diff --git a/years/2023/logbook.html b/years/2023/logbook.html index 13d5948e7..133647cb2 100644 --- a/years/2023/logbook.html +++ b/years/2023/logbook.html @@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Slogged down from Top Camp to Homecoming and headed down the entrance series. Wa
2023-06-22
-
Jono Lester,,
+
Jono Lester,
Expo - UK Caving Blog post 1
Blog Author: ILoveCaves
CUCC 2023 EXPO BLOG

@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ RRPC/DUSA/CUCC/FCCC
2023-06-25
-
Adam B,,
+
Adam B,
Expo - UK Caving Blog post: my first expedition
Blog Author: Adam 63
A little something on preparing for my first expedition,
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ This pretty much sums up my prep for my first time on expedition and aside from
2023-07-01
-
Honorata Bogusz,,
+
Honorata Bogusz,
basecamp - Just arrived
Blog Author: honorata @@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ The first expoers arrived at Bad Aussee and we started setting up base camp. The
2023-07-02
-
Honorata Bogusz,,
+
Honorata Bogusz,
plateau - water collection


12 people went to top camp. We hauled most stuff out of the storage cave (had to rig some out of the snow) @@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ and set up one water collection tarp.
2023-07-02
-
Honorata Bogusz,,
+
Honorata Bogusz,
Expo - UK Caving Blog post 4
Blog Author: honorata
Progress after the first 3 days of expo

@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ Pic: Janis Huns attaching stuff to the rope for hauling up.
2023-07-03
-
Philip Sargent,,Martin Green,
+
Philip Sargent,Martin Green,
basecamp - nerding
Philip arrived by train at lunchtime. Joined Martin for serious nerding to get WiFi internet working in potato hut. @@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ serious nerding to get WiFi internet working in potato hut.
2023-07-03
-
Honorata Bogusz,,Will Kay,Mike Butcher,Radost Waszkiewicz,Jana Podbelsek,
+
Honorata Bogusz,Will Kay,Mike Butcher,Radost Waszkiewicz,Jana Podbelsek,
plateau - second water collection tarp


Me, Radost, Mike, Jana and Will went to top camp to set up main tarp and the second water collection tarp (which was a success). @@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ main tarp and the second water collection tarp (which was a success).
2023-07-03
-
Harry Kettle,,Emma Caspers,Christian Kuhlmann,Charlotte Payne,Janis Huns,
+
Harry Kettle,Emma Caspers,Christian Kuhlmann,Charlotte Payne,Janis Huns,
Balkon - Rescuing Balcony ropes


A crack team of expo's hardest cavers was assembled to take a rope out of balcony that was left there last year.

@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ at about 5pm. Charlotte and Harry were both very grumpy walking back with very h
2023-07-03
-
Amelia Oliver,,Emily Mabbett,Jonty Pine,
+
Amelia Oliver,Emily Mabbett,Jonty Pine,
Fishface - Digging the snow out of Fishface entrance


After a carrying day on the 2nd, we suspected ff would be snowed in. A faff morning of acquiring shovel. We got to ff with shovels, discovering it did need digging. Jonty got particularly into this, producing quit the snow trench. @@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ did need digging. Jonty got particularly into this, producing quit the snow tren
2023-07-03
-
Honorata Bogusz,,
+
Honorata Bogusz,
Expo - UK Caving Blog post 4
Blog Author: honorata
Progress after the first 3 days of expo

@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ Meanwhile, the new shiny rope that we got from the sponsors (thank you!) was was
2023-07-04
-
Philip Sargent,,
+
Philip Sargent,
basecamp - nerding again


Everyone due to come down from plateau due to bad weather forecast. Much shopping for food being done.[Netgear router seems to have got into an IP6-only state. RETIRED @@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ non-working internal wifi on netbook causing config problems even though it was
2023-07-04
-
Wassil Janssen,Sarah Parker,,Amelia Oliver,Ashley Gregg,Merryn Matthews,Philip Balister,
+
Wassil Janssen,Sarah Parker,Amelia Oliver,Ashley Gregg,Merryn Matthews,Philip Balister,
topcamp - Carry and set-up


Ash, Merryn, Amelia in [com?] Philip B., Sarah and me @@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ came down the mountain.
2023-07-04
-
Harry Kettle,,Will Kay,Alice Kirby,Charlotte Payne,Christian Kuhlmann,
+
Harry Kettle,Will Kay,Alice Kirby,Charlotte Payne,Christian Kuhlmann,
Surface - Rope carry to Homecoming + Trial walk from Garlic Cave to Car Park on painted track


After more faff from Chi, we set off about 10AM to carry gear and check out the route to Homecoming. Fishface to Homecoming was well cairned and fairly straightforward to follow.

Gear ledt at Homecoming entrance: @@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ came down the mountain.
2023-07-04
-
Honorata Bogusz,,
+
Honorata Bogusz,
Expo - UK Caving Blog post 4
Blog Author: honorata
Progress after the first 3 days of expo

@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ The weather forecast shows rain and thunderstorms today and tomorrow, which jeop
2023-07-04
-
Rob Watson,,
+
Rob Watson,
basecamp - re Honorata's post
Blog Author: nobrotson @@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ Nice write up [re Honorata's 3-day update]. The rope there now is stuff we bough
2023-07-05
-
Sarah Parker,,Maddie Kirby,Lizzie Caisley,Philip Balister,Joel Stobbart,
+
Sarah Parker,Maddie Kirby,Lizzie Caisley,Philip Balister,Joel Stobbart,
Surface - Reflecting the Homecoming -> Fishface route, scoping out a Homecoming to col route


Joel, Lizzie and Philip fettled the tarp (where some water had pooled overnight) whilst I had a go at attaching the big Daren drum (filled with the solar panels and cables) to my rucksack, ready to carry from top camp to Garlic Cave. @@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ return.
2023-07-06
-
Janis Huns,,Maddie Kirby,
+
Janis Huns,Maddie Kirby,
Plateau - scoping out a route from col to Garlic Cave


We set out to improve the direct route from the start of the plateau to Homecoming. The way down the wall after the second pole was suprisingly nice. This was followed by an easy flat section until the bunde and tiny cliffs obscured all the alternative paths we tried. Most of the way was already cairned, but we did find some nice fresh transitions through the bunde walls separating the easy-to-walk-on slabs. At Homecoming, we met Harry, Christian, Alice, Merryn getting ready to rig the cave. Then we visited Garlic cave - a massive above ground hole that leads to a bridge below which are the entrances to the cave itself. There was loads of snow - just as in every entrance - but there was a nice campable bit , plenty of water dripping. I sensed some garlic smell, remembering the story that this smell gave the name of the cave, but was still mysterious. Then Maddie realised we were surrounded by chives! Mystery solved.

On the way back we met Jono, Evelyn, and Oakem who were on the way to Garlic. At Homecoming, Honorata and Radost told us they had found 3 intriguing holes while prospecting. We found a baloon with a sweet note on it and read it to them. @@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ return.
2023-07-06
-
Joel Stobbart,,Buck Blake,Jonty Pine,
+
Joel Stobbart,Buck Blake,Jonty Pine,
Fishface - Rigging and pitch-measuring trip


An ambitious day which slowly went increasingly wrong. The group departed base camp at a stunning 8.20AM, blitzed up the plateau and promtly became mired in several hours of faff which soon descended into more festering. The plan had been to rig the entrance series of Fishface down to the bottom of Blitzen Boulevard (4th pitch), from where we expected everything to be left rigged. However, confusion about rope lengths and metalwork and some impressively long grike trips meant that the two shallow pushing groups planning to explore from Blitzen and Liquid Luck caught us up at Top Camp. Uncle Mike was not amused. We swiftly bombed down to FF in 25 mins and started rigging. Joel was left to do everything as Jonty's light 'broke'.

