From 79444f3c1027e3406366aa2fd3dfefd2c68cceff Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Philip Sargent Date: Fri, 1 May 2020 16:43:07 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] remaking area pages to make static --- 1623/40area.html | 119 ++++++++++ 1623/41area.html | 108 +++++++++ 1623/via161.html | 112 +++++++++ 1623/via201.htm | 4 +- 1623/via204.html | 172 ++++++++++++++ 1623/vianip.htm | 2 +- 1623/viavsk.htm | 2 +- br-alm.html | 81 +++++++ egglgrub.html | 79 +++++++ gschwand.html | 79 +++++++ kratzer.html | 99 ++++++++ noinfo/CAVETAB2.CSV | 463 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ noinfo/make-areaindices.py | 23 +- plateau.html | 279 ++++++++++++++++++++++ remote.html | 89 +++++++ smkridge.html | 404 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ wilden.html | 71 ++++++ 17 files changed, 2175 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-) create mode 100644 1623/40area.html create mode 100644 1623/41area.html create mode 100644 1623/via161.html create mode 100644 1623/via204.html create mode 100644 br-alm.html create mode 100644 egglgrub.html create mode 100644 gschwand.html create mode 100644 kratzer.html create mode 100644 noinfo/CAVETAB2.CSV create mode 100644 plateau.html create mode 100644 remote.html create mode 100644 smkridge.html create mode 100644 wilden.html diff --git a/1623/40area.html b/1623/40area.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..c439229d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/1623/40area.html @@ -0,0 +1,119 @@ + + + + + + + + 1623: Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle approach + + + + + +

Eishöhle area

+ +

Starting from the Nipple (see walk-in +description), a less obvious marked path continues.

+ +

A very large cave entrance, 20 minutes further on, is an old bivouac used by +the Munich cavers, and a few minutes later, a strongly draughting (out in +summer) tube about 5m in diameter is the main entrance to the Eishöhle. This was also the site of +an old French bivouac, but must have been very cold. Continuing past a large +snow-choked entrance and a couple of small holes, all in a cliff to the left, +the path ends abruptly and unambiguously at the "new" entrance, also strongly +draughting. This is between one and a half and two hours from the car park.

+ +

In this area and along the path beyond are a number of entrances, mainly +discovered by CUCC and ARGE in their efforts to connect Eishöhle to +Kaninchenhöhle.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
39SCHWA höhle 39
40Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle
140Schwa Schacht 140
153Schwa Schacht 153
154Schwa Schacht 154
155Unerforscht Schacht 155
158Donner und Blitzen Höhle
163Schwa Höhle 163
2067-Eingangshöhle
215Rufverbindungshöhle
216Nichts 50
217Schneepfropfenhöhle
229Weiße Höhle
235Schaukelfelsbrockenhöhle
236Moostunnelhöhle
237Dreieingangabdrosselnhöhle
238Flinkameiseschacht
HFG-KA88?
88H?
88F?
1996WK4?
1996WK11?
1999_MS_01?
1999_MS_02?
2001-06Erbärmlichbaumhöhle
2001-07Hoffnungschacht
2001-08Schneeoberlichtschacht
2001-09Funkberaterschacht
2001-10Großarbeithöhle
2001-11Schnürsenkelschacht
2001-12Unnotiggewohnlichkeitschacht
2002-OB-01?
2002-W-01?
2002-W-02?
+ + +
+ + + + + diff --git a/1623/41area.html b/1623/41area.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..2cadc8dce --- /dev/null +++ b/1623/41area.html @@ -0,0 +1,108 @@ + + + + + + + +1623: Stellerweg area + + + + + +

Southern Schwarzmooskogel ridge: Stellerweg area

+ +

This area was explored by CUCC in the early 1980's, and also by a large +number of other groups at various periods. There are two main means of +approach:

+ + + +

As well as the caves constituting the master 40-41-78-115-116-142-144-161 +system, there are a number of smaller caves which have not (so far) been connected in.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
28Augsteckhöhle
31Elchhöhle
32Windloch am Stögerweg
41Stellerweghöhle
42Wasserschacht
78Schwaben(schacht)höhle
79Badenerschacht
87ASchacht 87A bei Stögerweg
87BSchacht 87B bei Stögerweg
88Lärchenschacht
109Schwa-Schacht 109
113Sonnenstrahlhöhle
115Schnellzughöhle
116Kleine Eishöhle
117Stuttgarter-Schacht
118Schwa-Schacht 118
119Schwa-Schacht 119
120Schwa-Schacht 120
127Kleine Firnhöhle
128Enttauschungsschacht
129Große Firnhöhle
130Cäcilien-Schacht
141Schwa Höhle 141
142Schwa Höhle 142
143Weiße Warze Schacht I
144Tony's Second Höhle
150Schwa Röhrhöhle 150
151Schwa Höhle 151
152Bananehöhle
202Dominoschacht
203Sonnenscheinschacht
+ + +
+ + + + diff --git a/1623/via161.html b/1623/via161.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..ec9b56fdb --- /dev/null +++ b/1623/via161.html @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ + + + + + + + +1623: West Schwarzmooskogel approach + + + + + +

Western slopes of Schwarzmooskogel to the col and down

+ +This is normally approached from the west by crossing the edge of the plateau +to the NE of Schwarzmoos Sattel. CUCC's "path" is to the col between Vorderer +and Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel, where there is a permanent survey station +"vd1". Up the ridge to the left leads to the original +161a entrance, whilst just ahead down a gully lie +161b and 161c. + +

Photo - 62k +   +Photo - 52k
+Anthony pointing the start from 161c... +   +...down the gully towards 161d
+ +

Further down the gully, dropping about 100m following a series of cairns, +is the route to the 161 "back" entrances. Where the gully starts to choke +with pine, an exit left is possible (still with cairns), which leads to an +engineered traverse through an area of pine, then a series of scrambles and +traverses (unpleasant in the wet) down to an area of recent stone fall in +which lies the 161d "Scarface" +entrance. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
135Schwa Schacht 135
136Steinschlagschacht
137Schwa Schacht 137
138Schwa Schacht 138
139Schwa Schacht 139
146Tobogganschacht
147Schwa Höhle 147
149Plateau Schacht 149
156Schwa Schacht 156
161Kaninchenhöhle
162Schwa Höhle 162
180Schwa Schacht 90/10
185Zweijahreentstehungshöhle
187Schwa Schacht 187
191Schwa Schacht 191
192Schwa Schacht 192
193Schwa Schacht 193
199Stürzender Felsbrocken Höhle
201Haftefelle Schacht
205Nordalpenschacht
209Schistock-Absturzschacht
218Hammerkopfabsturtzhöhle
219Tertaeingfester
225Jahrzehnschacht
1996-01Ski-pole höhle
1997-07 =1996-07, 1996wk7
1999-X01MI5 Cave
2000-02?
+ + + +

+ + + + diff --git a/1623/via201.htm b/1623/via201.htm index 17f05492d..0e56bc88f 100644 --- a/1623/via201.htm +++ b/1623/via201.htm @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ walk-in" src="../tinypix/bgwalk.jpg" width=223 height=123>    -

From the Loser Panoramastraße +

From the Loser Panoramastraße Bergrestaurant car park (bottom right of picture), take the path leading from the NE corner, which is slightly shorter, and soon joins the main path. Alternatively, follow the main touroid path, numbered 201, and marked with @@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ into the Kratzer valley (an area explored by the German group), while right is the main path. This junction is easy to miss on the return in mist or at night. A few minutes further on, where a cave is marked by a large red Omega in the middle of the path -(1623/28), there is a junction path +(1623/28), there is a junction path to the left (route to the Nipple), and Laser-fixed point 7/8 marked with a bolt. diff --git a/1623/via204.html b/1623/via204.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..2ed5dc424 --- /dev/null +++ b/1623/via204.html @@ -0,0 +1,172 @@ + + + + + + +Northern slopes of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel and Nieder Augst-Eck + + + + +

Northern slopes of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel and Nieder Augst-Eck

+ +

There is a well-established path to the bivouac site at the eponymous stone +bridge, which is the usual base for CUCC's operations on the Schwarzmooskogel +ridge north of the 161 area. This is marked with a scattering of cairns, which +are augmented at the beginning of each expedition with reflective markers +(collected in again at the end of the expo).

+ +

Follow the usual path from the Bergrestaurant car park to the +Schwarzmoossattel. Rather than contouring around the base of the Nase as for old +Top Camp, strike out to the right across the patch of boggy grass. From here, +various variants of the path lead past the entrance to Bräuninghöhle +(1623/82) and continue northwards to Laser Point 5.

+ +

Shortly after this is the beginning of a patch of bare limestone slabs, +clearly visible from Top Camp, which marks the highest point of the route. The +unmistakable arched entrance of Hauchhöhle marks the end of this section, +and from here a slightly confusing broken area dotted with patches of dwarf pine +brings one out at the entrance to Steinbrückenhöhle.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
165Schwa Schacht 165
194Schwa Schacht 194
195Schwa Schacht 195
196Schwa Höhle 196
204Steinbrückenhöhle
214Segment cave
222Gösserhöhle
223Eggenbergschacht
224Toplesscayonhöhle
231Traungoldhöhle
234Hauchhöhle
239Rock'n'Roll Höhle
240Gewölbeschacht
241Dreieckhöhle
242Tropfelhöhle
243GNDN Höhle
2000-08Grabenkrieghöhle
2001-02?
2001-03?
2002-01Artischockehöhle
2002-03Igelhöhle
2002-07Quarries A-C
2002-08Quarries E
2002-XXQuarries D
2002-X09?
2002-X09B?
2002-10?
2002-X11?
2002-X12?
2002-X13L Schacht
2002-X14?
2002-X15?
2002-X16?
2002-X17?
2002-X18?
2003-01Alcove cave
2003-02Blaudrachenschacht
2003-03Kartoffelbreihöhle
2003-05Damoclesschacht
2003-07?
2003-09Weizeneishöhle
2003-10Dünne Faulpelz Höhle
2003-X11Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 1
2003-X12Earl + Becka's Undescended Shaft 2
2003-X13Earl + Becka's Low Entrance 4
2003-X14Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 5
2003-X15Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 6
2003-X16Earl + Becka's Cave 7
2003-X17Earl + Becka's Shaft 8
2003-X18Earl + Becka's Dead Shaft 10
2004-10?
2004-11In Ihrer Gesichtshöhle
2004-13?
2004-14Doktorarbeitloch
2004-15Rundreisehöhle
2004-16?
2004-17?
2004-18?
2004-19Kindergartenhöhle
2004-20Crowbar höhle
2004-21Earl's Hat Cave
+ + + +
+ + + diff --git a/1623/vianip.htm b/1623/vianip.htm index c5604879a..4f1187208 100644 --- a/1623/vianip.htm +++ b/1623/vianip.htm @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
Photo of start of walk-in   Tony Rooke on the path (56k JPEG)
-

From the Loser Panoramastraße +

From the Loser Panoramastraße Bergrestaurant car park (bottom right of picture), take the path leading from the NE corner, which is slightly shorter, and soon joins the main path. Alternatively, follow the main touroid path, numbered 201, and marked with diff --git a/1623/viavsk.htm b/1623/viavsk.htm index d82c2d68c..ee85628a7 100644 --- a/1623/viavsk.htm +++ b/1623/viavsk.htm @@ -9,7 +9,7 @@

Approach via summit of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel

Although relatively close to the -Bergrestaurant in pure distance terms, the summit +Bergrestaurant in pure distance terms, the summit area of the Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel is an inaccessible location, hedged around with small cliffs and patches of dwarf pine. diff --git a/br-alm.html b/br-alm.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..03587f9b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/br-alm.html @@ -0,0 +1,81 @@ + + + + + + +1623: Bräuning Alm and Kunntal area + + + + +

Bräuning Alm and Bräuning Kunntal

+ +

Following marked path 201 (Stögerweg) from the Bergrestaurant +northwest, a signposted junction is met, below a ski-lift. Left here leads +over the minor peak of Lackerbichl and on to Bräuning Alm. To the NW +of this peak is the closed depression of Bräuning Kunntal, a doline +deep enough to merit a ski-lift climbing out of it. Two small springs, +below the rim to ENE and ESE, feed into a bog with no speleological +potential.

+ +
link to 60k photo

From Lackerbichl over Bräuning +Kuntal towards Bräuning Alm and the Bräuning Wall.

+ +

Bräuning Alm is more conveniently approached by continuing on the +main path to a further signposted junction at +Egglgrube. Ahead, the path climbs a small scar, but left, posted to +Bräuning Zinken, the path traverses above a small valley to reach a +group of huts serving the summer pasture of Bräuning Alm. Springs below +the huts feed into sinks in the valley bottom, but these offer no +significant cave.

+ +
link to 60k photo

Looking up the small valley +traversed by the route to Bräuning Alm

+ +

To the east of the pasture is an area of limestone scars, with another +grassy area, used by CUCC for a brief top camp (camp 1) in 1977. There are a few entrances +in the limestone here, and more in the valley north of the huts, leading toward +the col of Bräuning Sattel. Areas of scars between this valley and the +ridge used by the path to the plateau have +not been looked at in any detail by CUCC, but are thought to have been +prospected by the Austrians with no results.

+ +
link to 25k photo

The huts of Bräuning Alm from +the continuing walk up to the plateau, seen in evening light.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
26Wasserschlinger I
27Wasserschlinger II
29Schwarzmoosloch
30Grundloses Loch
33Schichtgrenzenhöhle
61Gemsbockhöhle
95Bräu Schacht 95
96Bräu Schacht 96
+ + + +
+ + + diff --git a/egglgrub.html b/egglgrub.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..d2a2f5d8f --- /dev/null +++ b/egglgrub.html @@ -0,0 +1,79 @@ + + + + + + +1623: Egglgrube area + + + + +

Egglgrube and Scharlingkar area

+ +

This area lies east of the Bergrestaurant, SE of the main Loser to +Bräuning Zinken ridge. Best seen from the summit of Sommersitz, +the area is bounded to the SE by the first of a line of cliffs dropping +towards Altausseer See and the valley to its NE. This cliff is Scharlingkar, +and the pasture above it is Egglgrubenalm.

