|
|
|
@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
|
|
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/main2.css" />
|
|
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/main2.css" />
|
|
|
|
</head>
|
|
|
|
</head>
|
|
|
|
<body>
|
|
|
|
<body>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="tophead">CUCC Expedition - Balkonhöhle</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="tophead">CUCC Expedition - Balkonhöhle</h2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<style type="text/css">code{white-space: pre;}</style>
|
|
|
|
<style type="text/css">code{white-space: pre;}</style>
|
|
|
|
<h1>Balkonhöhle description</h1>
|
|
|
|
<h1>Balkonhöhle description</h1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<p><em>The PT01 etc points and the RIG01 etc rigs are noted on the 2019 survey to make it easy to match up the survey to the description. The description could be added to the survey so they can be kept updated together and - more importantly - so they can be used together. Ditto the rigging guides.</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>The PT01 etc points and the RIG01 etc rigs are noted on the 2019 survey to make it easy to match up the survey to the description. The description could be added to the survey so they can be kept updated together and - more importantly - so they can be used together. Ditto the rigging guides.</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>_____________________________________________________________</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>_____________________________________________________________</em></p>
|
|
|
|
@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
|
|
|
|
<p><em>QM = 'question mark' i.e. an open, unexplored lead</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>QM = 'question mark' i.e. an open, unexplored lead</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>_______________________________________________________________</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>_______________________________________________________________</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>From upslope above the entrance, descend a c6 (RIG01 - 15m, 1 bunde backup, 1 top hanger, 1 rebelay hanger ... needs another hanger at the top to make top-out easier) using a handline to reach a large ledge.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>From upslope above the entrance, descend a c6 (RIG01 - 15m, 1 bunde backup, 1 top hanger, 1 rebelay hanger ... needs another hanger at the top to make top-out easier) using a handline to reach a large ledge.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><strong><em>Balkonhöhle above Hangman's Pitch (see "1623-uppertunnbalc2" survey)</em></strong></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><strong><em>Balkonhöhle above Hangman's Pitch (see "1623-uppertunnbalc2" survey)</em></strong></p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<h2>Entrance series</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h2>Entrance series</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>From the entrance (roomy and dry enough to leave surface gear), take the larger, R stooping passage (L passage runs parallel to this and re-joins at the entrance pitch) to reach the entrance pitch series (RIG02 - see rigging guide). This starts as a short, sloping drop which lands at a bridge. From here a second short drop reaches 2 ledges in a much larger shaft. Below these ledges traverse out to the longest hang. <em><strong>This is always wet and responds rapidly to rain, quickly becoming unpleasant and it can be impassable.</strong></em> This drops down with a deviation to a large, loose, drippy ledge. Traverse out to the final short drop to reach a spacious chamber at the bottom of the entrance pitch series called <strong>Room With A View</strong>. (An emergency dump - bothy, stove, food, etc. - should be left here in case returning cavers find the entrance pitch series too wet to ascend).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>From the entrance (roomy and dry enough to leave surface gear), take the larger, R stooping passage (L passage runs parallel to this and re-joins at the entrance pitch) to reach the entrance pitch series (RIG02 - see rigging guide). This starts as a short, sloping drop which lands at a bridge. From here a second short drop reaches 2 ledges in a much larger shaft. Below these ledges traverse out to the longest hang. <em><strong>This is always wet and responds rapidly to rain, quickly becoming unpleasant and it can be impassable.</strong></em> This drops down with a deviation to a large, loose, drippy ledge. Traverse out to the final short drop to reach a spacious chamber at the bottom of the entrance pitch series called <strong>Room With A View</strong>. (An emergency dump - bothy, stove, food, etc. - should be left here in case returning cavers find the entrance pitch series too wet to ascend).</p>
|
|
|
|
