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<h3>AUSTRIA 1983</h3>
25/7/83 - 12/8/83

<p>
The first part of the log is traditionally taken up by the journey out.<br>
If this is of no interest, here is a link <a href="#start">to the caving</a>!

<p>The journeys out. ?

<p>Team Griffiths - Makins

<p>Arrived at Ramsgate 2 hrs early so had to eat a lot before embarking on
ferry. Zapped down to Reinb&ouml;llen at warp factor 9 to drink beer with Ben
et al - missed Ben by 10 mins. Arrived in Staudnwirt at 4pm Sunday having
gently grockled round Hallstatt all afternoon.

<p>Team Fucked-Viva

<p>Arrived at Dover 5 hours early - no decent beer. One fuse stop and a trip
round Dachau concentration camp to make Austria seem nice. Arrived in a piece
after 16 hours.

<p>Becky

<p>The most problematical part of my journey was getting to Victoria for a
6-O'Clock train. This accomplished, train, plane, train + train (the last
stopping at every lamp post) then feet got me to Staudnwirt around 6.20pm.

<p>Team Bowers - Van Millingen - Whigglesworth

<p>The hovercraft wasn't full of eels. Stopped at Rheinb&ouml;llen (NB
spelling miss Makins) - the place the crab broke down 1979 expedition with
caf&eacute; with gorgeous little girls in white teeshirts, but it was shut
&amp; Julian had gone anyway. Zipped through Austria until a little man waved
us down, demanded 100 schillings from John &amp; muttered something about
Radar control &amp; 67 kph instead of 50 kph. Staudnwirt in time for several
beers.

<p>Team Chas &amp; Dave (gertcha !)

<p>well.....
chasfailedhisdrivingtestandwewerestillrepairingphil'scaronsaturdaymorningbutweateaspagbolandsetoff
todoverandtheradiatorboiledoverforthefirsttimeinapetrolstationandsowefilleditupanditstartedwithclouds
ofsteamandafteragreasychipswegotontheferrybutonlyjustcoswewerelastandwehadtosleepondeckandthenwegot
tozeebruggeanditwasfourinthemorningsooffwesetandatfirstitwasokbutafterafewhundredmilesthrashingitgot
hotterandhotterandwehadtokeepstoppingtorefilltheradiatorandthenwehadnomoregermanmoneyandnearlyranout
atmunichbuthtenfoundyoucoulduseenglishmoneysowefilledupandattheaustrianborderinearlylostacontactlens
anditgotdarkandwegotlostandtheradiatorboiledoveragainandagainandsometimesthecylindersfilledwithwater
andlockedtheengineandwegotlostinKuchlandtheradiatorboiledoveragainanditwasgettinghardertostartandonce
wehadtoforageinavalleytofindsomewaterandthenwetookoffthebonnettocooltheenginebutitstartedtorainandthe
enginedrownedinbadausseebutwithaquicksquirtofwd40itstartedandwelimpedintogrundlseeataboutoneinthe
morningaftertwentyonehoursdrivinggodwasibuggered.

<p>TR6 Nicky &amp; Tony

<p>Managed to avoid Plank etc. in Dover, went swimming &amp; drank in the
Louis Armstrong. Wended our way towards Austria saving time by not bothering
to eat. Nicky slid down a glass partition at a motorway cafe in a dead faint.
Went swimming. Hit a highly decorated town (Wasserburg) in the evening before
cruising on down via a bar or two to the car park. Walked up to 113 then
above, found an open entrance (60' pitch), returned to meet everybody at Bar
Fischer (having seen John's car at the car park) before finally finding
everybody at the campsite bar.

<p>Team reclining seats

<p>A featureless thrash from Zeebrugge to Wurzburg for a walk + a sausage,
thence to Ingolstadt where Philip's eyes were closing as a consequence of
Gail's having given up between Rushden and Cambridge.... Failed to find
campsite at Ingolstadt - thrashed on down to a "service station" past Munchen
where we crashed on **Reclining Seats** and slept 10 hours. To Grundlsee
without incident (to the sound of Gail's snores) and a drink at the OTHER
Grundlsee campsite. Spotted Mess tent in between and so set off for a walk up
to the plateau...

<hr /><a name="start">BUNDA BASHING DAY 1</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;25/7/83 Monday

<p>Naomi, John, Ben, Julian

<p>A gentle day's workout for the old codgers. Went up to 113 and then
prospected the area above. Found very little apart from the inevitable
snow-plugged shafts. No draughts at all apart from one small choked hole near
a prominent gravel bank. By this time we were quite close to the top of the
Schwarzmooskogel so off to the top ! Just below the top we almost fell down a
great gaping maw. Julian nearly killed himself when a boulder crept up behind
and took him for a ride down the shaft. This so disturbed Ben that he lent
John his gear and John went down. We ran out a 40m rope getting down to 30m
in stages. A small 5m pitch and then a larger pitch into a high canyon. This
was getting serious enough to be left for another day, so we did that. Then
the shortcut back to the Bergrestaurant. 1&frac12; hours later we arrived
back at the path. The gentle day's workout had taken a nasty turn and four
very knackered old codgers arrived at the car park 2 hours after leaving "The
Hole".

<p>Julian

<hr /><a id="id1983-142-1">132=142 Monday</a>

<p>Mike, Wiggi

<p>Raced along the path, through the bunde &amp; into the big chamber pitch.
Used the rusty bolts which have since been failed by the BOLT INSPECTOR. Went
down the tube pushed by Tim, grovelled round &amp; followed draught to a
sizeable inlet, free-climbed up this till eventually returned to the bottom
of the big chamber. Free-climbed big chamber wall to passage 50-60' above
pitch, possible bypass. Out quickly after 4 hrs.

<p align=right>Mike

<p><a href="../1982/log.htm#id1982-142-5">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-142-2">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p align=right>Tuesday
<br>Naomi, John

<p>Couldn't face thrashing through the bunda again, so we tried a new route -
up to the "plateau" col, keep right and traverse about 200 yds and then head
up slabs, following some small cairns to the summit of Viede Schwarzmoos
Kogel. Sign the visitors book at the top and then drop down, slightly right,
for 100 yds and there's the entrance.

