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37
newcaves/96wk01.htm
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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<title>
1623:CUCC 96-WK01
</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/main2.css" />
</head>
<body>
<center><table border=0 width=100%>
<tr><th align=left><font size=+2>CUCC 96-WK01</font></th>
<th align=center><font size=+2>&lt;name&gt;</font></th>
<th align=right><font size=+2>1/S -</font></th></tr>
</table></center>
<p><b>Altitude:</b> c m<br>
<b>Location:</b> GPS fix GK 5410141 5283007
<p>Bearings:<br>
In fact, this number existed meaningfully only for an hour or so until Wookey
spotted that the cave was, in fact, <a href="../plateau/90.htm">1623/90</a>.
<p>
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<ul>
<li><a href="../plateau/">Plateau area index</a></li>
<li><a href="../indxal.htm">Full Index</a></li>
<li><a href="../areas.htm">Other areas</a></li>
<li><a href="../">Back to Expedition Intro page</a></li>
</ul>
</body>
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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<title>
1623:136d and 136c (was CUCC 96-WK9)
</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/main2.css" />
</head>
<body>
<center><table border=0 width=100%>
<tr><th align=left><font size=+2>-K9</font></th>
<th align=center><font size=+2>1623:136d and 136c (was CUCC
96-WK9)</font></th> <th align=right><font size=+2>1/S -</font></th></tr>
</table></center>
<p><b>Altitude:</b> 1792 m<br>
<b>Location:</b> E 36388, N (52)82252<br>
On same shelf as <a href="../smkridge/161/136.htm">Steinschlagschacht</a>
(136), and turns out to be another entrance to it.
<p>Bearings:<br> VSK: 233&deg;, Hollweiser: 145&deg; (from a point between
the WK7-WK10 entrances)
<p><b>Marking:</b> Tag "CUCC 97-08" between 136d and 209 (Schistock-Absturzschacht)<br>
Spit at 136c.
<p>136d is 15x10m funnel-shaped shaft over a 1m ridge from <a
href="209.htm">209 - Schistock-Absturzschacht</a>, so not quite as obvious.
136c is slot next to Schistock-Absturzschacht, and clearly connects to 136d.
<p><b>Exploration:</b> Discovered CUCC 1996 (Wookey)<br>
Explored and surveyed 1999 (Andy Atkinson, Simon Flower)
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<ul>
<li><a href="../smkridge/">Schwarzmooskogel area index</a></li>
<li><a href="../indxal.htm">Full Index</a></li>
<li><a href="../areas.htm">Other areas</a></li>
<li><a href="../">Back to Expedition Intro page</a></li>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

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newcaves/96wk10.htm
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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<title>
1623:136b (was: CUCC 96-WK10)
</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/main2.css" />
</head>
<body>
<center><table border=0 width=100%>
<tr><th align=left><font size=+2>1623:136b (was:CUCC 96-WK10)</font></th>
<th align=center><font size=+2>&lt;name&gt;</font></th>
<th align=right><font size=+2>1/S -</font></th></tr>
</table></center>
<p><b>Altitude:</b> 1789m<br>
<b>Location:</b> E 36378, N (52)82237<br>.
On same shelf as <a href="../smkridge/161/136.htm">Steinschlagschacht</a>
(136), and turns out to be another entrance to it.
<p>Bearings:<br> VSK: 233&deg;, Hollweiser: 145&deg; (from a point between
the WK7-WK10 entrances)
<p><b>Marking:</b>Spit.
<p>Slot entrance, leads 10m down spacious boulder slope to p5.
Warm draught.
<p><b>Exploration:</b> Discovered CUCC 1996 (Wookey)<br>
Explored and surveyed 1999 (Andy Atkinson, Simon Flower)
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<ul>
<li><a href="../smkridge/">Schwarzmooskogel area index</a></li>
<li><a href="../indxal.htm">Full Index</a></li>
<li><a href="../areas.htm">Other areas</a></li>
<li><a href="../">Back to Expedition Intro page</a></li>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

147
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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN">
<html>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<title>1977: Mike Perryman's report in Descent 38</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../../../css/main2.css" />
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href=
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<body>
<font size=-1>CTS 78.2027: Descent 38 (March/April 1978) p 34</font>
<p style="font-size: 80%">
CTS 78.2027: Descent 38 (March/April 1978) p 34</p>
<p>This article first appeared in <i>Descent</i>(38) for Mar/Apr 1978,
p34 and is reproduced here with the
permission of the author and Wild Places Publishing.
