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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
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<HTML lang=en><HEAD><TITLE>1623:204</TITLE>
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<BODY>
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<DIV align=center>
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<CENTER>
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<TABLE border=0 width="100%">
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<TBODY>
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<TR>
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<TH align=left width="20%"><FONT size=+2>204</FONT></TH>
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<TH lang=de><FONT size=+2>Steinbr<EFBFBD>ckenh<EFBFBD>hle</FONT></TH>
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<TH align=right width="20%"><FONT size=+2>4/S x</FONT></TH></TR>
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<TR>
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<TH align=left><FONT size=+1>(CUCC
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99/03)</FONT></TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV>
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<P><B>Altitude:</B> 1820m, length 2.5km, depth 368m<BR><B>Location:</B> 204b
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entrance E 36673 N (52)83716
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<P>The cave is situated on the west side of the col between the <SPAN
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lang=de-at>Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel</SPAN> and <SPAN lang=de-at>Nieder
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AugstEck</SPAN>.
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<P><B>Access route:</B>The 1999 route from Top Camp (probably near optimal) is a
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cairned path via <SPAN lang=de>Wolfh<EFBFBD>hle</SPAN> (<A
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href="../plateau/145.htm">1623/145</A>) and Laser
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Point 5, then up to the top of the bare patch of white limestone visible from
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Top Camp, passing <A
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href="195.htm">195</A> and <A
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href="196.htm">196.</A> Laser 0/5 can
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also be approached via <A
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href="../plateau/107.htm">107</A>, a slightly
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lower route; or the white patch of limestone can be reached by a more central
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route across the plateau. In all these cases there is scope for endless
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variation, and an approach which keeps the large bare patch in view is
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recommended. Alternatively, the cave may be approached from the summit of HSK -
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probably the optimal route if you are coming from any of the <A
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href="161/top.htm">161</A> entrances.
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<P><B>Marking:</B>Tag. Does it say "CUCC 99-03" or "CUCC 204"?
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<P><B>Description:</B>204a entrance is directly opposite a 10m x 3m stone bridge
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from which it derives its name. The entrance itself is approximately 8m high and
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5m wide, and leads down a boulder slope and round a right hand bend to the top
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of the first pitch. 204b entrance is 15m away to the west, and this is the
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entrance which is rigged. A 3m climb down (handline useful) leads into the
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entrance gully and a ledge at the head of the first pitch, <B>Trick or
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Treat</B>, opposite 204a entrance. This loose, sloping pitch of 20m is rigged
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from a Y-hang on the right hand wall, with a rebelay and deviation. The pitch is
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tedious to prussik on return and is best climbed. The landing is by a large snow
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plug with (in 1999) an ice corridor round the edge leading to the top of a
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boulder slope. A rift passage on the right becomes too tight.
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<P><A name=jim>Descending</A> the boulder slope (care required to avoid kicking
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rocks off) leads to the head of the second pitch, <B>Jim'll Fix It</B> (18m). An
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unexplored passage is visible from the pitch head, which could be accessed by a
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bolt traverse round the right hand side of the pitch head
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[<A href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-01" name=qC1999-204-01>C1999-204-01 C</A>] (Explored by Brian?).
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The pitch is rigged from a bolt in the
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left hand wall with a deviation from a spit immediately after the pitch head
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bolt. This protects a marginal rub point and also avoids a jet of water which
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spurts from a crack in the wall after heavy rain. The landing is by a large
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pointed snowplug. Landing on top of the snow plug and climbing up 2m to the
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right (when facing the wall on which the pitch is rigged) leads to an
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undescended pitch/climb [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-02"
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name=qC1999-204-02>C1999-204-02 B</A>] which lies above the northern end of <A
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href="204.htm#wolp">Wolpertinger
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Way</A>. In 1999 there was sufficient gap between snow and wall to complete the
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descent and emerge in a sloping phreatic passage. There are two ways on: Right
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leads uphill as stooping/crawling height passage for 30m to emerge at the top of
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<A
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href="204.htm#umshit">Umshitshimbo</A>.
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Left leads downhill into <A
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href="204.htm#nearend">The Near
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End</A> and is the main way on. There is a further unexplored passage in the
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wall above the gap between the snow plug and the rock [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-03"
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name=qC1999-204-03>C1999-204-03 C</A>].
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<H3><A name=nearend>The Near End</A></H3>
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<P><B>The Near End</B> is a collective name for a complex network of high level
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phreatic passages which slope approximately 20<32> following the dip of the beds.
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Heading downhill from the base of <B>Jim'll Fix It</B> in a stooping height
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passage leads round a double bend to a 2m climb down to a junction. Right leads
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to more <A
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href="204.htm#nearside">side
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passages</A> whilst the main route is straight ahead to a crossroads. Right
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leads into the same <A
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href="204.htm#nearside">side
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passages</A> as the previous right turn. Left is <B>Needle Crawl</B> past an
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unexplored passage on the left [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-04"
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name=qC1999-204-04>C1999-204-04 C</A>] and a crawl on the right (feels like
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straight ahead) which becomes too small after ~8m. Straight ahead (feels like a
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left) leads to the head of a fine 4m diameter circular shaft, <B>Thread
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Pitch</B>. This pitch of 17m leads into <A
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href="204.htm#wolp">Wolpertinger
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Way</A>. A continuation of the
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crawl is visible at the opposite side of the pitch head [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-06"
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name=qC1999-204-06>C1999-204-06 C</A>].
