<non_public>True</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>1623-40</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>Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle</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-->
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>40</kataster_number><!-- (Either this or unofficial_number is required). Official number in Austrian kataster if one has been allocated -->
<unofficial_number></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>1623-40a</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>a</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40b</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>b</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40c</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>c</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40d</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>d</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40e</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>e</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40f</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>f</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40g</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>g</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40h</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>h</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. -->
<entranceslug>1623-40s</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>s</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>The main passages as far as Elephantengang were explored by 1938. Since then a variety of groups have worked here finding numerous extensions, of which Schneevulkanhalle is the most significant.</p><p>Until recently, it has been difficult to come close to a comprehensive survey or even a good estimate of the length of the system because of a lack of contact and some misunderstanding between the groups involved. However, in 1997 a chance encounter (at the International Congress) by Wookey with Denis Motte, of the <ahref="/1623/others/gscb/index.htm">G.S.Clerval,</a> led to renewed contacts with one group who explored this area, and Thilo Müller of ARGE has contacted the leaders of other groups and obtained all the rest of the 1980s information that survives. This is being merged into a coherent set of information which will guide necessary resurvey work to complete the picture.</p><ul><li>Discovered and main passages explored in 1929 by Ausseer cavers, and surveyed in 1938 by O Schauberger and U Czornig.</li><li>Further exploration 1953, Sektion Ausseerland.</li><li>Wilfried Lorenz, Franz Lindenmayr with Nuremburg and Munich cavers discover the Schneevulkanhalle at the beginning of July 1978 (not yet connected to Eishöhle).</li><li>In Autumn 1983, Eishöhle was "1600m long with four entrances".</li><li>After several trips by the Germans in September to November 1983, the system was 2500m long with five entrances [<ahref="/1623/others/muenchen/de/841642.htm"lang="de">Der Schlaz, 42</a>, also on site in <ahref="/1623/others/muenchen/en/841642.htm">English translation</a>].</li><li>More recently, Reinhard Kieselbach's (München/Nurnberg - VfHM) group have linked it to <ahref="88.htm">Lärchenschacht</a> (88) (itself 1885m long in April 1995, and apparently giving a combined length of 6km) which they also connected to <ahref="../../1623/41.htm">Stellerweghöhle</a> (5.75 km).</li><li>Our Current estimate of the cave length is 1,863km, from a total surveyed length of 2,463m (600m of the 974m long Schneevulkanhalle survey is not deemed to be part of the cave length).<br/>The length comes from:<br/>VfHM 1980s survey - 693m: Original part of cave plus extensions<br/> VfHO 1991 survey - 374m: Schneevulkanhalle from 40e entrance<br/>CUCC 1998-9 surveys - 751m: Heaven and Hell and persitence of vision SVH extensions<br/>Arge 1999 surveys - 130m: Königsschacht and Grüner Eingang</li></ul><p>Stellerweghöhle in turn is connected to <ahref="78.htm">Schwabenschacht</a> which was over 7km at the time and exploration continues. This must make the combined system at least 19 km long. We have seen figures quoted as high as 25km, but this may involve some double-counting, given the uncertainties involved. Arge's estimate (entirely from extant survey data) was 22.7 km after summer 1999.</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-1623/40/40.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-162x/cavenum/cavnum.svx". (e.g. caves-1623/204/204.svx -->
<underground_description>Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle is an extensive cave over 1600m long before 1983, extended to 2500m by a German group by 1985. The system is mainly horizontal,
though tackle is needed to explore it fully, and crampons are necessary in parts,
because of the substantial quantities of ice in the cave. Was extended by the Germans who worked in the area
in the early eighties, who suggested then that there was potential for extension vertically.