The entrance pitch/spiral traverse thing was completed on a 40m rope. Tasteful noods (2nd pitch) didn't quite go on a 27m due to rerigging around the top rebelay to avoid rub, so Joel initially reached the bottom on a knot pass and Jonty rerigged to the bottom on a 32m. The traverse at the bottom of Tasteful Noods (2A) and pitch 3 both had rope left from last year but not rigged - some of the knots didn't line up and required rerigging but the lengths were fine. Pendulum pitch needs some more bolts at the bottom, possibly as a traverse, to make getting on and off the pitch less deathy. Uncle Mike rigged Blitzen for us as we got too scared, he insisted the step over the huge rift with no traverse was fine, so we left him to it. There may or may not be a bolt there now @@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ return.
2023-07-06
-
Emily Mabbett,,Emma Caspers,Charlotte Payne,Lizzie Caisley,Mike Butcher,
+
Emily Mabbett,Emma Caspers,Charlotte Payne,Lizzie Caisley,Mike Butcher,
Fishface - Surveying around Benign Bubble Baby Bypass


After hiking up to plateau to arrive for midday, we discovered the advanced rigging party still above ground... In order to leave them time to start rigging the first 4 pitches of Fishface, an ungodly amount of faff began. We finally arrived at the cave at 3pm, thinking we'd left plenty of time for the riggers, we quickly changed and headed underground. Alas, our hopes were crushed as we came to the bottom of the first pitch to discover the other pushing party sat freezing their tits off at the top of the second pitch as the riggers rigged just below them. Needless to say, it took some time to descent to the bottom of Blitzen Boulevard with Mike taking over the rigging of the 4th pitch after a debate over placing another bolt at the pitch head. Once arrived at Benign Bubble Baby Bypass, we conducted a quick something time to refresh our surveying technique before splitting into 2 groups. Me and Mike went ahead through the tube leading on through the bottom of the climb heading towards the liquid luck ptch head to bolt the small pitch at the end of the traverse whilst the others began surveying from said turn off. As me and Mike arrived at the pitch head, I asked if I could begin my bolting lesson before a big scary hole. I was refused. Instead I was told to tie the rope around a small head sized bolder wedged in the rift, which were currently both stood on. I thought this was a silly idea but obliged. The actual bolting of the pitch went well (I think?), however comments about placing bolts higher were made which was somewhat impossible given my height. The final bolting and rigging became passable so I decended the large (4m...) hole.

As we finished bolting, the survey team emerged behind us. At the bottom of the pitch, 3 leads emerged, a large passage with a traverse sloping down in front of us, a small drafty tube to the right, and a hole heading into the ceiling behind us. With the rigging team and pushing team 2 in the near vicintity of the cave around us, me and Mike were a bit naughty and scooped the large passage in front of us, as we reached the end, we could hear voices in the rift above us, thinking it was the other pushing team we called up. It was not. It was Buck from the rigging team stood near the base of Blitzen Boulevard essentially where we started. Discovering we'd done a large circle , we returned to the base of the pitch where the survey team were. As we arrived, Zac from the team 2 appeared in the hole above us, they had also done an circle. @@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ return.
2023-07-06
-
Honorata Bogusz,,Radost Waszkiewicz,
+
Honorata Bogusz,Radost Waszkiewicz,
Prospecting


We prospected between Fischgesicht and Heimkehr entrances. We found 5 caves, which I will refer to here using the temporary number and names entered in expo.survex.com. Small drain (2023-hbrw-01) and medium drain (2023-hbrw-02) were surveyed completely and they both strecth for about 20-30m, a small stream passing through each of them.

We also found 3 new caves which seem to continue but we couldn't survey them since they all begin with large pitches: @@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ return.
2023-07-06
-
Zac Woodford,,Amelia Oliver,Ashley Gregg,Emma Caspers,
+
Zac Woodford,Amelia Oliver,Ashley Gregg,Emma Caspers,
Fishface - Surveying the top of liquid luck


Gave the rigging team ~3hr headstart but we still caught up with them at the bottom of first pitch. Emma and Zac then sat around while Ash and Mealy calibrated the disto. We were waiting so long that Uncle Mike's surveying group caught up. We waited in a a bothy for them to pass us before slowly, one-by-one, following on. We then caught up with them again at the top of Blitzen pitch and had to bothy again (after Mealy led us on too low in the rift).

At the beginning of BBBB (Benign Babble Baby Bypass) we talked with Mike's group pushing the other lead and descending some small pitches to push ours. We faffed around a while trying to find it, but when we did, we found it just looped back around to Mike's group's lead. We surveyed it anyway. @@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ return.
2023-07-07
-
Christian Kuhlmann,,Wassil Janssen,
+
Christian Kuhlmann,Wassil Janssen,
Homecoming - Foray into the Second Coming
Ropes used:
    @@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ Bolts used:
    2023-07-07
    -
    Philip Sargent,,Nadia Raeburn,Jonty Pine,Janis Huns,
    +
    Philip Sargent,Nadia Raeburn,Jonty Pine,Janis Huns,
    Garlic - Hiking to Garlic Cave


    Jonty's car: Jonty/Nads/Janis up to Garlic and return this evening. Taking new reflectors made this morning.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ Bolts used:
    2023-07-07
    -
    Honorata Bogusz,,Mike Butcher,Radost Waszkiewicz,
    +
    Honorata Bogusz,Mike Butcher,Radost Waszkiewicz,
    1623-290 - pushing deep Fishgesicht


    We pushed 60m at the top of "Clap My Pitch Up". Pushing required bolting ~20m of a traverse ( Mike adds: 20m ish of the traverse was new passage surveyed this year but there was about 30m of traverse bolted this year which was naughtily pushed by me - Mike - and Luke last year in the Red Light Spells Danger trip so the traverse is about 50ish m long). The final few metres of the traverse go above a sizeable pitch (30m?). We names the bolted traverse, "European Federalists". At the end of the traverse, we continued walking for another ~40m until arriving at the top of a massive pitch - further pushing would require bolting. The distance from where we were standing to the furthest point down the pitch measured with the disto was ~40m. We kicked rocks down the pitch and the sound continued for 10s, giving rise to a presumption that the pitch may be very deep. If it connects to "Clap My Pitch Up", it's at least 100m deep. IMPORTANT: the traverse passage and the walkable continuation are muddy and slippery; posing a hazard of falling down the pitch. Ash, Jonty, Mealy and Janis want to push the lead further on Saturday 8th July.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ Bolts used:
    2023-07-07
    -
    Emily Mabbett,,Harry Kettle,Charlotte Payne,
    +
    Emily Mabbett,Harry Kettle,Charlotte Payne,
    Homecoming - Rigging towards Watershed in Homecoming


    We wandered down to the cave around 10am, making it to the entrance around 12pm. The entrance series went pretty fast ... at least it did for me as Harry and Charlotte were carrying the heavy bags. On the way we made a quick stop to rerig a knot pass. As we reached the bottom of Wallace and Grommit where they had finished rigging the previous day both me and Harry experienced fizzling as we glazed the dry rope on the final 55m. I did not enjoy this part. We then made our way up the climb and Harry began rigging the small pitches before the long pitch series. The most notable part of this was when Harry appeared the wrong side of a pitch head after following the description and getting lost. It was highly amusing. As Charlotte began rigging the final pitch series me and Harry huddled in a shelter and watched Mathilda the musical. As it came to replacing a bolt Harry left to go help Charlotte and I was left along ... until it was discovered the drill battery was dead and I had to come down with a back up. As 8pm approached we made our way out leaving rope to finish the final part of rigging. On the way out we made a noodle stop at the top of Wallace and Grommit but with no fork a knife had to suffice. The walk back was miserable as we started following new reflectors towards the col and had to turn around and start again. We finally made it back to top camp at 1 am.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ Bolts used:
    2023-07-07
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Will Kay,Alice Kirby,Amelia Oliver,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Will Kay,Alice Kirby,Amelia Oliver,
    Fishface – Surveying Stalagtite Loop to the top of Liquid Luck


    Following our previous shallow trip into Fishface we set out to continue the previous combined leads from the day before. The journey across the plateau and into the cave was uneventful, aside from @@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ camp for curry.
    2023-07-08
    -
    Nadia,,Philip B,Oakem,Jana,Jono,
    +
    Nadia,Philip B,Oakem,Jana,Jono,
    Garlic - Garlic Cave Set up + First Nights
    After doing a big bounce carry yesterday, we now had sufficient supplies to spend the night and begin the proper set up of camp.

    @@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ Still need to find a grike.

    2023-07-08
    -
    Philip Sargent,,Martin Green,
    +
    Philip Sargent,Martin Green,
    Basecamp - Nerd faff


    Another frustrating day with network. WiFi router refused to allow connections - rebooted at ~0830. Ok.