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<P>From the crossroads, the main route in 1999 was straight ahead, downhill in
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mostly stooping height passage with a short section of sandy crawling. After 15m
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is a short climb down to the top of a 4m deep pit with a too-tight passage at
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the bottom, with the phreatic passage continuing to the right. After a further
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10m the passage is intersected by a large rift with a big rock partially
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blocking the passage. Climbing up to the right leads back into a tall rift in
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the <A href="204.htm#nearside">side
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passages</A>. A climb up to the left leads to a passage containing attractive
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white mud which was not entered, however a visual connection to the <A
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href="204.htm#pendulum">Pendulum
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Pitch</A> was established.
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<P>Straight ahead leads to a further junction after 15m. Left opens out to the
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head of <A
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href="204.htm#pendulum">Pendulum
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Pitch</A>, the main route to the bottom of <A
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href="204.htm#wolp">Wolpertinger
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Way</A> used in 1999. Right leads to a narrow stooping height passage which
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continues for 25m with several clear pools in the floor to a widening where most
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routes ahead and to the left are choked with boulders. To the right, a body
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sized tube leads upwards for ~15m before opening out into a low chamber on the
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left. The continuation of the crawl is immediately opposite the entry point and there is a climb down into a rift on
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the far side of the chamber to the left [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-07"
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name=qC1999-204-07>C1999-204-07 B</A>]. The continuation is a winding passage which continues upwards. It then increases to stoping
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heightand goes over some old gower pools. The passage continues to a flat out section ( not really a squeze, except for lardarses) not
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pushed, but running water could be heard. Back in the chamber, it doubles back on itself to
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the left and encounters an area of breakdown which was not fully investigated,
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but is presumed to be the opposite side of the boulder choke.
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<H3><A name=kingcarbide>King Carbide</A></H3>
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<H3><A name=pleasuredome>Please Dome</A></H3>
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<H3><A name=nearside>The Near End: Side Passages</A></H3>
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<P>The first two right turns encountered when heading downhill from the foot of
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<A href="204.htm#jim">Jim'll Fix
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It</A> unite in a walking sized passage. After 10m the bottom of <A
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href="204.htm#umshit">Umshitshimbo</A>
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is passed on the right, whilst straight ahead leads to a junction with a large
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keyhole passage. Left leads after 15m to a climb up behind a precariously placed
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boulder, to an immediate climb down of 4m which emerges in the 1999 main route
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through the near end before <A
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href="204.htm#pendulum">Pendulum
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Pitch</A>. Right leads immediately to a 8m pitch. A difficult and exposed traverse round
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the left hand wall leads to a further 30m of passage with a steadily lowering
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roof culminating in a boulder choke.
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<P>
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<CENTER><IMG alt="plan: 24k gif" height=783 src="1623204_files/pl1999.png"
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width=582></CENTER>
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<H3><A name=umshit>The Near End: Umshitshimbo and Updip Passages</A></H3>
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<P><B>Umshitshimbo</B> is a fine phreatic ramp, 2m wide and about 4m high, which
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heads uphill in a straight line for 40m. At the top a passage doubling back on
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the right leads back to the base of <A
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href="204.htm#jim">Jim'll Fix It</A>
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and there is a climb up into a rift passage heading south over the top of
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Umshitshimbo which becomes too narrow. Large passage continues uphill past a 2m
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deep blind pit on the right to a junction.
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<P>Left leads uphill past a choked inlet on the left to a steep uphill section
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with a crawl on the right, which leads shortly to a 2m climb down and immediate
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choke. At the top of the steep section the passage to the right immediately
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chokes, whilst left is <B>Dolly Parton climb</B>, a 2m climb up with huge jugs,
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to a further 15m of upward trending phreatic passage, terminating in a boulder
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choke with a slight draught (air coming into the cave.) There are two small
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steep phreatic ramps on the left hand side of this passage, both very small and
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both choked.
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<P>Straight ahead at the junction leads through a short section of rift to an
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enlargement with an alcove on the right and a keyhole passage ahead. The rift
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section at the bottom quickly becomes choked, with a slight draught coming in. A
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3m climb gains access to the phreatic section which goes over the top of the
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choke, and about after a further 3m reaches a large boulder, which almost blocks
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the passage with a strong breeze blowing through the gap (into the cave.)
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Squeezing through yields a steeply ascending rocky crawl which chokes after
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about 5m.
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<H3><A name=wolp>Wolpertinger Way</A></H3>
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<P><B>Thread Pitch</B> from <A
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href="204.htm#nearend">The Near
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End</A> lands at the top of a large 6-8m diameter phreatic passage,
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<B>Wolpertinger Way</B>, which heads downhill past some ice formations on the
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left hand side, for 35m to a junction. Straight ahead is a steep gully leading
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to a 6.5m diameter circular shaft with aven above - <B>You're So Veined</B>.
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There is a traverse round the right hand side of the gully on an increasingly
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narrow ledge.
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<P><B>You're So Veined</B> is rigged at its southern end, and this is reached
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via a sandy crawl off to the right from the top of the steep gully, which passes
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over a hole in the floor through dangerous boulders [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-09"
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name=qC1999-204-09>C1999-204-09 C</A>] to reach a junction. Right is a
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passage, which quickly chokes, straight ahead leads into <A
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href="204.htm#110aday">110 A Day</A>,
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whilst left is the main route.