<h2>Cambridge push the hard pots of Altaussee</h2>
<p align=right><i>Mike Perryman, CUCC</i>
<p>FOR THE SECOND YEAR running, Cambridge Cavers, somewhat disillusioned
after several summers prospecting in the Pyrenees, made a visit to the karst
regions of western Austria in 1977. The 1976 expedition (full details in the
current <a href="../../../years/1976/report.htm"><i>Cambridge Underground</i></a>) did
important foundation work in the area, and even though little of note was
found, sufficient knowledge was gained to make our prospecting last summer
easier and more rewarding. It also found the Dachstein/Totesgebirge area
excellent for tourist trips into the huge phreatic systems that abound, but
attention was focussed on the extensive lapiaz plateau above Altaussee,
where the caves have turned out to be of a very different nature.
<p>Until recently access to it had been difficult and the area consequently
remained unexplored, but a toll road now serves this limestone mass nearly
3300ft above the nearest valley floor. Although prospecting now involves a
mere one and a half hours walk, one arrives much poorer!
<p>The depth potential of this region is of the order of 3300ft, but serious
dye-testing has yet to be carried out. Rumours this summer of a 2300ft+ pot
discovered further east on the Tauplitz plateau by a French team lifted
morale even further. If confirmed this find would displace
Gruberhornh&ouml;hle as the deepest in Austria. Then bear in mind that
serious prospecting in the mountains has only just begun!
<p>Our finds have been more modest - amongst numerous small pots they include
those now catalogued as holes 82, 97 and 106. The first of these would not be
out of place in Yorkshire, with a stream cascading in at -130ft. After an
awkward 65ft crawl, a series of wet pitches in progressively larger rifts
reaches a sump at -754ft.
<p>This article first appeared in <i>Descent</i>(38) for Mar/Apr
1978, p34 and is reproduced here with the permission of the author
and Wild Places Publishing.</p>
<h1>Cambridge push the hard pots of Altaussee</h1>
<p style="text-align: right"><b>Mike Perryman, CUCC</b></p>
<p>FOR THE SECOND YEAR running, Cambridge Cavers, somewhat
disillusioned after several summers prospecting in the Pyrenees,
made a visit to the karst regions of western Austria in 1977. The
1976 expedition (full details in the current <a href=
"../../../years/1976/report.htm"><i>Cambridge Underground</i></a>)
did important foundation work in the area, and even though little
of note was found, sufficient knowledge was gained to make our
prospecting last summer easier and more rewarding. It also found
the Dachstein/Totesgebirge area excellent for tourist trips into
the huge phreatic systems that abound, but attention was focussed
on the extensive lapiaz plateau above Altaussee, where the caves
have turned out to be of a very different nature.</p>
<p>Until recently access to it had been difficult and the area
consequently remained unexplored, but a toll road now serves this
limestone mass nearly 3300ft above the nearest valley floor.
Although prospecting now involves a mere one and a half hours walk,
one arrives much poorer!</p>
<p>The depth potential of this region is of the order of 3300ft,
but serious dye-testing has yet to be carried out. Rumours this
summer of a 2300ft+ pot discovered further east on the Tauplitz
plateau by a French team lifted morale even further. If confirmed
this find would displace Gruberhornhöhle as the deepest in Austria.
Then bear in mind that serious prospecting in the mountains has
only just begun!</p>
<p>Our finds have been more modest - amongst numerous small pots
they include those now catalogued as holes 82, 97 and 106. The
first of these would not be out of place in Yorkshire, with a
stream cascading in at -130ft. After an awkward 65ft crawl, a
series of wet pitches in progressively larger rifts reaches a sump
at -754ft.</p>
<p>97 is equally sporting with a tight entrance series leading to a
succession of smallish pitches again in large rift passage. At 886ft it
suddenly closes down and becomes too constricted.
<p>106 was not pushed to definite conclusion due to lack of time, but a team
reached 460ft in a series of enormous shafts.
<p>Exploration of these and other smaller shafts went rather slowly - partly
because of their location in relation to our camp, and partly due to their
nature. We were rather surprised to find the systems wet and responding
rapidly to rain, and cold even by English standards. And almost without
exception the pitches had to be bolted due to the scarcity of good natural
belays.