    Rebooted network for a reason I can't remember - failed to re-establish routing to router. Much faff standing on chairs typing at netbook as cables all duct taped to the wall with it in final operating position up by ceiling. Found the missing rune, edited into 'runfakenet'. Redocumented everything in handbook. By which time the morning has gone and no progress achieved. @@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ Afternoon: added lots of expoers to folk.csv and adding lots of mugshots. Partic
    2023-07-08
    -
    Janis Huns,,Amelia Oliver,Ashley Gregg,Jonty Pine,
    +
    Janis Huns,Amelia Oliver,Ashley Gregg,Jonty Pine,
    Fishface - Pushing deep Fishface


    We went to where the group - Honorata, Radost and Mike - had left off the previous day. European Federalists was a very tough traverse that required the use of ascenders. We bolted and rigged (my first bolt!) the pitch at the end of the muddy passage about 10m down to a choke of boulders. At the bottom of it we saw that there is a large, smooth crack continuing east leading to a large, deep chamber that seems to be the same one we saw on the right. If it is it would be elongated roughly in a north east to south west direction. Ash and Mealy also explored some C leads which did not go far.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ Afternoon: added lots of expoers to folk.csv and adding lots of mugshots. Partic
    2023-07-08
    -
    Will Kay,,Mike Butcher,Emma Caspers,
    +
    Will Kay,Mike Butcher,Emma Caspers,
    Amphitheatre - Following up on Radost and Honorata's prospecting leads (Unlucky Gemse cave and Amphitheatre cave)


    Radost and Honorata had found a few promising entrances that they could explore with just a hand line on Thursday so me, Mike and Emma set out with caving kit, bolting kit and a few ropes to investigate further (ropes were slightly out of date ones - ropes were very hard to come by at Top Camp so we pinched two 20m ropes from the stash at Fishface entrance).

    @@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ We then walked back, attempting but failing to find Garlic Cave. On the way back
    2023-07-08
    -
    Sarah Parker,,Harry Kettle,Charlotte Payne,
    +
    Sarah Parker,Harry Kettle,Charlotte Payne,
    Homecoming - Beyond Watershed in Homecoming Flowstone Canyon


    I carried my caving and bivvy gear from Top Camp to Homecoming whilst Harry and Charlotte carried Top Camp's second shovel and a camp bed (surprisingliy heavy) to be picked up by the Garlic Cave people.

    @@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ Slow, tired progress out saw us leave the cave at about 1am. I stumbled to Garli
    2023-07-09
    -
    Bier Tent,,
    +
    Bier Tent,
    basecamp - Nothing happened today at all


    Nowt, apparently.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ Slow, tired progress out saw us leave the cave at about 1am. I stumbled to Garli
    2023-07-10
    -
    Buck Blake,Ashley Gregg,,Jonty Pine,Joel Stobbart,Amelia Oliver,Janis Huns,
    +
    Buck Blake,Ashley Gregg,Jonty Pine,Joel Stobbart,Amelia Oliver,Janis Huns,
    Fishface - Carrying rope to Fishface and failing to rig entrance


    After the complicated operation of handling the solar panels out of the storage cave, the six of us packed kit, rope and a rescue bag and set @@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ left our caving kit under the small overhand near the entrance, then headed back
    2023-07-10
    -
    Wassil Janssen,,Alice Kirby,Harry Kettle,Christian Kuhlmann,Merryn Matthews,
    +
    Wassil Janssen,Alice Kirby,Harry Kettle,Christian Kuhlmann,Merryn Matthews,
    Homecoming - Rig faff


    This was a long day that started at Base Camp with the intent of rigging the entrance series of Homecoming cave. We set off only slightly later than the planned 8:00 [illegible] some faff. Quite surprising since Will was not part of the team.

    The walk up to Top Camp took almost 2 hours, just as expected. We were also carrying drills, string, food, and other Top Camp equipment. We followed the reflectors to Fishface. They were white on both sides, which could make it frustrating if you are someone who is lost on their way to Top Camp. Instead, it should be red that leads to Top Camp, while white leads to caves and the car park. @@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ left our caving kit under the small overhand near the entrance, then headed back
    2023-07-10
    -
    Philip Sargent,,Becka Lawson,
    +
    Philip Sargent,Becka Lawson,
    basecamp - Becka arriving


    She is arriving at 0941 at the station, would like lift.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ left our caving kit under the small overhand near the entrance, then headed back
    2023-07-10
    -
    Honorata Bogusz,,Ashley Gregg,Harry Kettle,Radost Waszkiewicz,Christian Kuhlmann,
    +
    Honorata Bogusz,Ashley Gregg,Harry Kettle,Radost Waszkiewicz,Christian Kuhlmann,
    festering - Canyoning Strubklamm


    We went canyoning on a rest day. The "Strubklamm" canyon is located near Saltzburg, approximately 1h of driving from Bad Aussee. The canyon is graded V1A3 (vertical 1, aquatic 3). It's very aquatic, with many small jumps available and a 300m swimming passage. There are 2 bigger jumps: approx. 8m and 10m, both can be abseiled (topo can be found online). @@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ The weather was good, sunny and hot. The canyon seemed quite dry, as though ther
    2023-07-10
    -
    James Waite,,
    +
    James Waite,
    UK Caving Blog post: Cardiff Canon Ball Run
    Blog Author: Babyhagrid
    Canon Ball Run - Austria (Attempted)
    @@ -674,7 +674,7 @@ Yet again a black bmw slowly moved in front of us with their sign flashing. Anot
    2023-07-11
    -
    Philip Sargent,Radost Waszkiewicz,James Waite,,Honorata Bogusz,Thomas Phillips,Will Kay,Ashley Gregg,Ely Brookes,
    +
    Philip Sargent,Radost Waszkiewicz,James Waite,Honorata Bogusz,Thomas Phillips,Will Kay,Ashley Gregg,Ely Brookes,
    plateau - walk in


    Will and Phil went up as part of the 2-car lift to the carpark. Others all going to topcamp. Cardiff contingent (Ely, James, Thomas) arrived the previous day (at last)

    Dep. carpark 10:06 we walked to the col but got spread out, 2 Cardiffians particularly heavily loaded so Ash dropped back to accompany them while James headed on with Radost and Honorata. @@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ Yet again a black bmw slowly moved in front of us with their sign flashing. Anot
    2023-07-11
    -
    Philip Sargent,,Will Kay,
    +
    Philip Sargent,Will Kay,
    plateau - Garlic and reflectors


    At the col, Will, Philip and ? followed Philip B's col-to-garlic GPS track. Somebody else was with us (memory hazy, is this true? [correct later editorially]). All OK until we hit the hill in the middle where we followed cairns instead of the GPS track, and got in a bit of @@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ hours of walking.
    2023-07-11
    -
    Wassil Janssen,,Oakem Kyne,
    +
    Wassil Janssen,Oakem Kyne,
    Homecoming - Five and Flying


    I managed to steal Oakem away from Harry, Charlotte and Becka just as they were preparing to depart from Top Camp. After a quick breakfast @@ -772,7 +772,7 @@ his own logbook entry.
    2023-07-11
    -
    Honorata Bogusz,,Radost Waszkiewicz,Ashley Gregg,
    +
    Honorata Bogusz,Radost Waszkiewicz,Ashley Gregg,
    1623-323 - Dropping Amphitheater Hoehle


    The Amphitheater Hoehle is named after its entrance which resembles an amphitheather. There are a couple of meters of an easy climb from the very top to the boulder where we started rigging. Rigging starts with an approx. 5-6m down climb, where we put a handline. It's followed by a traverse (10m ?) above the entrance to the first pitch. We rigged a Y-hang at the end of the traverse. @@ -784,7 +784,7 @@ The Amphitheater Hoehle is named after its entrance which resembles an amphithea
    2023-07-11
    -
    Becka,,Charlotte,Harry,
    +
    Becka,Charlotte,Harry,
    Homecoming - Watershed
    Slogged down from Top Camp to Homecoming and headed down the entrance series. Wassil had snagged the rope on the longish pitch near the entrance (just after snow ends, beyond short crawl). It was so tight that Charlotte had to downprussik to free it. Steady progress to the pushing front in ~2.5 hours.