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<P>More sandy crawling leads to a crossroads, where left leads to the ledge
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overlooking the pitch, and right is a short crawl leading to the main passage
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part of the way down <A
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href="204.htm#pendulum">Pendulum
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Pitch</A>, the easiest route to the <A
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href="204.htm#elephant">White
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Elephant Series</A>. Straight ahead leads to a further junction. Right is a
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short passage to a traverse round a blind pit, an alternative route to <A
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href="204.htm#pendulum">Pendulum
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Pitch</A>. Left is the head of <B>You're So Veined</B>, the start of the <A
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href="204.htm#ariston">Ariston
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Series</A>. </P>
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<H3><A name=110aday>110 A Day</A></H3>
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<P><B>110 A Day</B> is a long, dusty passage which varies between stooping and
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crawling for 110m. Immediately after the start is a sharp right hand bend with
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a crawl straight ahead to <B>110 Bidet</B>. About halfway along is a crossroads,
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where low passages lead off to the left to <B>110 Bidet</B> and to the right [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-13"
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name=qC1999-204-13>C1999-204-13 C</A>]. At the terminus reached in 1999, the
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passage splits into two. Each branch immediately becomes tight, but could be
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pushed further with a little determination and effort [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-14"
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name=qC1999-204-14>C1999-204-14 C</A> and <A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-15"
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name=qC1999-204-15>C1999-204-15 C</A>]. In the left hand branch, just before the
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passage becomes tighter, is an undescended pitch [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-16"
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name=qC1999-204-16>C1999-204-16 A</A>] of perhaps 20m.
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<H3><A name=110bidet>110 Bidet</A></H3>
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<P><B>110 Bidet</B> is a stooping size passage which runs parallel to <B>110 A Day</B>.
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It can be accessed via a crawl about 1m up that carries straight on from where
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<B>110 A Day</B> starts with a sharp right hand turn. The crawl emerges into
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larger passage; to the left after 5m is <B>Pendulum Pitch</B>. Going right leads
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to a hole in the floor among boulders, <B>Marble Run</B>. To the left here
|
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is a low passage leading to <B>No Pain No Gain</B>, whilst <B>110 Bidet</B> carries straight on.
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Continuing on, the passage turns right, followed shortly by a crossroads with a crawly passage.
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To the right is a dead end; to the left is [<A
|
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|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-54"
|
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name=qC2000-204-54>C2000-204-54 B</A>]. Straight on emerges into <B>110 A Day</B>
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about half way along its length.
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<H3><A name=marblerun>Marble Run</A></H3>
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<P><B>Marble Run</B> runs along a fault line that created a small passable phreatic
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tube, which has subsequently been intersected by a tight rifty stream way. 20m along
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the rift bears to the right and is too tight to pass, whilst the phreatic passage continues on to a small
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
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chamber. Here the passage doubles back over itself to continue above the original
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
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passage. The passage does this once more to end in an earth blockage.
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<H3><A name=nopainnogain>No Pain No Gain</A></H3>
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<P><B>No Pain No Gain</B>is a low tube, which emerges to a mud-floored chamber. (Please
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try not to disturb the remaining flow patterns in the mud). A crawly mud floored
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passage leaves the chamber to the right. To the right near the end of the crawl is a
|
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bedding plane that continues uphill [<A
|
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href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-01"
|
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|
name=qC2000-204-01>C2000-204-01 B</A>], whilst to the left is a small stone floored pit. There
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is a 2m climb up from the top of the pit. This has a stalactite formation at the top on the
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right, and threads on the left where a sling may be attached to assist. The crawl then
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continues to a junction with two connecting passages to the left [<A
|
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|
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href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-02"
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name=qC2000-204-02>C2000-204-02 B</A>] and two connecting passages to the right [<A
|
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|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-03"
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name=qC2000-204-03>C2000-204-03 C</A>]. The passage then continues to a T junction where it
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enlarges slightly. To the right is [<A
|
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href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-04"
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name=qC2000-204-04>C2000-204-04 C</A>]. To the left there is a chamber that is
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intersected by a tight rift with flowing water. Downstream is [<A
|
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|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-05"
|
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|
|
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|
name=qC2000-204-05>C2000-204-05 C</A>]. Upstream a key hole passage slopes upwards, to a T-junction
|
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with a chamber to the right, and an short, almost flat-out crawl to the left.
|
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|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
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The chamber, which has
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
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|
|
an aven [<A
|
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|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-55"
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
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|
|
name=qC2000-204-55>C2000-204-55 X</A>], can be dropped into.
|
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A rift at the other end of the chamber leads to a
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
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waterfall which feeds the stream that runs through the chamber. Climbing up before the rift gives
|
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access to a crawl [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-06"
|
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|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-06>C2000-204-06 C</A>]. The flat out crawl emerges to a small angular chamber, at the
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top of which, to the right, is a hole [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-07"
|
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|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-07>C2000-204-07 C</A>]. To the left a low passage runs above a 4m drop [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-08"
|
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|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-08>C2000-204-08 B</A>]. This then turns right and continues to a fork in the passage. To
|
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the left is <B>Insignificant Chamber</B>, and to the right is a smaller chamber with a hole in the floor,
|
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|
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windows to <B>Insignificant Chamber</B>, and a bedding plane continuing up at 10°, which again connects into <B>Insignificant Chamber</B>.