+ +

Following marked path 201 (Stögerweg) from the Bergrestaurant +northwest, the start of the area lies below and to the right. Above and to +the left initially is the Augst See area. +After passing below the small peak of Sommersitz, a signposted junction is +met, below a ski-lift. Left here leads over the minor peak of Lackerbichl and +on to Bräuning Alm. Continuing on the +main path leads to a further signposted junction at Egglgrube, marked +on the map. Left again leads to Bräuning Alm, ahead, the path climbs a +small scar, leading to the eastern side of Schwarzmooskogel ridge in the +Stellerweghöhle area. A little used and barely discernible path leads +right, and back SW below the initial approach, past a hut at the bottom of a +ski lift to a group of older huts.

+ +

An alternative approach starts from just above the (right hand) hairpin of +the toll road, dropping down towards the top of Scharlingkar, and then +contouring to reach the huts. This is the original path from the Loser +Hütte, predating the building of the toll road, which explains its +somewhat illogical-seeming point of departure.

+ +

Most of the caves listed in this area are very near Egglgrube itself, +which seems to have been investigated in the early years of exploration in +the area. The area also includes odd caves near or below the path from the +Bergrestaurant.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
15Michel-Gang
19Gamsofen im Scharlingkar
20Windhöhle
21Windloch im Egglgrube
22Spiralschacht
23Steinbockhöhle
24Schachthöhle bei Egglgrubenalm
25Mauskothhöhle
77Fichtenschacht
228Kleine Schnellzughöhle
+ + +
+ + + + diff --git a/gschwand.html b/gschwand.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..26297fc3b --- /dev/null +++ b/gschwand.html @@ -0,0 +1,79 @@ + + + + + + +1623: Gschwandt Alm area + + + + +

Gschwandt - NW of the Loser-Bräuning wall

+ +

This is a comparatively out-of-the-way area with few known caves. It lies NW +of the Loser to Bräuning Zinken ridge, below the cliffs of these peaks +and above another steep drop, the Stöckl Wand, which falls to the head +of the Rettenbach - the stream which takes the Naglsteg water and flows WNW +to Bad Ischl.

+ +

Three approaches are possible, though one is much longer than the others, +unless you are based at CUCC's Top Camp, +in which case it is by far the shortest!

+ +

From the toll road, starting at the Loser +Hütte, a path heads west, parallel to and just above the road. It is +joined by a track which leaves the road at Kehre 11, just above the ski area +parking and bus stop. Immediately beyond the junction is the small +resurgence of 1623-6, worth knowing +about if you boil your radiator going up the toll road! The track continues +west, dropping slightly to reach the top of a big ski lift coming up from the +valley at Ramsau. A path now continues, following the contours round NW, then +N, and finally turns east below the wall of Loser. This leads above the top +of Stöckl Wand, and below the slopes and screes falling from Greimuth, +to reach a large group of huts situated just above a permanent spring. This +is Gschwandt Alm.

+ +

From the Bergrestaurant, follow path 201, and take any of three left +turns, the first two leading over Sommersitz or Lackerbichl, but all +eventually reaching Bräuning Alm. From here, the voie normale of +Bräuning Zinken leads west as a clear path just above and NE of +Gschwandt Sattel. From this point, a much less used route zig-zags down steep +slopes directly to Gschwandt Alm.

+ +

The third route starts by approaching CUCC's Top Camp (Camp 3) just to the +NW of Schwarzmoossattel, or, for the very intrepid, by crossing the steeper +Bräuning Sattel, leading down directly to the camp. A cairned route +over karren and through dwarf pine leads roughly west until a better defined +path materialises and turns more southwest and descends gently to Gschwandt +Alm.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
5Holzknechtbrünndlloch
6Quelle
10Spalthöhle
11Höhle in der Loserwestwand 1
12Höhle in der Loserwestwand 2
52Sennerkeller & Sauloch
60Schacht I-IV bei Gschwandalm
+ + +
+ + + + diff --git a/kratzer.html b/kratzer.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..de5c531fe --- /dev/null +++ b/kratzer.html @@ -0,0 +1,99 @@ + + + + + + + +1623: Kratzer area + + + + + +

Kratzer valley

+ +

The Kratzer valley is the main valley south from Schwarzmoossattel. However, +it is not the one followed by the path down to Bräuning Alm, which +traverses the east slopes of Bräuning Nase to reach a small col and slopes +west of Kratzer. The narrow valley itself may be entered at the top (north) end +by dropping below the path just after it leaves the Schwarzmoossattel. The +inner reaches are then relatively inaccessible, as they are separated from the +dwarf-pine covered slopes up to Bräuning Alm by a cliff band. Similarly, +cliffs on the other side isolate it from the SW slopes of Vorderer +Schwarmooskogel.

+ +

Consequently, few of CUCC have explored the valley since the initial trip of +1976, and most of the caves hereabouts have been entered by the local cavers +(at the north end). The locals were exploring and numbering caves around the +time when CUCC looked in the valley, and there is a suspicion that some of the +"Austrian" numbers refer to the same caves looked at by CUCC. However, the +supposed correlation between CUCC and kataster numbers mentioned in the +Austrian caving journal does not seem to be correct, from evidence gathered on +a visit in 1990, so CUCC's caves appear here with their original CUCC numbers, +pending more investigation.

+ +

There is a suspicion that one of the German groups may have explored some +other entrances near the bottom of the valley (marked with red paint, but not +in the kataster), but we have no documentation on these.

+ +

If the valley is followed down, it leads into a closed depression with a low +point at 1527m, not at all obvious from the map. A steep climb up leads to a +more level section, where a path materialises, to meet the marked path 201 +(Stögerweg) as the north branch of a T-junction at c 1580m. Straight on +(initially south for a short way) is the Stellerweg area approach route, whilst right (west) is the +route from Egglgrube and the +Bergrestaurant. The first part of this path into Kratzer from the south appears +to be well-used only because of people missing this T-junction and going +some way before realising the error.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
34Höhle am Kratzer I
35Dr. Kerschner Höhle
36Schachtgruppe I - V
43Höhle beim Wackelstein
44Höhle am Kratzer II
71Fledermaushöhle
73Suppentellerschacht
74Schneckenhaushöhle
75Wisenthöhle
186Rosenkavalierhöhle
A1CUCC 1976/A1
B1CUCC 1976/B1
B2CUCC 1976/B2
B3CUCC 1976/B3
B4CUCC 1976/B4
B5CUCC 1976/B5
1996WK12?
+ + +
+ + + + diff --git a/noinfo/CAVETAB2.CSV b/noinfo/CAVETAB2.CSV new file mode 100644 index 000000000..6c32f5595 --- /dev/null +++ b/noinfo/CAVETAB2.CSV @@ -0,0 +1,463 @@ +"Kataster Number","Kat Status Code","Entrances","Unofficial number","Multiple entrances","Autogen file","Link file","Link Entrance","Name","Unofficial Name","Comment","Area","Explorers","Underground Description","Equipment","qm list","Kataster status","References","Underground centre line","Underground drawn survey","Survex file to get length and depth","Length","Depth","Extent","Notes","Entrance name","tag point in dataset","other point in dataset","description of other point","exact entrance in dataset (drip line/highest enclosed contour)","Type of survey fix","GPS pre SA","GPS post SA","Northing","Easting","Altitude","Bearings","Map","Location","Approach","Entrance description","Photo of location","Marking","Marking comment","Findability","Findability comment" +1,"2/(W) +","a b",,,"noinfo/aaussee/1.htm",,,"Liägerhöhle","D'Liëger",,10,"

  • Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 19xx
  • Sektion Ausseerland 1960
  • Dived by Verein für Höhlenkunde in Obersteier in 1984 and 1985, when the final sump went to about -20m. On the first occasion they spoiled the visibility in the sump by not being careful enough about how they drained the sump on the approach route.

","Seasonally active cave. Ends in a 'Lake', which is a sump pool, apparently higher than the level of Altausseer See, and close to the surveyed level of the Stellerweg sump.

Access to the final sump is guarded by short siphons in each of the two passages going to the far end of the cave. These can be drained, but care should be taken to ensure they are drained towards the entrance, otherwise the final sump will become muddy. Visited by Mike Thomas and Pete Lancaster in 1989, as far as the short sumps.

A note on the geology : The north shore of the lake follows a large fault with a big throw, so that this cave is in the same block of limestone as the Stögerweg area caves. The Austrians think there is no hydrological connection between this cave/resurgence and the lake level, since vauclusian resurgences in the lake appear to be in a very different block of limestone which has been down-faulted relative to the plateau. However, it seems more likely that these risings are actually on the fault, and that the lake level, and the level of the sumps in this cave and in Stellerweghöhle are closely related.",,,,"There are descriptions (in German) of dives in the terminal sump in 1985 and 1988. A further follow-up article is awaiting scanning in...",,"A4 survey in Mitt. der Sektion Ausseerland 18(4), Oct. 1980, facing p 86. This is dated 1935, 1960 and looks like a third generation photocopy of a larger survey - the quality is very poor. ",,"306m","71m","NW-SE 160m",,,,,,,,,,,,"East Entrance 812m West entrance 809m",,"28.1 cm E, 15.4 cm N, sheet 15/1 Alpine Club 1:25000 map","At the foot of a gully cutting the southwestern end of Steller, a major cliff band SE of the Loser - Bräuning area. A couple of hundred metres north of the Youth Hostel at the NE corner of Altausseer See.","If you follow the lakeside path (shortest approach from Altaussee on north side of lake) there is a junction where the path to Hochklapfsattel departs. A short way west of (ie. before) this junction is a bridge over a normally dry stream bed. Follow the stream bed up for a short way until it splits, then follow the apparently smaller branch to the right (east). Scramble up rocks to the East Entrance. This is marked on the Alpine Club 1:25000 map.

Although the Altitude given is 812m, it doesn´t seem that high, and 812m is exactly 100m above lake level, which is a little suspicious. If you accept instead the phrase ""climb 70m higher"" in the original kataster description, the altitude comes out about 780 to 785m, which puts the final sump at almost exactly the level of the lake.",,"CUCC were shown some photographs of 1 & 2 in flood, when a truly enormous river emerges from both entrances and numerous impenetrable cracks. This explains the vegetation-free state of the twin river beds leading down towards Altausseer See. ",,,"Lost", +2,"0/(W) =",,,,"noinfo/aaussee/2.htm",,,"Wasserlöcher",,,10,"Unexplored ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"810m",,,"As for Liägerhöhle, the altitude is a little suspect. I think it is further below Kat.1 than this. In any case, it is quite impenetrable.",,"Unexplored resurgence directly below the western entrance of Liägerhöhle (Kat.1). At the foot of Steller, a cliff band SE of and directly below the Loser Panoramastraße Bergrestaurant.","CUCC were shown some photographs of 1 & 2 in flood, when a truly enormous river emerges from both entrances and numerous impenetrable cracks. This explains the vegetation-free state of the twin river beds leading down towards Altausseer See. ",,,"Lost", +3,"1/T(W) +",,,,"noinfo/augstb/3.htm",,,"Gellerofen",,,11,"

  • Oldest documentation is dated 1880.
  • Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1937
  • Sektion Ausseerland, 1968

",,,,,,,"Plan at 1:100 by Alfred Auer, 1968 ",,"13.1m","3.04m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1015m",,"This is not marked on the Austrian´s map.","at the SW foot of the Loserstockes","reached from Altaussee above Posern. (I think this is below the toll road somewhere).","The entrance is 7.5m wide by 1.2m high. 'Durch das 7,5m breite und 1,2m hohe, flachbogenförmige Portal gelangt man zunächst in eine kuppelförmige Vorhalle, dann in einen durch Korrosionskolke ausgeformten Canyon. Höhlenkarren, Bergmilchbildungen, eine Sickerwasserquelle und Höhlenfauna fallen besonders auf.'",,,,"Lost", +4,"1/T(W) +",,,,"noinfo/augstb/4.htm",,,"Ritscherbachhöhle",,,11,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1937",,,,,,,"Plan at 1:100 by Alfred Auer, 1968 ",,"12.3m","1.07m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1015m",,,"Near Gellerofen (Kat. 3), at the SW foot of the Loserstockes.",,"A 2.2m wide and 1.3m high entrance leads horizontally to ""Bruchschutt und Sickerwassergerinne"". ",,,,"Lost", +5,"1/S(W) +",,,,"noinfo/gschwand/5.htm",,,"Holzknechtbrünndlloch",,,9,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1938",,,,,,,"Plan at 1:100 by Alfred Auer, 1968 ",,"12m","8m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1230m",,,"SW foot Loserstockes","reached by path west from Loser Hütte, past Augst A.H.","Eine 1,5m grosse Schachtöffnung fü in einen stiefelförmigen Schacht, in dem ein Sickerwassergerinne früher von Holzknechten als Trinkwasserquelle genutzt wurde.'",,,,"Lost", +6,"0/W +",,,,"noinfo/gschwand/6.htm",,,"Quelle","Wasserloch",,9,"Unexplored - Noted for Kataster: Sektion Ausseerland, 1968 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1425m",,,"150m west of Augst A.H. ",,"a small unenterable resurgence ",,,,"Lost", +7,"1/(W) +",,,,"noinfo/loser/7.htm",,,"Bachschläg",,,"8a",,,,,,,,,,"3m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1550m",,"Location plan by Alfred Auer at 1:200, 1968 ","West of the Loser Hütte below the south face of Loser.","Reached from the path up Loser by diagonalling down to the head of the gully from the path as it starts to climb again at about 1600m. ","A 1.8m wide by 1.2m high rock shelter, and an occasionally active rising. There is a noticeable gully below this, presumably carrying water in wet weather. ""Bei Hochwasser entströmt ihm ein mächtiger Bach und stürzt als Wasserfall über zwei Geländstufen und durch einen Graben 200m zur Loserstraße herab, wo das Wasser nach einem Durchlaß im verkarsteten Gestein versickert."" ",,,,"Lost", +8,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/8.htm",,,"Großes Loserloch",,,"8a","

  • First recorded in 1774
  • Explored since 1931
  • J Völlenkle of L.V.H.Linz, 1:250, 1972

","The round 8m wide by 10m high entrance leads into an upper level, the Hauptgang, leading north then northeast to Regenhalle, a sizeable chamber apparently formed on a significant SW-NE joint. Immediately right at the start of the chamber, a boulder slope leads up into Teilungshalle, from where a wider slope drops left back into Regenhalle about halfway along. At the highest point of Teilungshalle, a SE-going passage quickly chokes with boulders, but appears to be heading directly for the end of Kleines Loserloch, perhaps 10m away.