@ -70,14 +70,14 @@ passage. (<em>The first R leads to <strong>Chasm Passage</strong> and a pitch he
|
|
|
|
<p>Go L to a c2 down into a short rift that soon reaches a p6 (RIG05 - 18m?, 5 hangers? <em>Awkwardly rigged, this should be improved</em>). This drops to a large ledge <em>(the pitch continues with no survey data, is this still a QM?)</em>. Turn R to follow the rift down to a c2. Descend this and follow varied passage to <strong><em>a chamber with a water inlet</em> - IS THIS HERE OR IS IT BEFORE PITCH, PERHAPS WHERE FAR SIDE GOES OFF? -</strong> then to a small chamber with a pit on the L <em>(this is still a QM and is undescended I believe)</em>. Take the c3 up through a window on the R of the central pillar and climb over boulders (care - the boulders may be loose, use the worn route; do not climb direct, to the L of the pillar). At the top turn L <em>(R leads steeply up to the base of a climb, <strong>Backslash</strong>. This ascends a steeply sloping aven. The climb was started in 2019 by Radost and Crossley and is still going</em>; QM83x). From here follow easy, ascending walking passage to reach a distinctive three way junction, the <strong>Trident</strong>, with a prominent survey station 34 painted on it.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Go L to a c2 down into a short rift that soon reaches a p6 (RIG05 - 18m?, 5 hangers? <em>Awkwardly rigged, this should be improved</em>). This drops to a large ledge <em>(the pitch continues with no survey data, is this still a QM?)</em>. Turn R to follow the rift down to a c2. Descend this and follow varied passage to <strong><em>a chamber with a water inlet</em> - IS THIS HERE OR IS IT BEFORE PITCH, PERHAPS WHERE FAR SIDE GOES OFF? -</strong> then to a small chamber with a pit on the L <em>(this is still a QM and is undescended I believe)</em>. Take the c3 up through a window on the R of the central pillar and climb over boulders (care - the boulders may be loose, use the worn route; do not climb direct, to the L of the pillar). At the top turn L <em>(R leads steeply up to the base of a climb, <strong>Backslash</strong>. This ascends a steeply sloping aven. The climb was started in 2019 by Radost and Crossley and is still going</em>; QM83x). From here follow easy, ascending walking passage to reach a distinctive three way junction, the <strong>Trident</strong>, with a prominent survey station 34 painted on it.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<h2>Beyond the Trident</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h2>Beyond the Trident</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>At the Trident turn L <em>(straight ahead soon ends at QM73C). (R leads to a <strong>CHECK chamber with a deep hole which cannot be traversed without rigging???? CHECK.</strong> Beyond this hole is the complex chamber at PT04. At PT04 the main route comes in from the L (W), and continues up a climb to the N whilst the passage to the R leads E then S back towards the entrance, eventually looping back to PT03 via <strong>Flapjack Regained</strong> and the <strong>Far Side</strong>)</em>. After 4m the main route continues up, curving R at PT05 <em>(here, at PT05, an obscure L turn leads to <strong>Honeycomb Pitch</strong>. This is the only route to the lowest levels of Balkonhöhle, see separate section).</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>At the Trident turn L <em>(straight ahead soon ends at QM73C). (R leads to a <strong>CHECK chamber with a deep hole which cannot be traversed without rigging???? CHECK.</strong> Beyond this hole is the complex chamber at PT04. At PT04 the main route comes in from the L (W), and continues up a climb to the N whilst the passage to the R leads E then S back towards the entrance, eventually looping back to PT03 via <strong>Flapjack Regained</strong> and the <strong>Far Side</strong>)</em>. After 4m the main route continues up, curving R at PT05 <em>(here, at PT05, an obscure L turn leads to <strong>Honeycomb Pitch</strong>. This is the only route to the lowest levels of Balkonhöhle, see separate section).</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Continue to follow this L, main passage up to a T junction. <em>(L here quickly leads to a complex junction. From this complex junction heading L (to the S) leads to a wet pitch at <strong>Cathedral Chasm</strong> and this eventually connects back around SE to PT05 via <strong>Avalanche Experience</strong> and the <strong>Mendips</strong>; R, to the N connects back to the main route at PT06 near <strong>Turtlehead</strong>; a further R - a few metres W of the 1st R - heads N for some distance then ends <strong>at what? No QM?</strong>). </em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Continue to follow this L, main passage up to a T junction. <em>(L here quickly leads to a complex junction. From this complex junction heading L (to the S) leads to a wet pitch at <strong>Cathedral Chasm</strong> and this eventually connects back around SE to PT05 via <strong>Avalanche Experience</strong> and the <strong>Mendips</strong>; R, to the N connects back to the main route at PT06 near <strong>Turtlehead</strong>; a further R - a few metres W of the 1st R - heads N for some distance then ends <strong>at what? No QM?