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<H3><A name=insignificantchamber>Insignificant Chamber</A></H3>
|
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<P><B>Insignificant Chamber</B>can be entered at floor level from <B>No Pain No Gain</B>. It extends to a
|
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|
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passage on the left as one enters, where there are a number a interconnecting holes on the right [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-58"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-58>C2000-204-58 C</A>]. Upslope from the entrance is a bedding plane which splits left to
|
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|
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<B>Bonsai Crawl</B> on the left and to [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-09"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-09>C2000-204-09 B</A>] on the right. To the right upon entering Insignificant Chamber one can climb up
|
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|
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to a point above the small chamber in <B>No Pain No Gain</B> From here there is a phreatic tube[<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-57"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-57>C2000-204-57 C</A>] that can be probably be reached with the aid of a traverse line. The passage
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|
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continues climbing ever upward [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-56"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-08>C2000-204-56 B</A>]. The passage to the left from Insignificant Chamber gets smaller and
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|
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meets a crossroads. To the left is a walking size passage with a small pit in the floor that continues to a large
|
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|
|
|
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pitch [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-10"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-10>C2000-204-10 A</A>], thought to drop into Pleasuredome. Straight on the passage turns to a steeply
|
|
|
|
|
|
sloping pitch [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-11"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-11>C2000-204-11 B</A>]. To the right is some small passage that connects to the Bonsai
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crawl. Half way along this passage there is a hole [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-59"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-59>C2000-204-59 C</A>].
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=Bonsaicrawl>Bonsai Crawl</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P><B>Bonsai Crawl</B>is a wide bedding plane. A tall and thin passage to the right goes to a chamber
|
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|
|
|
|
with a pitch [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-52"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-52>C2000-204-52 C</A>] and a couple of small passages to the right [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-50"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-50>C2000-204-50 C</A>] and [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-51"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-51>C2000-204-51 C</A>]. A passage leads off to the left and gets lower, passing some
|
|
|
|
|
|
pretties on the floor. It then continues [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-53"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-53>C2000-204-53 A</A>]. Bonsai Crawl continues to a fork that has a stooping-size
|
|
|
|
|
|
passage to the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-12"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-12>C2000-204-12 B</A>]. To the right is a walking-size passage with a boulder floor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is a hole in the right wall that has a couple of small passages leading off [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-13"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-13>C2000-204-13 C</A>], [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-14"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-59>C2000-204-14 C</A>]. The passage then debouches into <B>The Colonnade</B>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=thecolonnade>The Colonnade</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P><B>Bonsai Crawl</B> joins at a point where <b>The Colonnade</b>, a wide walking passage with a boulder
|
|
|
|
|
|
floor, makes a sharp turn. To the right the passage comes to a chamber-like crossroads. To the left
|
|
|
|
|
|
is an initially walking-sized tube [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-41"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-41>C2000-204-41 A</A>] and to the right a low draughting crawl [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-42"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-42>C2000-204-42 B</A>]. <b>The Colonnade</b> continues and a stream joins from the left.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Further along on the left is a pile of stones which must originate from a passage [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-43"
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-43>C2000-204-43 Dig</A>]. The passage then becomes small with a possible aven [<A
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-44"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-44>C2000-204-44 X</A>], a tight rift [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-45"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-45>C2000-204-45 B</A>], and a crawl down and to the right. The crawl emerges into
|
|
|
|
|
|
a chamber, with a possible way on over rocks directly ahead [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-49"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-49>C2000-204-49 C</A>]. The chamber gets larger to the right, where there are two
|
|
|
|
|
|
tight rifts leading off [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-46"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-46>C2000-204-46 C</A>], [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-47"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-47>C2000-204-47 C</A>] and an aven [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-48"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-48>C2000-204-48 X</A>]. Water was flowing down one of these, possibly to the waterfall
|
|
|
|
|
|
entering the chamber in <b>No Pain No Gain</b>. At this time in 2000
|
|
|
|
|
|
it had not rained on the surface for 8 days. Back where
|
|
|
|
|
|
<B>Bonsai Crawl</B> enters, the passage goes straight on with a number of minor passages to the sides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
These are a crawl to the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-15"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-15>C2000-204-15 C</A>]; then some distance further on, another crawl on the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-16"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-16>C2000-204-16 B</A>] leading from a trench in the passage; a small passage on the
|
|
|
|
|
|
right [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-17"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-17>C2000-204-17 C</A>] that links to [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-21"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-21>C2000-204-21 C</A>]; and a crawl high up to the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-18"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-18>C2000-204-18 C</A>]. A short distance further a walking-size passage goes to the
|
|
|
|
|
|
left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-19"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-19>C2000-204-19 C</A>]. The main passage then forks: to the left is [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-20"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-20>C2000-204-20 C</A>] whilst to the right the passage continues past a high up crawl [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-21"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-21>C2000-204-21 C</A>], and then possibly [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-22"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-22>C2000-204-22 C</A>]. The main passage then pops out into <B>Treeumphant Passage</B>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=treeumphantpassage>Treeumphant Passage</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P><B>The Colonnade</B> meets <B>Treeumphant Passage</B> at a narrow angle. In one direction
|
|
|
|
|
|
<B>Treeumphant Passage</B> ends just next to its entrance at a boulder slope which can be climbed
|
|
|
|
|
|
over [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-23"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-23>C2000-204-23 A</A>]. In the other direction it continues over large boulders going
|
|
|
|
|
|
slightly up hill. There is a walking passage off to the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-24"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-24>C2000-204-24 A</A>], as well as a high up crawl to the right [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-25"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-25>C2000-204-25 C</A>] and then a tight high passage to the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-26"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-26>C2000-204-26 C</A>]. The passage then increases in height approaching a sharp turn
|
|
|
|
|
|
to the right. Here a walking size passage [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-28"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-28>C2000-204-28 A</A>] continues straight on, and there may be an aven in the ceiling [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-27"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-27>C2000-204-27 X</A>]. The main passage passes possibly diggable holes at floor level [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-29"
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-29>C2000-204-29 Dig</A>], and continues into <B>Great Oak Chamber</B>.