Keeping to the right (SW) wall entering Teilungshalle, a rift leads SW. A passage left after 5m quickly ends too tight. A traverse to the left hand side bypasses a 5m shaft in the floor. 15m beyond, another lead on the left leads up into a small chamber, Kapelle. The continuing rift, Südwest-Kluft, gets narrower for c 25m until deemed impassable.

Back in Regenhalle, a narrow section along the joint between the two ways to Teilungshalle, gives access to a lower series via a sharp turn to the right, due south. This wide passage, Südwest-gang, passes under Teilungshalle, and turns SW directly under Südwest-Kluft. A narrow rift on the left parallels the main passage for some way. The main way develops into Gr. Dom, 12m wide, with a boulder slope up until the passage chokes comprehensively on a broad front, almost exactly below the cliff outside.

At the far (NE) end of Regenhalle, stright on enters a draughting boulder choke, but two ways up to the right lead into Stufengang, with a complex of little rifts and an extension NE to a low choked area. ",,,,,,"A4 survey in Mitt. der Sektion Ausseerland 18(4), Oct. 1980, facing p 87: a plan by J Völlenkle of L.V.H.Linz, 1:250, 1972. As printed, this looks like about a 4th generation photocopy. Also includes Kat. 9",,"390m","+20m -11m","140m SW-NE",,,,,,,,,,,,"1615m",,"21.8 cm E, 17.75 cm N, OAV sheet 15/1 ","At the south foot of Loser (visible from Altaussee).","Reached by traversing west from the Loser path as it draws level with the cliffs. ","Round 8m wide by 10m high entrance",,,,"Lost", +9,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/9.htm",,,"Kleines Loserloch",,,"8a","since 1932 ","The cave is essentially a single passage for c 60m going NE to a narrowing. To the left at this point is a small extension, with a blind pit to the SW, and a draughting boulder choke to the NE. This is c 10m from a corresponding choke in Teilugshalle of Großes Loserloch.",,,,,,"A4 survey in Mitt. der Sektion Ausseerland 18(4), Oct. 1980, facing p 87: a plan by J Völlenkle of L.V.H.Linz, 1:250, 1972. As printed, this looks like about a 4th generation photocopy. Also includes Kat. 8",,"72m","+12.5 -7.5m","50m SW-NE",,,,,,,,,,,,"1622m",,,"Just right (25m East) of, and above, Großes Loserloch. ",,"In a narrow rift in the cliff, there are two small entrances, the lower one is the normal way in, and an upper entrance to its left leads to passage which joins the normal way within 5m",,,,"Lost", +10,"1/T =",,,,"noinfo/gschwand/10.htm",,,"Spalthöhle",,,9,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1937 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,," c1715m",,," In NW face of Loser, overlooking Blaa-Alm.",,,,,,"Lost", +11,"1/T =",,,,"noinfo/gschwand/11.htm",,,"Höhle in der Loserwestwand 1",,,9,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1937 ",,,,,,,,,"60m",,,,,,,,,,,,,," c1715m",,," In NW face of Loser, overlooking Blaa-Alm.",,"an impressive 12m wide by 15m high entrance. ",,,,"Lost", +12,"0/T -",,,,"noinfo/gschwand/12.htm",,,"Höhle in der Loserwestwand 2",,,9,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1937 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,," c1715m",,," In NW face of Loser, overlooking Blaa-Alm.",,,,,,"Lost", +13,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/13.htm",,,"Knochenhöhle",,,"8d","Sektion Ausseerland, 1972 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1690m",,,"Above Dimmelwand, a rockface above the final section of the toll road.(West of Augstsee on Gschirr) ",,,,,,"Lost", +14,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/14.htm",,,"Schafkirche",,,"8c","Sektion Ausseerland, 1968 ",,,,,,,,,"36m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1670m",,"25.3 cm E, 19.75 cm N, sheet 15/1 (named on map). ","SW of Augstsee in the small scars forming the NE face of the small ridge running down to the Bergrestaurant from Loser Fenster, overlooking the lake.",,,,,,"Lost", +15,"1/(W) +",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/15.htm",,,"Michel-Gang",,,7,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1953 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1500m",,,"Below main path west of Egglgrube. (About 35m below the path as it contours east of Sommersitz) ",,,,,,"Lost", +16,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/16.htm",,,"Pauli-Loch",,,"8c","Sektion Ausseerland, 1968 ","Since the length is recorded as 40m, it is interesting to read that a maximum/ minimum thermometer and hygrometer were placed 50m from the entrance from June 1976 to September 1977. These showed that the temperature varied from 1 to 5°C, with a relative humidity between 94% and 100%. The cave yielded Pseudoscorpions of the species Neobisium blothrus aueri.",,,,,,,,"40m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1690m",,,"Below cliffs west of Augstsee.",,,,,,"Lost", +17,"1/T =",,,,"noinfo/loser/17.htm",,,"Bärenhöhle im Höllgraben",,,"8b","Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1949. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1380m",,,"In Höllgraben, which is a major gully starting below the Bergrestaurant and dropping down to Liägerhöhle at the NW end of the Altausseer See. Cave is below and South of Bergrestaurant, just at the top break of slope.",,,,,,"Lost", +18,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/18.htm",,,"Gaisofen im Ammerei",,,"8b"," LVHK Wien, 1974 ",,,,,,,,,"250m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1440m",,,"500m NE of Loser Hütte, north of Bärenhöhle (Kat.17) in Ammereich, a small cliff band below the toll road.",,,,,,"Lost", +19,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/19.htm",,,"Gamsofen im Scharlingkar",,,7,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1953 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1450m",,,"SE of Egglgrubenalm, ie. follow the valley down from Egglgrube until some huts appear - the cave is then SE below a small cliff somewhere. ",,,,,,"Lost", +20,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/20.htm",,,"Windhöhle",,,7,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1953 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1475m",,,"In Scharlingkar. This is the band of cliffs SW of Weiße Wand. The cave is SW of Gamsofen (Kat.19) and almost due south of the huts in Bräning Alm.",,,,,,"Lost", +21,"2/S/T +",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/21.htm",,,"Windloch im Egglgrube",,,7,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1938 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1510m",,,"South of Egglgrubenalm (it looks to be east of it on the map), north of Gamsofen (Kat.19).",,,,,,"Lost", +22,"1/S x",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/22.htm",,,"Spiralschacht",,,7,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1939 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1500m",,,"South of Egglgrubenalm. Not marked on Austrian´s map",,,,,,"Lost", +23,"1/t/S =",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/23.htm",,,"Steinbockhöhle",,,7,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1939 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1500m",,,"East of Egglgrubenalm near Weiße Wand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +24,"1/S =",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/24.htm",,,"Schachthöhle bei Egglgrubenalm",,,7,"Schauberger, 1938 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1540m",,,"South of junction of paths near Egglgrube (ie. divergence of CUCC's routes to the col and to Stellerweg) ",,,,,,"Lost", +25,"2/T x",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/25.htm",,,"Mauskothhöhle",,,7,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1938 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1500m",,,"East of Egglgrubenalm, very near Steinbockhöhle (Kat. 23).",,,,,,"Lost", +26,"1/(W) +",,,,"noinfo/br-alm/26.htm",,,"Wasserschlinger I",,,3,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1976 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1542m",,,"In Bräuning Kunntal, the large closed depression west of Bräuning Alm. ",,,,,,"Lost", +27,"1/(W) +",,,,"noinfo/br-alm/27.htm",,,"Wasserschlinger II",,,3,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1976 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1542m",,," In Bräuning Kunntal, next to Kat.26",,,,,,"Lost", +28,"2/t/S +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/28.htm",,,"Augsteckhöhle",,,"2a","LVHK Wien, 1974 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1630m",,,"Next to Stögerweg (path 201) just beyond Egglgrube and the branch path to the Kratzer valley. ie. we pass it on the way to Stellerweghöhle. It is marked by a red-painted omega in the path, just where the junction path leading to The Nipple and the German bivouac leaves the main path, at which point there is also a laser-rangefound fixed point.",,,,"Red paint",,"Refindable","Near Stoger Weg. Should be easy to find" +29,"1/S x",,,,"noinfo/br-alm/29.htm",,,"Schwarzmoosloch",,,3,"Schauberger, 1921 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1560m",,,"NE of huts in Bräuning Alm ",,,,,,"Lost", +30,"1/S x",,,,"noinfo/br-alm/30.htm",,,"Grundloses Loch",,,3,"LVHK Oberösterreich, 1966 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1570m",,,"Next to path towards Bräuning Alm from Egglgrube junction. (I think this may be the first walled open shaft on the true left of the valley below Bräuning Alm) ",,,,,,"Lost", +31,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/31.htm",,,"Elchhöhle","Megalodontenhöhle",,"2a","LVHK Wien, 1974","Mainly horizontal and going northish under the path. A large phreatic tube in horizontally bedded limestone. Visited by Andy Waddington, Doug Florence with Karl Gaisberger on August 12th, 1978. Latter person collected a rare cave beetle from it (only the second specimen of this species collected in Austria, if we understood Karl correctly), which I think is now in the Natural History Museum in Vienna, having been pickled in Vodka borrowed from an expedition member. Name comes from discovery of Elk bones when first explored. ",,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/31/31.svx","262m","26m","85m",,,,"p31","No idea",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Next to Stögerweg (path 201) somewhat beyond Augsteckhöhle (Kat. 28). Located very near laser point 7/9.",,,,"Paint","Red number - next to main path","Surveyed", +32,"1/S +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/32.htm",,,"Windloch am Stögerweg",,,"2a","LVHK Oberösterreich, 1966 ",,,,,,,,,,"25m",,,,,"p032","drilled hole above 1623/32 entrance (next to path)","p032x","Nils",,,81126,35771,"1567m",,,"Obvious horizontal entrance right next to path 201 shortly before you hack off to Stellerweghöhle. ",,"A major landmark for CUCC navigation, and also very useful for storing beer, this obvious 2m high entrance is right next to the path and blows a lot of cold air in summer. Unfortunately, it doesn't go anywhere. It does, however, have a permanent survey station.",,"Spit","CUCC drilled hole and small red-painted pre-1981 number","Surveyed", +33,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/br-alm/33.htm",,,"Schichtgrenzenhöhle",,,3,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1975 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1570m",,,"South of Bräuning Alm. I think this is another of the fenced off shafts near the path north from the junction at Egglgrube. ",,,,,,"Lost", +34,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/34.htm",,,"Höhle am Kratzer I",,,4,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1973 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1590m",,,"Quite a way east of Bräuning Alm in the top end of the Kratzer valley.",,,,,,"Lost", +35,"2/S/T x",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/35.htm",,,"Dr. Kerschner Höhle",,,4,"

  • Found by Othmar Schauberger, 1921.
  • Looked at for some years by F Hütter, but always blocked by snow.
  • In October 1976, G Graf managed to descend 30m in the shaft, the uppermost part of which was snow and ice free. The continuation of the way could not be found.
  • In August 1977, 5kg of salt was dumped onto the snow blockage. In October 1977, after a long walk over the plateau, it was looked at again and successfully explored.

","Now, the Austrian's exploration details suggest that the cave was substantially unblocked in 1976 (to -30m in October), while CUCC's find was choked at -10m. Also, the description given of this cave in the local Climbing Guide (Krenmayr) sounds nothing like B5 at all, (he says, already explored in 1921, but today almost forgotten. Need Ice equipment) so the Austrian writing in the caver's magazine who said it was B5 may have been mistaken. Krenmayr gives length 250m, depth 100m.

This description by Karl Gaisberger is from the 1977 Exploration:

After climbing down 8m to where the shaft appeared blocked by snow, progress did not seem likely. I [translator] think ""there was a spiralling way in the snow to a wall of ice columns"". A very steep descent led into a passage with a snow cone. (This was still in the previous year's snow-free climb !). Pushing through a thin snow-wall through which the light glimmered, a direct way was established. Through a hole in the snow in a rubble-filled passage, the way soon branched. Both branches ended blind.

The lower level of the cave, described by O Schauberger, must be found on the opposite side of the snow-cone from the [Schluf?]. One now comes to a chamber complex where a sloping 10m shaft climbs down into the Kristallhalle. The walls here are covered with admittedly large, but superficially weathered calcite somethings (Kalzitdrusen).

From the Kristallhalle, through a narrow bit to a side-something with a pile of rubble, the Tropfsteinhalle. There is a single 60cm high stalagmite here. It shows a corroded appearance, indicating aggressive ground water. Tropfsteinhalle contains, so far, the most beautiful flowstone decorations in the Loser area. These include [plenty dictionary failure here] Sinterfahnen, Boden- und Deckenzapfen, sogar Excentriques.

In the area of the stalagmites, several dead pseudoscorpions (Neobisium aueri) were found. There is some more description of the floor of the chamber (I think), but I can't make head nor tail of it.",,,,,,,,"250m","Given 100m in 1980.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1630m",,,"Just SW of the col (Schwarzmoossattel), SE of Bräuning Nase. ",,"Surface shaft often blocked with snow",,,"This hole supposedly has a CUCC painted number ""B5"" of 1976 vintage, which will probably be pretty faded. But the cave descriptions do not agree.","Lost", +36,"1/S x",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/36.htm",,,"Schachtgruppe I - V",,,4,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, undated. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p36",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Austrian kataster says Hinterbräuning, south of Bräuning Nase, but this isn´t where their map shows it. Map shows it south east of Schwarzmoossattel, on east side of upper Kratzer valley below Schwarzmooskogel.