<p>While Naomi sunned her delicate white flesh, I hopped down the entrance
pitch. 10m down the next pitch, a rebelay and an 10m to a boulder floor,
another 5m pitch, more boulders and a final airy bolt, specially placed for
Ben's delight tomorrow.

<hr />Prospecting: Pete, Chas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tuesday

<p>Followed the joint up above Stellerweg (bearing 220&deg;). Found 2
phreatic draughting entrances which we followed until they went vertical.
They draught IN. Then onto the small pimple which is the top of the ridge
above Stellerweg. I managed to step on a rock which wasn't too solid and fell
20feet, but only a few grazes. Then parallel to the ridge, with lots of signs
of the Germans (beer cans etc.) Found a big depression with a 45&deg; bedding
plane down which closed down after ~15m. There was a ~10m pitch on the
opposite side which we descended to a choke. Then onto a very distinctive
(sink when wet) - with brown gravel banks and a limestone bridge. From here
due south found ~100m through trip - lot of snow banks, icicles, ice
stalagtites + some phreatic tubes, but no ways on. There were 4 entrances,
two of them non-climbable shafts. Then back parallel to the ridge, with very
few leads. We almost made the path directly above Stellerweg, but descended
too soon and hit 201 at 88.

<hr />Julian walked up to the Appel-Haus, had a beer and a mineral water, and
then walked back to Grundlsee.

<hr />
<p align=right>Wednesday
<br>Ben, Julian - hole that hasn't got a name yet. 140

<p>Schwarzmoosk&ouml;gel route proved best way. Lots of chamois. Julian
belted down to John's 'airy' bolt &amp; down 80ft shaft. Bottom choked by
boulders with small impenetrable rift - through which could be heard
tantalising heavy drip. 30ft down shaft is a big boulder. On the other side
is a passage 25ft up heading in the direction of the drip - by this time Ben
had finished putting in two bolts on the entrance pitch &amp; arrived down to
have a fag while Julian started bolting up towards this passage. He was even
called upon to lifeline when Julian was 3 bolts up leaving one more for John
to climb to GLORY.

<p>Time 4 hrs,   Ben

<hr /><a id="id1983-142-2">Mike, Dave</a> - surveying
<strike>132</strike> 142  Wed 27th

<p>Latchensechsen is as hard as ever, and this short trip seemed more tiring
than thirty hours down 115. Still, plenty of time to get fit. Poked around in
the huge chamber, but the boulders are too big - size of houses. Surveyed in,
and buggered off out.

<p>- the diabolical datsun nearly made the car park in one go, but then
boiled over very loudly indeed !

<p><a href="#id1983-142-1">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-142-3">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p align=right><a id="id1983-142-3">Weds 27th</a>
<br>Becky, Wiggy - 132 = 142

<p>Went to "the pitch near the entrance" where Wiggy tried very hard to kill
himself by putting his weight on a hold which broke off. Much of the other
stuff at the top (in fact, all down) is of the same ilk. The pitch is ~20m w
a break at 10m*, going to a small rift with a howling gale. Bashed our way
through a squeeze into another small rift - still with howling gale - which
chokes.

<p>Becky

<p>*Put a bolt in on the right hand wall (mainly to calm Wiggy's nerves) but
actually used a fine natural belay on the other side of the hole, reached by
traversing to the left.

<p><a href="#id1983-142-2">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-142-4">Next trip</a>

<hr />Wednesday

<p>John, Naomi, Nicky, Tony

<p>It seemed like a good idea to drive up to the car park and walk around to
the Wildensee for a swim. Sadly, the temperature was rather high so that
those of us who were feeling the effects of the previous day found the going
a little tougher than those who weren't so much but were feeling the effects
of the heat anyway. What's more its a long way to the Wildensee, but ideal
for swimming, excellent diving points, lots of little fish nibbling at your
legs etc. The return via the Appelhaus was arranged by the proprietors such
that one felt slightly thirsty. One amongst us managed to bop their first
pint rather quickly (excellent one should add) and a further &frac34; pint
led to a lot of limb waving along the continuation of the path. A high speed
surge lasted about 35 minutes before it collapsed completely and the eventual
return to base was rather more subdued.

<p>Tony M

<hr />Wednesday 27th

Chas, Pete. Surface survey and Prospecting below 115.

<p>The aim was to find the end of the Futility Series popping out of the
hillside below 115. We surface surveyed down to a permanent station, marked
with bolt hole and lots of red paint: P1983/1. This was almost directly below
115 and on the edge of the big trees. It was at E77.2, N-237.3, H -195.8,
whereas the end of the Futility Series was at G30: E 139.7, N -54.2, H-187.8.
So we were (!) at the right place, but the cave end was 180m into the
hillside. We had a good look round but didn't find any signs of caves there.

<p>So we looked at a big phreatic entrance further east (up the valley) and
~50m higher. This was looked at in 1982, but a bit of proddling released lots
of boulders + we were able to follow up a narrowing bedding plane at
~60&deg;, for 10m until it got too loose/small. Very difficult descent on
scree to the end of the Altausseer See + then the Schniderwirt for Weizen
Bier.

<p align=right>Pete

<hr /><a id="id1983-136-1">Thursday 28th</a>
Prospecting below <u>Vd. Schwartzmooskogel</u>

Mike, Pete, Dave, Chas.

<p>We sechsten through the Latchen towards the SMK, and reached the top after
a leisurely lunch on a snow patch. First we inspected the entrance to EXCS's
cave and then moved east on the southern side of the hill as far as the first
big valley. Descended a couple of shafts which didn't go, and for the next
time left a large shaft not descended and another draughting hole with 40m
pitch to a big chamber and 10m pitch at which we stopped. These were both
marked 'CUCC 1983' and put a cross on one of the choked shafts (20m). The
other cave descended was 40m entrance pitch (daylight) then down a slot and
7m boulder slope to the head of an estimated 10m pitch (undescended).