<p>But we have returned with valuable knowledge of the region, and more than
enough enthusiasm to organise another visit.
succession of smallish pitches again in large rift passage. At
886ft it suddenly closes down and becomes too constricted.</p>
<p>106 was not pushed to definite conclusion due to lack of time,
but a team reached 460ft in a series of enormous shafts.</p>
<p>Exploration of these and other smaller shafts went rather slowly
- partly because of their location in relation to our camp, and
partly due to their nature. We were rather surprised to find the
systems wet and responding rapidly to rain, and cold even by
English standards. And almost without exception the pitches had to
be bolted due to the scarcity of good natural belays.</p>
<p>But we have returned with valuable knowledge of the region, and
more than enough enthusiasm to organise another visit.</p>
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<img alt="&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/0.png">
1977 Expedition info:<br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1977/log.htm">Logbook</a> (currently missing)<br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
Andy Waddington's <a href="../../../years/1977/andylg.htm">Logbook</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1977/report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1978</a><br>
<!-- <img src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report (NOT ON SITE)<br>-->
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
Nick Thorne's write-up in <a href="../../../years/1977/771649.htm">Belfry Bulletin 354</a><br>
<img alt="&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/0.png">
<a href="../../../pubs.htm#pubs1977">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>
1977 Expedition info:
<ul>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1977/log.htm">Logbook</a> (currently missing)</li>
<li>Andy Waddington's <a href= "../../../years/1977/andylg.htm">Logbook</a></li>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1977/report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1978</a></li>
<!-- <img src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png"> <a href="bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report (NOT ON SITE)<br>-->
<li>Nick Thorne's write-up in <a href= "../../../years/1977/771649.htm">Belfry Bulletin 354</a></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href= "../../../pubs.htm#pubs1977">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>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN">
<html>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<title>1978: Nick Thorne's report for Descent 40</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../../../css/main2.css" />
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href=
"../../../css/main2.css" />
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<body>
<font size=-1>CTS 79.2025: Descent 40 (Jan/Feb 1979) pp 10-11</font>
<p style="font-size: 80%">CTS 79.2025: Descent 40 (Jan/Feb 1979) pp
10-11</p>
<p>This article first appeared in <i>Descent</i>(40) for Jan/Feb
1979, pp10-11 and is reproduced in the password protected part of
the website with the permission of the author and Wild Places
Publishing.</p>
<p>This article first appeared in <i>Descent</i>(40) for Jan/Feb 1979,
pp10-11 and is reproduced in the password protected part of the website with the
permission of the author and Wild Places Publishing.
<h2>Eislufthole still going for CUCC at 1148 ft</h2>
<p align=right><b>By Nick Thorne</b>
<p>After last year's quietly successful Cambridge UCC expedition (see
<a href="../1977/descnt.htm"><i>Descent 38</i></a>), enthusiasm to return to
the karst regions of Western Austria soared. The main incentive was to carry
on prospecting on the almost virgin lapiaz of the plateau above
<span lang="de">Altaussee,</span> and to continue pushing our unfinished find
of last year, 106 - <span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> (good name,
eh?).
<p>By way of introduction, <span lang="de">Altaussee</span> is a small
village about 50 miles east of <span lang="de">Salzburg,</span> and it was
there that we set up our camp. The Loser Plateau where we carried out most of
our work is then reached by a steep (in more ways than one) toll road,
follwed by an hour's brisk walk from the top. Furtunately for us, one of the
few local cavers, <span lang="de">Karl Gaisberger,</span> who seems to be
able to arrange anything, managed to secure free passes for us on the toll
road. Cheers Karl; how about a sedan chair for the walk at the top next year
?
<p>So in July and August of this year, we were back on the Loser with a
fairly hefty team. Expedition members divided logically into three groups:
Team <span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle:</span> Andy Waddington, Simon Farrow,
Nick Thorne, Doug Florence and Julian Griffiths - the crack ropes team, ready
for anything. Team Ladders: John Bowers, Ben van Millingen, Mike Shearme and
Nicola Davies - all spending their first year in Austria. Team Geriatric: Rod
and Jont Leach, Vic Brown, Dave Fox, plus "hangers on". These acted as the
emergency reserve powerhouse, to be called into service should things get out
of hand for the rest of us. (Something like Aladdin's lamp I suppose, but
this lot looked more like a clapped out carbide).
<p>And so to caving. Team Ladders didn't take long to find a promising,
draughting entrance. All well and good so far, but the entrance initially was
only big enough for a midget and it was only after a couple of days of
boulder hauling that they got underground. The cave, 107, they called
<span lang="de">Gemseh&ouml;hle.</span> Since I didn't get a trip down it,
and know Berger all about it, I won't go into too much detail.