</strong>). </em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>R at the T junction immediately reaches PT04 at a chamber with 5 routes off. <em>(R, to the S, is the end of the route from the R turning at the Trident, described above. Ahead, to the E, is the route into Flapjack Regained and the Far Side described in a separate section)</em>. The main route involves a c4 up the L wall of the chamber at PT04 then continue straight north along <strong>Turtlehead</strong>. <em>(The 1st L ends in a dig. The 2nd L and 3rd L soon re-join at PT06 and then lead to Cathedral Chasm). </em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>R at the T junction immediately reaches PT04 at a chamber with 5 routes off. <em>(R, to the S, is the end of the route from the R turning at the Trident, described above. Ahead, to the E, is the route into Flapjack Regained and the Far Side described in a separate section)</em>. The main route involves a c4 up the L wall of the chamber at PT04 then continue straight north along <strong>Turtlehead</strong>. <em>(The 1st L ends in a dig. The 2nd L and 3rd L soon re-join at PT06 and then lead to Cathedral Chasm). </em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Further along Turtlehead the 1st R and 2nd R both lead to the same passage running parallel to Turtlehead. Both passages eventually connect to <strong>Ice Cock</strong> aven (named after a priapic ice stal, knocked over on original exploration) and the <strong>Frozen North</strong>, named due to the ice floor and snow slopes that suggest a nearby entrance that has, to date, remained elusive. <em>(The first connection made between Balkonhöhle and Tunnockschact came in down Ice Cock Aven, connecting in to the <strong>March of the Penguins</strong> area of Tunnockschacht).</em> This area is complex and involves a maze of interconnected passages at various levels and interspersed with pitches. <em>There may be plenty of leads remaining here and it should only take 1-2 hours to reach this area from the entrance to Balkonhöhle.</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Further along Turtlehead the 1st R and 2nd R both lead to the same passage running parallel to Turtlehead. Both passages eventually connect to <strong>Ice Cock</strong> aven (named after a priapic ice stal, knocked over on original exploration) and the <strong>Frozen North</strong>, named due to the ice floor and snow slopes that suggest a nearby entrance that has, to date, remained elusive. <em>(The first connection made between Balkonhöhle and Tunnockschact came in down Ice Cock Aven, connecting in to the <strong>March of the Penguins</strong> area of Tunnockschacht).</em> This area is complex and involves a maze of interconnected passages at various levels and interspersed with pitches. <em>There may be plenty of leads remaining here and it should only take 1-2 hours to reach this area from the entrance to Balkonhöhle.</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<h2><em>Balkonhöhle below Hangman's Pitch (see "1623-midtunnbalc2" survey)</em></h2>
|
|
|
|
<h2><em>Balkonhöhle below Hangman's Pitch (see "1623-midtunnbalc2" survey)</em></h2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<h2>Trident to Hangman's Pitch </h2>
|
|
|
|
<h2>Trident to Hangman's Pitch </h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>To reach the lower areas of Balkonhöhle take an obscure L turn at PT05, around 4m along the L branch at the <strong>Trident</strong>. This leads immediately to a short, flat out crawl then, after <10m, it returns to walking passage. Honeycomb Pitch is now very close - go past 3 dead bats, each marked with red/white conservation tape, the first 2 on a slope down then turn sharply back on yourself to the R and ascend past the 3rd dead bat <em>(there is a maze of climbs and interconnected passages in this area)</em> to a small chamber. <em>(Ahead soon reaches a wet pitch, the far side of which eventually reaches P04 via Cathedral Chasm. This was the original route in to this area).</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>To reach the lower areas of Balkonhöhle take an obscure L turn at PT05, around 4m along the L branch at the <strong>Trident</strong>. This leads immediately to a short, flat out crawl then, after <10m, it returns to walking passage. Honeycomb Pitch is now very close - go past 3 dead bats, each marked with red/white conservation tape, the first 2 on a slope down then turn sharply back on yourself to the R and ascend past the 3rd dead bat <em>(there is a maze of climbs and interconnected passages in this area)</em> to a small chamber. <em>(Ahead soon reaches a wet pitch, the far side of which eventually reaches P04 via Cathedral Chasm. This was the original route in to this area).