Subsequently linked via a 30m pitch to <ahref="88.htm">Lärchenschacht</a> (1623/88) which in turn
was connected to the <ahref="../../1623/41.htm">Stellerweghöhlensystem</a>, giving no increase in depth
if the laser-rangefound altitude is correct rather than the old kataster one, which seems likely.</p>
<h4>Translated brief guide</h4><p>From 'Längsten und Tiefsten Hohlen in Österreich', translated by Wookey
and Thilo:</p><p>The cave is on the southeastern slopes of the Vorderen Schwarzmooskogel (1843) developed
in Dachsteinkalk. From seven partly shaft-like entrance points, a huge, flat-floored level with
impressive ice formations can be approached. The <b>Schneevulkanhalle</b> at the northern end is the
biggest ice-bearing chamber in middle Europe.</p><p>Four entrances lead into the central area.
A 40m shaft from the Top Entrance '<b>Oberen Eingang</b>' breaks into
the ice-decorated '<b>Altausseer Halle</b>'. To the west from here via a 25m ramp
accessing '<b>Schneehalle</b>' leads both to entrance 2 and the connecting gallery from
the ice-bearing '<b>Thalhammerhalle</b>', that can be entered from entrances 3 and 4 too.
South of the Schnee and Altausseer Halles, the '<b>Teufelberger Halle</b>' connects,
the bottom of which contains an ice lake. A wide passage with side shafts goes
southsouthwest to '<b>Hans-Pfandl-Halle</b>'. The east connected room, also reached by a 23m
high chimney (entrance 7), is divided into two by a high block barrier.
The '<b>Flusstunnel</b>' south from here ends blocked.</p><p>From the Altausseer Halle,
a lofty passage with ice figures heads off NNE. The continuation is the '<b>Halle
es Schiefen Turms</b>', where the '<b>Wahnsinnschächte</b>' branches off on the west.
It was thought that this was blocked by ice. However, over a wall of ice one reaches the
130 by 75 by 50 m Schneevulkanhalle, on the eastern wall of which rises a steep snowslope
flowing from the '<b>Königsschachts</b>' (entrance 6). The chamber with its very
impressive ice formations can also be reached via the '<b>Brennerbeselschluf</b>' (entrance 5).
At its northern end a climb reveals the easterly-running '<b>Kalten Gang</b>' and the
parallel '<b>Spinnenfriedhof</b>'.</p>
<h4><aname="svh">Schneevulkanhalle</a> trip:</h4>
<p>The principal objective of both pushing and tourist trips is the huge ice chamber of
Schneevulkanhalle, which requires some serious ice work to reach from the older entrances in the
middle of the system. Instead, follow the description to the "new" entrance (Brennerbeselschluf, 40e),
with a somewhat limited area to get changed, perched between the icy blast from the cave and
whatever the Austrian weather is offering.</p><p>The entrance is not walk-in, and low crawling
in the face of the icy draught starts at once. A small descending tube
(somewhat muddy - irritating in crampons!) leads in about 20m to a short climb down into larger
(walking/stooping) passage 'Geröllgang. This goes downhill to a scramble up.
This was totally ice-covered in 1997 and 1998, but not 1999 or 2000 and has a
<ahref="../../fixaid.htm#icy">fixed rope</a> (VfHO-installed), which may be buried in ice at
somewhat critical points - a certain amount of care is needed if chipping it out with an
ice-axe and gloves really are needed!</p><p>Partway up this slope is a space on the left
including a pitch in the floor. At the far end of this space, a short crawl and a grovel
down through boulders where a stream comes in from above both choke. The pitch is a c3, p20, p30 -
the last part being very wet in early summer. Leading to <ahref="#schotterland">Schotterland</a>.