<p>Apparently they descended a series of pitches in a large rift, down to
about 560ft, when the tackle started to run out, with the cave continuing.
They chose to get out of this dilemma by rubbing the magic carbide lamp.
Wham! Team Geriatric hauled their weary bodies out of their canoes (canoes?)
and went down <span lang="de">Gemseh&ouml;hle</span> with a brand new reel of
Marlow. Once underground, the Geriatrics were immediately transformed into an
efficient well-oiled machine. Within a couple of trips,
<span lang="de">Gemseh&ouml;hle</span> had been pushed to a choke at minus
918ft.
<p>Meanwhile, back at the ranch, what of Team
<span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> ? Mixed fortunes really. A slow rig
in down to last year's terminus (ie. the Tap Room - see survey) was due to
greater amounts of snow and ice than last year. ("Are you sure this is the
right cave?") At one point a huge ice boulder was suspended at a pitch
take-off, and it refused to give way to a well-directed wellie. Farrow and
Florence then carted a great crowbar into the cave to shift the thing, only
to find that the boulder had fallen down in the meantime. Ah, well !
<p>Once we had rigged down to The Tap Room, but before pushing far into new
ground, we had an interesting policy change - to overnight trips. The lapiaz
in which the cave entrance is sited is impossible to negotiate in darkness,
and therefore trips during the daytime are limited to a maximum of eight
hours underground. Longer trips could be attained by going underground in the
late afternoon, spending a minimum time underground of about ten hours, and
then emerging into the morning light.
<p>Good idea, we thought, and indeed the first of these trips did add 394ft
to the depth of <span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle,</span> including the
magnificent 197ft abseil into The Hall of the Greene King. Subsequent
overnight trips pushed on down some more pitches, and a very muddy 'Fiesta
Run' to give a total depth of 1,148ft, the cave still continuing. This bottom
part of the cave is a very tall vadose stream canyon. The passage is very
tight at stream level and traversing was necessary.
<p>It was whilst driving back from the last of these overnight trips, at
about 7 o'clock in the morning, when we had a slight mishap. The driver of
the car carrying three of Team <span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> back
down the toll road, fell asleep at the wheel. With that Great Karst Area in
the Sky Looming ever nearer, the car missed a telegraph pole and a tree by
inches, went through a fence cum crash barrier, and gracefully launched
itself over the void.
<p>Well, it could have been a drop of a couple of hundred feet had it
happened further up the road, but as it was, any spectators stupid enough to
be awake at that ungodly hour would have seen a fine piece of 'S' registered,
British engineering fall, roll, and tumble down a near vertical 30ft bank, to
land wheels down in the river at the bottom. (all film rights reserved.)
<p>The driver had a broken sternum, cuts to face and hands, and concussion.
The front seat passenger had a bad gash in the head, and was suspected of
having a lightly fractured neck, and as the passenger in the back (I'm almost
ashamed to say it!) I escaped uninjured. The car was a write-off. Both
injured parties are now out of hospital, and well on the way to recovery.
(Rats, I wanted his watch!)
<p>One consequence of the crash was to leave Team
<span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> a little short of manpower. Efforts
were shifted from surveying and photographing to derigging. As the expedition
neared its close, we even started fondling insurance policies as we
contemplated having to abandon some tackle down the cave. With most of the
cave still to derig, things looked bleak. Then we remembered the magic
carbide lamp . . . Wham! In came Team Geriatric, fresh from
<span lang="de">Gemseh&ouml;hle,</span> and in one magnificent combined
effort, we cleared the cave with one day to spare.
<p>On the return journey we were waved through Belgian customs by the
cleaning lady, and just reached an English telly five minutes before Sid's
Pippikin film started.
<p>In conclusion then, the expedition was a great success, even if the
exploration of <span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> was halted a little
early. As for <span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> itself, it is now one
of Austria's most significant caves. From our end point this year, we could
lob stones down a considerable distance below, with the stream canyon
continuing. No sump appears imminent as there is no fresh mud on the walls.
(The mud of the Fiesta Run is probably associated with a shaft overhead, and
is quite old stuff.)
<p>To get 1300ft out of the place should be a mere formality, and after that,
there's still 1640ft of depth potential left. Now we must try and muster a
really crack team for next year. And crack team it must be, as
<span lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> is no longer the easy series of
shafts it was, but a long and serious undertaking.