    Charlotte rigged a traverse down and across 2m so Harry and I could survey a side passage that quickly reached a pitch whilst Charlotte remained to finish rigging the pitch. We all descended the pitch to 2 routes. @@ -797,7 +797,7 @@ Slogged down from Top Camp to Homecoming and headed down the entrance series. Wa

    2023-07-11
    -
    Emily,,Charlotte,Harry,
    +
    Emily,Charlotte,Harry,
    Fishface - Kresh Konnection exploring and rerigging
    The day started fairly quick and we arrived at the Fishface entrance at 10:30am, making our way underground by 11. Joel and Lizzy went around to re-bolt the first pitch in the connection with me and Merryn following after to measure and record rigging diagrams. Due to an odd mixture of rope the first 9m pitch ended up being rigged with a rope from 1999… As we went on Joel and Merryn rerigged P4 and P5 with separate ropes to free up the 50m currently being used so we could bring the 50m down to where we were planning to push. During this time Joel rearranged the ropes and went back to remove the 1999 rope and replace it with an in-date rope. Essentially a good few hours were spent rearranging ropes, during which time me and Lizzy took a nap in a shelter at the bottom of P5. @@ -808,7 +808,7 @@ For the rest of the trip we actually ended up dropping to the bottom of the seco
    2023-07-12
    -
    Emma,,Mealy,Mike B,Jonty,
    +
    Emma,Mealy,Mike B,Jonty,
    Fishface - Camp in Fishface - pushing Redlight & Persied Showers
    10-07-23 - We wake up early-ish with the goal of leaving at 9/10 but quickly decide MUCH more faff is needed. A stop is made at the shops to buy biodegradable bags and a magazine, eventually Jonty, Mealy and I made it to the car park. It is very very warm and we worried about dehydration. We get waking, faffing more by running into many groups coming off the plateau, and Mike catches up quickly. Once on the plateau the weather seems more pleasant - a cool breeze is present now - when I see the cause - a huge could of rain hanging over the Dachstein. "Nah, that's just mist" says uncle Mike. We make our merry way, not forgetting to bow to the plateau monster (Mike doesn't bow) until we hear a rumble of thunder, "Nah, just a plane" says uncle Mike, soon, to vertical rains start, which we are not dressed nor prepared for, so we hide by crouching against a wall in the plateau. Then, wind turns and we get very soaked so we huddle under Jonty's 1-man emergency bothy. Anyway sun returns, much more faff is had, I take a fall... we don't make it into Fishface until 20:45, carrying LUDICROUSLY large bags! Mealy and I lead the way in, made a little clumsy by our heavy loads - though not as heavy as jonty's, and not at all as bad as mike's whose "side bag" is a full-sized tackle sack containing lots of rope. The first pitch was not my Friend and I dropped a plastic bottle - after that I enjoyed myself - esp. impressed by TK Maxx, a super cool pitch!! Mealy & I get down just after 23.00, followed soon by Jonty and a little later by Mike who had stopped to get even more Rope. Mealy goes of to faff with Cavelink, Jonty & I head over to help and we send the important message "camp creche want more peanut" - it sends. Mealy & I share warmth & noodles. Jonty & mike eat curry, we whip out the mini-Jagermeister, all take a little sip and head to sleep. I apparently caused some disturbance by snoring (sorry) and we all sleep intermittently.

    @@ -829,7 +829,7 @@ Transcribers note, 21st July 2024. Whilst I do appreciate the write up and the

    2023-07-12
    -
    Merryn Matthews,,Thomas Phillips,Lizzie Caisley,Joel Stobbart,Emily Mabbett,
    +
    Merryn Matthews,Thomas Phillips,Lizzie Caisley,Joel Stobbart,Emily Mabbett,
    plateau - Prospecting between Homecoming and Fishface


    We started by walking to Unlucky Gamse Cave, mostly following the path to homecoming, as Radost and Honorata had told us there was an exciting looking entrance around 50m North of it - Rose Blumen Hoehle (2023-hbrw-05). We dismissed their cave as choked by snow, however it @@ -860,7 +860,7 @@ Caves found:
    2023-07-12
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Janis Huns,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Janis Huns,
    Amphitheatre – Surveying Frozen Unknown


    We went back to continue exploring Amphitheatre. Since we were now pushing decently underground, we kitted up and then headed in. Adjusted the initial traverse line rigging slightly. @@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ was no evidence of a draft at the bottom so not particularly promising.
    2023-07-12
    -
    Mike B,,
    +
    Mike B,
    Fishface - Persied Showers 2023
    All on through bolts, about 300m of rope, taken in 1 bag to much regret.

    @@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ Can't really remember the rigging exactly. Continues for about 200 m of rope to

    2023-07-13
    -
    Honorata Bogusz,Jonty Pine,,Charlotte Payne,Radost Waszkiewicz,Harry Kettle,Oakem Kyne,
    +
    Honorata Bogusz,Jonty Pine,Charlotte Payne,Radost Waszkiewicz,Harry Kettle,Oakem Kyne,
    festering - Via Ferrata "Panorama Kletterstieg Sisi"


    @@ -906,7 +906,7 @@ We went on a via ferrata located close to the Loseralm parking lot. The via ferr
    2023-07-13
    -
    Honorata Bogusz,,
    +
    Honorata Bogusz,
    UK Caving Blog post: two weeks on
    Blog Author: honorata
    The first two weeks of expo have been quite eventful, with exploration proceeding in Fishface and Homecoming, and a new camp being set on the plateau.
    @@ -962,7 +962,7 @@ Pic: Oakem Kyne (L) and Jonty Pine (R) on Panorama Kletterstieg Sisi.
    2023-07-14
    -
    James Waite,,Harry Kettle,Charlotte Payne,
    +
    James Waite,Harry Kettle,Charlotte Payne,
    Homecoming - pushing down homecoming from flowstone canyon, into alpine showers


    after a heavy afternoon at the tatty hut, Harry asked if i fancied coming to @@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ uncomfortable platau sleep.
    2023-07-14
    -
    Bier Tent,,
    +
    Bier Tent,
    basecamp - UK Caving Blog post: Rain at times
    Blog Author: CUCC Austria Expedition @@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ Full details at
    2023-07-15
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Janis Huns,Ely Brookes,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Janis Huns,Ely Brookes,
    Prospecting - Up to Homecoming from the Col

    Edit this entry @@ -1090,7 +1090,7 @@ drops approx. 5m with snow at bottom, can't clearly see bottom from top.
    2023-07-15
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Philip Balister,Ely Brookes,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Philip Balister,Ely Brookes,
    2018-DM-04 – Prospecting, exploring, surveying


    The plan was to do some prospecting in the relatively uncovered area around Garlic cave. We met up with Philip at Garlic cave and had some noodles for lunch. Philip had already done some @@ -1114,7 +1114,7 @@ Top Camp.
    2023-07-15
    -
    Christian Kuhlmann,,Merryn Matthews,Wassil Janssen,
    +
    Christian Kuhlmann,Merryn Matthews,Wassil Janssen,
    Homecoming - In Search Of Salamanders


    Following an impromptu pre-expo-dinner dinner the night before, we all arose with a tinge of hangover. Rapidly consuming breakfast and packing kit, we set off at 8:30am, only 30 minutes after we said we would which in all fairness is very good going for us. After a smooth ferry to the Loser car park by our wonderful chauffer Alice, we set off up the mountain. Almost immediately after we left the car park a navigational faux pas was made and we found ourselves on the wrong path, and with a small section of off-roading, we headed up to top camp with no other further obstructions. @@ -1148,7 +1148,7 @@ Overall, a great trip with over ~294m surveyed and more promising leads found. C
    2023-07-16
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Evelyn Surman,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Evelyn Surman,
    Prospecting - Much prospecting near Balcony


    Deciding I wanted to go prospecting but didn’t particularly want to walk back over to garlic cave, so recruited Evelyn, our resident non-caver to go wander around near balcony. Armed with known cave @@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ yield any new caves.
    2023-07-16
    -
    Mark Shinwell,,James Waite,
    +
    Mark Shinwell,James Waite,
    surface - Walk from Gschwandt Alm
    Walk from Gschwandt Alm below the western edge of the plateau. [note taken from gps23.svx] @@ -1198,7 +1198,7 @@ Walk from Gschwandt Alm below the western edge of the plateau.
    2023-07-17
    -
    Jono Lester,,
    +
    Jono Lester,
    basecamp - I Drank Beer


    Today was a good day, i nerded and drank beer. Why should i cave anymore? Maybe i am a armchair caver after all.
    T/U: 8.0 hours
    @@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ Walk from Gschwandt Alm below the western edge of the plateau.
    2023-07-17
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Oakem Kyne,Emma Caspers,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Oakem Kyne,Emma Caspers,
    Fishface – Kresh connection confusion


    Joel had discovered an exciting new cave, unfortunately this left us with rope and a lead down in the Fish face – happy butterfly connection which no-one was going to. I was naively convinced to go and @@ -1227,7 +1227,7 @@ worthwhile on an otherwise pointless trip.
    2023-07-17
    -
    Harry Kettle,,
    +
    Harry Kettle,
    Homecoming - Pushing Watershed

