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GSAB: CTS ref. 78.2012 (in English translation)
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title="Description des principaux gouffres de la zone ouest du massif">
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<center><font size=-1 lang="fr">(<acronym>GSAB</acronym>) Sp&eacute;alp 1
(Juin 1977) pp 33-49</font>

<h1 lang="de">TOTES GEBIRGE</h1>

<h2>Description of the principal caves in the West of the massif.</h2></center>

<p><b>Introduction</b> : The choice of this area was quite arbitrary. Indeed,
there is very little chance that the area is all drained by the same
hydrological system. While for some caves, the presumed resurgence is almost
certain, the same is not true of others which may drain in totally the
opposite direction ! Our choice was governed by means of access: roads, gear
lift, paths, a refuge etc.. The <span lang="de">Totes Gebirge</span>, which
is one of the biggest karst ranges in Austria, is only easily accessible in
certain areas, such as the one we discuss in this article. In this area are
many kilometres of totally virgin lapiaz. Many hours walking are needed to
reach it. Moreover, in this area, only a tiny part is more-or-less
prospected. It includes the valleys of <span lang="de">Raucherkar</span> and
<span lang="de">Feuertal</span>, and the areas adjoining the path which goes
to them as well as the north face of <span lang="de">Hagender Kogel</span>,
in which lies the <span lang="de">Tropfsteinh&ouml;hle</span>, which had
extraordinary formations but which is today completely trashed out.

<p><b>Cave Research</b> : has been mainly carried out by our friends of
Upper Austria, an English group, two French groups, and ourselves. For our
part we did almost no prospecting, except in 1976. We contented ourselves
with the descent of certain known caves - again, not all of them (We
bitterly regret this today because others have made discoveries in our
place). Our effort was particularly carried out in
<span lang="de">Ahnenschacht</span>, but a chronic deficiency of able cavers
and relevant experience (in 1975 we were only 4) has prevented us from
getting as far as we would have liked.

<p><b>Geology/Hydrology</b> : Not having a geologist in the group, we could
only sketch out the major outlines. The great majority of the area is <span
lang="de">Dachsteinkalk</span>, also with some pockets of Dolomite, well seen
in certain places - notably north of the <span lang="de">Ahnenschacht</span>.
Another problem, the presence of a nappe (overfold)  between -400 and -500m
which could cause problems in <span lang="de">Ahnenschacht</span>. For the
<span lang="de">Raucherkar</span>, the drainage is practically certain: the
flood resurgence is in <span lang="de">Nagelstegh&ouml;hle</span> to the
south of <span lang="de">Raucherkar</span>, and north of
<span lang="de">Altaussee</span>. It should be possible to connect the two
either directly, or by diving. <span lang="fr">QUELLI</span> should also go
in the same direction, at least if one believes its trend.
Nevertheless, with <span lang="fr">Quelli</span> opening up 2km NE of
<span lang="de">Raucherkar</span>, we need to be very careful in drawing
conclusions. 

<p><b lang="de">AHNENSCHACHT</b> lies in an area with very complex
boundaries, and could very well go off in several totally different
directions. It is very possible that several directions can be followed. The
explorations have not proceeded far enough in plan to be able to decide.

<p><b lang="de">TRUNKEMBOLDSCHACHT</b> and <b lang="de">UFO SCHACHT</b>
should be expected to head off to the north where many resurgences can be
seen. The other directions should nevertheless not be ignored. At any rate,
the explorations will be pushed a lot further this year and perhaps it will
become clearer to us.

<p>From the hydrological point of view, it is very regrettable that no dye
tests have been carried out, and this through lack of authorisation,
collaboration and interest !!!

<h2 lang="de"><a name="55">RAUCHERKARH&Ouml;HLENSYSTEM</a></h2>

<p><span lang="de">Steiermark - Totes Gebirge</span> - 1632m<br>

Depth 723m    Length so far, about 20km<br>

Deepest point is a sump

<p><b>Location</b>: In the Western <span lang="de">Totes Gebirge</span>,
south of the <span lang="de">Sch&ouml;nberg</span>, 2km SE of <span
lang="de">Ahnenschacht</span>.

<p><b>History</b>: Exploration started in 1961. In 1965, the cave was 6km
long and 246m deep. The National Austrian expedition of 1965 reached -530m.
In 1973, <span lang="de"><acronym>LVfHK</acronym> Ober&ouml;sterreich &amp;
Steiermark</span> reached a sump at -723m, at which time the length had
reached 18km.