<p><i>References: Cambridge Underground
<a href="../../../years/1976/report.htm">1977</a>, <a href="../../../years/1977/report.htm">1978</a>
and <a href="../../../years/1978/report.htm">1979</a> [to be published] containing surveys of all
underground discoveries made by CUCC inrecent years, plus surface survey
giving accurate entrance locations and altitudes.</i> <font size=-1>[This is
a slight exagerration, WebEd.]</font>
<h1>Eislufthole still going for CUCC at 1148 ft</h1>
<p style="text-align: right"><b>By Nick Thorne</b></p>
<p>After last year's quietly successful Cambridge UCC expedition
(see <a href="../1977/descnt.htm"><i>Descent 38</i></a>),
enthusiasm to return to the karst regions of Western Austria
soared. The main incentive was to carry on prospecting on the
almost virgin lapiaz of the plateau above <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Altaussee,</span> and to continue pushing our unfinished find
of last year, 106 - <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> (good name, eh?).</p>
<p>By way of introduction, <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Altaussee</span> is a small village about 50 miles east of
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Salzburg,</span> and it was there
that we set up our camp. The Loser Plateau where we carried out
most of our work is then reached by a steep (in more ways than one)
toll road, follwed by an hour's brisk walk from the top.
Furtunately for us, one of the few local cavers, <span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Karl Gaisberger,</span> who seems to be able to
arrange anything, managed to secure free passes for us on the toll
road. Cheers Karl; how about a sedan chair for the walk at the top
next year?</p>
<p>So in July and August of this year, we were back on the Loser
with a fairly hefty team. Expedition members divided logically into
three groups: Team <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Eislufth&ouml;hle:</span> Andy Waddington, Simon Farrow, Nick
Thorne, Doug Florence and Julian Griffiths - the crack ropes team,
ready for anything. Team Ladders: John Bowers, Ben van Millingen,
Mike Shearme and Nicola Davies - all spending their first year in
Austria. Team Geriatric: Rod and Jont Leach, Vic Brown, Dave Fox,
plus "hangers on". These acted as the emergency reserve powerhouse,
to be called into service should things get out of hand for the
rest of us. (Something like Aladdin's lamp I suppose, but this lot
looked more like a clapped out carbide).</p>
<p>And so to caving. Team Ladders didn't take long to find a
promising, draughting entrance. All well and good so far, but the
entrance initially was only big enough for a midget and it was only
after a couple of days of boulder hauling that they got
underground. The cave, 107, they called <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Gemseh&ouml;hle.</span> Since I didn't get a trip down it, and know
Berger all about it, I won't go into too much detail.</p>
<p>Apparently they descended a series of pitches in a large rift,
down to about 560ft, when the tackle started to run out, with the
cave continuing. They chose to get out of this dilemma by rubbing
the magic carbide lamp. Wham! Team Geriatric hauled their weary
bodies out of their canoes (canoes?) and went down <span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Gemseh&ouml;hle</span> with a brand new reel of Marlow.
Once underground, the Geriatrics were immediately transformed into
an efficient well-oiled machine. Within a couple of trips,
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Gemseh&ouml;hle</span> had been pushed to
a choke at minus 918ft.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, back at the ranch, what of Team <span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span>? Mixed fortunes really. A slow
rig in down to last year's terminus (ie. the Tap Room - see survey)
was due to greater amounts of snow and ice than last year. ("Are
you sure this is the right cave?") At one point a huge ice boulder
was suspended at a pitch take-off, and it refused to give way to a
well-directed wellie. Farrow and Florence then carted a great
crowbar into the cave to shift the thing, only to find that the
boulder had fallen down in the meantime. Ah, well !</p>
<p>Once we had rigged down to The Tap Room, but before pushing far
into new ground, we had an interesting policy change - to overnight
trips. The lapiaz in which the cave entrance is sited is impossible
to negotiate in darkness, and therefore trips during the daytime
are limited to a maximum of eight hours underground. Longer trips
could be attained by going underground in the late afternoon,
spending a minimum time underground of about ten hours, and then
emerging into the morning light.</p>
<p>Good idea, we thought, and indeed the first of these trips did
add 394ft to the depth of <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Eislufth&ouml;hle,</span> including the magnificent 197ft abseil
into The Hall of the Greene King. Subsequent overnight trips pushed
on down some more pitches, and a very muddy 'Fiesta Run' to give a
total depth of 1,148ft, the cave still continuing. This bottom part
of the cave is a very tall vadose stream canyon. The passage is
very tight at stream level and traversing was necessary.</p>
<p>It was whilst driving back from the last of these overnight
trips, at about 7 o'clock in the morning, when we had a slight
mishap. The driver of the car carrying three of Team <span lang=
"de" xml:lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> back down the toll road,
fell asleep at the wheel. With that Great Karst Area in the Sky
Looming ever nearer, the car missed a telegraph pole and a tree by
inches, went through a fence cum crash barrier, and gracefully
launched itself over the void.</p>
<p>Well, it could have been a drop of a couple of hundred feet had
it happened further up the road, but as it was, any spectators
stupid enough to be awake at that ungodly hour would have seen a
fine piece of 'S' registered, British engineering fall, roll, and
