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<center><font size=-1>CTS 80.1739: Descent 44 (January/February 1980) pp 36-38</font>
<p>This article first appeared in <italics>Descent</italics>(44) for Jan/Feb 1980,
pp36-38 and is reproduced here with the
permission of the author and Wild Places Publishing.
<p style="font-size: 80%">CTS 80.1739: Descent 44 (January/February
1980) pp 36-38</p>
<h2>Cambridge expedition bottoms Austria's Eislufth&ouml;hle</h2>
<p>This article first appeared in <em>Descent</em>(44) for Jan/Feb
1980, pp36-38 and is reproduced here with the permission of the
author and Wild Places Publishing.</p>
<p>By Nick Thorne</center>
<h1>Cambridge expedition bottoms Austria's Eislufth&ouml;hle</h1>
<p style="text-align: right"><b>By Nick Thorne</b></p>
<p>IN LATE July and August, Cambridge University Caving Club again went to
the Loser Plateau in the Totes Gebirge of Austria. The plateau, situated
above the quiet village of Altaussee in Steiermark, had been the scene of our
previous three summer expeditions.
<p>IN LATE July and August, Cambridge University Caving Club again
went to the Loser Plateau in the Totes Gebirge of Austria. The
plateau, situated above the quiet village of Altaussee in
Steiermark, had been the scene of our previous three summer
expeditions.</p>
<p>The prospecting done to date on the vast virgin lapiaz of the plateau had
given us no fewer than three pots in the 650-1000ft (200-300m) bracket, and
one, Eislufth&ouml;hle, 1150ft (350m) deep, and as yet unfinished.
<p>The prospecting done to date on the vast virgin lapiaz of the
plateau had given us no fewer than three pots in the 650-1000ft
(200-300m) bracket, and one, Eislufth&ouml;hle, 1150ft (350m) deep, and
as yet unfinished.</p>
<p>As one of our rank concludes, finding deep pots on the Loser Plateau is a
real cinch; pushing them, however, is just a little more difficult.
Consequently, this year's expedition concentrated not on more prospecting
(for fear of finding yet another deep pot), but instead on the exciting task
of bottoming Eislufth&ouml;hle.
<p>As one of our rank concludes, finding deep pots on the Loser
Plateau is a real cinch; pushing them, however, is just a little
more difficult. Consequently, this year's expedition concentrated
not on more prospecting (for fear of finding yet another deep pot),
but instead on the exciting task of bottoming Eislufth&ouml;hle.</p>
<p>The cave, designated 106 in the official Austrian catalogue, was
discovered in 1977 and pushed down to 500ft (150m) depth before time forced a
derig. Last year we added another 650ft (200m) depth before a car accident
wiped out (temporarily) half of the pushing team. (See
<a href="../1978/descnt.htm"><i>Descent 40</i></a> for the action replay).
discovered in 1977 and pushed down to 500ft (150m) depth before
time forced a derig. Last year we added another 650ft (200m) depth
before a car accident wiped out (temporarily) half of the pushing
team. (See <a href="../1978/descnt.htm"><i>Descent 40</i></a> for
the action replay).</p>
<p>The cave to this depth includes (see survey), Plugged Sahft, 250ft (75m)
of horrific snow plugs; The Keg Series, a red herring route that diverted our
attention until we noticed that - wait for it - it had no draught; and the
Tap Room, a fair sized chamber with a stream inlet in the roof.
<p>The cave to this depth includes (see survey), Plugged Sahft,
250ft (75m) of horrific snow plugs; The Keg Series, a red herring
route that diverted our attention until we noticed that - wait for
it - it had no draught; and the Tap Room, a fair sized chamber with
a stream inlet in the roof.</p>
<p>Next occurred a superb section of verticality including the drop into The
Hall of the Greene King, a real belter of a pitch, 180ft (55m) free to the
floor, huge and black. This was followed by an uncharacteristically
horizontal section, mainly traversing in a tall stream canyon, punctuated by
short muddy pitches. The traverse below the Fiesta Run was the limit of
previous exploration before this summer.
<p>Next occurred a superb section of verticality including the drop
into The Hall of the Greene King, a real belter of a pitch, 180ft
(55m) free to the floor, huge and black. This was followed by an
uncharacteristically horizontal section, mainly traversing in a
tall stream canyon, punctuated by short muddy pitches. The traverse
below the Fiesta Run was the limit of previous exploration before
this summer.</p>
<p>This year's expedition started slowly. A lot of surface preparation was
needed first, and things were not speeded up by a car breakdown in Germany!
We supplemented our luxurious base camp in Altaussee with an advanced camp up
in the mountains on the edge of the karren field, about 20 minutes walk from
the cave. This walk across the difficult lapiaz from cave to camp, we marked
in style with a continuous piece of white polypropylene string. This enabled
us to negotiate the walk over the clints at any time of the day or night,
come rain or shine. And so to the underground.