<p>[sketch showing location of:<br>
137 (1) 40m, 7m slope to head of undescended<br>
135 (2) Choked 20m<br>
138 (3) Very large entrance (undescended)<br>
136 (4) loose headed 40m to big chamber + undescended p10.]

<p><a href="#id1983-136-2">Next 136 trip</a>

<hr />Thursday 28th

<p>Naomi + Ben 140

<p>After a very sweaty walk up to the top of the Schwartzmoos and down to the
cave, Ben and I set about doing a surface survey. The cave entrance was
measured first giving an opening on the surface 9m x 6m with an entrance
shaft 15.2m. From the cave entrance a surface survey was carried out to the
summit of the Schwartzmoos. The cave lies 126m on a bearing of 194&deg; from
the summit of the Schwartzmoos at an altitude of 1796m. (Oh God - I think
I've spelt Schwartzmoos wrong all the way through this tome!) After
surveying, Ben and I retreated to the Bergrestaurant to work out the survey,
identifying wild flowers on the way down.

<p>Naomi

<hr /><a id="id1983-143-1">Thursday</a>

<p>Tony + Nicky

<p>After getting the car up to the plateau we had an easy walk up to 113 -
heading up towards the knoll. Unfortunately Tony found another hole he felt
impelled to investigate before we got to where we were originally going.
Whilst Tony messed around underground, I did some snow melt experiments - and
waited. Having reached the bottom at about 28 metres - Tony gave up and we
set out again for the Knoll. Near the summit, we located two more holes - to
be investigated next day. From the top of the knoll saw Julian/John sitting
above their cave on the SMK - then made our way back indirectly to the car
park via the thickest bunde patches.

<p><a href="#id1983-143-2">Next trip</a> to the "two more holes"

<hr /><a id="id1983-145-1">Thursday</a>

<p>John &amp; Julian 140

<p>Returned to the hole - thrashing up to the col &amp; over the top, eager
to revel in the glory just one bolt away. I placed the bolt while Julian took
hero pictures. Lots of witters followed as I stood in etriers unwilling to
launch myself over the top. It was all a waste of time anyway - the passage
draughted but closed down after ~20 ft. Then went back down to the bottom -
just to confirm there were no loose ends. But there was just one very loose
end. Julian pretended not to notice it, but I insisted he should have a look,
while I held back the boulders to allow his return. Another pitch of 8m led
to an even more conclusive choke. Exited, detackling the lower pitches.

<p>Wandered back home, prospecting on the way, and found a horizontal passage
strongly draughting out. Will return tomorrow...

<p>John

<p><a href="#id1983-145-2">The return</a> to this horizontal cave (145)

<hr />Friday 29th July

<p>Super firework display provided by the heavens together with torrential
downpour cancelled all caving activities, except for fine trip down the
Koppenbr&uuml;lleh&ouml;hle: EXCS's trip was made even more exciting by
seeing a completely dry stream bed on entering the cave, not being able to
visit the lower part of the show cave due to flooding, and finding a stream
the size of the Wharfe coming out when we came out. The food + drink on this
trip was excellent - being consumed in large quantities.

<hr />Saturday 30th

<p>Ben, Naomi. 140

<p>Derigged cave up by Schwarzmook&ouml;gel. Pitch lengths measured as:
entrance - 15.2, 6, 10m. followed by 5.5, 10, 10.5

<hr /><a id="id1983-145-2">John, Julian  Wolfh&ouml;hle 145</a>

<p>Stopped off to look at Thursday's draughting hole. Wandered in clad in
shorts + carbide following just one set of footprints of some early explorer.
Fine little phreatic passage with strong outward draught. After 200', a
pitch. Exited to find Ben &amp; Naomi to continue the exploration.

<p>Ben, Naomi, John, Julian

<p>Picked up the tackle from the first hole &amp; trekked over the
Schwarzmooskogel for the last time. Reentered the new hole complete with
tackle. Down the pitch to a chamber. Ignored the obvious hole in the floor,
traversed over a snapping (or snapped?) wolf. Up a loose climb and on through
phreatic tubes leading down. A bit of a crawl, along and suddenly big, black,
nothingness.

<p>Out to beer &amp; icecreams in the sun at Bar Fischer.

<p>John

<p><a href="#id1983-145-1">Entrance discovery</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-3">Next trip</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-143-2">Tony &amp; Nicky</a>. Sat 30th

<p>Returned to look at holes found on Thursday - unfortunately our latest
short-cut was no better than previous attempts and we were obliged to find
another hole on the way up. Nevertheless we progressed to the phreatic
entrance next to the knoll and happily wandered through about 100 ft of
passage before reaching an intermittently draughting tube slightly blocked by
boulders. We abandoned this in favour of our second inward draughting rift.
Tony descended the first pitch to find that the 'solid floor' consisted of a
few boulders and having reached a point where a further bolt was required
directly beneath these now mobile elements a retreat was made in order to
clear this section. Nicky then removed most of the boulders whilst dangling
from a sling and Tony then descended, placed a bolt, landed on the "floor".
This turned out to be a boulder the size of the mess tent jammed across the
rift. Tony placed one bolt for the continuation of the order of 100ft below.
Then retreated once more. We continued to the hole we had found on our very
first sortie but had not managed to return to since. Nicky wandered out over
some boulders to place a bolt hanging from her toenails to give a nice
freehang. Time ran out but inward draught was promising. We returned to the
car by an even more interesting (but less bunde-prone) route.

<p><a href="#id1983-143-1">Discovery trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-143-3">Next trip</a> (deeper cave - 143) /
<a href="#id1983-144-3">Next trip</a> (the other cave - 144)

<hr /><a id="id1983-136-2">Sunday 31st</a>  Mike, Chas.
<br>Cave marked (4) on Planc's sketch. 136

<p>After the excesses of the past couple of days we thought we'd better get
underground. We rigged a traverse line from the entrance down to the top of
the first pitch, went down and rigged a couple of pitches down to where we
could hear the stream. Unfortunately we could only hear it because the way on
was through a 4" slot.