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=greatoakchamber>Great Oak Chamber</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P><B>Treeumphant Passage</B> disappears into an approx 5m drop [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-32"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-32>C2000-204-32 B</A>] in Great Oak Chamber and there is an aven above [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-33"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-33>C2000-204-33 X</A>]. There may be passage continuing straight across the chamber [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-31"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-31>C2000-204-31 B</A>], as well as a passage to the right [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-30"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-30>C2000-204-30 C</A>]. Just before the drop there is a bouldery slope up to another
|
|
|
|
|
|
smaller walking size passage. There is an oxbow to the left, with a possible passage leading off
|
|
|
|
|
|
it [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-34"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-34>C2000-204-34 B</A>], as well as an aven [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-35"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-35>C2000-204-35 X</A>]. There are a couple of possible digs to the left slightly
|
|
|
|
|
|
further on [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-36"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-36>C2000-204-36 C</A>], [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-37"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-37>C2000-204-37 C</A>] before the passage enters <B>Cave Tree Chamber</B>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=cavetreechamber>Cave Tree Chamber</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>There is a climb down of about 2m into <B>Cave Tree Chamber</B>, which has a bouldery floor on
|
|
|
|
|
|
the left, and a pitch on the right [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-39"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-39>C2000-204-39 B</A>]. An aven extends above [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-38"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-38>C2000-204-38 X</A>], and the passage may continue over the pitch [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-40"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC2000-204-40>C2000-204-40 A</A>]. It would be advisable to protect this traverse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=pendulum>Pendulum Pitch Route</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P><B>Pendulum Pitch</B> is in a large rift. The first section is a loose
|
|
|
|
|
|
boulder slope (care required) to a rebelay, then a descent of 23m via a
|
|
|
|
|
|
deviation off the far wall below a large wedged boulder. There may be a passage
|
|
|
|
|
|
on the far side of the rift accessible with difficulty from this boulder [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-17"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC1999-204-17>C1999-204-17 C</A>]. From the base of the pitch, two rift
|
|
|
|
|
|
passages lead off which very quickly become too tight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>The main route on is reached by swinging off after 16m into a 6m wide
|
|
|
|
|
|
passage. Two passages in the left hand wall are quickly encountered. The first
|
|
|
|
|
|
quickly becomes too tight, the second is a short crawl leading into the network
|
|
|
|
|
|
of sandy crawls at the bottom of <A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204.htm#wolp">Wolpertinger
|
|
|
|
|
|
Way</A>, and is the best route from here to the <A
|
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|
|
|
|
href="204.htm#ariston">Ariston
|
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|
|
Series</A>. Continuing down the main passage, passing either side of a huge
|
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|
|
|
boulder, reaches a blind pit in the floor, with two ways on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>A loose and slightly precarious traverse round the blind pit leads to a short
|
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|
|
passage on the left, emerging at the head of <B>You're So Veined</B> at the
|
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|
|
|
start of the <A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204.htm#ariston">Ariston
|
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|
|
|
Series</A>. A rift visible at the opposite side of the pit has an audible
|
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|
|
|
|
connection to <B>You're so Veined</B>.
|
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|
|
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<P>To the right at the blind pit is a draughting phreatic tube which heads
|
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|
|
|
|
downhill at a comfortable walking size past a tight passage on the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-18"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC1999-204-18>C1999-204-18 C</A>]. After 20m, a 3m climb up into a roof
|
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|
|
|
|
tube on the right hand side is the way into the <A
|
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|
|
|
|
href="204.htm#elephant">White
|
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|
|
|
|
Elephant Series</A>. The phreatic passage continues for a further 15m past a too
|
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|
|
|
|
tight inlet on the right and a traverse over a blind pit to a 3m deep hole in
|
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|
|
|
the floor, which is blind. Traversing over the hole and up a loose climb with a
|
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|
|
|
|
too tight rift in the right hand wall leads into an uphill passage, which is
|
|
|
|
|
|
choked with mud after 5m. A sandy crawl on the right just before the choke leads
|
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|
|
|
via a left hand bend with a too tight rift on the right (probably connecting to
|
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|
|
|
|
that at the loose climb) ending at a 2m climb down. There is a possible way on
|
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|
|
|
|
at the bottom of this, but it is very small and tall people at least would have
|
|
|
|
|
|
to enter feet first [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-19"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC1999-204-19>C1999-204-19 C</A>]. There is a noticeable draught here
|
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|
|
|
|
blowing downhill (into the cave).