The cave was located on the ground by CUCC in 1990 and it is, in fact, just south of Schwarzmoossattel, which is almost due east of Bräuning Nase. From the path leaving the col going south, hack off following the little stream down into the valley. This sinks into the northernmost of a group of three shafts below a small headwall facing east.

Number is in red on the headwall just south of the three entrances.

A group of five (presumably small) shafts. One of these was thought, by the Austrians, to be CUCC's 'B1' of 1976. This, however, is patently not the case, since the sequence B1-B4 goes up the valley, and B4 is about level, perhaps slightly lower than 36.",,"A group of five (presumably small) shafts",,"Paint","Number is in red on the headwall just south of the three entrances. ","Surveyed", +37,"0/S -",,,,"noinfo/plateau/37.htm",,,"Schachtgruppe beim Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel",,,"1d","Discovered by Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, undated.
Status is given as totally unexplored, so it could well be a CUCC hole by now, and have a different number.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1700m",,,"West of Ht. Schwarzmooskogel. Well out onto the plateau, and hence, almost impossible to find or identify. ",,,,,,"Lost", +38,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/plateau/38.htm",,,"Algenhöhle",,,"1d","Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1938","Behind the entrance there is a single passage at right angles to it, with boulders (Blockwerk). ",,,,,,"Sketch by J. Gaisberger snr., 1938 ",,"33m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1700m",,,"West of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel (exact location unknown) Possibly near Kat.37 (q.v.)",,,,,,"Lost", +39,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/39.htm",,,"SCHWA höhle 39",,,"2b or 4 (unclear)","Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1938",,,,,,,,,"18m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1740m",,,"West side of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel according to text. Map shows it on S side, not far from the summit area. Later reference says it is above and south of Kat.36, however the kataster description of the location of 36 is also wrong... ",,"2.2m wide by 1.2m high entrance leads in a gentle slope to where it becomes too tight. ",,,,"Lost", +40,"7/S/T/E x","a–s",,"yes","noinfo/smkridge/40.htm",,,"Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle","Schwarzmooskogelhöhlensystem","see also CUCC discoveries in Eishöhle","2b","The main passages as far as Elephantengang were explored by 1938. Since then a variety of groups have worked here finding numerous extensions, of which Schneevulkanhalle is the most significant.

Until recently, it has been difficult to come close to a comprehensive survey or even a good estimate of the length of the system because of a lack of contact and some misunderstanding between the groups involved. However, in 1997 a chance encounter (at the International Congress) by Wookey with Denis Motte, of the G.S.Clerval, led to renewed contacts with one group who explored this area, and Thilo Müller of ARGE has contacted the leaders of other groups and obtained all the rest of the 1980s information that survives. This is being merged into a coherent set of information which will guide necessary resurvey work to complete the picture.

  • Discovered and main passages explored in 1929 by Ausseer cavers, and surveyed in 1938 by O Schauberger and U Czornig.
  • Further exploration 1953, Sektion Ausseerland.
  • Wilfried Lorenz, Franz Lindenmayr with Nuremburg and Munich cavers discover the Schneevulkanhalle at the beginning of July 1978 (not yet connected to Eishöhle).
  • In Autumn 1983, Eishöhle was ""1600m long with four entrances"".
  • After several trips by the Germans in September to November 1983, the system was 2500m long with five entrances [Der Schlaz, 42, also on site in English translation].
  • More recently, Reinhard Kieselbach's (München/Nurnberg - VfHM) group have linked it to Lärchenschacht (88) (itself 1885m long in April 1995, and apparently giving a combined length of 6km) which they also connected to Stellerweghöhle (5.75 km).
  • Our Current estimate of the cave length is 1,863km, from a total surveyed length of 2,463m (600m of the 974m long Schneevulkanhalle survey is not deemed to be part of the cave length).
    The length comes from:
    VfHM 1980s survey - 693m: Original part of cave plus extensions
    VfHO 1991 survey - 374m: Schneevulkanhalle from 40e entrance
    CUCC 1998-9 surveys - 751m: Heaven and Hell and persitence of vision SVH extensions
    Arge 1999 surveys - 130m: Königsschacht and Grüner Eingang

Stellerweghöhle in turn is connected to Schwabenschacht which was over 7km at the time and exploration continues. This must make the combined system at least 19 km long. We have seen figures quoted as high as 25km, but this may involve some double-counting, given the uncertainties involved. Arge's estimate (entirely from extant survey data) was 22.7 km after summer 1999.","Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle is an extensive cave over 1600m long before 1983, extended to 2500m by a German group by 1985. The system is mainly horizontal, though tackle is needed to explore it fully, and crampons are necessary in parts, because of the substantial quantities of ice in the cave. Was extended by the Germans who worked in the area in the early eighties, who suggested then that there was potential for extension vertically. Subsequently linked via a 30m pitch to Lärchenschacht (1623/88) which in turn was connected to the Stellerweghöhlensystem, giving no increase in depth if the laser-rangefound altitude is correct rather than the old kataster one, which seems likely.

Translated brief guide

From 'Längsten und Tiefsten Hohlen in Österreich', translated by Wookey and Thilo:

The cave is on the southeastern slopes of the Vorderen Schwarzmooskogel (1843) developed in Dachsteinkalk. From seven partly shaft-like entrance points, a huge, flat-floored level with impressive ice formations can be approached. The Schneevulkanhalle at the northern end is the biggest ice-bearing chamber in middle Europe.

Four entrances lead into the central area. A 40m shaft from the Top Entrance 'Oberen Eingang' breaks into the ice-decorated 'Altausseer Halle'. To the west from here via a 25m ramp accessing 'Schneehalle' leads both to entrance 2 and the connecting gallery from the ice-bearing 'Thalhammerhalle', that can be entered from entrances 3 and 4 too. South of the Schnee and Altausseer Halles, the 'Teufelberger Halle' connects, the bottom of which contains an ice lake. A wide passage with side shafts goes southsouthwest to 'Hans-Pfandl-Halle'. The east connected room, also reached by a 23m high chimney (entrance 7), is divided into two by a high block barrier. The 'Flusstunnel' south from here ends blocked.

From the Altausseer Halle, a lofty passage with ice figures heads off NNE. The continuation is the 'Halle des Schiefen Turms', where the 'Wahnsinnschächte' branches off on the west. It was thought that this was blocked by ice. However, over a wall of ice one reaches the 130 by 75 by 50 m Schneevulkanhalle, on the eastern wall of which rises a steep snowslope flowing from the 'Königsschachts' (entrance 6). The chamber with its very impressive ice formations can also be reached via the 'Brennerbeselschluf' (entrance 5). At its northern end a climb reveals the easterly-running 'Kalten Gang' and the parallel 'Spinnenfriedhof'.

Schneevulkanhalle trip:

The principal objective of both pushing and tourist trips is the huge ice chamber of Schneevulkanhalle, which requires some serious ice work to reach from the older entrances in the middle of the system. Instead, follow the description to the ""new"" entrance (Brennerbeselschluf, 40e), with a somewhat limited area to get changed, perched between the icy blast from the cave and whatever the Austrian weather is offering.

The entrance is not walk-in, and low crawling in the face of the icy draught starts at once. A small descending tube (somewhat muddy - irritating in crampons!) leads in about 20m to a short climb down into larger (walking/stooping) passage 'Geröllgang. This goes downhill to a scramble up. This was totally ice-covered in 1997 and 1998, but not 1999 or 2000 and has a fixed rope (VfHO-installed), which may be buried in ice at somewhat critical points - a certain amount of care is needed if chipping it out with an ice-axe and gloves really are needed!

Partway up this slope is a space on the left [C0000-40-05 A], including a pitch in the floor. At the far end of this space, a short crawl and a grovel down through boulders where a stream comes in from above both choke. The pitch is a c3, p20, p30 - the last part being very wet in early summer. Leading to Schotterland.

Survey data also suggests a passage off to the right of the iceslope for 20m or so.

Above the scramble up is a short traverse, also rather interesting when covered in hard ice (and also protected by a fixed rope which had to be dug out in 1998). A steeply ascending passage to the L holds a quantity of particularly scrofulous rope (presumably a previous fixed rope). This can be climbed ~10m until it gets too vertical. It draughts. Beyond the ice is a steep snow/ice slope down into the huge Schneevulkanhalle. It is strongly recommended to equip this with a properly rigged SRT rope rather than anything less - the cave has seen a number of accidents, some fatal. Although the slope looks like soft snow, it is a layer of coarsely crystalline hard névé over solid ice. In parts it is almost impossible to kick steps into, whilst in others it offers only minimal purchase for crampon points. Conditions no doubt vary with the season as well as with position on the slope and the year. Tackle required: 50m rope, crampons. There is one bolt at the top, for a traverse line to two bolts off to the R in the roof where the snow-slope proper starts. Sometimes the traverse area is full of snow and an ice-screw or ice-axe rebelay/deviation (club first ? in 1989) may be needed. A deviation (from rock) at the head of the steep section was found adequate in 1998.

The 50m Königschacht (40f) entrance is the source of the snow slope and comes in here. It is often full of snow but was open in 1999 and so was surveyed (by ARGE).

At the bottom is the main chamber from which the pitch does indeed look like a snow-covered volcanic cone. Most of the floor area is ice-covered and only a slight slope is necessary to make crampons vital here. Most of the chamber is filled with ice formations up to 15m high (end of season). Those with two ice-tools can climb almost anything in the chamber, though the formations are no doubt rather more spectacular and fragile in spring or early summer. Formation-ice can also shatter very easily as melting occurs between component crystals later in the season, so it is probably safer for climbers to stick to hard névé. Ways on are mostly reached by steeper slopes that definitely require ice-gear and can be quite unnerving approached from above. Note that the slopes are usually hard ice, ice-axe-braking after a slip is not an option - lifeline or don't fall !

Starting from the pitch (facing outwards from the slope), heading round the chamber to the left leads over a large flat area of ice to where a gap between ice and rock [C0000-40-01 A] drops 10m (2 bolts, one added 1999) into large passage Elefantengang.

Right next to it is an icefall coming in from above [C0000-40-02 C] (Apparently explored by GSCB in early 80s for ~40m). 40m round the wall of the chamber is a rubble run-in, iced on the top half. This was climbed by Haines (1998) and Atkinson (1999), as well as the GSCB. At the top is a wet boulder choke that definately doesn't go, but the GSCB plan shows a narrow rift on the right marked 'tight'.

Halfway up this slope on the left is the narrow entrance to Persistence of Vision.

20m further round another couple of icefalls come in. Both are about 8-10m and vertical [C0000-40-03 A]. GSCB plan shows they have climbed up here to find a 20m pitch beyond into narrow rift. Their survey doesn't make it clear how it ends. CUCC bolted up the left side of the left icefall in 2000 to find an ice water duck leading to a pitch series (Mission Impossible). The duck was dry in 2001, but back again in 2002.

50m further round (downslope) the ice drops away steeply under the wall. A line is advisable for the descent. 20m down, the ice slope peters out giving way to sand and rocks. At the end here is a very strongly draughting hole [C0000-40-04 B]. This appears too tight, but survey data shows this is where Kalten Gang and Spinnefriedhof are (VfHM, 1984). To the right at the foot of the slope closes down with rocks and ice - it would probably connect with Plastic Hell. A few metres up from the bottom of the slope on the left hand (N) wall is a gap between the ice and rock leading into a large chamber [A1998-40-05 B] (reported by Robert Winkler).

Back in Schneevulkanhalle, another 10m clockwise round the chamber is another, steeper iceslope. A rope is definitely needed for this. This is the way to Plastic Hell.

Beyond and above are more thin icefalls coming from high in the ceiling - trying to climb these would be bonkers - the debris from the collapse of some of them is all around.

Schotterland (Munich cavers 198? and ARGE 2000)

The foot of the piss-wet pitch opens out into very large triangular passage. You can go NE about 35m until it chokes (a good draught comes out of one hoplessly choked corner) or SW 20 to a T-junction. Right (W) is Kleiner keller. Left, ducking under the low wall, is Schotterland.

Kleiner keller is about 50m on huge passage to where the end is choked with glacial fill and a waterspout comes in the from the roof 3m up. A sling ladder makes it possible to ascend the waterspout - you can even doing it without getting very wet, as the spout is unusually well-concentrated, and thus avoidable. This comes into an E-W rift, with the water coming from the E end. It can be ascended in both directions at various traverse levels for about 30m, but the top appears choked at all points. The top is probably very close to the floor of Elephantengang.

The old Munich cavers' data suggests that there is a passage off kleiner keller that we missed - which seems hard to believe, but maybe it is worth another visit?

Schotterland is more enormous passage (10m wide) going SSE, presumably schotterland, due to the flooring of small rocks. A ramp goes up steeply on the L after 30m. It closes down after 40m. Ahead the passage slowly narrows until it chokes at the end - probably very close to the surface.",,,,,"In dataset",,"smk-system.svx","5257m (SMK system total 54000m)","262m (SMK system total 1032m)","2941m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"SSE of Vd. Schwarzmooskogel and ENE of a large basin in the hillside which often contains a lot of snow. Roughly a 450m NNE of Sonnenstrahlhöhle - CUCC's furthest east permanent survey station.","From the Bergrestaurant, take path 201, ignoring the left turn to the plateau at Egglgrube. Pass the junction path left to Kratzer and continue until a red upper-case Omega is seen in the middle of the path, marking Kat. 28 (we think).

There is a well-marked (cairns and red paint spots/arrows) branch path here. Follow this for about half an hour to the back of the limestone knoll known as ""The Nipple"" (and Weisse Warz and bunter's bulge). Things to note: first there is a wire traverse then you pass the lightninged tree in a sizeable valley. (Opposite this tree is the point you would turn left for Schwabenscacht). Shortly after that a pair of red arrows point in opposite directions. Go steeply uphill here doubling back slightly, rather than the more obvious straight on. Turn right about 40m beyond the nipple and head across the limestone for a narrow gully. After a hundred metres or so new red paint marks appear and take you to 40a.