<p><b>Description</b>: The system has no less than 13 entrances ranged
between 1500 and 1623m altitude. The labyrinthine system contains several
levels of development mostly southwards towards
<span lang="de">Nagelstegh&ouml;hle</span> (the probable resurgence at an
altitude of 850m). It is interesting to note that the final sump has been
reached by systematically traversing round pitches in excess of 90-40m.

<p>Author of this summary : <span lang="fr">Etienne Degrave</span>.

<h2><a name="120" lang="fr">QUELLI</a> or
<span lang="de">KACHERLSCHACHT</span></h2>

<p>Western <span lang="de">Totes Gebirge - Feuertal -
Sch&ouml;nberg</span><br>

Depth -708m         Altitude  about 1950m

<p><b>History</b>: Discovered in 1973 by the <acronym>GSAB</acronym> under
the name T3. Rediscovered in July 1976 by <span lang="fr">J.M.Piron</span>
and explored from 12th to 23rd of July by <span lang="fr">A.C.Toulon,
S.C.Toulon, Lou Darbon</span> and <span lang="fr">Sp&eacute;l&eacute;o
Ragaie</span>.

<p><b>Description</b>: P8, p19, p83, p33, p24, p17, p5, p33, p24, p9, p33,
p27, p103. At -400m one reaches a vast passage going up and downhill. The
downstream passage emerges at the top of an 84m pitch. Below this a winding
canyon interspersed with small pitches gives onto a 15m pitch and the end of
exploration at -708m.

<p lang="fr">Etienne Degrave

<h2><a name="117" lang="fr">EMPAGADURE</a> or
<span lang="de">TRUNKEMBOLDSCHACHT</span></h2>

<p>Western <span lang="de">Totes Gebirge - Hintergras</span><br>

Depth -587m         Altitude 1610m

<p><b>History</b>: Discovered in July 1976 by
<span lang="fr">F.Vergier</span>. Explored between 12th and 23rd July 1976 by
<span lang="fr">A.C.Toulon, S.C.Toulon, Lou Darbon</span> and
<span lang="fr">Sp&eacute;l&eacute;o Ragaie</span>.

<p><b>Description</b>: Down to -287m the cave is made up of shortish pitches
interspersed with tight meandering passage : p8, p12, p17, p9, p20, p3, p12,
p30, p7, p6, p9, p8, p7, p5, p34, p6, p8, p5, p9. At -287m, a 21m pitch
drops into a large chamber. The water disappears in the boulders to reappear
in a whole series of wet pitches of which the longest is 30m. Floods impeded
exploration at the bottom of this branch: at -456m a pitch of about 20m was
definitely too wet to be descended. At -488m a low passage was also too wet.
Moreover, the draught there was weak or absent.

<p>In the chamber at -308m, a reascent of about 15m gave access to a fairly
wide fossil canyon which blew a detectable draught. After 30m, this passage
opened onto the enormous "<span lang="fr">Puits de Naufrag&eacute;s</span>"
(The Castaway's pitch), with a cross section of 15 by 25 metres. On this
pitch, several inlets appeared to come from the first branch explored. The
bottom of the pitch contracted to a joint-guided rift, exploration ending at
the head of a pitch estimated at 40m.

<p lang="fr">Etienne Degrave

<h2 lang="de"><a name="50">AHNENSCHACHT</a></h2>

<p>Location: Western <span lang="de">Totes Gebirge - Feuertal</span><br>

Depth:  -612m       Length so far: > 5km<br>

<b>Altitude</b>:  1890m

<p><b>History</b>: Discovered by our Upper Austrian colleagues in 1856. The
point -320m was reached by them in 1958. In 1967 and 1968 the
<a href="../../bec/index.htm">Bristol Exploration Club</a> reached -400m, the
Horizontal network, with a length of 1 km, was discovered. In 1972, 73, 74
and 75, the <acronym>GSAB</acronym> "<span lang="fr">Les Gours</span>"
explored and discovered over 5km of passage and about 1500m of pitches. This
got them to -612m. We note also the participation, in 1974, of three French
clubs from Eastern France: <span lang="fr">S.C.Vesoul, G.S.Clerval</span> and
<span lang="fr">S.S.Daules</span>. In 1975 <acronym>CARSS</acronym> joined a
mini-expedition in July and likewise, <acronym>CASEO</acronym> in August.

<h3>Description: Entrance series</h3>

<p>The entrance is in a small doline situated on the ridge separating
<span lang="de">Feuertal</span> and <span lang="de">Hintergras</span>. The
cave starts with four pitches (p14, p11, p5 and p11) which drop onto a slope
formed of big boulders (rope desirable). After this, another series of small
pitches (p9, p7, p6, p4, p10, p18, p11) from which is reached the "<span
lang="de">Sinterterrasse</span>" at -141m.