tumble down a near vertical 30ft bank, to land wheels down in the
river at the bottom. (all film rights reserved.)</p>
<p>The driver had a broken sternum, cuts to face and hands, and
concussion. The front seat passenger had a bad gash in the head,
and was suspected of having a lightly fractured neck, and as the
passenger in the back (I'm almost ashamed to say it!) I escaped
uninjured. The car was a write-off. Both injured parties are now
out of hospital, and well on the way to recovery. (Rats, I wanted
his watch!)</p>
<p>One consequence of the crash was to leave Team <span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> a little short of manpower.
Efforts were shifted from surveying and photographing to derigging.
As the expedition neared its close, we even started fondling
insurance policies as we contemplated having to abandon some tackle
down the cave. With most of the cave still to derig, things looked
bleak. Then we remembered the magic carbide lamp . . . Wham! In
came Team Geriatric, fresh from <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Gemseh&ouml;hle,</span> and in one magnificent combined effort, we
cleared the cave with one day to spare.</p>
<p>On the return journey we were waved through Belgian customs by
the cleaning lady, and just reached an English telly five minutes
before Sid's Pippikin film started.</p>
<p>In conclusion then, the expedition was a great success, even if
the exploration of <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> was halted a little early. As for
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> itself, it is now
one of Austria's most significant caves. From our end point this
year, we could lob stones down a considerable distance below, with
the stream canyon continuing. No sump appears imminent as there is
no fresh mud on the walls. (The mud of the Fiesta Run is probably
associated with a shaft overhead, and is quite old stuff.)</p>
<p>To get 1300ft out of the place should be a mere formality, and
after that, there's still 1640ft of depth potential left. Now we
must try and muster a really crack team for next year. And crack
team it must be, as <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Eislufth&ouml;hle</span> is no longer the easy series of shafts it
was, but a long and serious undertaking.</p>
<p><i>References: Cambridge Underground <a href=
"../../../years/1976/report.htm">1977</a>, <a href=
"../../../years/1977/report.htm">1978</a> and <a href=
"../../../years/1978/report.htm">1979</a> [to be published]
containing surveys of all underground discoveries made by CUCC
in recent years, plus surface survey giving accurate entrance
locations and altitudes.</i> <span style="font-size: 80%">[This is a slight
exagerration, WebEd.]</span></p>
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
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1978 Expedition info:<br>
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<a href="../../../years/1978/log.htm">Logbook</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1978/report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1979</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
<a href="../../../years/1978/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/1978/782034.htm">Belfry Bulletin 366</a><br>
<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
1977/78 report from <a href="../../../years/1978/npc79.htm">NPC Journal</a><br>
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<li>1978 Expedition info:
<ul>
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<li><a href= "../../../years/1978/report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1979</a></li>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1978/bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report</a></li>
<li>Nick Thorne's write-up in <a href= "../../../years/1978/782034.htm">Belfry Bulletin 366</a></li>
<li>1977/78 report from <a href="../../../years/1978/npc79.htm">NPC Journal</a></li>
<li><a href= "../../../years/1978/sponsr.htm">Sponsors</a></li>
</ul></li>
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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 -->
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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">
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<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
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<img alt="---&gt;" src="../../../../icons/lists/1.png">
Odkrycie i eksploracja Eislufth&ouml;hle - <a href="../../../years/1979/811412.htm">original
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<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>
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<font size=-1>CTS 81.1410: Descent 49 (Jul/Aug 1981) p 46</font>
<p>This article first appeared in <i>Descent</i> (49) for Jul/Aug 1981,
p46 and is reproduced here with the
permission of the author and Wild Places Publishing.<br>
<h2>Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</h2>
<h3>CUCC's -1200ft Alternative to Early German Route</h3>
<p style="font-size: 80%">CTS 81.1410: Descent 49 (Jul/Aug 1981) p 46</p>
<p>This article first appeared in <i>Descent</i> (49) for Jul/Aug
1981, p46 and is reproduced here with the permission of the author
and Wild Places Publishing.</p>
<h1>Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center">CUCC's -1200ft Alternative to Early
German Route</h2>
<p style="text-align: right"><b>By Nick Thorne</b></p>
<p align=right>By Nick Thorne
<p>FOR THE FIFTH year in succession, Cambridge University Caving
Club again visited the Loser Plateau of Austria for their annual
expedition in 1980. This expedition's personnel was supplemented
by a University of Bristol contingent to give a relatively hefty
thirteen man team. In all we spent three weeks in the fray, the
fray being a combination of deep potholes, long walks,
prospecting trips, eating schnitzels and drinking beer.</p>
<p>FOR THE FIFTH year in succession, Cambridge University Caving Club again
visited the Loser Plateau of Austria for their annual expedition in 1980.
