may be a possible
continuation beyond at floor level.</i></p>
<p>Heading up the climb on the right enters another phreatic rift passage.
After 5m, a roof tube doubling back over the point of entry can be accessed
by climbing up into the rift. <i>Continuing at floor level for a further 10m,
the same pitch as reached from the lower rift is reached. There is a solid
roof at this level. There is also a more obvious continuing passage at the
opposite side of the pitch; access will be difficult [C2012-161-XX B].</i></p>
<p>The roof tube reaches a further level overlooking the lower rifts from
which access was gained. A short climb doubling back over the point of entry
gains access to <a href"#bunde">Bundestrasse</a>.</p>
<h3><a name="bunde">Bundestrasse</a> (2012)</h3>
Bundestrasse is a 3m round phreatic passage with a significant draught. It
initially heads south over the top of the pitch reached from the rifts in
<a href="#spiral">Spiral Staircase</a> before turning west. Immediately
beyond this corner, the next four passages on the left all join up in a
south-going side passage that reaches an edstimated 6m pitch after 10m
[C2012-161-XX A]. The main route continues west for 15m past two sandy
passages to the south that quickly join and carry a draught from the south
[C2012-161-XX A]. 5m beyond, a floor trench is reached with a narrow
rift exiting to the south [C2012-161-XX B]. The draughting phreatic passage
continues in a straight line for 35m to a breakdown chamber. A narrow
rift in the floor heads south at this point [C2012-161-XX B]. Climbing up
beyond this point, the passage divides round a rock pillar. On the southern
branch, a 17m high aven enters [C2012-161-XX X]. Both branches quickly unite
and overlook a rift passage which is the limit of exploration. The rift
passage continues to the west, and carries a significant draught from
east to west [C2012-161-XX A]. This point is about 25m south of the end
of <a href="#blownaway">Blown Away</a>.</p>
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