</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Take a fairly well hidden R turn in this small chamber to immediately reach a short traverse on the L wall to the head of <strong>Honeycomb Pitch</strong> (RIG06 - see rigging guide; <em>named after the abundance of golden dogtooth crystals</em>). A short descent with a long deviation to a bridge leads to the main hang with several rebelays to a final wide Y-hang rebelay then a swing into a prominent ledge around 10m above the blind base of the pitch.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Take a fairly well hidden R turn in this small chamber to immediately reach a short traverse on the L wall to the head of <strong>Honeycomb Pitch</strong> (RIG06 - see rigging guide; <em>named after the abundance of golden dogtooth crystals</em>). A short descent with a long deviation to a bridge leads to the main hang with several rebelays to a final wide Y-hang rebelay then a swing into a prominent ledge around 10m above the blind base of the pitch.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Take the tube off from the ledge then go up an easy c3 to a p6 (RIG07 - natural and 1 hanger, 12m?; <em>this rigging could be improved with another bolt</em>). Stay on the R wall <em>(descending to the base of the chamber below the pitch leads to a narrow crawl. This soon opens up to a large, undescended pitch with the sound of water, QM 2017 01???)</em> and ascend a c4 (RIG08 - 2 hangers at top and 10m?). Descend along the R wall <em>(with a QM to an undescended pitch on L side)</em> then continue to follow the R wall in a rift as holes appear in the floor to soon reach the start of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> (RIG09 - see rigging guide; <em>Hangman's pitch is named after the monstrous boulder perched above the main hang. Climbing onto this boulder leads to <strong>Myopia</strong>, described in a separate section below</em>). This begins as a fairly narrow, catchy descent down the final hole in the rift <em>(this was free climbed in 2017 when it was surveyed)</em> to land on a roomy ledge with a stream cutting below. From this roomy ledge the main drop of Hangman's descends via a rebelay and a deviation to reach a bouldery floor <em>(the pitch down continues below the boulders here but it sounds unenticingly wet; still a QM)</em>.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Take the tube off from the ledge then go up an easy c3 to a p6 (RIG07 - natural and 1 hanger, 12m?; <em>this rigging could be improved with another bolt</em>). Stay on the R wall <em>(descending to the base of the chamber below the pitch leads to a narrow crawl. This soon opens up to a large, undescended pitch with the sound of water, QM 2017 01???)</em> and ascend a c4 (RIG08 - 2 hangers at top and 10m?). Descend along the R wall <em>(with a QM to an undescended pitch on L side)</em> then continue to follow the R wall in a rift as holes appear in the floor to soon reach the start of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> (RIG09 - see rigging guide; <em>Hangman's pitch is named after the monstrous boulder perched above the main hang. Climbing onto this boulder leads to <strong>Myopia</strong>, described in a separate section below</em>). This begins as a fairly narrow, catchy descent down the final hole in the rift <em>(this was free climbed in 2017 when it was surveyed)</em> to land on a roomy ledge with a stream cutting below. From this roomy ledge the main drop of Hangman's descends via a rebelay and a deviation to reach a bouldery floor <em>(the pitch down continues below the boulders here but it sounds unenticingly wet; still a QM)</em>.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ passage. (<em>The first R leads to <strong>Chasm Passage</strong> and a pitch he
|
|
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<h2>Below Hangman's Pitch to the bottom of Mongol Rally</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h2>Below Hangman's Pitch to the bottom of Mongol Rally</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>From the bouldery floor at the base of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> there is an easy, albeit loose traverse across boulders (RIG10 - see rigging guide; <em>the traverse rope ends at the far side of the body sized tube where a final, extra bolt would be good rather than the poor naturals used in 2019</em>) along the L side (loose rocks fall down the large, undescended, wet sounding pitch on the R, QM2018 XX). On reaching the far wall turn R <em>(L ascends <strong>Snail Trail</strong> (RIG10-01 - see rigging guide); this climbs steeply up loose boulders then soon ends</em>) and go past the conservation tape protecting mud formations on the L. Climb up a rock nose then a steep, muddy bank to enter a body-sized tube around 3m vertically above the taped-off mud formations. Wriggle through the tube for a few metres (it is easier to drag large tacklesacks). The passage soon widens then quickly reaches a p4 (RIG11 - see rigging guide). This drops to a large ledge with a slot down. (<em>Continuing the traverse rather than climbing up to the body-sized tube ascends to an obvious, large passage, <strong>Hangman's Daughter.