This expedition's personnel was supplemented by a University of Bristol
contingent to give a relatively hefty thirteen man team. In all we spent
three weeks in the fray, the fray being a combination of deep potholes, long
walks, prospecting trips, eating schnitzels and drinking beer.
<p>The expedition started with a brief inspection of the
limestone of the Tennengebirge above Golling and Abtenau. This
area has a depth potential of around 4000ft/1200m and is under
heavy scrutiny from many foreign caving clubs. Consequently we
soon returned to our 'home patch', the Loser Plateau, above Alt
Aussee in the Totes Gebirge. Although it has a smaller depth
potential, this area is almost virgin, is much more accessible
and isn't yet crowded out with hopeful speleos.</p>
<p>The expedition started with a brief inspection of the limestone of the
Tennengebirge above Golling and Abtenau. This area has a depth potential of
around 4000ft/1200m and is under heavy scrutiny from many foreign caving
clubs. Consequently we soon returned to our 'home patch', the Loser Plateau,
above Alt Aussee in the Totes Gebirge. Although it has a smaller depth
potential, this area is almost virgin, is much more accessible and isn't yet
crowded out with hopeful speleos.
<p>This time we concentrated our explorations not on the plateau
itself, but on the nearby Stoger Weg area. This was prompted by
the presence there of a cave called Stellerwegh&ouml;hle
(designated 1623/41 in the Austrian catalogue). Stellerweg was
pushed several years ago by a German team, supposedly all in one
shaft, to a depth of 905ft/276m and left unfinished due to lack
of tackle.</p>
<p>This time we concentrated our explorations not on the plateau itself, but
on the nearby Stoger Weg area. This was prompted by the presence there of a
cave called Stellerwegh&ouml;hle (designated 1623/41 in the Austrian
catalogue). Stellerweg was pushed several years ago by a German team,
supposedly all in one shaft, to a depth of 905ft/276m and left unfinished due
to lack of tackle.
<p>On descending Stellerweg, the cave we found was nothing like
what we expected. Initially, the German route was missed and a
promising alternative follwed across several traverses, down a
couple of pitches, and one huge, broken 330ft/100m shaft, until
things became more cramped and sporting. Courageously, we
abandoned this route and made more determined efforts to find the
original German's route.</p>
<p>On descending Stellerweg, the cave we found was nothing like what we
expected. Initially, the German route was missed and a promising alternative
follwed across several traverses, down a couple of pitches, and one huge,
broken 330ft/100m shaft, until things became more cramped and sporting.
Courageously, we abandoned this route and made more determined efforts to
find the original German's route.
<p>Once located, this proved to be fairly disillusioning too, and
we pushed it down a series of stepped pitches, past what we
reckoned was the German's limit of exploration, until this route
also became fairly squalid - and we were still only about
650ft/200m deep. Leaving this way unfinished we returned to our
route.</p>
<p>Once located, this proved to be fairly disillusioning too, and we pushed
it down a series of stepped pitches, past what we reckoned was the German's
limit of exploration, until this route also became fairly squalid - and we
were still only about 650ft/200m deep. Leaving this way unfinished we
returned to our route.