    @@ -1319,7 +1319,7 @@ Despite ~300m of passage being surveyed minimal progress was made in getting clo
    2023-07-18
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Merryn Matthews,Zac Woodford,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Merryn Matthews,Zac Woodford,
    Tempest – Touch of Death


    Excited to go and see (and kill) this new cave, two groups set off to push the two ‘A’ leads at the extent of Tempest. Arriving at the cave we prepared the bags and realised we’d forgotten a hammer, so @@ -1345,7 +1345,7 @@ which we’d left lying around. Once out we packed up and headed back to Top Cam
    2023-07-18
    -
    Amelia Oliver,,
    +
    Amelia Oliver,
    Expo - UK Caving Blog post 11
    Blog Author: Mealy
    Written as we (Mealy, Jonty, Emily) made slow progress through endless traffic in Germany on our route back to the UK. Finished at home with working internet.
    @@ -1403,7 +1403,7 @@ tldr: Camp: Effort does not equal success.
    2023-07-19
    -
    James Waite,,Jono Lester,
    +
    James Waite,Jono Lester,
    Homecoming - pushing beyond death sump and the heifer
    jono and i had spotted an A lead bolt climb off the edge of propane nightmares over the death sump. armed with bolts and mikes drill we set off from garlic cave and after much faff we finally enteretd into homecoming. we got our kit into two bags of very heavy nature and set off down the cave. the entrance pitches went easily and eventually we got to the traverse . this was a interesting with large blokes and large bags stuck in the rift. after a large amount of swearing we got down to wallace. this went easily, and we got onto grommit. this was rather "fun" as the rope was looking interesting, and you had to go very slowly to avoid sizzling. at the bottom of grommit we gathered some bolts and hangers from the bag down there and set off into propane nightmares.

    @@ -1420,7 +1420,7 @@ we regrouped at the base of the heifer after adding a bolt to make the pitch hea
    2023-07-19
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Will Kay,Zac Woodford,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Will Kay,Zac Woodford,
    2023-ASH-15, 2023-ASH-16 - Prospecting – dropping Boring Hole and Dead on Arrival


    Took Zac to bolt a cave he had previously found not too far of the path to Fishface. Slight delay as we’d forgotten something important (bolts maybe?), which Will went back to get. @@ -1436,7 +1436,7 @@ rift the were no continuations. Will named it Dead on Arrival (2023-ASH-15). Sur
    2023-07-19
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Will Kay,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Will Kay,
    Plateau - Surveying Little Tent and Gollum Grotto


    Deciding we weren’t done for the day yet an afternoon evening trip was decided upon to survey some of the caves Evelyn and I had found a few days ago. Will and I gathered the necessary gear and set off @@ -1456,7 +1456,7 @@ off on the edges of the plateau. Plus curry for dinner.
    2023-07-20
    -
    Jono Lester,,
    +
    Jono Lester,
    basecamp - I Drank More Beer


    Today was a diffrent day. I walked down the Plat and was supose to enter all my 3D data and Nerd but i drank more beer instead.
    T/U: 5.0 hours
    @@ -1465,7 +1465,7 @@ off on the edges of the plateau. Plus curry for dinner.
    2023-07-20
    -
    Ashley Gregg,,Thomas Phillips,
    +
    Ashley Gregg,Thomas Phillips,
    Plateau - Surveying Top Camp Band and Bat versus Rat


    Decided to go and survey/kill a couple more caves before heading down off the plateau for the year. Aware that I would have a lot of data to sort out and vague plans to go canyoning Friday before the @@ -1483,7 +1483,7 @@ entrance. Good opportunity for Tom to have more practice on book (paperless).
    2023-07-20
    -
    Bier Tent,,
    +
    Bier Tent,
    Homecoming - I’m very happy that Homecoming is being revisited
    [Author has to be an on-expo member, but "Samouse1" (whoever that is) is not on expo this year. So the author is given as the Bier Tent to prevent annoying reminder messages.] @@ -1499,7 +1499,7 @@ Either way, glad to see it being pushed towards the rest of the system!
    2023-07-23
    -
    Emily,,Thom,Merryn,Lizzy,Joel,
    +
    Emily,Thom,Merryn,Lizzy,Joel,
    Plateau - Prospecting near Fishface
    After consulting the weather forecast in the morning and seeing 50mnm of rain forecast from 8pm onward we decided the best use of our day would be to prospect. Our first port of call was a previously scoped hole of the path between Fishcace and Homecoming. With no photo and only a rough location we looked in a few holes climbing to the bottom of a couple that looked possible but to no avail. After marking the holes we decided to continue in a vaguely North direction following a passage in homecoming below us. After some impressive Bundah walking we found another prospect in which Joel eagerly descended only to find it also choked out - it was therefore nicknamed Joel's disappointment , which later changed to sunglasses disappointment after he figured out he lost his sunglasses somewhere into the hole.

    @@ -1512,7 +1512,7 @@ From here we began to circle back towards FishFace, on the way we found a large

    2023-07-23
    -
    Bier Tent,,
    +
    Bier Tent,
    basecamp - Nothing happened today at all


    Nowt, apparently. Again. On a Sunday, again.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -1521,7 +1521,7 @@ From here we began to circle back towards FishFace, on the way we found a large
    2023-07-23
    -
    Adam Baldock,Kai,,
    +
    Adam Baldock,Kai,
    plateau - Mendip Man & Silver Moth
    We set off to the fishface gear strone on a fine sunny day. I was promised some proper mendip esc horizpntal passages, exactly what I came to expo for. Kai showed me into mendip man, past the dollop of snow on the rather impressive entrance and set off down boulder and rock rubble, [?] crawling passage. @@ -1553,7 +1553,7 @@ With a great draft draft out of the hole we planned to return with a handline an
    2023-07-24
    -
    Joe Stell,,Kai Trusson,
    +
    Joe Stell,Kai Trusson,
    Fishface - Tourist Trip to Pisspot


    Tourist trip down Fishface to Pisspot. Already more SRT than Joe has done in his entire lifetime combined, hopefully not holding up Kai too much.

    Turned around and headed back out after 2 hours or so as felt we had done enough SRT practice @@ -1563,7 +1563,7 @@ With a great draft draft out of the hole we planned to return with a handline an
    2023-07-24
    -
    Joe Stell,,Kai Trusson,
    +
    Joe Stell,Kai Trusson,
    Surface - surveying/prospecting small leads found yesterday by Luke, Becca and Max


    Becka checked with Joe Stell and Kai Trusson to clarify this write-up. It does describe Mendip Man albeit confusingly. The paragraph starting "upon leaving" is the main, left route after the entrance. The initial write-up refers the shorter, right route. This was surveyed on this trip but there was a problem with the data collected and so the data wasn't added to the database. It also isn't clear where the GPS location referred to below was taken.

    @@ -1577,7 +1577,7 @@ With a great draft draft out of the hole we planned to return with a handline an
    2023-07-27
    -
    Joe Stell,,Frank Tully,
    +
    Joe Stell,Frank Tully,
    Surface - Check your bits




    Hearing of an exciting new lead, "Mahlstromhöhle", from Frank, Max and Flo, Frank and I embarked on a walk westward out of Fishface gear dump. Upon finding the entrance (which took considerably longer than anticipated) we quickly started kitting up, only to find an absence of any drill bits in the drill bag, contrary to what Frank believed to be the case. Frank then left for fishface gear dump in search of drill bits, whilst I waited patiently, in kit. @@ -1589,7 +1589,7 @@ With a great draft draft out of the hole we planned to return with a handline an
    2023-07-27
    -
    Becka,Luke,,
    +
    Becka,Luke,
    Fishface - Rerig clap my pitch up + 4[??] pitch
    Down Elizabeth line +rigged the red [light?] for danger traverese, 2 short pitches + then luke rigged clap my pitch up. We exited + luke rebolted the 4th pitch further back giving a hang that avoided the traverese + the awkward rebelay that had previously been tried - this is the 4th + hopefullly the final iteration of the 4th pitch this expo. @@ -1599,7 +1599,7 @@ We exited + luke rebolted the 4th pitch further back giving a hang that avoided
    2023-07-28
    -
    Joe Stell,,Frank Tully,
    +
    Joe Stell,Frank Tully,
    Maelstrom - Finally Underground