<p>Mike found a short crawl to an inlet - active with a small dribble, much
like the 115 inlets in dry weather - and below a couple of short,
semi-free-climbable pitches we came to a decent drop, obviously right over
the stream. It sounded enormous ! We bolted &amp; Mike descended. The
streamway is in a rift, and soon disappeared into boulders - foiled again !
The only lead now is a biggish pitch which is nasty &amp; loose but may bring
us back below the choke in the stream.

<p><img src="136ent.png">

<p align=right>4 hrs Chas.

<p><a href="#id1983-136-1">136 discovery</a> /
<a href="#id1983-136-3">Next trip</a>

<hr />Sunday 31st  Pete, Dave  138 and 139
<br>Prospecting

<p>We first bolted in no. (3) (138) on the sketch, a fine descent led to a
snow slope, and after descending a snow filled rift by front-pointing in
wellies, to a snow choked chamber at -40m. Pity. After checking a 13m blind
shaft we found a rift entrance (139) just below the hillock NE of the VSK,
which went to 30m to a rift (12cm) which draughted tantalisingly. Pebbles
went another 15m or so

<hr /><a id="id1983-145-3">Sunday</a>

<p>Naomi, Julian, Ben, John Wolfh&ouml;hle 145

<p>Went to visit the hole with the "big black nothingness". Ben's bowel
movements increased in frequency the nearer we got to this fine feature. At
the top, Ben wanged in the first bolt before retiring hurt. Muddy Boy
continued on down looking for unlikely places for bolts. He'd rigged 2 x 20m
pitches before Julian caught up. Another 20m pitch to a ledge then a pitch
rigged off a spike. Julian descended this to the floor of the shaft and
realised Muddy Boy had been left on a ledge with the rope nowhere in sight.
Leaving Muddy Boy to worry about this he squeezed through into another aven
with the stream trench cutting down. A bolt was placed for the next 10-15m
pitch before an exit was made (we'd run out of rope). Muddy Boy was reunited
with the rope and both went out.

<p>Before all this happened or while it was happening, Julian and Naomi had
followed the phreatic tube beyond the "hole". Across a traverse the passage
continued to two free climbs up and a climb round a flake to a further
phreatic passage. Half way along this the draught emanated from a choked
passage on the right. Beyond a 12m pitch dropped into twin avens and a
further undescended pitch estimated to be 20m.

<p>After all this happened, or in some cases while it was all happening,
Naomi and Ben went to look at the crawl at the bottom of the lavatory pan.
This was followed until either Ben's light gave out (official version) or Ben
got fed up (unofficial shit-stirrer's version, in either case only about
60').

<p>That's all.

<p>Julian

<p><a href="#id1983-145-2">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-4">Next trip</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-142-4">Monday 1st August</a> - Phil's 29th birthday trip.
<br>Wiggy, Gail + Philip down <strike>132</strike> 142

<p>Wiggy failed to find the way to the big pitch... We <u>were</u> going to
rig the hole that Mike was keen on at the NE end of the big chamber ... but
we couldn't find it. ANYWAY we throttled around a <u>lot</u> at the level of
the entrance series of 45&deg; interconnected rift and found a 4m x 12m
chamber, approx 65m high with a pitch take off 15m down from the roof and v
big jammed boulders 15m down from that. Surveyed from there back to near the
entrance.

<p>Hacked a <u>lot</u> of bunde with a bush knife / bunde-basher / machete,
path to 132 now almost reasonable.

<hr /><a id="id1983-136-3">Monday 1st</a> Hole no. (4) Steinschlagschacht 136
<p align=right>Mike, Chas.

<p>We tried the remaining lead in this unpleasant hole and to our dismay it
seems to go. Went 60m down a rope from the Big Chamber, in a continuous shaft
which looks as if it takes water in wet weather. At the bottom is a ledge
with further rift and a black hole which sounds quite deep. Put in three
bolts while Mike got cold.

<p>4&frac12;h Chas.

<p><a href="#id1983-136-2">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-136-4">Next trip</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-143-4">Monday 1st 143</a>
<p align=right>Pete, Dave

<p>With the air of a man selling bits of the real cross, Tony assured us this
was the one. After slagging his bolting technique, it didn't take long to use
100m of Edelrid; bash in a bolt, drop down a free hanging 30m shaft, traverse
to head of next pitch, bash in a bolt. Spacious shafts, textbook rigging, the
draught still inwards, we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves. At about -140m,
we came to a sad end - at the foot of the final shaft a very narrow joint led
off, which would take quite a bit of hammering to allow even Chas through !
The draught whistled inwards, and the rift looked 10m deep, widening after a
few feet. After a considerable snack, we hurried out. V. efficient trip, and
an inspection of the 115/41 survey later seems to show that the end is very
near, both horizontally and depthwise, to Stellerweg around the big pitch. So
at least we're in the right area.

<p>5&frac12; hours Dave

<hr /><a id="id1983-145-4">MONDAY 1ST AUGUST:-</a><br>
Naomi + Julian. Wolfh&ouml;hle 145

<p>While Muddy Boy fought off nasty gastric microbes and Ben festered, Julian
and Naomi returned to 'Wolf Cave' to survey as much as possible. The cave was
surveyed to the climb out of the wolf skeleton chamber, all the side passages
being measured and investigated. Just inside the 2nd entrance a small passage
was found to draught strongly inwards - this passage breaking out into a
small rift leading to a pitch down, estimated to be about 6m. Several
photographs were taken of the 'Wolf' skeleton as well as one of the main
phreatic passage and the 1st pitch.

<p>As carbide, water etc. were running low, an exit was made from the cave.
On gaining the surface a survey was made from the entrance of 'Wolf' cave
past the 2nd entrance and down to CUCC 82. Wolf cave is 29.5m above 82.