<p>As the expedition unfurled, our route was explored down more
amiable cave with many pitches to a depth of about 1200ft/370m,
the cave continuing. The whole of Stellerwegh&ouml;hle is very
interesting and sporting, resembling, in parts, a huge version of
Mendip's Eastwater, with many passages developed along inclined
bedding planes. The place ramifies considerably, draughts
encouragingly, and is more laterally extensive than anything else
we'd previously come across in Austria. It will undoubtedly
become one of the most important caves of the area, and as it
stands now, will repay any work, albeit quite hard, undertaken in
it.</p>
<p>As the expedition unfurled, our route was explored down more amiable cave
with many pitches to a depth of about 1200ft/370m, the cave continuing. The
whole of Stellerwegh&ouml;hle is very interesting and sporting, resembling,
in parts, a huge version of Mendip's Eastwater, with many passages developed
along inclined bedding planes. The place ramifies considerably, draughts
encouragingly, and is more laterally extensive than anything else we'd
previously come across in Austria. It will undoubtedly become one of the most
important caves of the area, and as it stands now, will repay any work,
albeit quite hard, undertaken in it.
<p>In addition to the exploration of Stellerweg, the expedition also
prospected the immediate vicinity, and discovered a considerable number of
interesting sites. Some of these finds draughted phenomenally, occasionally
the wind being strong enough to be audible and to move small stones. The
caves found here were, not surprisingly, developed along similar lines to
Stellerweg, and many leads were left unpushed.
<p>In addition to the exploration of Stellerweg, the expedition
also prospected the immediate vicinity, and discovered a
considerable number of interesting sites. Some of these finds
draughted phenomenally, occasionally the wind being strong enough
to be audible and to move small stones. The caves found here
were, not surprisingly, developed along similar lines to
Stellerweg, and many leads were left unpushed.</p>
<p>Our most significant find after Stellerweg was one we called
Sonnenstrahlh&ouml;hle (1623/113). An airy 100ft/30m entrance pitch led down
several steep ramps, more pitches and easy going to reach a restriction at
minus 1120ft/340m. During its exploration one trip proved to be fairly
exciting. Whilst a party was below a damp series of pitches near the bottom
of the cave, the cloudburst of the year started. The water runs off this
limestone like greased W.S., and the party were soon overtaken by something
akin to a tidal wave. Fortunately, they had dry sanctuary in a passage just
above the final pitch, and there they sat out the flood until the water
abated and a relief party got down to them.
Sonnenstrahlh&ouml;hle (1623/113). An airy 100ft/30m entrance
pitch led down several steep ramps, more pitches and easy going
to reach a restriction at minus 1120ft/340m. During its
exploration one trip proved to be fairly exciting. Whilst a party
was below a damp series of pitches near the bottom of the cave,
the cloudburst of the year started. The water runs off this
limestone like greased W.S., and the party were soon overtaken by
something akin to a tidal wave. Fortunately, they had dry
sanctuary in a passage just above the final pitch, and there they
sat out the flood until the water abated and a relief party got
down to them.</p>
<p>Further details of our discoveries in this area will be issued in future
CUCC and UBSS publications. Stellerwegh&ouml;hle and environs offers exciting
rewards for hard work. The possibility exists of inter-connecting many of the
caves here, thus producing a system both long and deep. We'll be back.
<p>Many thanks to locals, Fritz Madlmaier, Karl Gaisverger, and Gunter Graf.
<p>Further details of our discoveries in this area will be issued
in future CUCC and UBSS publications. Stellerwegh&ouml;hle and
environs offers exciting rewards for hard work. The possibility
exists of inter-connecting many of the caves here, thus producing
a system both long and deep. We'll be back.</p>
<p>Many thanks to locals, Fritz Madlmaier, Karl Gaisverger, and
Gunter Graf.</p>
<hr />
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<li><b>1980 Expedition info</b>:
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<!-- <li><a href="../../../years/1980/bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves &amp; Caving Report</a></li> -->
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16
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@ -10,16 +10,16 @@ The Potato Hut
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<h1>The Potato Hut</h1>
<center><img src="../images/potato-hut.jpg"></center>
<p>The Potato Hut seen from the outside.
<div class="centre"><img src="../images/potato-hut.jpg"></div>
<p>The Potato Hut seen from the outside.</p>
<br><font size=-1>Photo &copy; Mark Shinwell, 2000</font>
<p class="caption">Photo &copy; Mark Shinwell, 2000</p>
<p><hr>
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<li><a href="../bcamps.htm">Base Camps</a>
<li><a href="../fester.htm">Expo festering guide</a>
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