</strong> This splits to two parallel passages that soon re-join then end at a small pitch down (RIG10-02 - see rigging guide). This drops into a small chamber with apparently no way on. However, the team exploring from Balkonhöhle spotted a well-placed survey station there and, after some scrutiny, spotted the tiny tube high on the SW wall that provided the 2nd connection made to Tunnockschacht, at <strong>Fecking Tight</strong>). </em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>From the bouldery floor at the base of <strong>Hangman's pitch</strong> there is an easy, albeit loose traverse across boulders (RIG10 - see rigging guide; <em>the traverse rope ends at the far side of the body sized tube where a final, extra bolt would be good rather than the poor naturals used in 2019</em>) along the L side (loose rocks fall down the large, undescended, wet sounding pitch on the R, QM2018 XX). On reaching the far wall turn R <em>(L ascends <strong>Snail Trail</strong> (RIG10-01 - see rigging guide); this climbs steeply up loose boulders then soon ends</em>) and go past the conservation tape protecting mud formations on the L. Climb up a rock nose then a steep, muddy bank to enter a body-sized tube around 3m vertically above the taped-off mud formations. Wriggle through the tube for a few metres (it is easier to drag large tacklesacks). The passage soon widens then quickly reaches a p4 (RIG11 - see rigging guide). This drops to a large ledge with a slot down. (<em>Continuing the traverse rather than climbing up to the body-sized tube ascends to an obvious, large passage, <strong>Hangman's Daughter.</strong> This splits to two parallel passages that soon re-join then end at a small pitch down (RIG10-02 - see rigging guide). This drops into a small chamber with apparently no way on. However, the team exploring from Balkonhöhle spotted a well-placed survey station there and, after some scrutiny, spotted the tiny tube high on the SW wall that provided the 2nd connection made to Tunnockschacht, at <strong>Fecking Tight</strong>). </em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Keep on rope to protect the walk along the ledge then up a muddy slope to reach the ledge at the top of <strong>Mongol Rally</strong> (approx p200, RIG12 - see rigging guide; <em>named after George and Luke saw cars on their ferry out to Expo that were heading out to do the Mongol Rally</em>). The upper part feels surprisingly friendly as it descends via numerous rebelays and 3 large ledges then 2 hanging rebelays to a rebelay at PT07. This is at an obvious, large window that leads to an extensive, largely horizontal level called <strong>Pitstop</strong> (<em>PT07 is around 130m below the Mongol Rally pitch head and Pitstop is described in a separate section</em>).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Keep on rope to protect the walk along the ledge then up a muddy slope to reach the ledge at the top of <strong>Mongol Rally</strong> (approx p200, RIG12 - see rigging guide; <em>named after George and Luke saw cars on their ferry out to Expo that were heading out to do the Mongol Rally</em>). The upper part feels surprisingly friendly as it descends via numerous rebelays and 3 large ledges then 2 hanging rebelays to a rebelay at PT07. This is at an obvious, large window that leads to an extensive, largely horizontal level called <strong>Pitstop</strong> (<em>PT07 is around 130m below the Mongol Rally pitch head and Pitstop is described in a separate section</em>).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>From Pitstop continue to descend around 50m further past 2 rebelays to a large ledge. (<em>From this ledge R leads W to a c3 down. At the base of the c3, R goes N to a wet pitch (with no QMs???) whilst L continues W into <strong>Floodland</strong> over fine mud banks in wide passage to a steeply descending mud slope down that needs protection (RIG12-01 - see rigging guide). Rigging from the R wall leads to an ongoing ???A QMA???</em>). A final short drop to the L (to the E) from the large ledge leads down to a huge, bouldery chamber at the base of Mongol Rally and the start of <strong>Grand Prix</strong>.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>From Pitstop continue to descend around 50m further past 2 rebelays to a large ledge. (<em>From this ledge R leads W to a c3 down. At the base of the c3, R goes N to a wet pitch (with no QMs???) whilst L continues W into <strong>Floodland</strong> over fine mud banks in wide passage to a steeply descending mud slope down that needs protection (RIG12-01 - see rigging guide). Rigging from the R wall leads to an ongoing ???A QMA???</em>). A final short drop to the L (to the E) from the large ledge leads down to a huge, bouldery chamber at the base of Mongol Rally and the start of <strong>Grand Prix</strong>.</p>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip Sargent