    After the brilliant success of yesterday's failed pushing trip, Frank and I returned to Mahlstromhöhle to actually go underground and push. After the entrance pitch, there is a small hole in the floor, from which several small-ish pitches follow. @@ -1611,7 +1611,7 @@ We exited + luke rebolted the 4th pitch further back giving a hang that avoided
    2023-07-28
    -
    Lea,Luke,,
    +
    Lea,Luke,
    Fishface - Fishface - perseid shower to flaque vente
    Descended to camp near perseid showers. Left some of our gear there and continued down Perseid showers. @@ -1629,7 +1629,7 @@ What an amazing feeling to be at the bottom of fishface! WOW!
    2023-07-28
    -
    Becka,Adam A,Adam E,Ben,,
    +
    Becka,Adam A,Adam E,Ben,
    Fishface - Claw_crane off coconut shy
    steady abseil down the entrance series. Ben + Adam EJ decided to head out from there so we had a quick tourist up Elizabeth line then they headed out. @@ -1647,7 +1647,7 @@ For some reason Adam dawdled at camp + ended up exiting last + was late back to
    2023-07-28
    -
    Nadia,Botch,,Kai,
    +
    Nadia,Botch,Kai,
    Fishface - Theopillus Goon, above CMPU
    After Rob and Kai travered over the top of CMPU the day before, finding a phrease window, Botch, Kai and I got to reap the Horizontal rewards. Starting at the window we took the small phreatic tube on the left of the window. @@ -1680,7 +1680,7 @@ Also there is another small rift on the left earlier on in the passage that I co
    2023-07-29
    -
    Joe Stell,,Nadia Raeburn,Frank Tully,
    +
    Joe Stell,Nadia Raeburn,Frank Tully,
    Maelstrom - "Undersold"




    Hearing of our great success with this shallow lead, Nadia, having returned from a fishface camping trip the day before, decided she would join us for a nice easy surface trip. @@ -1695,7 +1695,7 @@ Also there is another small rift on the left earlier on in the passage that I co
    2023-07-29
    -
    Kai,Becka,,Luke,
    +
    Kai,Becka,Luke,
    Mendip man - Mendip man - Surveying trip
    We headed out early ish and headed down to fish face gear store to find becka almost ready complaining about the quality of Distos lasers in the [day?] even tho she didn't [not?] to bring hers. After some above ground ffaffing we headed to the entrance where Becka rigorously ran through propa[sic] surveying techniques with me. @@ -1713,7 +1713,7 @@ Luke then showed me a hole he found that drafts
    2023-07-30
    -
    Bier Tent,,
    +
    Bier Tent,
    basecamp - Nothing happened today at all


    Nowt, apparently. Again. On a Sunday, again.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -1722,7 +1722,7 @@ Luke then showed me a hole he found that drafts
    2023-07-30
    -
    Sarah Parker,,
    +
    Sarah Parker,
    Homecoming - UK Caving Blog post 14
    Blog Author: Sarah P
    Pushing Hobnob hallway in Heimkehrhoehle
    @@ -1750,7 +1750,7 @@ Also, it is now our closest cave passage to the neighbouring Schönberg system (
    2023-07-30
    -
    Rob,Luke,Lea,,Becka,Botch,
    +
    Rob,Luke,Lea,Becka,Botch,
    Fishface - Pushing The bottom of fish Face - camp #2 - part 1
    Headed underground at~10pm on 30/07, arrived at camp around half 11. Good nigts sleep, unike the following night. @@ -1784,7 +1784,7 @@ thru bolts used 16
    2023-07-31
    -
    Joe Stell,,Ruairidh MacLeod,
    +
    Joe Stell,Ruairidh MacLeod,
    Surface - Prospecting alternative entrances for Maelstrom


    After a leisurely (not quite for Ruairidh, carrying far too much) walk up to topcamp with Frank and Nadia following a leisurely morning start from me, Ruairidh and I decided that we could attempt to find an easier, quicker entrance to Maelstrom by following the rift from the surface whilst the other two and Sam were actually in the cave derigging. First we found a large basin, containing what appeared to be a large cave entrance, but upon further inspection, choked out towards the back of the cave. Ruairidh did find a nice complete Gaemse skull though, which he seemed quite happy about. Another potential entrance found further along the rift with a steady flow of water disappearing into the ground which could explain some of the bigger drippy pitches after the lovely squeeze. The rift splits into two further on, with some promising, but inaccessible, looking gorges on the right fork as you follow it. The left seemed less promising from memory but this area is definitely worth another look with bolting kit to make sure. Realising we'd actually got quite close to the col, we decided to simply hike towards the slabs and rejoin the carpark-topcamp path and head back.
    T/U: 0.0 hours
    @@ -1793,7 +1793,7 @@ thru bolts used 16
    2023-07-31
    -
    Ben Chaddock,,Adam Erskine,Charlie Crossley,
    +
    Ben Chaddock,Adam Erskine,Charlie Crossley,
    Fishface - Cocoa Channel Bolting Mission
    [Adam E = Adam Erskine-Jones]

    On the morning of my first pushing trip deep within Fishgesicht (5 minutes from camp) the nervous energy carried me up and away through the bountiful faff. After triple checking that we had all the equipment for bolting and surveying a rift that apparently continued but was too sketchy without a traverse line, Charlie, Adam EJ and I traipsed across the plateau for even more faff outside the entrance. After a prompt descent we met the camping team who showed us the way to silverback scoop including a stop at the tap and going down a wrong branch. Squeezing through a pitch head to descend 7m into a dusty tight canyon with a tackle sack full of heavy gear, I did wonder what I was doing, but once the drill was out that fell away completely. @@ -1807,7 +1807,7 @@ thru bolts used 16
    2023-07-31
    -
    Botch,Becka,,
    +
    Botch,Becka,
    Fishface - Fuck Keanu - U/G camp Day 1
    After getting underground late the light befroe we got going relatively promptly at 0830. We were supposed to check Keanu Breezze, a wet lead that was supposed to be decent. @@ -1832,7 +1832,7 @@ We got back to camp around 2030 and made dinner with a very wet Rob springint in
    2023-08-01
    -
    Joe Stell,,Nathan Walker,Manfred Wuits,Adam Aldridge,
    +
    Joe Stell,Nathan Walker,Manfred Wuits,Adam Aldridge,
    Surface - Hike to Garlic


    Woke up to see a sub-optimal forecast. Somehow I was convinced that hiking to Garlic Cave Camp was of course the best course of action to take, so we set off. It was actually dry for the first third or so to fishface gear dump to collect our caving gear, but this did not last.
    @@ -1844,7 +1844,7 @@ The path is a little treacherous in the wet, so it was a little slow going and s
    2023-08-01
    -
    Lea,Botch,,
    +
    Lea,Botch,
    Fishface - Bavarian Gentian
    Descended big pitch pitch rigged by Both and started surveying the chamber. It was a wet day and we heard the water at the back of the pitch start flowing with more energy. We surveyed a rift at water level. Didn't finish surveying it and lleft it as a QM. We surveyed the rift at the back of the chamber which led bback to coconut chamber? @@ -1859,7 +1859,7 @@ Very nice caving day. Went back to top camp after 2 nights in underground camp.
    2023-08-01
    -
    Becka,Luke,,Rob,
    +
    Becka,Luke,Rob,
    Fishface - Pushing the bottom of FishFace - camp #2 - part 2
    After a slowish start we surveyed [?] Delicate steve Rob's traverese into a phreatic window opposite the [clap?] my pich up pitch [ahead?], reapeating the Rob and Kai survey that had been deemed inadequate. @@ -1874,7 +1874,7 @@ I got all the rope back to camp + sorted it to prusik out (beasing bags) + some
    2023-08-02
    -
    Joe Stell,,Manfred Wuits,Adam Aldridge,Nathan Walker,
    +
    Joe Stell,Manfred Wuits,Adam Aldridge,Nathan Walker,
    Buzzard - dropping Buzzard Hole on the northerly Kleiner Wildkogel ridge


    After our lovely sleep, we woke up to dry weather, and set off to the top of the ridge above Garlic. Carrying the thick, wet 90m up the mountain was not conducive to good balance so I did fall over in the bunde and struggle to get back up. We reached Buzzard, Adam rigged it, first to the bunde, then hand bolting whilst we waited patiently. The improvement in weather did give a lovely backdrop of the Braeuningzinken for photos. Nathan went down next, followed by Manfred whilst I stayed outside enjoying the view. Upon Adam's return, I swiftly fell asleep, and awoke to find Nathan and Manfred had finished their survey and were finalising some sketches. Adam spotted some interesting holes beneath us on the plateau, so wet set off to prospect (see next entry).
    T/U: 3.0 hours
    @@ -1883,7 +1883,7 @@ I got all the rope back to camp + sorted it to prusik out (beasing bags) + some
    2023-08-02
    -
    Joe Stell,,Nathan Walker,Manfred Wuits,Adam Aldridge,
    +
    Joe Stell,Nathan Walker,Manfred Wuits,Adam Aldridge,
    Surface - Prospecting east and south of Kleiner Wildkogel