A very large cave entrance, 20 minutes further on, was the German's (Munich) bivouac, and a few minutes later, a strongly draughting (out in summer) tube about 5m in diameter is the main entrance (""Hauptportal"" - 40a). This was also the site of an old French bivouac, but must have been very cold. Continue along past some big holes and slightly downhill (one 5m step down). After about 180m(?) you reach the area of numerous entrances in a row There is the small Grüner Eingang (40s), 2 larger entrances ('Eistunnel' and 'Nichts50'), a small blocked entrance, and finally, where the path ends abruptly and unambiguously the ""new"" entrance (40e, Brennerbeserlschluf), also strongly draughting. This is between one and a half and two hours from the car park.",,,,,, +40,,"a",,"entrance","noinfo/smkridge/40a.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Oberer Eingang",,"p40a","it is laser point 14",,"laser point",,,81700.9294,36459.4949,"1689.6784m",,,,"From the Bergrestaurant, take path 201, ignoring the left turn to the plateau at Egglgrube. Pass the junction path left to Kratzer and continue until a red upper-case Omega is seen in the middle of the path, marking Kat. 28 (we think). There is a well-marked (cairns and red paint spots/arrows) branch path here. Follow this for about half an hour to the back of the limestone knoll known as ""The Nipple"" (and Weisse Warz and bunter's bulge). Things to note: first there is a wire traverse then you pass the lightninged tree in a sizeable valley. (Opposite this tree is the point you would turn left for Schwabenscacht). Shortly after that a pair of red arrows point in opposite directions. Go steeply uphill here doubling back slightly, rather than the more obvious straight on. Turn right about 40m beyond the nipple and head across the limestone for a narrow gully. After a hundred metres or so new red paint marks appear and take you to 40a. A very large cave entrance, 20 minutes further on, was the German's (Munich) bivouac, and a few minutes later, a strongly draughting (out in summer) tube about 5m in diameter is the main entrance (""Hauptportal"" - 40a).","a strongly draughting (out in summer) tube about 5m in diameter",,"Tag (?)",,"Surveyed","Marked entrance thought to be 40a" +40,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schneeschacht ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag placed eary in 2002 expo","?", +40,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Reichenvaterschacht ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"?", +40,,"d",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unterer Eingang",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"?", +40,,"e",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Brennerbeselschluf ","p40e",,,"p40ex","Nils",,,81993.397,36625.886,"1642.286m",,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +40,,"f",,"entrance","smkridge/40/40f.html",,,,,,,,"Classic pitch lands on slope to snow. Down side of snow leads into passage containing red climbing rope; this is the top of Brennerbeserlschluf (40e) before the snow volcano into Schneevulkanhalle.",,,,,,,,,,,,"Königsschachts ",,"p40f","?",,"Surface survey",,,82042,36587,"1688m",,,,"Just 20m below traverse ledge on 163 -> 40s route","Large shaft","

Wookey on the entrance shaft in 2002 (photo Olly Betts, using Wookey's camera)

",,,"Surveyed", +40,,"g",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Einstieg zur Hans Pfandl-Halle",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"?", +40,,"h",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Eistunnel(Elephant)",,"p40h","?",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +40,,"i",88,"entrance",,"noinfo/smkridge/88.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"j","41a","entrance",,"smkridge/41.htm","a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"k","41b","entrance",,"smkridge/41b.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"l","41c","entrance",,"smkridge/41.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Stellerweghöhle (?)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"m",115,"entrance",,"smkridge/115.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"n",142,"entrance",,"smkridge/142.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"o","78a","entrance",,"noinfo/smkridge/78.htm","a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"p","78b","entrance",,"noinfo/smkridge/78.htm","b",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"q","78c","entrance",,"noinfo/smkridge/78.htm","c",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"r","78d","entrance",,"noinfo/smkridge/78.htm","d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +40,,"s",,"last entrance","smkridge/40/40s.html",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Grüner Eingang",,"p40s","?",,"Surface survey",,,81895,36567,"1651m",,,,,,"

40s entrance areaCloseup of entrance

Photos © Wookey 2002",,,"Surveyed", +41,"7/S/T/E x","a b",,"yes","smkridge/41.htm",,,"Stellerweghöhle",,,"2a","Length of CUCC's part is approx 5.75 km, while the Germans had about 6 km in 88 in 1987, and the French (?) connected the Eishöhle (2.5 km or more) in the same year. This should make the system about 14-15 km all told before 1996. The Stuttgart group, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Höhle und Karst Grabenstetten e.V., have, early in 1996, connected their cave Schwabenschacht (1623-78) into a passage in 1623/142, one way into the system. This adds no new depth, but considerably increases the overall length. ARGE have also been doing much useful resurvey and some exploration, bringing their estimate of the total length to 22.7 km in 1999.","As the full guidebook description is understandably quite big and is still evolving, just an overview is given here.

Sub-horizontal passages lead through steeply-hading rifts from this entrance. A lower route was originally explored by a German group before CUCC's first visit, and remains poorly documented and not fully explored. The higher route, explored by CUCC, leads past connections to 142, another CUCC find. Passages trend downhill to reach the Big Pitch of 100m vertical.

Lärchenhöhle connects at the bottom of the Big Pitch, and a streamway leads down. A roof passage connects to CUCC's 144, and another leads on to smaller pitches to the Big Rift, dropping steeply down several pitches to reach Junction Chamber with connections to Schnellzughöhle (115).

The route to 115 also leads to Pete's Purgatory, 800m of awful streamway to the Confluence, much more easily reached by large fossil passages starting with Dartford Tunnel from Junction Chamber. The Confluence is around half the depth of the system, and marks a transition to a single linear streamway leading to great depth, a feature currently unique in the known caves of the area.

The streamway is interrupted by a bypassable sump and several, mainly short, pitches, before a low-airspace canal appears to mark the end. However, a low duck can be passed to reach a deep and very wet shaft Orgasm Chasm which drops to the final muddy passage and short pitch to a dismal and deep rift sump.

The sump is 898m below the 41a entrance, and is at just about the same level as Altausseer See, in whose underwater risings the Stellerweg water is presumed to emerge. The scope for greater depth here seems minimal, but connections to various higher entrances have increased this to c971m, with perhaps a little more potential still to realise (optimistically up to 1058m).",,,,,,,"smk-system.svx","8088m (SMK system total 54000m)","357m (SMK system total 1032m)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"

  • 41a   (main)   1611m,   47° 40' 10"" N, 13° 48' 41"" E
  • 41b   (upper)   1625m,   47° 40' 10"" N, 13° 48' 42"" E

","Follow Stögerweg to Windloch and then a hundred metres or so further. When the path starts to drop steeply, backtrack 10m (where there should be a permanent survey station 'P4') and start to hack up the hillside. Orange paint flashes on the rock should be visible, and will lead after 300m or so to a cave entrance at the head of a gully. If it isn't blowing the trees around in the cold air, it isn't the right place!",,,,,, +41,,"a","40j","entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p041a","station at entrance 41a, left side of main entrance","p041ax","Nils",,,81244,35827,"1621m",,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +41,,"b","40k","last entrance","smkridge/41b.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p41b","Surface survey",,,81258,35863,"1635m",,,"The upper entrance (41b) is in a large rift about 30m to the east of the lower (41a) which is a strongly outward-draughting tube in a shattered gully.",,,,"Paint","Number painted in red","Surveyed", +42,"1/S =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/42.htm",,,"Wasserschacht",,,"2a","Sektion Ausseerland, 1952 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1700m",,,"SSW of Vd. Schwarzmooskogel, not far (50m vertical) up the hill from Stellerweghöhle, so we have probably rediscovered it and renumbered it. ",,,,,,"Lost", +43,"1/T+",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/43.htm",,,"Höhle beim Wackelstein",,,4,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1973 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1650m",,,"SE of Bräuning Nase, apparently just below the path up to Schwarzmoossattel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +44,"1/T+",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/44.htm",,,"Höhle am Kratzer II",,,4,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1620m",,,"In upper Kratzer valley south of the col. ",,,,,,"Lost", +45,"1/S/E +",,,,"noinfo/wilden/45.htm",,,"Dannerschacht",,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1610m",,,"East of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. NE of the Eishöhle, and looking pretty difficult to get to. ",,,,,,"Lost", +46,"1/T =",,,,"noinfo/wilden/46.htm",,,"Engelbrechthöhle",,,5,"Engelbrecht, 1952 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1635m",,,"Near Dannerschacht Kat.45",,,,,,"Lost", +47,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/wilden/47.htm",,,"SCHWA höhle 47",,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1612m",,,"Near Dannerschacht Kat.45",,,,,,"Lost", +48,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/wilden/48.htm",,,"SCHWA höhle 48",,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1612m",,,"Near Dannerschacht Kat.45",,,,,,"Lost", +49,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/wilden/49.htm",,,"SCHWA höhle 49",,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1618m",,,"Near Dannerschacht Kat.45",,,,,,"Lost", +50,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/wilden/50.htm",,,"SCHWA höhle 50",,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1620m",,,"Near Dannerschacht Kat.45",,,,,,"Lost", +51,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/aaussee/51.htm",,,"Höhlen 1-3 in Weiße Wand",,,10,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1330-1400m",,,"At the bottom of Weiße Wand west of Hochklapfsattel, some way below the Stögerweg path. ",,,,,,"Lost", +52,"1/S/W +","a b",,,"noinfo/gschwand/52.htm",,,"Sennerkeller & Sauloch",,,9,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1968 ","To the north, an 11m long, 2m high and 0.5m wide meander passage leads off. Through the passage flows a small gutter, which might well end too tight just after the turn off to Sennerkeller, the water emerging at a small spring to the north of Sennerkeller in a karren field. ",,,,"Mitt. der Sektion Ausseerland 19(3) July, 1981, p 49 ",,"1:250, Alfred Auer, 1968 (no copy available) ",,"32m","15m","17.5m SW-NE",,,,,,,,,,,,"1490m",,,"Gschwandalm, by the path.","Reached by walking all the way round Loser from the Loser Hütte. ","In a 15m by 6m wide rift is the 6m by 4m entrance to the Sauloch. This is in a steep-sided doline used as a dumping place for all sorts of refuse.",,,,"Lost", +53,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/augstb/53.htm",,,"Gellerliäger",,,11,,"""Horizontale, niedere Röhre mit Bruchschutt.""",,,,,,"Plan 1:100 by Alfred Auer, 1968 ",,,,"5m N-S ",,,,,,,,,,,,"1020m",,,,"12m east and 5m above Gellerofen (Kat.3)",,,,,"Lost", +54,"1/T =",,,,"noinfo/augstb/54.htm",,,"Seehöhle",,,11,"Karl Gaisberger, 1959 ",,,,,,,,,"5m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"780m",,,"South of and well below Gellerofen (Kat.3), not marked on the Austrian´s map, but apparently just off the road in Augstbachtal. Must be almost in the village. ""Kleine Höhle mit einer Wasserlacke im Inneren.""",,,,,,"Lost", +55,"1/S/T =",,,,"noinfo/loser/55.htm",,,"Schachthöhle west. Hochanger",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1750m",,,"Almost on the saddle between Loser and Hochanger. ",,,,,,"Lost", +56,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/56.htm",,,"Hornsteinhöhle",,,"8c",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1650m",,,"West side of Augstsee. ",,,,,,"Lost", +57,"1/S +",,,,"noinfo/loser/57.htm",,,"Höhle unterhalb der Schafkirche",,,"8c",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1660m",,,"West side of Augstsee. ",,,,,,"Lost", +58,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/58.htm",,,"Höhle unterhalb ab Pauli-Loch",,,"8c",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1670m",,,"West side of Augstsee. ",,,,,,"Lost", +59,"1/T+",,,,"noinfo/loser/59.htm",,,"Bruchshutthöhle",,,"8c",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1680m",,,"West side of Augstsee on map. Text says W Hochangerlift (presumed to be the ski lift which runs from near the Loser Hütte towards Loser Fenster) on Gschirr, which is itself unnamed on the map. Current surmise is that the map location is correct, that the cave is actually east of the lift, and that Gschirr is the ridge running down from Loser Fenster to the Bergrestaurant. However the map symbol implies that this is a shaft, and this location is actually unlikely for a shaft...",,,,,,"Lost", +60,"1/S =",,,,"noinfo/gschwand/60.htm",,,"Schacht I-IV bei Gschwandalm",,,9,"Sektion Ausseerland, 1965, 1968",,,,,"Mitt. der Sektion Ausseerland 19(3) July, 1981, p 49 ",,,,"40m","30m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1590m",,,"1 Km NE of Gschwandalm between spot heights 1537 and 1607m, below the path.