<p>This year's expedition started slowly. A lot of surface
preparation was needed first, and things were not speeded up by a
car breakdown in Germany! We supplemented our luxurious base camp
in Altaussee with an advanced camp up in the mountains on the edge
of the karren field, about 20 minutes walk from the cave. This walk
across the difficult lapiaz from cave to camp, we marked in style
with a continuous piece of white polypropylene string. This enabled
us to negotiate the walk over the clints at any time of the day or
night, come rain or shine. And so to the underground.</p>
<p>The customary ice boulders of Plugged Shaft were merely replaced this year
by overhanging snow cornices, huge icicles of critical plummet potential, and
the like. These necessitated a rebolting of the shaft, an unpleasant job
undertaken by those pulling the short straw. Once below Plugged, the other
pitches were rigged without too much hassle, to bring us to the Fiesta Run
and new ground.
<p>The customary ice boulders of Plugged Shaft were merely replaced
this year by overhanging snow cornices, huge icicles of critical
plummet potential, and the like. These necessitated a rebolting of
the shaft, an unpleasant job undertaken by those pulling the short
straw. Once below Plugged, the other pitches were rigged without
too much hassle, to bring us to the Fiesta Run and new ground.</p>
<p>We rigged Madlmaier Shaft, named after our beer vending campsite owner,
and descended only ten feet before a decision was required. Continuing on
downwards seemed to be fairly restricted and more obvious was a traverse
outwards. We opted for the latter believing it would lead to a more sociable
pitch down to the same place. So much for theory. Before long we found
ourselves in a totally different passage, with the sound of the stream fading
into the background. This route was followed down two broken 50ft (15m)
pitches to a fairly small passage. The loon out in front at the time squirmed
along 100ft (30m) of tight grovel until he popped out into the side of a
roomy aven. He reckoned it was about 50ft (15m) down to a
streamway&nbsp;-&nbsp;end of trip.
<p>We rigged Madlmaier Shaft, named after our beer vending campsite
owner, and descended only ten feet before a decision was required.
Continuing on downwards seemed to be fairly restricted and more
obvious was a traverse outwards. We opted for the latter believing
it would lead to a more sociable pitch down to the same place. So
much for theory. Before long we found ourselves in a totally
different passage, with the sound of the stream fading into the
background. This route was followed down two broken 50ft (15m)
pitches to a fairly small passage. The loon out in front at the
time squirmed along 100ft (30m) of tight grovel until he popped out
into the side of a roomy aven. He reckoned it was about 50ft (15m)
down to a streamway&nbsp;-&nbsp;end of trip.</p>
<p>Enthusiasm for passage at depth like this was low, and the next party
consequently took a closer look at the way on down Madlmaier Shaft. To
everyone's surprise and delight, the place soon opened out into a comfortable
sized rift. On this particular trip a ledge 90ft (28m) down was reached, the
pitch continuing down a second, large rift, at right angles to the first.
<p>Enthusiasm for passage at depth like this was low, and the next
party consequently took a closer look at the way on down Madlmaier
Shaft. To everyone's surprise and delight, the place soon opened
out into a comfortable sized rift. On this particular trip a ledge
90ft (28m) down was reached, the pitch continuing down a second,
large rift, at right angles to the first.</p>
<p>The next trip capitalised on the new found verticality that the pot was
displaying. Madlmaier Shaft was bottomed after a damp 110ft (33m) section
below the ledge. As the stream sank into the floor a dry, broken 160ft (50m)
pitch was descended down a vast gulley. The next section was very
atmospheric. (I mean wet). The stream reissued from a hole high up in the
wall and cascaded down on the free climb and 14th pitch that followed almost
immediately. This was unfortunate, as the pitch was 70ft (20m) deep! Spitting
over their shoulders, the two cavers, now firmly believing Loser to be
hollow, left the cave for a celebration in the local bar.
<p>The next trip capitalised on the new found verticality that the
pot was displaying. Madlmaier Shaft was bottomed after a damp 110ft
(33m) section below the ledge. As the stream sank into the floor a
dry, broken 160ft (50m) pitch was descended down a vast gulley. The
next section was very atmospheric. (I mean wet). The stream
reissued from a hole high up in the wall and cascaded down on the
free climb and 14th pitch that followed almost immediately. This
was unfortunate, as the pitch was 70ft (20m) deep! Spitting over
their shoulders, the two cavers, now firmly believing Loser to be
hollow, left the cave for a celebration in the local bar.</p>
<p>Then unfortunately it rained... and rained... for days. And it only
stopped raining when it was time for a thunderstorm. As the weather continued
to look pretty Schwarz over Wilhelm's Mutter's, we spent several sleepless
nights up at the advanced camp, speculating on run-off times for the water,
and the possibility of getting flight clearance for our tents.