<p>Naomi

<p><a href="#id1983-145-3">Previous trip</a> /
Next trips: <a href="#id1983-145-5">Pushing</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-6">Tidying</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-143-3">Sunday 143</a> Tony, Nicki

<p>Returned via the most direct obvious route in just one hour to where we
were last. Having eventually changed - Tony wanged down 1st pitch after
carefully checking the brilliant bolting. Whilst putting in another bolt over
a possible 13ft free climb Nicky climbed up over the boulders to look into
the adjoining entrance shaft, lighted from above. At bottom of "free" climb,
lobbed rocks of various sizes down a hole - very scary. Fixed two not so well
placed bolts above 2nd/3rd pitch at the end of short rift - and having
estimated it to be a good 25m went on swiftly out and back across the SMK to
find a few more promising holes for other people to go down.  Several hours.

<p>Nicky

<p><a href="#id1983-143-2">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-143-4">Next trip</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-144-3">Monday 1st</a> August Tony + Nicky 144

<p>Having excited Dave + Pete to such an extent that they were willing to go
down our previous hole, we led them more or less the same way back to the
hole beneath the knoll and left them while they went off to collect their
caving gear. We continued the 100 yds and one bedding over to the east to
extend our other inward draughting hole. Tony changed and lay gasping in the
extreme heat while Nicky went off to try to pinch some MRs from D + P - none
available so Tony just rerigged as he went and descended a further 75' pitch
(rather fine though not quite freehanging) which landed on a large boulder
strewn ledge. Several large (tent-size) boulders formed the edge of the next
pitch in a rift 15' wide heading east - the visible floor consisted of three
(visible) large holes, one of which allowed boulders to drop for a count of
9, possibly 4-5 seconds. Prospects do not seem unreasonable but a free hang
would require an interesting bit of work for bolting. Good luck to those who
take over from us. Finding our way back was not as simple as the way over to
the knoll.

<p><a href="#id1983-143-2">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-144-4">Next trip</a>

<hr />TUESDAY 2nd August

<p>Ben, Nicky, Tony

<p>Managed on this major GONK DAY to do some prospecting on the Toplitzsee by
row-boat - bloody magic. Lots of large holes in the surrounding cliffs and
entered one near lake level draughting out very strongly. Suggestions that in
future years a raft should be built in the centre of the lake with detachable
portions for each tent allowing p.i.t.a. to be detached and floated away.
This central position would allow for easy freedom of movement. Furthermore
from the Kammersee a rope would be rigged off the 300ft+ cliff for abseil +
prussick work to exclude all the horrible walking up steep slopes. The total
potential could be as much as 1000m+, one of the lakeside waterfalls being
shown as a resurgence at about 1300 metres. Anyway, whatever the depth
potential this area has certainly not been looked at and the potential for
finding complex systems would appear quite extensive. (Rowing across the lake
is more pleasant than trudging across the bunde).

<hr />WEDNESDAY 3rd August

<p>Nicky + Tony 146

<p>Set off rather hopefully to investigate new find about 300 yds from Wolf
Hole. Cloud + weather conditions proved to be somewhat unsuitable for such an
exercise and materials were collected instead.

<p>The rest fed, festered and farted all day long.

<p>No we didn't. We let Julian take us up a mountain which was a mistake.

<hr /><a id="id1983-145-5">THURSDAY 4th AUGUST</a>

<p>WOLFH&OUML;HLE 145

<p>John &amp; Julian

<p>Following the stream down, pitches of 5m, 15.4m, 15.4m, 10.5m and 17.4m
were rigged. The latter two pitches formed the top part of another large
shaft and landed on a very wet ledge. Muddy boy valiantly put another bolt in
well round a corner to try to keep out of the water. This was descended for
about 10m in a spacious shaft*. With the amount of spray around and complete
dearth of lobbable boulders it wasn't possible to tell whether the rope
reached so M.B. wisely decided to ascend. Estimated depth of cave to head of
last pitch 160m. Length of pitches (from entrance) - all measured.<br>
* Tiddley pom pitch

<pre>
     19m                     5m
     20m   } Pitches        15.4m
     25m   } in large       15.4m
     22m   } shaft          10.5m
     14.5m }                17.4m
</pre>

<p align=right>Julian

<p><a href="#id1983-145-4">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-6">Ben &amp; Naomi's trip</a> (same day)<br>
Next trips: <a href="#id1983-145-7">entrance loose ends</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-8">surveying from Big Leap</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-145-6">Ben &amp; Naomi</a> - same cave

<p>Went down tube followed by rift near lower entrance. At bottom of rift 6m
pitch was bolted. Lands in chamber with hole &amp; boulder slope into bigger
shaft, fortunately only another 6m with large boulder passage leading down to
top of climb. On right, small phreatic tube with strong outward draught (on a
day with a lot of water about) gets too small for me after 20-30 feet. At
start of tube pulled out a few boulders to reveal 20 ft climb, but continued
presence of boulders at the top called an abort. Climb down at bottom of
boulder passage is 8ft. Leads to further climb down, luckily choked by more
boulders. Passage to left at bottom of 8ft climb goes to black muddy dry pool
fed by water from climb above. Climb gets too small vertically but leads back
horizontally to top of 8ft climb. Derigged two pitches - unless the big pitch
route stops soon 20 ft climb with continued presence of boulder not worth
doing: probably lead to 82 anyway.

<p>Time: 4 hrs !!

<p>Ben

<p><a href="#id1983-145-4">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-5">John &amp; Julian's trip</a> (same day)<br>
Next trips: <a href="#id1983-145-7">entrance loose ends</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-8">surveying from Big Leap</a>

<hr /><a id="id1983-136-4">Thursday 4th</a> Steinschlagschacht 136

<p>Mike, Chas

<p>The weather in camp brightened somewhat so we zoomed up to the
Bergrestaurant and gazed at the low cloud. Eventually extreme boredom forced
us to walk up to the cave to collect our oversuits which would have blown
away in the savage storms of the previous few days. It was snowing hard when
we reached the top of the SMK but unfortunately we could see our wooftah
suits clearly so after a bit of wittering we shook the snow from our furry
gear, clenched our teeth and descended.....