    After dropping Buzzard, the fours of us decided to drop down the north face of the ridge, heading east at first, then split to form two prospecting groups, Adam and I heading further east to wrap around to the south face of the ridge, and Nathan and Manfred following the north face westwards to @@ -1903,7 +1903,7 @@ that seem to follow a rift along the base of Wildkogel, then back to Garlic camp
    2023-08-02
    -
    Hannah Collings,,Nadia Raeburn,
    +
    Hannah Collings,Nadia Raeburn,
    Fishface Camp - Pushing Theophilus Goon


    Tuesday was another wet day so a day of top camp fettling was had whilst plans were made for a fish face camp the following day. We had a (fairly) efficient morning, departing top camp shortly after 10 having received a debrief from the previous camp group, who had returned in the early hours, on the state of the latest leads. @@ -1924,7 +1924,7 @@ that seem to follow a rift along the base of Wildkogel, then back to Garlic camp
    2023-08-02
    -
    Becka,Luke,,Lea,, Adam EJ
    +
    Becka,Luke,Lea, Adam EJ
    Plateau - Prospecting around FishFace
    A mellow, pleasant wander in the sunshine, we found + sechecked 2019-CUCC-RH-01 (GPS 47.69156 13.81210 alt 1659) - this was (still) a p4 to a ramp fown to a choke. We then [found?] 2023-BL-10 Lea + Adam EK dropped a p5 to a 5*5m loose chamber with a crwal to the N to a 2*4m chamber 4m high with no way on. @@ -1936,7 +1936,7 @@ Luke then [...] a more direct, better route to Homecoming as he and I ferried ou
    2023-08-02
    -
    Botch,Rob,,
    +
    Botch,Rob,
    Plateau - Cold Shallow Holes
    prospecting N of FishFace After gettinng out of a 48h camp we were a bit knackered so wanted t do some prospecting. @@ -1959,7 +1959,7 @@ They showed us a promising potential bivvy site too.
    2023-08-03
    -
    Joe Stell,,Nathan Walker,Adam Aldridge,David Botcherby,Becka Lawson,
    +
    Joe Stell,Nathan Walker,Adam Aldridge,David Botcherby,Becka Lawson,
    Garlic - Fettling


    Woke up. 10am. It was rainy :( @@ -1976,7 +1976,7 @@ did also later. I took some photos and made some shoddy diagrams of the tarps. G
    2023-08-03
    -
    Lea,Ben C,,Manfred,, Adam EJ
    +
    Lea,Ben C,Manfred, Adam EJ
    FishFace - Channel number 2 (continuing Cocoa_channel)
    Descended fishface antrance series with tourist trip (adam B, Sam Lee, Kai). Had a snack in the kitchen and went to the end of cocoa_channel. Ben bolted new travers lines, adam EJ was on nail polish duty, manfred had Wookey's disto and I was doing the notes (for the first time). @@ -1993,7 +1993,7 @@ Adam EJ derigged and we came back to top camp.
    2023-08-03
    -
    Nathan,Becka,,Botch,
    +
    Nathan,Becka,Botch,
    Homecoming - Pushing/derigging trip down Homecoming - Goosebox - Sticky trigger
    Having no plans to cave at Garlic camp I set off for homecoming with no plans, a bag full og gear of hope. I met becka as they were descending the entrance and joined their pushing/derigging trip to their evident relief. @@ -2014,7 +2014,7 @@ We surfaced near 10 and I returned to Garlic with becka.
    2023-08-03
    -
    Rob,Chi,,Luke,
    +
    Rob,Chi,Luke,
    Homecoming - Homecoming - second coming shitshow
    Chi had come up to top camp hoping to continue pushing 2nd comng with some people who might help him carry the gear out after, unlike some. So we set off in the drizzle for Homecoming entrance, making use of part of the shortcut to the [?] that we scouted when dropping off our gear at the entrance the day before. @@ -2063,7 +2063,7 @@ thru bolts used: 2
    2023-08-04
    -
    Joe Stell,,Hannah Collings,
    +
    Joe Stell,Hannah Collings,
    Basecamp - Garlic Guide


    Following a swift departure from Garlic in the morning, and an even swifter (and sweaty) hike across the plateau carrying the thick 90m rope with all my other kit, I partially completed the garlic camp guide. Only the badly taken photos and badly drawn diagrams to add. I think I'll redraw the @@ -2076,7 +2076,7 @@ with continued expo attendance in future years, should this be the case.
    2023-08-05
    -
    Philip Sargent,,
    +
    Philip Sargent,
    basecamp - Survey progress
    Blog Author: PhilipSargent @@ -2089,7 +2089,7 @@ The website currently on shows 3,233.2 m 2023-08-06
    -
    Charlie,,Adam E,Nathan W,Ben C,Adam B,
    +
    Charlie,Adam E,Nathan W,Ben C,Adam B,
    Fishface - The Three-Day Bound for The Four-Day Week-End
    -It all begins in the tatty hut, several gossers short of a brewery. "let's go up in the weather window!" charlie had not done enough caving and wanted to camp in FF. "We'll call it the three-day bounce"."then we'll have a four-day weekend!" "We go to find the four day weekend!" - @@ -2143,7 +2143,7 @@ The website currently on shows 3,233.2 m     2023-08-06
    -
    Nadia Raeburn,,
    +
    Nadia Raeburn,
    Fishface - Underground camp
    Blog Author: Tinywoman
    My first underground camp
    @@ -2173,7 +2173,7 @@ After about 20 legs Rob had finished his rigging and came and collected Botch to
    2023-08-06
    -
    Hannah Collings,,Nadia Raeburn,
    +
    Hannah Collings,Nadia Raeburn,
    Fishface - Camp: Muddy Goons
    Blog Author: h_collings
    Fishface Camp - Muddy Goons
    @@ -2213,7 +2213,7 @@ The pitches back to camp were painful, despite their shortness, due to our mud c
    2023-08-08
    -
    Sam,Becka,Adam A,Hannah,,
    +
    Sam,Becka,Adam A,Hannah,
    Homecoming - Homecoming push Derig - Watershed
    After a big (double noodle) breakfast we packed all three of our through-bolts ... and headed down from garlic to Homecoming. Our mission was simple, push a lead in watershed, then derig Waterershed and the top of the entrace series. Our lack of through-bolts did not deter us.

    @@ -2254,7 +2254,7 @@ NO METALWARE on any derigged ropes

    2023-08-09
    -
    Bier Tent,,
    +
    Bier Tent,
    FishFace - Fish Face Rope Inventory
    rope left at bottom of 4th pitch
    rope lengths are an estimate @@ -2360,7 +2360,7 @@ rope left at bottom of 4th pitch
    2023-08-09
    -
    bier tent,,
    +
    bier tent,
    Garlic Camp - Garlic Camp - Garlic camp inventory at end of expo
    Garlic camp kit packed away in garlic cave on RHS, in corner at front of cave.

    @@ -2427,7 +2427,7 @@ expo suggestion - double sized both container bags 6 no. [?] (current bags don't