In a hollow is a 4m wide and 40m long rift containing a row of shafts (II-IV). The rift reaches -30m, where there is a melt-water pool. A little higher up the slope is a triangular opening 1.5m wide and 2.2m long. At -15m, this connects with the others.",,,,,,"Lost", +61,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/br-alm/61.htm",,,"Gemsbockhöhle",,,3,"Karl Gaisberger, 1975 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1620m",,,"NE of Bräuning Alm, north of the path to Schwarzmoossattel.",,,,,,"Lost", +62,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/62.htm",,,"Dolinenhöhle",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1620m",,,"Above Dimmelwand - cliff above last section of toll road. ",,,,,,"Lost", +63,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/63.htm",,,"Pseudoskorpionhöhle",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1625m",,,"Above Dimmelwand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +64,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/64.htm",,,"Gr. Durchgangshöhle",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1670m",,,"Above Dimmelwand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +65,"1/T+",,,,"noinfo/loser/65.htm",,,"Widderhöhle",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1645m",,,"Above Dimmelwand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +66,"1/T+",,,,"noinfo/augstb/66.htm",,,"Löckerweghöhle",,,11,"Höhlenforschervereinigung Altaussee, 1939 ",,,,,,,"Plan at 1:100 by Alfred Auer, 1968 ",,"11.1m",,"SW-NE",,,,,,,,,,,,"980m",,,"SW side of Loserstockes, directly above Ht.Posern. ",,"2.6m wide by 1m high entrance, ""flachbogenförmige Portal führt in eine 1939 von der H.V.A. ausgegrabene horizontal Höhle. Holozäne Knochenfunde.""",,,,"Lost", +67,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/67.htm",,,"Biwakhöhle am Loser",,,"8d",,"In October 1977, Karl Gaisberger collected the first examples of the Pseudoscorpion Neobisium hermanni to be found in the Totes Gebirge.",,,,,,,,"55m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1670m",,,"Above Dimmelwand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +68,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/aaussee/68.htm",,,"Kleine Bärenhöhle",,,10,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1370m",,,"At foot of Weiße Wand west of Hochklapfsattel, just NNE of Kat.51",,,,,,"Lost", +69,"1/S +",,,,"noinfo/loser/69.htm",,,"Schacht am Gschirr",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1690m",,,"Text says West of Augstsee. Map shows it above Dimmelwand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +70,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/70.htm",,,"Schneckenloch",,,"8d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1660m",,,"Above Dimmelwand. ",,,,,,"Lost", +71,"2/S/W +","a b",,,"kratzer/71.htm",,,"Fledermaushöhle",,,4,"Discovered by Karl Gaisberger in October 1975, but prevented from continuing by start of winter snows, so shared exploration with CUCC, 1976. ","Initial hands and knees crawl for 20m soon enlarges and descends past a couple of oxbows (one leading to within sight of daylight up an aven) to reach twin climbs of 8m, the easier being through a hole to the right. Soon afterwards is the first pitch, a sloping 8m. Below this, a pleasant passage with occasional bat-droppings leads to a short muddy crawl, an earth bank and a sizeable chamber. The next pitch, of 7m, is reached after more muddy passage, and may be climbed/jumped by a rift to one side, but is best rigged for the return.

 

Easy going continues past a right turn to a complex junction at several levels. The water can be followed down a rift to a drop into an impenetrable fissure. Back at the junction, a traverse and thrutch through lead to a small tube, which crosses a cross-rift and ends at a filthy sump. Left at the cross rift, however, a low crawl gives onto a greasy chimney climb of 4m with very little in the way of holds. At the foot of this, the water reenters, and soon develops acute verticality. The first 5m are technical and best rigged, but below that, the descent becomes more spiralling in mainly solid rock. After 30m, things become more shattered and muddy and the climb drops into water leading very quickly to a sump at -90m.

Shortly before the second pitch, a right turn leads into an inlet passage, over a slot to the main passage below, over a traverse and a false floor, to reach, eventually, an aven ascended for about 25m and continuing, but with no great prospects.

From the Chamber, a traverse can be entered from the top of the rock-slope. The level closes off after about 15m, but below a climb down, a pitch was excavated dropping into a larger passage which soon choked comprehensively.",,,,,"no","Cambridge Underground 1977, facing page 46.

(The original notes have been lost; the length cited was calculated by inventing stations and survey legs based on the drawn-up survey.)",,"347m","90m","116m",,,,,,,,,,,,"1600m",,,"West of Kratzer valley, off path to Schwarzmoossattel.",,"Entrance is in a fair-sized shakehole in the dwarf-pine-covered karren before Schwarzmoossattel.",,"Paint (?)","Believed to be numbered in red","Refindable","AERW knows where it is" +72,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/loser/72.htm",,,"Skeletthöhle",,,"8c","Sektion Ausseerland, 1976 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1720m",,,"West of Augstsee. ",,,,,,"Lost", +73,"2/S =",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/73.htm",,,"Suppentellerschacht",,,4,"

  • Discovered by K Gaisberger and F Hütter in August 1973 (to -30m)
  • Sektion Ausseerland, 1977 (Karl Gaisberger + Edith Bednarik)

","The first step is sprayed by meltwater, and the second step leads to -30m. A short rope leads to the next step. A rift follows an acute angle under the entrance way, some metres back. This section is very narrow, and over the narrow section pours a showerbath. Now a second squeeze leads to a fine pitch which bends back under the previous section. Then it gets complicated (the language, not the cave). It sounds like a series of either roomy or narrow wet pitches. Exploration appears to cease at -60m because of water down the neck and in the suit. It isn't clear if the cave actually stops at this point.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1580m",,,"In Kratzer valley, some way up valley from Fledermaushöhle (Kat.71).",,,,,,"Lost", +74,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/74.htm",,,"Schneckenhaushöhle",,,4,"Edith Bednarik, 1977","Sounds like a free-climb to a snow choke (very much like B5, which must be in virtually the same place ?)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1600m",,,"In Kratzer valley, down valley from Fledermaushöhle (Kat. 71), on true right some way above bottom of valley. In the same entrance doline as Dr.Kerschner Höhle (Kat.35).",,,,,,"Lost","Probably =B5" +75,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/kratzer/75.htm",,,"Wisenthöhle",,,4,"Edith Bednarik, 1977","This entrance connects with a second shaft just down valley. The Austrian article describing the cave says it is about 60m long, but this did not appear to be the case in 1990, since it seems to choke very quickly - perhaps digging would now be required to get in.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1680m",,,"Just south of Schwarzmoossattel, in the far upper reaches of Kratzertal. There is an obvious freeclimbable shaft/cave just down valley from the equally obvious shakehole/shaft labelled B4.",,,,"Paint","It is numbered twice, once very faded and once very badly run (last seen 1996): both numbers are needed to deduce (with difficulty) that this is indeed ""75"".","Refindable","Seen in 1990 and 1996 (by AERW?)" +76,"5/S/E x","main a b",,"yes","plateau/76/76.htm",,,"Eislufthöhle",,,"1d","CUCC 1977-79,2004","

",,"Question Mark List",,"The exploration is written up in many places:

This last item, the only complete write up of 1977-79, appeared in Polish translation, and is published in the English original for the first time here.","Data for the sections covered so far by the resurvey project begun in 2004 can be downloaded as a .3d file or raw Survex data.","

The lower parts of the 1970s surveys are based on measurement of rope lengths and thus probably best categorised as Grade 2. The 2004 resurveyed depth for the taproom agrees closely with the 1970s surveys:

",,"1180m resurveyed so far","~ 506m; resurveyed to 189m","172m surveyed",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Out on the plateau near some very large erratic boulders. Laser rangefound point 0/6 is between the three entrances",,,"

Simon Farrow at the entrance of 76 during the initial exploration in 1977

",,"The entrance is prominently numbered 106 which is the number we had allocated to it, but a description of the cave was published in the Belfry Bulletin, which is seen by Alfred Auer, who allocated his own number to it in advance of our report.",," " +76,,"main",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p76","entrance dotted triangle on 76",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +76,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p76a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +76,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p76b",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +77,"1/S +",,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/77.htm",,,"Fichtenschacht",,,7,"Sektion Ausseerland/ Edith Bednarik, 1979",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1500m ",,,"North of Scharlingkar. Some way east of the Bergrestaurant, above the cliffs. 500m west of Egglgrubenalm.",,,,,,"Lost", +78,"5/S/t/E x","a–e",,"yes","noinfo/smkridge/78.htm",,,"Schwaben(schacht)höhle",,,"2a","Fred Vischer, 1980 (as far as 2/S/T)

Ongoing exploration by Arbeitsgemeinschaft Höhle und Karst Grabenstetten e.V.","The cave is a complex of hading rifts and steep ramps with several deep points. The deepest point is near the southern limit of the system. A vertical series with pitches of 9m, 15m, 17m and 13m reaches Nägschtmol-Meander (1992), where the survey legs are all very short. This climbs slightly before heading south and dropping, passing Alexander der Große (a generally level side passage heading southwest to Leopardencanyon, apparently beyond the known passages in Schnellzughöhle) to der gute Abgang (the good lead). A 7m pitch and more steep descents end at a point almost directly above the assumed line of Pete's Purgatory in Schnellzug, maybe a third of the way to the Confluence from where it is abandoned for the Purgatory Bypass. This small streamway lies perhaps 120-130m below Schwabenschacht's deep point, but it is known that several unsurveyed fossil phreatic passages lie above this upstream part of the Purgatory, so a connection could be quite close.

This description is now quite out of date as it does not include the its connection, nor entrances c,d and e.",,,,,"In dataset",,"smk-system.svx","7781m","327m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Entrances a and b are actually on the SW side of Vorder Schwarzmooskogel","Approached by the same route as for things to the east, as cliffs bar access from Kratzer. Follow the Stoger weg from Egglgrube, past the T-junction to Kratzer, and on until there is a red omega in the middle of the path (marking Kat. 28). Just before this, in a position with a better view, is a laser-rangefound point marked by a bolt with a painted circle round it.

Take the Eishöhle path, which starts from the omega, going left up the hillside. Follow this for a few minutes, past an awkward little traverse rigged with a steel cable and then a couple of minutes further. There is a very easily missed branch left just before the path traverses a ledge under an overhang in a cliff to its left in a relatively wide small valley. The landmark for this point is a dead (lightning) tree up on the right.

Take this left branch, and follow it (few landmarks, but it is a definite path, and there are cut branches in places). This path eventually climbs into impenetrable dwarf pine, to emerge at a small gravelly clearing and a doline, used as a bivouac site. The a and b entrances are just short distances away through the pine, the normally-used one being below a prominent larch tree. The other entrance is a long rift shaft. Both are impressive, though it is quite infeasible that anyone could ever have found them in the first place.",,,,,, +,,"a","40o","entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Haupteingang",,"p78a",,,"Nils",,"gps00.78",81430,35731,"1666m",,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"b","40p","entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Klufteingang (E2)",,"p78b",,,"Nils",,,81417,35717,"1659m",,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"c","40q","entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Lost", +,,"d","40r","entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tannenzäpfle",,"p78d",,,"Nils",,,81662,35730,"1666m",,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"e",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Steinbläser",,"p78e",,,"Nils",,,81427,35787,"1682m",,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +79,"2/S +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/79.htm",,,"Badenerschacht",,,"2a","Vischer, 1980 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1780m (c 1650m in older kataster)",,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +80,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/80.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 80",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric, 1994","A straight pitch of 14m to a choke.",,,,,,,,,"14m ",,,,,"p080",,,"Nils",,"gps00.80",,,,"(1996) VSK nipple: 135°, BW pt 1835: 043° (this cannot possibly be right), Grieskogel: 007°, HSK: 043°",,"Plateau just NE of col.","From Schwarzmoossattel, drop onto the plateau, where an intermittent line of cairns leads from the Bräuning wall camp (CUCC's Top Camp from 1988) across to the right, leading to the 8x caves and 145. Directly across a large clear area of karren, a large cairn used to mark the 8m by 5m entrance shaft, but this has apparently disappeared (1995) only to be rebuilt in 1996 - but is very vulnerable to demolition by winter snows. The shaft is otherwise invisible from a few metres away. The number 80, in red, is quite faded (1989) and is on the shaft wall facing the Bräuning wall.",,,"Tag","Tag 1998, retag 1999","Surveyed", +81,"1/T +",,,,"plateau/81.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 81",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric","A short section of horizontal passage 5m below the surface, with two entrances, but no way on. ",,,,,,,,"15m. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1670m",,,"Plateau just NE of col. ",,,,"Paint",,"Lost","This has been seen many times, but not sure it can be reliably found" +82,"4/S/T +",,,,"plateau/82.htm",,,"Bräuninghöhle",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric","Very obvious walking sized cave entrance leads to a boulder strewn passage (ice formations early in season) into an aven with daylight entering 20m above. A scramble over boulders leads to Apfelschacht - a 6m pitch with loose boulders at the head. This drops to a 3m climb and then a 20m pitch Orangenschacht with a trickle of water entering halfway down. From the foot, a fine keyhole passage imaginatively named Schlüssellochgang, and a choice of routes. The most obvious way on is a 10m pitch, Bierschacht over a stalagmite flow to an awkward crawl, Worm Passage, which looked likely to end things. However, this opens out suddenly at a pitch head. Nocheinbierschacht is 15m, impressively free. At the foot, a vocal connection can be made with a phreatic passage above the third pitch which ends in a big hole.

Ahead is a phreatic tunnel which chokes, and a large black emptiness. This is descended for 25m in four 6m steps, Viermalbierschacht, to a ledge big enough for one and a bit people. The stream goes over this ledge into a large black void. This pitch, Besoffene, is 50m and hangs free for all but the last 8m in a very impressive shaft. From the foot, traverse above a steeply dropping stream canyon to a sloping platform from which a 17m pitch reaches the stream floor. This cascades over a further 6m pitch, below which a climb out of the stream reaches a rig point for a 30m pitch ending on a slope down to a sump at -216m.",,,,,,"Cambridge Underground 1978, facing p 32

There is also an area plan showing 82 in context with 145 and 148.

",,,"-216m, +20",,,,,"p82","tip of rock marked ""82"" at entrance",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Plateau 430m from col, roughly NE.","From Schwarzmoossattel, follow description to 80. From here, a route leads directly towards Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel over fairly flat karren, becoming more shattered towards another cairn. Then there is a somewhat chaotic area.