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
2001-08-16 13:43:09 +01:00
|
|
|
|
<CENTER><IMG alt="elevation: 16k gif" height=780 src="1623204_files/el1999.png"
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
width=575></CENTER>
|
|
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|
|
|
<H3><A name=ariston>Ariston Series</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>The Ariston Series is the route to the current deepest point in the cave. The
|
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|
|
|
|
pitch series begins with a short pitch of 5m rigged from a large thread in the
|
|
|
|
|
|
roof a few metres back, with a single spit for the vertical part, which is
|
|
|
|
|
|
almost a scramble. This lands on a large ledge formed of boulders wedged across
|
|
|
|
|
|
a narrow point; there are two choices of descent here, one to the north,
|
|
|
|
|
|
<B>You're So Veined</B> (15m), which was used in 1999, and an as yet undescended
|
|
|
|
|
|
pitch to the south, which will land further down the Ariston Series, which
|
|
|
|
|
|
should probably be used in 2000. One rebelay provides a good hang against the
|
|
|
|
|
|
wall of You're so Veined to reach the foot of the pitch, which is in a spacious
|
|
|
|
|
|
shaft, with an impressive aven above. From here, there are two ways on: to the
|
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|
|
|
|
left, facing away from the pitch just descended, is a gully, which in 1999
|
|
|
|
|
|
contained a thick layer of ice. Carefully traversing this rather slippery
|
|
|
|
|
|
section leads to the head of a small pitch of 6m, which was rigged with a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y-hang. From here a walking size phreatic passage leads off, carrying a
|
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|
|
|
|
substantial breeze. The passage initially descends, but then develops a narrow
|
|
|
|
|
|
floor trench; as the trench deepens, the phreatic part of the passage rises, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
then ends abruptly where the floor trench turns right and leads off as a
|
|
|
|
|
|
too-tight rift while ahead the phreas pinches out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>Back at the foot of <B>You're So Veined</B>, a way on to the right leads into
|
|
|
|
|
|
a small, very crumbly chamber, from which a short section of awkward rift leads
|
|
|
|
|
|
to a fine crow's nest in the wall of a large rift. A very short pitch (5m) lands
|
|
|
|
|
|
on a large ledge, from which a roped traverse along the left-hand wall gains the
|
|
|
|
|
|
head of the next pitch of 12m, which avoids a large ledge which would have been
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the way but for the traverse. This pitch currently requires a rope protector
|
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|
|
|
just below the Y-hang at the top. The landing is on another large ledge, where a
|
|
|
|
|
|
pool can be used to refill water containers. It is thought that the alternative
|
|
|
|
|
|
pitch to You're so Veined will land here, if rigged.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>The next pitch of 14m consists of a backup bolt followed by a Y-hang, which
|
|
|
|
|
|
utilises one very cratered spit, which can only be used with a bollard type
|
|
|
|
|
|
hanger. This pitch requires a deviation from the opposite wall or a rebelay to
|
|
|
|
|
|
be installed as there is currently a rub point just below the Y-hang. The ledge
|
|
|
|
|
|
that this pitch lands on consists of boulders wedged across the shaft, although
|
|
|
|
|
|
it seems sound. A backup bolt protects the approach to the Y-hang at the head of
|
|
|
|
|
|
the next pitch (35m). Unfortunately, it seems to be impossible to get a clean
|
|
|
|
|
|
hang from here, and a rub-point 3m down will require the installation of a
|
|
|
|
|
|
rebelay or deviation in future. Immediately after this point, the walls of the
|
|
|
|
|
|
shaft bell out, and the rope hangs in stimulating isolation. About 5m from the
|
|
|
|
|
|
floor a ledge is passed, which could be gained by a swing across, where there
|
|
|
|
|
|
may possibly be a passage leading off [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-20"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC1999-204-20>C1999-204-20 B</A>].
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>At the foot of the pitch, the way on is a very chossy, sloping descent which
|
|
|
|
|
|
will require either re-rigging or bypassing (which may be possible by a climb up
|
|
|
|
|
|
and over) in future. This leads to a further short pitch (10m), which lands in
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
an aven chamber of ample proportions. From here drops an 8m pitch,
|
|
|
|
|
|
landing on a rubble floor. The only way on is a tight rift
|
|
|
|
|
|
[<a href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-60" name="qC2000-204-60">C2000-204-60 C</a>],
|
|
|
|
|
|
which was penetrated for only a short distance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
More progress might be possible by someone small and imaginative. Not surveyed in 2000.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back at the head of the 8m pitch. a crawl leading off from the foot of the
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
pitch just descended, and a descending rubble slope. The rubble slope curves
|
|
|
|
|
|
round to the right, passing a tight rift on the left [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-22"
|
|
|
|
|
|
name=qC1999-204-22>C1999-204-22 C</A>], to reach the bottom of a short climb up
|
|
|
|
|
|
of 3m on the right, which is followed by a scramble down on the other side. From
|
|
|
|
|
|
here, straight ahead is a climb up into the foot of an aven, half-right is a
|
2001-08-15 19:59:42 +01:00
|
|
|
|
short ascending passage leading to a chamber where a traverse around the right
|
|
|
|
|
|
hand wall leads to a slope down to <b><a href="#fled">Fledermausschacht</a></b>.