</p>
<p>Survey data also suggests a passage off to the right of the iceslope for 20m or so.</p><p>Above the scramble up is a short traverse, also rather interesting when covered in hard ice (and also protected by a fixed rope which had to be dug out in 1998). A steeply ascending passage to the L holds a quantity of particularly scrofulous rope (presumably a previous fixed rope). This can be climbed ~10m until it gets too vertical. It draughts. Beyond the ice is a steep snow/ice slope down into the huge Schneevulkanhalle. It is <b>strongly</b> recommended to equip this with a properly rigged SRT rope rather than anything less - the cave has seen a number of accidents, some <b>fatal</b>. Although the slope looks like soft snow, it is a layer of coarsely crystalline hard névé over solid ice. In parts it is almost impossible to kick steps into, whilst in others it offers only minimal purchase for crampon points. Conditions no doubt vary with the season as well as with position on the slope and the year. Tackle required: 50m rope, crampons. There is one bolt at the top, for a traverse line to two bolts off to the R in the roof where the snow-slope proper starts. Sometimes the traverse area is full of snow and an ice-screw or ice-axe rebelay/deviation (club first ? in 1989) may be needed. A deviation (from rock) at the head of the steep section was found adequate in 1998.</p><divclass="centre"><imgalt="plan - 12k gif"width="600"height="540"src="/1623/i/40svh.png"/></div><p>The 50m Königschacht (40f) entrance is the source of the snow slope and comes in here. It is often full of snow but was open in 1999 and so was surveyed (by ARGE).</p><p>At the bottom is the main chamber from which the pitch does indeed look like a snow-covered volcanic cone. Most of the floor area is ice-covered and only a slight slope is necessary to make crampons vital here. Most of the chamber is filled with ice formations up to 15m high (end of season). Those with two ice-tools can climb almost anything in the chamber, though the formations are no doubt rather more spectacular and fragile in spring or early summer. Formation-ice can also shatter very easily as melting occurs between component crystals later in the season, so it is probably safer for climbers to stick to hard névé. Ways on are mostly reached by steeper slopes that definitely require ice-gear and can be quite unnerving approached from above. Note that the slopes are usually <b>hard</b> ice, ice-axe-braking after a slip is not an option - lifeline or don't fall !</p><divclass="centre"><ahref="/1623/l/istal.htm"><imgalt="Photo of ice formations, 41k jpeg"width="150"height="200"src="/1623/t/istal.jpg"/></a></div><p>Starting from the pitch (facing outwards from the slope), heading round the chamber to the left leads over a large flat area of ice to where a gap between ice and rock [<ahref="../../1623/40/qm.htm#C000040-01"name="qC000040-01">C0000-40-01</a> A] drops 10m (2 bolts, one added 1999) into large passage <ahref="../../1623/40/cucc.htm#elefant">Elefantengang</a>.</p><p>Right next to it is an icefall coming in from above [<ahref="../../1623/40/qm.htm#C000040-02"name="qC000040-02">C0000-40-02</a> C] (Apparently explored by GSCB in early 80s for ~40m). 40m round the wall of the chamber is a rubble run-in, iced on the top half. This was climbed by Haines (1998) and Atkinson (1999), as well as the GSCB. At the top is a wet boulder choke that definately doesn't go, but the GSCB plan shows a narrow rift on the right marked 'tight'.</p><p>Halfway up this slope on the left is the narrow entrance to <ahref="../../1623/40/cucc.htm#pov">Persistence of Vision</a>.</p><p>20m further round another couple of icefalls come in. Both are about 8-10m and vertical [<ahref="../../1623/40/qm.htm#C000040-03"name="qC000040-03">C0000-40-03</a> A]. GSCB plan shows they have climbed up here to find a 20m pitch beyond into narrow rift. Their survey doesn't make it clear how it ends. CUCC bolted up the left side of the left icefall in 2000 to fin
<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. -->
<references></references><!-- References to documentation. Could be Journal articles or Logbook entries. Can be links if the docs are online. -->
<survey></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>In dataset</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>see also <ahref="1623/40/cucc.htm">CUCC discoveries in Eishöhle</a></notes><!-- Normally empty, but place for anything else that should be noted, such as info on cave maybe being a duplicate, or lost -->
<length>SMK system total 54000m</length><!-- Cave length. Can be left blank and system should fill it in automatically from survey data (it doesn't yet) -->
<depth>SMK system total 1032m</depth><!--Cave depth. Can be left blank and system should fill it in automatically from survey data (it doesn't yet) -->
<url>1623/40/40.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')-->