<p>It sounded deep &amp; very wet so Mike stayed at the top of the rift &amp;
froze silently while Chas. gardened &amp; rigged the topsail rope. At the
bottom of the rift ~50-60m 2 black holes - a dry very deep sounding one -
which was left and a damp 35m shaft into a streamway rift going down at least
100' and producing another couple of black holes. The draught had reversed
today even though outside was still warmer than the horrible hole. Despite
attempts to fill the place with boulders, dead bodies* &amp; rope ends, it
still seems to be going so someone will have to go &amp; derig it. The walk
back was accomplished in zero vis &amp; torrential rain &amp; hail, sod this
for a game of cricket. 4 hrs

<p>* I dropped a halfbrick square on Mike's helmet.

<p><a href="#id1983-136-3">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-136-5">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-142-5">132 or</a> <strike>is</strike> it is
<strike>136</strike> 142 now ... Thursday 4th

<p>Phil &amp; Gail - 5 hours

<p>Phil &amp; Gail also finally defestered themselves from the Bergrestaurant
to discover pastures new in 132/6. The weather was Lake District disgusting
and it hailed as we hacked up the bunde. After attempts to correlate the
two surveys, the 2nd pitch was bolted in the dripping chamber which was,
under <u>these</u> weather conditions, filled with spray. Well, perhaps not
<u>filled</u>. Anyway, while doing this, there came a minor whooshing sound
at about 18-45 and it got a little wetter + I dropped a hanger + MR down
the pitch. Finished bolt (at least 1.500x10<sup>3</sup> Kgf on the Brindle
scale (est.)) and didn't rig it because it looked wet down there...

<p>Instead, went out of chamber and pulled up rope out of the water (the bolt
below in the chamber was not rigged) and left 1x13m and 1x15m rope there for
next time, the rope on the pitch is 35m, I think. Then we clambered up
Wiggy's Way (45&deg; up and intersected the same stream higher up - excellent
clamberable stream in clean, white limestone, a bit like Tatty but sharper.
If this cave connects with 41 then this would be the way to get extra height.
Gail did a couple of legs up the slope (whilst Philip was bolting) but gets a
bit damp so return trip in dry weather. Back to main route to have a look at
the Big Chamber - failed to find it AGAIN. Sketch a lot of drips and
chambers, find a crawl bypass to the Bad Step (we think).

<p>V. bad walk back in vis. down to 6-7' ! Overtaken by Demon Datsun on the
Toll Rd. Left 20m rope by cairn after entrance tube + bypass.

<p><a href="#id1983-142-4">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-142-6">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<a id="id1983-144-4">Thursday 4th</a> Tony's 2nd Hole 144<br>
Pete, Dave

<p>[A Sat] Having chacked the bogs in the Bergrestaurant (recommended by
muddy boy) we hurried up to the entrance. Pete found his gear rather wet and
complained quite a lot before changing. A short bunde bash to the entrance
and we were in. The head of the first pitch was rather loose, and so felt my
stomach, but we pressed on and ...

<p>[sketch of pitch lengths]

<p>The top bits are very loose, the middle bit vertical like the rift in 115.
We hit a small bit of horizontal phreatic stuff + thought we were about to
walk into Stellerweg, but it carried on down. 2 pitches later we hit a big
stream in a very high canyon ~2m wide. At the top of an estimated 20m pitch
we had run out of rope and hangers with only 1 anchor left. Despite a meal of
sardines we were back out of the entrance in an hour to the last of the
daylight. A somewhat epic walk back in darkness and 10 feet viz mist.
Directional guidance from cowbells brought us back to the path. Back to the
Staudnwirt in time for last orders.

<p>7 hrs Pete 'n' Dave

<p><a href="#id1983-144-3">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-144-5">Next trip</a>

<hr />

<p><u>Friday 5th  Mass Jacking Day</u>

<p>We went to Salzburg to do the round of the gear shops (courtesy of Wiggy)
and to consume coffee and strudels. A hopeful-looking gear shop was spotted
on the way in but turned ghostly when we sought nearer aquaintance. Chas
&amp; Wiggy drooled over about 5 gear shops in total, buying 2m of 4mm
rope.

<p>Team FARTPOWER blasted into Salzburg and found an English looking pub
for a meal of Schnitzel and chips. After a look around the castle we found
a fine dingy bar for cakes, coffee, and beer.

<p>Team Kulture left team gearshops after a Deli lunch in the street. Took in
the Resident Galeris and the Dom, looked at the [???] outside the Dom Museum
and thus avoided paying entry fee. As a token gesture we looked at
calculators to fill in time before rendezvousing with team gear shop.

<hr />

<p>Saturday 6th

<p>Dave was so keen to avoid caving that he sliced his finger in two with
a pair of scissors.

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-142-6">142/41</a><br>
Phil, Julian, Naomi

<p>After a long wet walk up to the entrance, the intrepid trio finally went
underground. The pitch in Phil's extension was quickly gained and Julian
kitted up and went off down the 1st pitch of 7m to a pile of jammed boulders.
From this platform another pitch of 20m to a rebelay and another 10m to a
floor lead on. From this a pitch of 5m reached another floor with a stream
leading on down, which was not pushed to a conclusion.

<p>While Julian was exploring the pitches, Phil and Naomi worked back towards
the main route climbing up assorted 45&deg; ramps towards the roof. One
particular one was followed up some steep climbs to a pot with water falling
down it. down the pot, a 20' (approx) climb lead to a boulder floor - the
ascent of the pot would need tackle and so was left. Phil and Naomi arrived
back at Phil's pitch just as Julian was grovelling up to the top. All the
tackle from Phil's pitches was moved back to the main route junction and the
trio then left to find the Main Route Big Pitch Route into the large chamber.
Various ramps and tubes were investigated and the ramp/chamber leading to the
big pitch was pretty well investigated - a route being pushed down to the
bottom where it chokes. Near the top, on the right, a route was pioneered
down a tube and across a ramp and then up a freeclimb at the end of the ramp.
At the top of the ramp turn right and this comes into a very large sloping
chamber. Descend to the bottom of the chamber and next to a very large block
is the old landing of the 18m pitch in Stellerweg. Julian and Naomi and Phil
then climbed up from the block and down into the Stellerweg double traverse
passage where Julian positively identified the bolt hole - so the connection
was confirmed. The trio then made their way back to the entrance, taking
several photos on the way out.