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
Full right is a stooping/crawling
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
height phreatic passage with a mud floor. This passes on the right the other end
|
|
|
|
|
|
of the crawl which led off from the foot of the previous pitch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>Some 50m of alternate crawling and stooping, including a single point where
|
|
|
|
|
|
the roof dips and the crawl is flat-out, leads to a small chamber. Here there
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
are two holes in the floor. One leads to
|
|
|
|
|
|
<a href="#kiwisuit"><b>Kiwi Suit</b></a>; the other drop is much shorter, and is
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
split into two sections by ledges on each wall part way down. The first section
|
|
|
|
|
|
of 8m reaches these small ledges, where a stream enters from the foot of a very
|
|
|
|
|
|
large aven. The next section of 11m is wet, and lands on a small ledge
|
|
|
|
|
|
overlooking a massive shaft. Stones thrown out from here fall for 3s. This is
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
believed to be the same pitch as the first pitch of <b>Kiwi Suit</b>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<h3><a name="kiwisuit">Kiwi Suit</a></h3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<p>The first pitch begins with a funnel-shaped opening. The initial approach is rigged
|
|
|
|
|
|
from a large pillar at the edge of the funnel (the approach to this could be further
|
|
|
|
|
|
protected by a traverse line tied round an even larger pillar a couple of metres back).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suddenly, at the base of the funnel, there is an impressive black space. In 2000 the
|
|
|
|
|
|
descent was rigged New-Zealand style, entirely from naturals, which seemed sound, but
|
|
|
|
|
|
worrisome for us bolt-junkies, especially given the record of 'Bomb-Proof' naturals in
|
|
|
|
|
|
KH visiting the bottoms of pitches. Two deviations keep the descent clear of walls and
|
|
|
|
|
|
the small trickle of water which falls down the shaft (probably becomes a much bigger
|
|
|
|
|
|
trickle after rain). The floor is reached after 54 metres of descent. The way on is a
|
|
|
|
|
|
short traverse, an 8 metre pich, another short traverse, and then a 20 metre pitch to a
|
|
|
|
|
|
ledge. The final pitch from this ledge is an impressive rift of 47 metres depth, rigged
|
|
|
|
|
|
in 2000 from a natural, one bolt, and the rope from the pitch above.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<p>At the bottom, a
|
|
|
|
|
|
merry little stream is reached (similar volume of water to the Top Camp waterhole in
|
|
|
|
|
|
spate). Upstream was not pushed, but reportedly leads quickly to the foot of a
|
|
|
|
|
|
waterfall
|
|
|
|
|
|
[<a href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-63" name="qC2000-204-63">C2000-204-63 B</a>].
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downstream quickly narrows to about 50cm wide, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
progress is made by constantly changing level to stay where the passage is wide enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
After about 40m a small cascade of about 4m is reached, which could probably be
|
|
|
|
|
|
free-climbed, but a handline here helps avoid getting soaked. The passage is
|
|
|
|
|
|
considerably wider for a few metres below the cascade, but soon resumes in its previous
|
|
|
|
|
|
manner. Suddenly, the head of a pitch
|
|
|
|
|
|
[<a href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-64" name="qC2000-204-64">C2000-204-64 A</a>],
|
|
|
|
|
|
estimated at about 10 metres,
|
|
|
|
|
|
is reached. This was the limit of exploration in 2000. The streamway can be seen to
|
|
|
|
|
|
continue below the pitch, and perhaps becomes a bit wider.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001-08-15 19:59:42 +01:00
|
|
|
|
<h3><a name="fled">Fledermausschacht</a></h3>
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<p>The traverse round to the pitch head
|
|
|
|
|
|
is protected by a thread belay at the start of the traverse. A substantial thread
|
|
|
|
|
|
(requiring 2 slings due to its girth) at the pitch head enables the first, sloping
|
|
|
|
|
|
section of the pitch to be descended. Soon the pitch becomes vertical, and a
|
|
|
|
|
|
rebelay on the far wall (at -5m) allows the next few metres to be descended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unfortunately the shaft still hades slightly, and a further two rebelays (at -15m
|
|
|
|
|
|
and -28m) are required before the magnitude of this 112m shaft starts to become
|
|
|
|
|
|
apparent. A 40m freehanging section leads to a sloping ledge, where the shaft
|
|
|
|
|
|
doglegs again and a scrappy descent down a gulley, and a further two rebelays (at
|
|
|
|
|
|
-68m and -80m), reaches a sloping ledge overlooking the final section of the
|
|
|
|
|
|
pitch. A chossy traverse across the left hand wall appears to head into a parallel
|
|
|
|
|
|
shaft [<a href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-61" name="qC2000-204-61">C2000-204-61 C</a>].