<p>From this point, one has left the zone of small pitches and started a
series of pitches which in reality are part of a single shaft down to -400m.

<p>Indeed, if you had an unfortunate accident on the
"<span lang="de">Sinterterrasse</span>", you would fall all the way to -400m.
These pitches are usually wet, especially after rain... Here is the list of
pitches: p25, <span lang="de">Schuppenstufe</span> 30, p10,
<span lang="de">Sicherungsstufe</span> 32,
<span lang="de">Schachtgabel</span> 48, a 10m ramp, <span lang="de">Josef
Schacht</span> 100m. On the <span lang="de">Josef Schacht</span>, a pendulum
6m from the top enables one to reach the entry to the "Horizontal network".
Descending the <span lang="de">Josef Schacht</span> a little further, after a
6.5m and a 10m pitch, access can be gained to a wide canyon, active in the
bottom, and which ends in a fissure. This canyon is fossil in the upper level
and certainly presents possibilities for continuation.

<h4>Lateral development from <span lang="de">Josef Schacht</span></h4>

<p>After one has crossed the "doorway" and a short squeeze, one enters the
network proper. At this point is a passage covered in rather special
formations. The first junction gives access to a network
[ lines missing from original photocopy - sorry :-(]

<h4>The Vegetable Garden</h4>

<p>This fossil system, which has not been fully travelled through, contains
numerous possibilities. It is reached by three principal access routes: the
pitch already mentioned; a descending fissure a little before the "Belgica";
and a sloping passage with formations in the "Mammoth pitch" chamber. The
system is composed of a big chamber with numerous passages and junctions; it
is very poorly known and no doubt houses many surprises. Continuing along the
passage, one passes a step of 4m to find a junction, to the left at which
lies the bivouac.

<h4>"Belgica" system</h4>

<p>Directly after the bivouac, there is a 10m pitch, and at the bottom, a new
junction: downhill the "Belgica" passage, of fairly small dimensions, which
leads, after traversing past three holes, to a descent of an 8m and a 17m
pitch and to the squeezes passed by our French colleagues.
[<span lang="fr">A revoir</span>]

<p>Uphill, discovered by <span lang="fr">D.Motte</span> and
<acronym>PIE</acronym>, in the course of the expedition in 1974, is the
"<span lang="fr">Galerie de Francs comtois</span>". This is a large ascending
fossil passage interspersed with traverses, dips and pitches. It reascends to
-90m. At -150m, a 20m pitch reaches the "<span lang="fr">Resomega</span>".

<p>A little before the 20m pitch, a short descending canyon passage avoids
the 20m pitch and the series of squeezes following it.
The "<span lang="fr">Resomega</span>" is an alternately ascending and
descending passage, very chaotic, interspersed with several junctions and
pitches which leads to the "Balcon du Visionnaire", offering several
possibilities. A 60m pitch gives onto another 60m pitch which is undescended.
There is another big pitch in excess of 100m and an unfinished ascending
passage. A little before, a 10m pitch allows one to reach a passage
interspersed with 3 junctions and 7 exits !!!! This shows the level of
complexity which we ran into.

<p>It was also at the "<span lang="fr">Balcon du Visionnaire</span>" that an
accident occurred in 1975, which terminated exploration in that year.

<p>Back in the Horizontal network, and after passing a little bouldery climb
an inlet is encountered, named "The Bath". The passage continues a little
longer, to end in a pitch. [To be completed]

<p>The following junction has been named "Mammoth Junction" because the
passage to the right leads onto the pitch of the same name. It is necessary
to exercise great care and attention not to slip hereabouts, because a fall
would drop you into same.

<p>The Mammoth Pitch, Para-pitch and probably the "Negus" pitch, form part of
the same system ( see survey ) which is composed of a 146m pitch, a 10m pitch
and a narrow canyon interspersed with several cascades leading finally to a
35m pitch giving onto the sump at -612m. The Para-pitch, p106, is followed by
pitches of 5, 10 and 50m and drops via the latter into the "Mammoth Canyon"

<p>The "Negus" pitch, which is undescended, should also drop into the same
canyon. Several other small pitches and active streamways should also rejoin
this system.

<p>The depth of 612m should be treated cautiously because the method of
survey used (height of a man) is fairly imprecise. The bottom could be
anywhere between -580m and -630m. The shortage of time prevented us from
redoing our survey. Maybe this year ????