<p>Naomi

<p>5 hours underground

<p><a href="#id1983-142-5">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-142-7">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p><u><a id="id1983-143-5">Sat 6th</a> 143 Pete, Chas</u>

<p>We surveyed in and derigged out. It was fairly damp today &amp; Chas
whinged all the way down.

<p>We marked the path to the pot with wads of yellow tape, diving line, bin
liners fluttering from branches of Latschen and millions of cairns. Pete
sawed valiantly away with a baby hacksaw. Unfortunately it was daylight when
we came down again so we couldn't test its efficiency, but it's good in
daylight. 25 mins down to St&ouml;gerweg and another 25 mins back.

<p align=right>5 hrs. C.</p>

<p><a href="#id1983-143-4">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="../1984/log.htm#id1984-143-1">Next trip</a> (next year)

<hr />
<p><u>Sunday 7th Phil &amp; Gail</u>

<p>We went to look for resurgences near the road to the plateau. We did find
a couple of streams by walking off down the piste from the third hairpin bend
right <u>up</u> the road :-

<p>Movement up the second streamway was severely hampered by felled pine
trees and extremely forceful nettles. Somewhere around here is something
marked "h&ouml;hle" on the map.......

<p>[sketches captioned "what the map says ... what we saw"]
<hr />
<p>7th AUGUST
<p>Mike, Julian, Naomi, Chas and Wiggy
<p>Investigated various large dry streambeds near Nagelstegh&ouml;hle in an
attempt to find the same. A large draughting hole marked 1626/5 was found
between two streambeds which consisted of a 15' climb down to a shingle slope
leading down into the cave. Party retired to the pub.

<p><u>Addendum</u>

<p>Later examination of a selection of maps displaying relevant markers
such as the toll road and the ski lift leave us with the impression that
the resurgence has been bulldozed to make the track to the skilift pylon.

<hr />
<p><u><a id="id1983-145-7">WOLFH&Ouml;HLE</a> 145</u> 8 August

<p>Gail &amp; Philip

<p>We were led to the cave by Naomi &amp; Wiggie and went and saw the 'Wolf'
(actually, I think it might be a bear) then went and explored the only loose
end in the Makins - Van Millingen explorations. Yes, the tube is tight but,
after tweaking the solid surface with our trusty "entrenching" tool, we were
able to plough our way through. It leads, after 30 or 40 ft and a bend to a
1.5m diameter phreatic tube, left hand leads up (at c 5&deg;) to a chamber
and right chokes with mud after a bit.

<p>[sketch labelled "proper sketch in survey book" (1)]

<p>Previous trips: <a href="#id1983-145-5">push to Tiddley Pom</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-6">leads near entrance</a><br>
<a href="#id1983-145-8">Naomi &amp; Wiggy's trip</a> (same day)/
<a href="#id1983-145-9">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-145-8">WOLF HOLE</a> 8th AUGUST 145

<p>Naomi &amp; Wiggy

<p>Quickly made our way to the 'Big Leap' where Wiggy was duely despatched
over the leap and into the passages beyond to collect a rope and bolt driver.
On Wiggy's return the pair then surveyed their way out towards Wolf Chamber
from the lip of the 'Big Leap'. Surveying went relatively smoothly except for
multiple light failure in the tight pitch by-pass crawl and a very opaque
compass (it would <u>not</u> clear!). Finally, in the main passage towards
the Toilet Seat Climb, the compass fogged forever, the survey was abandoned
and the pair made their way out. On the surface the compass unfogged amd so
Wiggy and Naomi did a surface survey from Wolf H&ouml;hle entrance to the
iron cross on the Col.

<p>Naomi

<p>Previous trips: <a href="#id1983-145-5">push to Tiddley Pom</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-6">leads near entrance</a><br>
<a href="#id1983-145-7">Gail &amp; Philip's trip</a> (same day)/
<a href="#id1983-145-9">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p>142-41-?-?-Eish&ouml;hle 8th August
<br>Surface surveying (but not the last part)
<br>Plank &amp; Julian

<p>A gentleman's festering day. Starting at 142, Plank went charging up the
schwarzmoos Kogel dragging the surveying tape, intruments and Julian behind
him Complaints from Julian that this upward flight was somewhat unnecessary
as 41 and 142 were at the same height brought him temporarily to his senses
and he disappeared for a while into a particularly virulent patch of bunde.
Half an hour later the pair were sat on a bunde nest, scanning eagle-like for
the entrance to 41. This was spotted way below and after a quick visit to a
nearby telephone box to change into a chamois outfit the first leg of the
surface survey was complete.

<p>From this point on, Plank seemed to have a greater comprehension of where
he was meant to be going (although this could have been confused with a
continuing desire to get to the top of the Schwarzmoos). Odd grunting and
sweet-sucking noises punctuated the next twenty or so legs before the top of
Bunter's Bulge hove into sight. Pause for heavy breathing, more sweet sucking
and altitude adjustments to the digestive system. Then onto to Bunter's Holes
and the end of surveying for the day.

<p>Back on Bunter's Bulge Plank started admiring the sight of his 20' free
fall the other day when a line of surface cairns were spotted. Being simple
creatures, the pair were lured on, and on, and on, and on, over hill, down
dell, etc. till the cairns ran out. Being keen boy scouts though, they
spotted a campfire below with plenty of freshly cut bunde beside.

<p>Plank couldn't resist the prospect of even more bunde and chortled off
down the slope. As he got lower and lower, his heavy footsteps took on more
of an echo. Turning round at the camp fire, his mouth fell open to match the
gaping maw of he Eish&ouml;hle that faced him. About half an hour of combined
wonderment followed before the pair poddled back to the Bergrestaurant.
Ignoring enticing party like attachments to the bunde the duo stuck solidly
to the cairns (nothing queer with Caruthers, but I'm not sure about Plank).
Approx 80 minutes from the Eish&ouml;hle we reached the car park. A very long
festering day.