|
|
|
|
|
|
A bolt round the corner to the right allows a descent of
|
|
|
|
|
|
the final 22m to the floor to be made, where a boulder choke is met, with no way
|
|
|
|
|
|
on. The whole pitch, particularly the far wall, is rather loose and due care must
|
|
|
|
|
|
be taken. A large chockstone near the second rebelay could not be shifted, but
|
|
|
|
|
|
should be treated with suspicion.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<p>Nature Note: A bat was observed flitting around
|
|
|
|
|
|
in here on two occasions.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<p>At the start of the traverse to the head of Fledermaus Schacht is a small crawl
|
|
|
|
|
|
leading off to the right. This is initially flat-out over crumbly mud, but enlarges
|
|
|
|
|
|
after a short distance to enter a series of small mud-filled chambers. There is no
|
|
|
|
|
|
obvious way on, other than to start excavations in the mud banks
|
|
|
|
|
|
[<a href="204/qm.htm#C2000-204-62" name="qC2000-204-62">C2000-204-62 Dig</a>]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not surveyed in 2000.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
<H3><A name=elephant>White Elephant Series</A></H3>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>The White Elephant Series is a series of rift pitches which has not been
|
|
|
|
|
|
pushed to a definite conclusion, but does not appear especially promising,
|
|
|
|
|
|
despite carrying a considerable breeze. From the head of the 3m climb up, a roof
|
|
|
|
|
|
tube leads off. After 8m of crawling, the passage opens out at the head of a 2m
|
|
|
|
|
|
climb down by a large boulder. A too-tight rift leads off on the left, but ahead
|
|
|
|
|
|
opens out into a large space, the <B>Millennium Dome</B>.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>A 20m pitch rigged from a bolt on the left hand wall backed up to the big
|
|
|
|
|
|
boulder, with a rebelay and rope protector after 5m, lands on the boulder floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
of the Millennium dome, which is an L-shaped chamber at the base of a large
|
|
|
|
|
|
aven, with each arm of the L being 15m long and 5m wide. There do not appear to
|
|
|
|
|
|
be any ways through the boulders, but a rift leads off at the western end,
|
|
|
|
|
|
quickly arriving at the head of a 10m pitch with a constricted take off, rigged
|
|
|
|
|
|
from boulders. An eyehole part way down this pitch appears to lead into a
|
|
|
|
|
|
parallel shaft [<A
|
|
|
|
|
|
href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-25"
|
2001-08-15 19:57:28 +01:00
|
|
|
|
name=qC1999-204-25>C1999-204-25 B</A>] (This is probably the connection through to pleasure dome). The pitch lands on a rubble floor with a
|
2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
|
|
|
|
blind pit. Heading south quickly reaches a loose pitch head, with a rift passage
|
|
|
|
|
|
continuing beyond.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>The pitch is 28m, rigged from a bolt on the left hand wall and deviations
|
|
|
|
|
|
from natural threads after 4m and 12m. The second deviation is by a small rock
|
|
|
|
|
|
bridge, where descending either side appears to go to the same place, and an
|
|
|
|
|
|
eyehole opposite connects to the continuation of the rift at the top of the
|
|
|
|
|
|
pitch. The base of the pitch is an oddly shaped chamber formed from several
|
|
|
|
|
|
rifts (about 7m up the pitch, these rifts coalesce to form a single shaft.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
North from the base of the rope leads to a 3m climb down into an inlet rift
|
|
|
|
|
|
coming from the north which ends in a blank wall 8m from the base of the rope,
|
|
|
|
|
|
but the rift continues too-tight heading south beneath the 3m climb. South from
|
|
|
|
|
|
the base of the rope is another rift heading downhill which rapidly becomes too
|
|
|
|
|
|
tight with running water clearly audible, but not visible beyond. West from the
|
|
|
|
|
|
base of the rope leads to junction with a too tight rift continuing to the west,
|
|
|
|
|
|
and another inlet rift coming from the north which ends in a blank wall after
|
|
|
|
|
|
5m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>Traversing over the top of the pitch (rope required) and a short descent
|
|
|
|
|
|
leads to a continuation of the rift passage. A hole on the left connects to the
|
|
|
|
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28m pitch described earlier. After 5m the rift narrows and a constricted pitch
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head is reached. The descent of 15m is rigged from a large boulder and leads
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immediately to a further drop of 7m rigged from a bolt. This shorter drop may be
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bypassed by an alternative free climb in a narrow slot immediately beyond the
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pitch head. From the base the tall, narrow rift continues with two short climbs
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and a slot in the floor which gradually widens to the head of the next pitch
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after 6m. This is rigged from a Y-hang on either side of the rift, but soon
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opens out to give a fine descent of 15m landing in a spacious rift at 182m depth
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from 204b entrance. A narrow slot in the floor develops, which is just large
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enough to descend, but stones thrown down sound dead [<A
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href="204/qm.htm#C1999-204-26"
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name=qC1999-204-26>C1999-204-26 B</A>]. It is possible to traverse above the
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slot for a short way before the rift becomes too tight.
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<P>There is a noticeable breeze at the base of this pitch, as there is through
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much of the series, with air blowing into the cave. From the base of the 7m
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pitch, there is no roof visible. This area has potential, but there are no easy
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leads, and some lunatic bolt traverses may be required to try to bypass the
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tight sections.
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<P><B>Exploration:</B> CUCC 1999, to length 1365m, depth 226m<BR>CUCC 2000 to
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2.5km and depth 368m
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<HR>
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<!-- LINKS -->
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2001-08-16 13:43:09 +01:00
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<P><IMG alt=">" src="1623204_files/0.png"> <A
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2001-08-15 19:29:27 +01:00
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href="../index.htm">Back to Expedition Intro
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page</A><BR><IMG alt="--->" src="1623204_files/1.png"> <A
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href="../indxal.htm">Full Index</A> by cave
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number<BR><IMG alt="--->" src="1623204_files/1.png"> <A
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href="../areas.htm">Other areas</A><BR><IMG
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alt="------>" src="1623204_files/2.png"> <A
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href="index.htm#204"><SPAN
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lang=de-at>Schwarzmooskogel</SPAN> ridge area index</A> </P></BODY></HTML>
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