<p>Turning left, the "Zipfer" passage is followed for 150m before reaching an
important junction: to the left "Chimneys passage", to the right "Draughting
passage".

<h4>Chimneys Passage</h4>

<p>This is very large with a constant slope, interrupted in the middle by a
squeeze and a couple of drops. The "Schnaps pitch" (40m with an unexplored,
narrow canyon) is avoided by traversing to reach a 25m pitch in which you
must pendulum 5m from the bottom in order to reach a chamber in which is met
a small stream. Climbing up a little opposite, a short upper passage rejoins
the stream by a 20m pitch. In the chamber, the descent of a 10m pitch allows
the stream to be followed to a squeeze beyond which one can hear the grumble
of a large river ? A place to go back to.

<h4>Draughting passage</h4>

<p>This is fossil, and tight in places, and allows exploration of a very
complex network which intersects itself in various places and which could
hold very great surprises, since its exploration has only been sketchily
outlined. The exit from this passage is in an area of boulders where two
possibilities exist:

<p><b>To the left</b>: a tight passage has been forced on a slope to
"<span lang="de">Kitschacht</span>" (Tackle Bag Shaft) a magnificent 50m
drop, very wide and completely free hanging. At its base, several
possibilities. A tight active canyon which can be bypassed by a fossil
passage, broken by an earthy drop of 3m to a huge 15m pitch leading to a sump
at -360m.

<p>A drop of a few metres gives access to a huge fossil passage ( 10 x 5m ).
The floor of this is cut by a deep canyon which has not been explored. After
a hundred metres or so the passage ends at a vast wet pitch. Climbing over a
big boulder on the right gives access to another pitch upwards.

<p>Just after the base of <span lang="de">Kitschacht</span>, a passage of 80m
makes a connection with the system of the "<span
lang="fr">D&eacute;collement</span>" pitch at the bottom of the 40m shaft. A
canyon leaving the junction passage can be followed for more than 300m, and
exits, in several places, into the side of the big fossil passage, just
before the pitch upwards.

<p><b>To the right</b>: The "<span lang="fr">D&eacute;collement</span>"
pitch, with, at its base, a sloping chamber full of boulders. To the left a
very deep ascending canyon is unexplored. In the bottom is the
"<span lang="fr">M&eacute;andre Emeri</span>", so called because the
formations are orientated in the direction of progress and of the draught.
This rejoins a wide pitch with an inlet. After this 15m pitch is a short
canyon and a damp 40m pitch. At the bottom, a huge descending passage
suddenly turns almost vertical. This is the "Toboggan", needing 20m of rope
(a very spectacular passage). At this level one again cuts a new streamway.
The passage continues, then contracts, and chokes at -385m.

<p><b>Conclusion</b>: An enormous amount to see and to go back and finish.
The more we explore, the more we find ! With more support we could do some
extraordinary speleological work.

<p align=right lang="fr">J.C.Hans

<h2><a name="122" lang="de">UFO SCHACHT</a> or <span lang="fr">GOUFFRE OVNI</span></h2>

<p><b>Location</b>: Western <span lang="de">Totes Gebirge - Hintergras</span><br>

<b>Depth</b>:  -201m        <b>Altitude</b>:  about 1500m

<p><b>History</b>: Discovered in August 1974 by
<span lang="fr">D.Motte</span>. Entrance unblocked by <acronym>GSAB</acronym>
in 1975 and 76. Explored in August 1976 by <span lang="fr">F.Dechany</span>
and <span lang="fr">J.C.Hans</span>.

<p><b>Description</b>: The entrance consists of a crack about 20cm high,
which was at first cleared as far as a chamber with no way on. The draught
which had enabled us to find the entrance now showed us the way on. After
having unblocked a fissure dubbed "Sas" we arrived at a pitch. This is
broken in five places. A second pitch broken into three leads to a short
canyon, then to several drops and pitches interspersed with short squeezes.
The following pitches can be seen as forming a single 80m shaft, divided
into five and becoming bigger and bigger in depth as well as width. The cave
continues by a fault rift two or three metres wide and penetrating by
successive notches. The exploration will continue in August 1977.

<p align=right lang="fr">J.C.Hans
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<b>Cave descriptions</b> (in English translation):<br>
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<a href="../../../noinfo/1626/50.htm"><span lang="de">Ahnenschacht</span></a><br>
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<a href="../../../noinfo/1626/117.htm"><span lang="de">Trunkemboldschacht</span></a><br>
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