Skirt this on the left to a small ridge running left-right. There is a cairn to the right across the chaotic bit. From the ridge, 82 is the obvious entrance directly ahead. Across the ridge to the right, more cairns lead initially towards 82, but then become misleading as they head up the hill to Wolfhöhle (145).",,"

","Tag","""82"" in red paint on boulder and on left of cave. 1998 tag ""1623 82 CUCC 1977"" on right inside cave entrance (not at survey point).","Surveyed", +83,"2/S =",,,,"plateau/83.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 83",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric","13m freeclimb dropped onto a steep snowslope requiring a handline. This was descended for 10m to a steep boulder slope which funnelled down to a small hole through which stones dropped for a long time. The large amounts of scree made descent unwise. Above the boulder slope, a phreatic passage led quickly to a big hole in the floor. The hole is a fine free-hanging descent of 36m to a solid choke of boulders. The phreatic passage continues beyond the pitch, but was not reached, and trends uphill.",,,,,,,,,"55m",,"This was originally listed as ""exploration completed"", but the description suggests that with modern drilltastic rigging techniques it would not be hard to reach the continuation of the phreas across the head of the final pitch, and possibly also to find a safe route through the boulderous hole.",,,"p83","exact point not recorded",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Plateau, 200m north of Bräuninghöhle (Kat. 82). This is not very obvious, since it is in an area of dwarf pine on a knoll south of the dry valley containing Kat. 107",,,,"Paint","Red paint number from 1977","Surveyed", +84,"1/T -",,,,"plateau/84.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 84",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric","Draughting tube leads to a small chamber, further small tube leads off, unexplored since deemed impenetrable in shorts and T-shirt.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1660m",,,"Plateau WNW of Kat.83",,,,"Paint",,"Lost","Not seen since 1977 apparently" +85,"2/t/S +",,,,"plateau/85.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 85",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric","Large descending entrance leads to a series of free climbs ending too tight at -50m.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p85","east wall of doline",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Plateau, at southwest end of depression containing Bräuninghöhle (Kat.82)",,,,"Paint","large red painted number ""85"", still visible in 1998","Surveyed", +86,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/86.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 86",,,"1c","CUCC 1977 - Team Geriatric","Rift descent of 25m until gap between snow and rock got too small.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1670m",,,"Plateau, on higher ground just SE of Bräuninghöhle (Kat.82)",,,,"Paint","Numbered in red (1977)","Lost","Not seen since 1977 apparently" +"87A","3/S +",,,,"smkridge/87.htm",,,"Schacht 87A bei Stögerweg",,,"2a","CUCC 1980, 1987","Horizontal entrance at base of small cliff at head of dry valley, leads over peaty infill to a pitch head. Cross first hole and descend second, 30m to large chamber. To left is unsurveyed inlet ending too small, while to right is head of very steeply descending phreatic-tube-like pitch of 15m vertically (20m+ of rope). This is a little thrutchy to start, but opens out, and ends in a short climb.

Head of Second pitch

A further 15m pitch follows, hanging clear of a wall made up mainly of boulders. A way on across the head of the final pitch appears too tight. Hole in floor is last pitch, of 33m, which has a boulder 10m high in it, and you can descend either side. Draught is lost into a small passage which you could reach by bolting, but it seems a little pointless.

There is a 1987 extension, but I can't make much sense of the logbook description.",,,,,,"? MISSING (grade 5)","caves/087/087.svx",,"111.5m",,"The 1987 logbook suggests we changed this to 87b and the cave that had mistakenly been numbered 88, called 87b on this site, we called 87a, so we had better look into this.",,,"p87","first (of several) bolts used for rigging, LHS of entrance",,,,,,,,,,"In a dry valley leading up from the Stögerweg (path 201) shortly after the turn off for Schnellzughöhle. In 2001 the hole was seen blowing a large quantity of vapour visible from some way off.",,,,"Paint","No. 87 in red, which is correct but might have been changed to 87A (OK) or 87B (bad) in 1987","Surveyed", +"87B","0/S +",,,,"smkridge/87B.htm",,,"Schacht 87B bei Stögerweg",,,"2a","CUCC 1980, 1987",,,,,,,,,,"1.2m",,"The 1987 logbook suggests we changed this to 87a and 87 to 87b, so we had better look into this. ",,,,,,,,,,,"circa 1505m",,,"In Stogerweg - you literally step over it while walking along the path.

Numbered '88' in a fit of optimism while the explorer was getting changed to investigate this impressively draughting hole, it proved in fact to be only 1.2 metres deep and too tight. It appears to be above the inlet below pitch 1 in cave 87, and has been renumbered 87b, since the Austrians have allocated number 88 to Lärchenhöhle.",,,,"Paint",,"Refindable","Easily refindable, it's right on the Stogerweg path. May well be erroneously marked as 88" +88,"3/S/T x",,"40i",,"noinfo/smkridge/88.htm",,,"Lärchenschacht",,,"2a","

  • First descent by Reinhard Lemmer in 1983, depth 40m, blocked by ice.
  • Reinhard Kieselbach, Franz Lindenmayr and K Peter make second descent over a weekend in August 1985, finding the Oberpfälzer Halle.
  • In September, FHKF, VHM and HFG-KA returned, discovered Frankenschnellweg, and the way to the Großer Cañon, and surveyed.
  • In 1986, exploration continued to Hall Dom, connecting to Stellerweg. Also found Geburtstagsgang, which came out in Großer Cañon.
  • In 1987, the German groups were replaced by French (GSCB, GSD, ASCR) who found Sandschacht, heading N and E. A 5m climb from Puits Madonna reached a passage with cairns and a definite connection to Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle. A through trip was done the next day by GSCB and GSD.
  • In 1988 surveys were tied together with an improved surface survey.

","Few details available, since we were for many years unable to obtain a survey. A figure of over 6 km long in 1987 was quoted, but this would appear to include the Eishöhle. Contact was finally made with the French group in 1997 and Denis Motte has sent us a plan on 12 A3 sheets, dated April 1995, which gives the length as 1885m. The following description is made up entirely by looking at the survey, and should not be taken as reliable. It is hoped that we will do better after visiting the cave with a view to finding its connections with Stellerweghöhle (1623/41) and 1623/144.

Open shaft descends 5m to first rigging bolt, then short pitch to snow plug. The way out is to the NE, where the survey shows a couple of (inaccessible ?) question marks and a traverse over a pit. Narrow rift continues past another unexplored small passage to the right, and in 20m opens out into a sizeable chamber. The boulder floor drops away to the north (left) and ahead. Up right is a bouldery antechamber with the base of a ramp up SE. A short passage here chokes.

20m across the boulder slope, it is possible to descend the slope left into the main part of Oberpfälzer Halle, 15m wide and 30m long, now heading west, still descending over boulders. To the right is a 15m rift passage with an inlet. Ahead, the chamber narrows, but large bouldery passage continues with two or three big boulders (over 5m). To SW is a junction marking the start of Jsartal. Up a steep ramp to the right (NW) is unexplored, whilst left, south, goes directly below the entrance in a passage with a slot in the floor. After 25m is a widening and junction. Right curves round to end below an aven. Left goes quickly to another junction. Right soon chokes in boulders, whilst left ends quickly in an undescended rift pitch.

Back at the junction at the start of Jsartal, the main way SW soon traverses a large hole in the floor, then continues as a small canyon until 50m from the start is a junction in small passage. Right pops out immediately into the side of a ramp rising right (north) to a choke. Down ends in a pitch, which is best reached by the small passage left at the junction. This quickly doglegs and comes out over the pitch on the opposite side from the ramp. The pitch (undescended) is seen to be a widening in a deep floor canyon, which continues as Jsartal develops into an 8m wide rocky chamber through which the floor trench meanders.

After a short way, the trench abruptly ends, and a ramp up above it leads to a junction. Left continues up ramp, but not very far. Right traverses the ramp (another down-section soon ends), then heads west past another blind passage on the right, to break out into a larger passage ahead. Left (south) is the way to Geburtstagsgang, whilst right (north) eventually leads to the SchwarzmooskogelEishöhle connection.

Geburtstagsgang

Ascending a low ramp leads past various short side-extensions to Schafott - apparently a breakthrough point in 1986 ? Beyond this, small passage continues SW, with a mudbank on the left, for almost 50m until it widens out and descends a steep slope towards a floor trench. Left here a further ramp ascends east to a choke. The floor trench continues W, then NW, but would seem to be too narrow. Staying on the north side of the trench and heading NW (right from the point of entry) leads through mud and/or shingle deposits in a small zig-zag passage which meets first a small canyon which doesn't go, and then a T-junction over another canyon.

Right ends after ten metres or so, whilst left (west) meets another junction where a further trench comes in from the left (south). This also appears to be too small to follow, but would seem likely to connect with one or both of the trenches seen earlier. Ahead reaches a chamber, with a steep slope down left to yet another trench, but staying high gains the continuation of Geburtstagsgang continuing small with a narrow floor canyon. This now goes NW for 50m, to a T-junction. Right ends almost immediately, whilst left shortly pops out in bigger passage on a ledge overlooking a small stream.

Right in the canyon, 12m away, is bigger passage (Großer Cañon), and the original way to Stellerweghöhle, whilst ahead/left goes west, quickly picking up an inlet from the left and dropping 30m in Ungarn Cañon, a narrow way for 50m, to where exploration ceased. It is not clear, but this may well be a pitch, quite possibly into part of the Stellerweg system.

To Stellerweghöhle

By going right at the start of Ungarn Cañon, large, bouldery passage is soon met at a T-junction. To the right is an alternative route from the entrance via Frankenschnellweg and Großer Cañon. This route was found first, but the survey numbering suggests it was surveyed later and I might deduce that this is not the normal way.

Left in the bigger passage is over boulders, passing a short passage on the left. A hole in the floor of this appears to connect to Ungarn Cañon. Ahead, a slit in the floor is traversed (on the right ?) to reach a pair of large boulders. Up right here ends quickly in an unclimbable sediment wall. Continuing west, the trench reappears (now traversed on left) and soon expands to be a large hole in the floor. It is unclear from the survey how this is crossed, but on the far side, it would appear that a pitch of c 35m is descended, over jammed blocks. Rising steeply to the right (north) from (the foot ?) here is an unascended ramp, which seems likely to connect to unsurveyed passages below Roddick's Dive in 1623/144.

A continuation WNW from this point would appear to be part of the streamway below the Big Pitch in Stellerweghöhle. This in turn suggests that the 35m or so descent must be in the lower part of this shaft, and the ramp seen to the right starts some way above the foot of the pitch.

Frankenschnellweg and the way to the Eishöhle

From the junction at the west of Jsartal, large passage heads north for a short way to a T-junction. Right encounters two floor trenches, the right hand of which soon widens to a 3m deep blind pit. Across this is 25m of rising passage to a choke. Left soon swings round and heads north again, passong another short, blind ascending way on the left. A short section of floor trench is traversed and a short way beyond is Brotzeitplatz, where a large cross-rift goes a short distance left and right.

Ahead is Frankenschnellweg, a rifty passage with rounded roof, heading north with an initial floor trench. Thirty metres or so from Brotzeitplatz another cross-rift is met, this time at an angle. This is the start of a slightly mazey area. To the right is narrow for 30m to the edge of a wide shaft, Regenschacht, 4m deep. By traversing right on the near edge, a small passage is gained which circles all the way round to the far side, then ends in a small aven.

Ahead in Frankenschnellweg, another cross-rift is encountered less than 20m ahead. Right turns sharply back and connects to the Regenschacht passage about halfway along. Left is too narrow to follow, but lines up with another section of rift in the mazey area. Continuing north in Frankenschnellweg, the boulder floor changes and a steep slope down leads to the lip of a canyon at Puits du Sable. Directly opposite is a short blind ramp up. Right is the way to Grand Galerie, described below, whilst left is the start of Großer Cañon.

Großer Cañon

This is the deep rift reached at the end of Frankenschnellweg, but it is not clear that this is the best way to get to it. Back at the start of the mazey area, the way left (SW) is boulder-floored rift which continues for twenty metres or so until a junction. Ahead chokes, but two ways right soon unite. The left way looks harder - a traverse over a trench, whilst the right way is boulder floored. Beyond the reunion is narrower, with a slot in the floor, and zig-zagging roughly NW, though clearly interrupted by a number of SW-NE joints. One of these can be followed for ten or fifteen metres, where it becomes too narrow, but lined up with a cross-rift in Frankenschnellweg.

After this joint, the next junction is effectively an oxbow on the left, where a bat was found during exploration. Ahead soon reaches the top of the Großer Cañon, some 40m downstream from the point reached in Frankenschnellweg. A descent to the bottom at this point is a 30m pitch. Directly across from the point of entry is a ramp up, with various sediment banks, leading to Sophienhalle. To the right goes back towards the Puits du Sable and Grand Galerie - see below.

To the left, Großer Cañon heads SW in a classic meander, or traversing rift. Give or take a couple of zags, this is straight for almost 100m, at which point it is interrupted by a bouldery chamber of about 10m diameter. Beyond, Großer Cañon continues S then SW again, getting wider. Boulders hide the trench, and the passage curves west. To the left is the way in via Geburtstagsgang and on to Ungarn Cañon. Ahead is the main way into Stellerweg, described above. It is not clear whether the stream below Großer Cañon goes on this way, or joins Ungarn Cañon.

Grande Galerie

Upstream in Großer Cañon, most easily reached by the Puits du Sable, ascending passage heads east, and soon develops into a very wide passage with a deep canyon floor. It looks as if this passage is done at the level of the bottom of the canyon, which leads up, passing an inlet on the right, to a large pool at the foot of Puits Madonna. This is ascended to reach a similar level to the point of entry above Puits du Sable. The continuation enlarges into Grande Galerie, soon attaining impressive dimensions of 15m wide by 20m high. Question marks mark apparently inaccessible passages, two on the right and one on the left.

Beyond a couple of impressive boulders, a climb up leads to a smaller continuation. To the right is a hole in the floor with passage beyond, but left is a ramp up which soon rejoins the passage beyond the hole. The way gets bigger again, in passage first explored from Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle, until after 50m, it ends at the foot of a thirty metre pitch from the other cave.