<p align=center>Julian</p>

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-136-5">August 8th</a> 136 Steinschlag Mike, Chas

<p align=center><u>Pushing, surveying &amp; derigging trip</u></p>

<p>We pushed on another pitch or two. At about -150m we met phreatic ramps at
about 45&deg; but then descended below this into a clean shaft again. Placed
a final bolt and plumbed the pitch with the tape but didn't go down it. Depth
194m to top of this pitch which is &gt;30m so at least 224m total depth.

<p>The exit was enlivened by Chas dropping his stinky sealing ring down a
hole in the boulders in the Big Chamber. Cave seems to be going strong.

<p align=right>7 hrs</p>

<p><a href="#id1983-136-4">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="../1984/log.htm#id1984-136-1">Next trip</a>

<hr />

<p>9th AUGUST 1983<br>
SURFACE SURVEYING / ROPE REMOVING<br>
CHAS, NAOMI, MIKE

<p>After a late start the trio made their way up to 136 H&ouml;hle. While
Mike went off to paint numbers on cave entrances, Chas and Naomi carried out
a surface survey from 136 to the top of the Schwarzmoos. All the rope was
removed from 136 and the trio made their wearisome way down to Wolf
H&ouml;hle to paint numbers at the entrance. While Miss Makins navigated
masterfully from the Schwarzmoos to Wolf H&ouml;hle, Mike whinged! Having
painted the numbers on, and yodelled at Chamois, the trio made their way back
to the Bergrestaurant.

<p>N.M.

<p>When we reached the top of the SMK we found that Franz Seebacher (+ Tritoi
and young Herbert) had been there today, but we didn't see them. Checked down
Planc's hole in the path, but no sign.

<hr />
<a id="id1983-142-7">9 AUGUST 1983</a><br>
142 - 41 CONNECTION SURVEYING AND DERIGGING

<p>Blasted on down to the foot of the pitch in Stellerweg and surveyed back
to one of Dave's survey marks in the chamber before the big chamber in 142.

<p>Went down the big pitch, admired the bolts and denigrated the rigging.
Wandered around Big Chamber with bolting kit looking for Mike's hole in the
floor but didn't find it. It all looked pretty broken up, somewhere through
that lot there must be a crawl bypass to the big pitch.

<p>Came out and derigged. On the way back did a couple more survey stations
at the points where our &amp; Dave's surveys diverged slightly.

<p>Out to stars and a leisurely walk back. Back at camp at 0130.

<p align=center>7&frac12; hours underground PMS + BGS</p>

<p>P.S. dusty phreatic passages that have not been touched since the last
ice age are not recommended for contact lens wearers.

<p><a href="#id1983-142-6">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="../1984/log.htm#id1984-142-1">Next trip</a> (next year)

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-145-9">9/8/83</a> Julian + Wiggy went down the Wolf 'Ole to
put in a few bolts + leave some rope. Used 7 more bolts at a rate of ~ 1.5
per pitch (natural belays used for some backups). Had great fun messing
around on Bower's re-belays.

<p>The cave is now ~300m ish + still going on and on and on.

<p>Previous trips: <a href="#id1983-145-7">entrance loose ends</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-8">surveying from Big Leap</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-10">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-144-5">7th August</a> Tony's 2nd Hole<br>
Pete, Dave 144

<p>I can't remember much about this trip, but we took about 100m of rope
each, and having rigged one more pitch we hit the phreatic level. Moving
west, we lost the main way on by descending a mud wall and then a steep
boulder slope for quite a way. Eventually hit a streamway which soon
resembled Purgatory too much for our liking, so made a slow exit. Left rope
for next trip.

<p><a href="#id1983-144-4">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-144-6">Next trip</a>

<hr />
<p><u><a id="id1983-145-10">1623/145</a></u><br>
10/8/83 Naomi + Wiggy

<p>Went back down the Wolf cave to complete our survey of a couple of days
ago. Tick, did it. Wiggy's light failed on the way out but team techno-lite
came to the rescue. Met the derigging team at the entrance.

<p><a href="#id1983-145-9">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="#id1983-145-11">Next trip</a> (derig)

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-145-11">10/8/83</a> Derigging team (Mike, Chas, Julian)

<p>Derigged and surveyed. 7&frac34; hours

<p>Beware of loot eating porcupines !

<p>Julian

<p><a href="#id1983-145-10">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="../1984/log.htm#id1984-145-1">Next trip</a> (next year)

<hr />
<p><a id="id1983-144-6">9th Tony's</a> 2nd Hole 144<br>
Pete, Dave

<p>We knew this would be a big trip so we took lotsa grub. Sixteen and a half
hours later we crawled out to fine dawn having surveyed, pushed most obvious
leads, and then derigged. The survey showed that the passage you can see
across the mudwall pitch is only 130m from the phreatic levels in 41 around
the head of the big pitch. Quite a heap of rope at the entrance - the 125m
Marlow caused some problems. Hot soup much appreciated.

<p align=right>16&frac12; hours, Dave

<p><a href="#id1983-144-5">Previous trip</a> /
<a href="../1985/log.htm#id1985-144-1">Next trip</a> (1985)

<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<ul>
<li>1983 Expedition info:
<ul>
<li>Main Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1984:
<ul>
<li><a href="wolf1.htm">Wolfehohle</a> - Act I</li>
<li>Exploration and Survey of <a href="exp142.htm">1623/142</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="exp142.htm#possext">Possible extensions</a>
to the 41-142-115 System</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="143144.htm">143 and 144</a> Guidebook descriptions</li>
<li><a href="41svy.htm">142/41 Survey</a> - the truth</li>
<li><a href="list.htm">Summary of Caves 1983</a></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report</a></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="../../pubs.htm#pubs1983">Index</a> to all publications</li>
<li><a href="../../index.htm">Back to Expeditions intro page</a></li>
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