    2023-08-10
    -
    Rob Watson,,Nadia Raeburn,David Botcherby,Kai Trusson,
    +
    Rob Watson,Nadia Raeburn,David Botcherby,Kai Trusson,
    fishface - Connecting FF to SMK: a step further
    Blog Author: nobrotson
    Connecting FF to SMK - a step further
    @@ -2469,7 +2469,7 @@ And that was it for my exploration in FF. Lea continued the trend of french name
    2023-08-29
    -
    Joel Stobbart,,
    +
    Joel Stobbart,
    Tempest - The Tempest Diaries
    Blog Author: El Stobbarto
    The Tempest Diaries*
    @@ -2544,6 +2544,63 @@ All in all, this was a fun project to have for our last week. It was a shame not
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    2023-07-14
    +
    Radost,Wassil,Chi,Merryn,Oakam, Honorata
    +
    Basecamp - Floating down the river to Bad Aussee
    +Floating down the river to Bad Aussee. Me and Radost are leaving today so we wanted to do a fun rest day activity on our last full day. Chi, Wassil, and Oakem agreed to go canyoning to Grabenback (VZVZ)(?) with us. We decided that we wanted to be in the canyon in the hottest moment of the day. We were ready to leave at noon but chi realised he'd lost his car keys. 2 hours of searching for them around the potato hut yielded no results. Disappointed, we decided to float down the river to Bad Aussee where we later had ice cream. Floating down the river has been definitely the most dangerous and stupid thing I've done on expo. Don't do it and if you have to - wear a helmet, gloves and shoes unlike us. I stated rolling on one waterfall and was really afraid I'd hurt my head. Then, I hit my lip really hard on a rock. I'm not gonna do it again. Ice cream was nice though. +
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    2023-07-12
    +
    Emma,Mike B,Jonty,Mealy,
    +
    Fishface - Camp in Fishface - pushing Redlight & Persied Showers
    +10-07-23 - We wake up early-ish with the goal of leaving at 9/10 but quickly decide MUCH more faff is needed. A stop is made at the shops to buy biodegradable bags and a magazine, eventually Jonty, Mealy and I made it to the car park. It is very very warm and we worried about dehydration. We get waking, faffing more by running into many groups coming off the plateau, and Mike catches up quickly. Once on the plateau the weather seems more pleasant - a cool breeze is present now - when I see the cause - a huge could of rain hanging over the Dachstein. "Nah, that's just mist" says uncle Mike. We make our merry way, not forgetting to bow to the plateau monster (Mike doesn't bow) until we hear a rumble of thunder, "Nah, just a plane" says uncle Mike, soon, to vertical rains start, which we are not dressed nor prepared for, so we hide by crouching against a wall in the plateau. Then, wind turns and we get very soaked so we huddle under Jonty's 1-man emergency bothy. Anyway sun returns, much more faff is had, I take a fall... we don't make it into Fishface until 20:45, carrying LUDICROUSLY large bags! Mealy and I lead the way in, made a little clumsy by our heavy loads - though not as heavy as jonty's, and not at all as bad as mike's whose "side bag" is a full-sized tackle sack containing lots of rope. The first pitch was not my Friend and I dropped a plastic bottle - after that I enjoyed myself - esp. impressed by TK Maxx, a super cool pitch!! Mealy & I get down just after 23.00, followed soon by Jonty and a little later by Mike who had stopped to get even more Rope. Mealy goes of to faff with Cavelink, Jonty & I head over to help and we send the important message "camp creche want more peanut" - it sends. Mealy & I share warmth & noodles. Jonty & mike eat curry, we whip out the mini-Jagermeister, all take a little sip and head to sleep. I apparently caused some disturbance by snoring (sorry) and we all sleep intermittently. +

    +----------------- +

    +11-07-23. We make a late start (it's hard to leave warm sleeping bags) - no response on cavelink so we spend several more messages saying "weather update pls"? etc. Mealy, Mike & I eat porridge, Jonty eats noodles, then Mealy and Jonty head off to push Radorst's lead and Mike starts rigging Persied Showers - I sit in a bothy in case Mike needs me. he does not, and I get quite bored. Eventually he comes back, now a little damp! Quite displeased at the state & placement of some bolts. We go to find the others and run into them on their way back - Radorsts lead was a loop & Fishface was connected to Fishface yet again. Back we go to camp - still nothing on the cavelink - a little concerning as rain was forecast for /- 24 hours later and we really wanted a weather forecast. After more Faff we decide to stay another night, so Mike went off to re-bolt and rig the rest while Jonty, Mealy & I went to look at the mysterious ABC- lead in Moths 2. I enjoyed doing the free climbs there. Then, we heard LOTS and LOTS of water that Mealy did not remember - we carried on to look down the pitch witch was rigged quite weirdly - the rope into Moths was sort of... dragged into Moths 2. We decided the vibes were simply off and left without pushing... pre-this me and Mealy had some veg soup and also fancied non-freezing water so we heated up water which tasted SO Good. Jonty was sipping the warm water and it fogged up his glasses - upon which he proclaimed he couldn't see anything other than the BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN GLOW of our veg soup! and indeed this beautiful glow felt like a 'diving presence'! We each took turns fogging up our glasses and looking at what we decided must be the face of God himself and went thus lenthily intranced. +

    +Anyhow, back from Moths area, we decided to have a lil look for anything, realistically, and stumbled upon what looked deeply unpromising - a tight little sandy rift Jonty had to crawl into, but was in fact some really niece passage that contained some merry little formations!!! Thus we surveyed Get Righty - a fun detour. We popped out into a BIG rift that we briefly were hyped about but turned out to be familiar ground. Back at camp we were quite tired to headed to bed despite being a little worried about Uncle Mike who was still on Persied Showers. Luckily he showed up not long after - a little damp and not too thrilled about the efforts - Persied Showers still needs surveying and it was wetter than you would want to get even with rebolting. +

    +Mealy and I got up around 7 and pack (&faff a lil) to start prussicing out & stay on the safe side of any rain. The bags were very arkward in the rifts but other than that it was quite a good time - Mealy left me sweet treats on the bolts every not and then as motivation. At around BBBB time, I got horrile cramps that made the entire rest a bit of an ordeal though prussiking wasn't too bad. I had a little cry on the surface but mostly was just very pleased to be in the sun again. Soon followed by Jonty and Mike - conclusion. Effort does not equal Success! +

    +Author's note: MB would like me to include that we discussed the most likely position to find Kerian A in a sex shop - costumer or salesman - and decided we would expect to find him naked as a human counter. +

    +Transcribers note, 21st July 2024. Whilst I do appreciate the write up and the narrative of my friends going caving, this has been the most horrifically punctuated account I have yet had to digitize. I am aware there are typos in my version, I can't be fucked to change them currently. +

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    2023-07-14
    +
    Will,Nadia,Sarah,Mike,
    +
    homecoming - Shallow Homecoming and pushing beyond Hobknob Hallway & Dead Flied Passage
    +Having seen 2 A-leads at the end of dead flies passage on the big survey we headed down to investigate & push. Arriving at the end of the survey, we reached a small 3x1.5m chamber with a streamway passage (?2018-26A) back to the left and a more rifty passage straight ahead (?2018-25A). +

    +We were quite surprised to see survey markers heading off down ?2018-25A starting at 91 and ending at 133 continuing along the passage for quite a way (-40m????). This passage started out rifty then went more phreatic, it was mostly walking but a little stoopy & and constricted in places. The survey marks ended at 133 at a significant drop, it looked like there was horizontal ways on over the top of this pitch but we dropped the pitch and carry'd on pushing & surveying down. +

    +Sarah bolted this 12m pitch dubbed "the goose pot" which dropped down to a 6x2m ledge. The back of this aven a few meters down from this pitch looked very clean-washed and had a small puddle at the bottom presumably from the rain a few days prior. At the other end of the ledge was a traverse & a drop that Sarah bolted but failed to reach the bottom of with a 50/60m rope that was used for both pitches. The second pitch consisted of a 10m traverse line, a 10m drop with a rebelay followed by a 25m drop into a stream way. +

    +Back at base camp Nadia looked up the survey points that weren't on the survey and it was done by [illegible] and Frank Tully in 2018, the records we have only go to 1122 so 112-133 will need to be resurveyed. +

    +Speaking of, towards the end of Dead Flies Passage we found a tacklesack presumably from 2018 with a rope and some incredibly rusted maillons & hangers . It was slightly wet but presumably mostly from dripping. The rope may be viable but the metalwork won't be. +

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    2023-07-13
    +
    Zac,Jono,Will,Sarah,
    +
    Homecoming - Investingating around Radogast
    +The day started out bleak with the plateau overcast and still soaked from the night before. Zac and Sarah set out from top camp while will and Jono came from base. We all bumped into each other at homecoming which was excellent timing. We proceeded to garlic cave for some lunch where Zac and Sarah got very cold. Phillip joined us there also. we waited for the rain to die away then headed over to homecoming. Sarah followed by Zac, then Will then Jono. The plan was to re-rig the small pitch and traverse after Radogast as well as investigate a phreatic tube 5m bellow the Radogast pitch head. each of these were to be done in pairs but the plan was scrapped when Jono needed the longer rope from Sarah (exploring Radogast) to re rig the pitch and the traverse. In the end Zac re-rigged it under Jono's supervision while the other 2 stood around. +
    +Sarah then ascended Radogast and rigged a new rope to swing over to the tube. Having been unsuccessful Zac then valiantly tried for half an hour until everyone got cold. Ascending, Zac saw a great spot for a deviation. +
    +We then all exited the cave to the tying light, Zac and Sarah first followed by Will and Jono.
    +One the way back to top, Zac slipped and pulled his arm/ scraped his arse meaning Mike had to apply cream to it at top camp. A bit of a faffy trip but an important step for making progress. +
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