<p>Then unfortunately it rained... and rained... for days. And it
only stopped raining when it was time for a thunderstorm. As the
weather continued to look pretty Schwarz over Wilhelm's Mutter's,
we spent several sleepless nights up at the advanced camp,
speculating on run-off times for the water, and the possibility of
getting flight clearance for our tents.</p>
<p>When the sun finally condescended to shine, a five-man mega
pushing/surveying/photgraphing team stormed underground. The 15th pitch was
soon rigged sensibly and descended to a large walking passage, with the
stream flowing just under the boulder floor. The passage sloped steeply
down/over/under/around boulders of all shapes sizes and stabilities, and
then, just when least expected, absolutely unmistakeable, thick, black mud
covered the rock - the cave would shortly sump. Another short pitch and we
were there. The sump pool was a fittingly large lake, and signified the
culmination of three years' interesting work in the pot.
pushing/surveying/photgraphing team stormed underground. The 15th
pitch was soon rigged sensibly and descended to a large walking
passage, with the stream flowing just under the boulder floor. The
passage sloped steeply down/over/under/around boulders of all
shapes sizes and stabilities, and then, just when least expected,
absolutely unmistakeable, thick, black mud covered the rock - the
cave would shortly sump. Another short pitch and we were there. The
sump pool was a fittingly large lake, and signified the culmination
of three years' interesting work in the pot.</p>
<p>Whatever feelings we had at the time, either surprise, relief, pleasure,
disappointment, etc. were soon completely wiped out by the sheer effort we
put in as we cleared the cave of tackle below The Hall of the Greene King.
The bottoming party surfaced to a starlit sky, after a trip of 15 hours.
<p>Whatever feelings we had at the time, either surprise, relief,
pleasure, disappointment, etc. were soon completely wiped out by
the sheer effort we put in as we cleared the cave of tackle below
The Hall of the Greene King. The bottoming party surfaced to a
starlit sky, after a trip of 15 hours.</p>
<p>The rest of the derigging and the clearing of the advanced camp proceeded
with relatively little fuss, but a lot of effort, over the remaining few days
of the expedition. We then returned to England, mission accomplished.
<p>The rest of the derigging and the clearing of the advanced camp
proceeded with relatively little fuss, but a lot of effort, over
the remaining few days of the expedition. We then returned to
England, mission accomplished.</p>
<p>The survey: A grade 5 survey of the pot stopped at the Tap Room with a
duff clino. For the rest of the pot we measured pitch lengths and feel that
1650ft (506m) is a fair minimum depth estimate. A higher grade survey and a
surface survey of the Loser's cave entrances will be published in
<i>Cambridge Underground</i> 1980.
<p>The survey: A grade 5 survey of the pot stopped at the Tap Room
with a duff clino. For the rest of the pot we measured pitch
lengths and feel that 1650ft (506m) is a fair minimum depth
estimate. A higher grade survey and a surface survey of the Loser's
cave entrances will be published in <i>Cambridge Underground</i>
1980.</p>
<p>In conclusion then, apart from a few odd leads that we didn't bother to
follow, Eislufth&ouml;hle is finished. And sporting though it was, I can't
see anyone returning to the place for a long time to come. And why should
they? There's the rest of the plateau to look at, and deeper pots to be found
by anyone caring to have an expedition there. Thanks due to Karl Gaisberger,
our local contact, and Rocksport for the donation of some rope.
<p>In conclusion then, apart from a few odd leads that we didn't
bother to follow, Eislufth&ouml;hle is finished. And sporting though it
was, I can't see anyone returning to the place for a long time to
come. And why should they? There's the rest of the plateau to look
at, and deeper pots to be found by anyone caring to have an
expedition there. Thanks due to Karl Gaisberger, our local contact,
and Rocksport for the donation of some rope.</p>
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<img alt="&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/0.png">
1979 Expedition info:<br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1979/log.htm">Logbook</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1979/report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1980</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1979/bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
Nick Thorne's write-up in <a href="../../../years/1979/792026.htm">Belfry Bulletin 378</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
Odkrycie i eksploracja Eislufth&ouml;hle - <a href="../../../years/1979/811412.htm">original
english article</a> (published in Polish in 1980)<br>
<img alt="&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/0.png">
<a href="../../../pubs.htm#pubs1979">Index</a> to all publications<br>
<img alt="&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/0.png">
<a href="../../../index.htm">Back to Expeditions intro page</a><br>
<img alt="&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/0.png">
<a href="../../../../index.htm">CUCC Home Page</a></li>
<ul id="links">
<li>1979 Expedition info:
<ul>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1979/log.htm">Logbook</a></li>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1979/report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1980</a></li>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1979/bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report</a></li>
<li>Nick Thorne's write-up in <a href= "../../../years/1979/792026.htm">Belfry Bulletin 378</a></li>
<li>Odkrycie i eksploracja Eislufth&ouml;hle - <a href= "../../../years/1979/811412.htm">original english article</a> (published in Polish in 1980)</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href= "../../../pubs.htm#pubs1979">Index</a> to all publications</li>
<li><a href= "../../../index.htm">Back to Expeditions intro page</a></li>
<li><a href= "../../../../index.htm">CUCC Home Page</a></li>
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