Sophienhalle

On the NW side of Großer Cañon, directly opposite the entry via the mazey area, or 40m downstream from the entry via Puits du Sable, is a ramp up NNW. Right and left are walls of sediment, but the main way suddenly turns right, though still ascending steeply. The ramp eases and becomes more bouldery, now heading NE, suddenly to end at a widening above a deep undescended pit. A climb up on the right of this reaches the top of the far wall, in a large N-S collapse chamber, Sophienhalle. This shows clear bedding in the walls, and appears to have formed by spalling. Over the boulder floor, another steep wall precedes a ramp down to a choke. Dotted lines suggest a northward continuation, though whether this is above or below the ramp is unclear.",,,,"Information from Groupe Spéléologique de Clerval - Baume les Dames",,,"smk-system.svx",,"215m to connection below Stellerweg big pitch. ",,,,,"p088",,"p088x","Nils",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +89,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/89.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 89",,,"1d","CUCC 1979 ","A 25m shaft into a narrow rift of zero lateral extension. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1630m ",,,"Plateau",,,,,,"Lost","""Out from 97 somewhere"" and hence probably hopeless." +90,"1/S +",,"CUCC96-WK01",,"plateau/90/90.html",,,"Bräu Schacht 90",,,"1a","CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","Rift entrance in scrub leads to a loose, choked rift, 20m deep. 1996 sketch survey says 12.5m deep, 3m long (N-S) and 1.4m wide. West wall of shaft is 1.5m higher than east, and bolt plus red-painted number are at SE corner.",,,,,,"

Grade 2 (at a guess), drawn up in loose leaves in front of 1996-9 NotKH book","caves/90/90.svx",,"20m",,"Briefly known as CUCC96-WK01, but the number existed meaningfully only for an hour or so until Wookey spotted that the cave was, in fact, 1623/90",,"p90",,,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.90",,,,"Bräuning Wall pt. 1828: 247°, Bräuning Nase: 153°, Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel (nipple): 097°, Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel: 050°, Schönberg: 346°",,"Plateau - below Bräuning Scharte - the large and dramatic breach in the Bräuning Wall. GPS (1996) UTM 33T 0410257 5280891; UTM 33T 0410281 5280823; GK 5410141 5283007","Not located in search, 1989. Found 1996 and surveyed to. From Top Camp follow Bräuning path on slope, about 80m along (from point above waterhole) to where it meets edge of large patch of dwarf pine (c 100m diameter) on a raised limestone shelf. There is another patch of pines on slope to left for c 30m. Entrance is close to corner of big patch, 21m from path. Follow joint through gap in pines about 5m past where limestone step meets path. This is the same joint as CUCC 1996 WK 02, CUCC 1996 WK 03 and 1623/159. Surface survey location sketch in not KH 1996 p 3",,"

Entrance area Closeup of entrance (red circle marks tag)

","Tag","red painted number ""90"" (1977), 1998 tag ""1623 90 CUCC 1977""","Surveyed", +91,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/91/91.html",,,"Bräu Schacht 91",,,"1a","CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","A snow-fed rift in open karren on a fault/joint aligned on 67°. Choked at -20m (or plumb of -14m in 1996 to tiny snow plug).",,,,,,"

Grade 2 (at a guess), drawn up in loose leaves in front of 1996-9 NotKH book","caves/91/91.svx",,"20m",,,,"p91",,,,,,"gps00.91",,,,"Schönberg 347°, HSK 054°, VSK (nipple) 108°, Bräuning Nase 150°, Bräuning Wall pt. 1828 210°, Bräuning Wall pt. 1835 224°",,"Plateau - below Bräuning Scharte. GPS: UTM 33T 0410171 5280908; UTM 33T 0410155 5280976; UTM 33T 0410177 5280894","From Schwarzmoossattel, follow cairned path below the Bräuning Wall, past Top Camp (1988 on). Where this path meets the scree/snow slope from the wall, it turns right, out onto the plateau (this is the main path to Gschwandt-Alm, in frequent use).

100m from the right turn is a snow field on the right, with the sound of falling water at its lower edge. This is the entrance to 91. The bolt is at the NE end of the rift. ",,"

Entrance 91 looking north towards 93 and SchönbergCloseup showing location of tag and paint markings

(Photos © Andy Waddington 1990 and Olly Betts 1999)","Tag","number in red (1977) on small scarp facing south, 1998 tag ""1623 91 CUCC 1977""","Surveyed", +92,"2/S +",,,,"plateau/92.htm",,,"Bräu Schacht 92",,,"1a","CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","Pitch of 15m leads to a boulder thrutch and climbs down. More boulders lead to a final pitch of 30m to a solid choke at -90m.",,,,,,"

",,,"90m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1645m",,,"Plateau - below Bräuning Scharte. Not located in searches, 1989, 1998.",,"Small, horizontal entrance in deep scrub draughts slightly and leads to an incredibly loose interior.",,"Paint",,"Lost","Not seen since 1977 despite several concerted searches. Below Bräuningscharte" +93,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/93/93.html",,,"Bräu Schacht 93",,,"1a","CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","Long rift on a joint (strike 246°, dip 70° towards SE) ending in choke at -35m. An adjacent shaft on the same joint but further east is bigger and more obvious, but chokes much nearer the surface. ",,,,,,,,,"35m",,,,"p93",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Plateau - below Bräuning Scharte, north of Kataster 91. ","From Schwarzmoossattel, follow cairned path below the Bräuning Wall, past Top Camp (1988 on). Where this path meets the scree/snow slope from the wall, it turns right, out onto the plateau (this is the main path to Gschwandt-Alm, in frequent use).

100m from the right turn is a snow field on the right, with the sound of falling water at its lower edge. This is the entrance to 91 and from here, 93 is 20m further away from the Bräuning Wall.",,"

Entrance 91 on left, looking towards 93 and Schönberg 93 entrance area, with location of tag highlighted Closeup of entrance

Photos © Andy Waddington 1990 (1) and © Olly Betts 1999 (2,3).","Tag","numbered in red (1977) on scarp facing south, 1998 tag ""1623 93 CUCC 1977"".(placed in middle of ""9"")","Surveyed", +94,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/94/94.html",,,"Bräu Schacht 94",,,"1a","CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","A rift on a joint (strike 223°, dip 70° to SE) is a spiralling freeclimb to a choke at -35m",,,,,,,,,"35m",,,,"p94",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,," A little north of Kat.93.","From 91 (q.v.), the karren slopes down at 10°. About 50m down the slope on a bearing of 335° is the large open shaft of 94, (visible from 93, which is about 20m from 91).",,"

View of 94 from 93 Entrance area (tag highlighted) in 1999 Entrance closeup

Photos © Andy Waddington 1990 (1) & © Olly Betts 1999 (2, 3)","Tag","number in red (1977) on scarp facing south, 1998 tag ""1623 94 CUCC 1977"" - tag bolt (middle of ""9"")","Surveyed", +95,"1/S -",,,,"br-alm/95.htm",,,"Bräu Schacht 95",,,3,"CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast. ","A 10m climb down to an unpushed and unpromising tube. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1585m",,,"South of Bräuning Alm, near camp 1 (1977) ? ",,,,"Paint (?)",,"Refindable","Described as insignificant, and seems to have no location info. However there is a photo from 1977 on the old plateau camps webpage where the cave was ""an open shaft just behind the photographer""." +96,"3/S +",,,,"br-alm/96.htm",,,"Bräu Schacht 96",,,3,"CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","Open shaft of 15m leads to a descending rift. Next pitch of 25m, then a short climb, 6m pitch and 15m pitch into a chamber where the water sinks. The upper level of a small rift leads to an abandoned passage and a series of increasingly muddy freeclimbs to a final squeeze and 5m pitch into a sordid little sump.",,,,,,"

",,,"105m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1600m",,,"In grassy pasture east of Bräuning Alm, next to CUCC's high-level camp of 1977 (camp 1). ",,,"

","Paint","number painted red in 1976, refreshed (probably in orange which elsewhere hasn't lasted well) in 1990.","Refindable","Refound by AERW in 1990; apparently easy to find." +97,"4/S/W x",,,,"plateau/97.htm",,,"Schneewindschacht",,,"1d","CUCC 1977 - Team Enthusiast.","The entrance is the head of a 10m freeclimbable chimney, followed by a 5m climb into a small chamber. Two ways on from the chamber unite in a tiny crawl under a drip. A thrutch through (about the size of Baptistry in Car Pot) is The Nun's Cunt, which ends abruptly at The Vestry, where SRT gear can be put back on while perched above the pitch which follows. Drops of 15m, 20m and 20m, The Bottomless Abbess, lead to a traverse over a blind pitch of about 10m.

The Bottomless Abbess continues with pitches of 15m, 30m, 15m and 15m to a short horizontal section. This breaks out into the side of another shaft where 15m and 10m pitches lead to a more complex area. A short pitch of 6m leads to the Priest's Hole and a gently slanting ramp into a dry, dusty, abandoned phreatic passage. This is interrupted by a large hole in the floor, which would require bolts to cross.

Down the hole, the 25m pitch starts unpromisingly, but soon bells out into a magnificent trench passage. Traversing over a gully leads to a series of short climbs and a fine last pitch The Dissolution. Here the water sinks into an impenetrable crack.

The entrance draughts strongly, but there is no air movement at the end, the most likely way on being the traverse to reach the continuation of the phreatic level at -190m. Unfortunately, the trip to this point is quite severe, since the crawl would render rescue impractical and the Bottomless Abbess rapidly becomes very wet after rain.",,,,,,"

  • grade 1 extended section, JTG, 1977.
  • Surface survey grade 3, 1984, AERW+MM from laser 0/4 at Wolfhöhle

",,,"265m",,,,,"p97","west edge of doline",,"Surface survey",,,83039,35837,"1641m",,,"Out on the plateau.","Head across for the large erratic boulders near 76 (aka 106), then away from the col past the open shaft of 105, turning left at a gap in the scrub which leads down a bare karren corridor to some dolines. Step across one and cast about for a large one with 97 in red paint.","A moderately large doline, usually without snow, has a small triangular opening at the SW end.",,"Tag","""97"" in red paint on doline wall, tag 2004","Surveyed", +98,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/98.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 98","Dropped Light Shaft",,"1d","CUCC 1978 - Team Youth/Ladders","After top of entrance shaft, it bells out, to land on a lightly boulder-covered floor after 29m. Tight thrutch to one side leads to second pitch of 17m to a flat rock floor with no way on.",,,,"Logbook accounts",,,,,"47m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1630m ",,,"Out on the plateau somewhat further than 97, in a large sloping rockface.",,"A small shaft in a large grike with very sharp rocks at the top",,"Paint","Bolts at entrance; conjectured to be paint marked as well.","Lost","In a bit of a blank space." +99,"1/S x",,,,"plateau/99/99.html",,,"Plateau Schacht 99",,,"1d","

  • CUCC 1979
  • Surface survey 1999
  • Partial reexploration 2004

","Entrance gully of 5m leads to 20m pitch at 70° over snow, heading roughly back towards Eislufthöhle. At the base is a 'snow-duck' under a rock wall beyond which a small rift-like chamber descends about 3m. Straight ahead at the same level, the rift quickly becomes an impenetrable slot through which can be seen a 2m wide passage with an ice floor running down from right to left at 5-10°. This is the source of the strong draught. Below the slot is another low hole, this leaks a vague draught and leads to a small boulder-strewn ledge with a definite blackness continuing to the left behind more boulders. Energetic but nervous removal of these gave obvious signs of a continuation, but other commitments and rain prevented a return. Note therefore it has been Left Going.",,,,"1979 logbook, 2004 logbook",,"Grade 1 3-d sketch by Tony Malcolm, 1979

",,,,,,,"p99",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"A short way South East of Eislufthöhle Kat.76

E 35876.6 N (52)82903.5 H 1638.9",,"Draughting entrance near Eislufthöhle(1623/76), ignored at first, since it was assumed it would join 76.","

Entrance area in 1999, with tag highlightedJenny Black on the entrance slope, 2004

(Photos © Olly Betts)","Tag","Tag placed 1999","Surveyed", +100,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/100.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 100","Viper Shaft",,"1a","CUCC 1977, Team Youth, and again in 1990 by AERW ","An east-west rift with two obvious points of descent. The more easterly is about 6m deep and can be seen to end in a chamber. The more westerly is a 15m pitch, with a window communicating with the east hole. At base are boulders and a climb down. A crawl leads to an inlet where water appears and sinks into an impenetrable slot with very sharp rock. ",,,,,,,,,"18m",,,,"p100",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Just beyond the col, on the left. It is, in fact, extremely near Top Camp, virtually on one of the routes to the Schwarzmooskogel areas. ",0,,,"Tag","red painted number, with 1998 tag ""1623 100 CUCC 1977"" in centre (M6 stud).

This cave was originally only numbered in carbide, so was unmarked for years. It was relocated in 1989, but was not numbered until 1993 since AERW didn't think to carry paint while trying to find old holes. The orange number was fading and chipped in 1995, so was refreshed in red. The surface survey was to the centre of the middle digit of the number.","Surveyed", +101,"1/S +","main a",,"yes","plateau/101.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 101",,,"1d","

  • CUCC 1977 - Team Youth (A.Waddington & N.Thorne)
  • Surface survey to entrance CUCC, 1998

","Entrance is in a rift orientated 40°-220° and hading about 20°. A 5m climb down leads to a horizontal passage going both ways, north leading out into the face of the scarp (101A). South (down dip) leads to a 4m pitch followed by a small crawl in a scree-floored phreatic tube, leading down dip, at about 30°. This drops via a short climb into a meandering phreatic tube with a tiny stream slot fed by an aven on the left. Progress is by crawling in the roof tube, which goes for about 40m until a window in the right wall leads to the base of an aven. The continuing crawl is too small, while a climb down below the aven (undescended) appears to choke.",,,,,,"? MISSING (grade 1)",,,"~12m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Bräuning Scharte 218°, Grieskogel 012.5°, Bräuning Nase 194.5°, Lost Rucksack cairn 319° (compass #439258: NPC2)",,"Out on the plateau, near a large north-facing fault scarp on 125-305°. Perhaps best located when looking for Wolfhöhle (which is nowhere nearby) in the mist (see 1984 logbook). There was an OAV ski-tourers' marker pole due north of the col, from which the entrance is about 50m away on 35°. Unfortunately, the pole was pretty much invisible from the approach route in 1977, and is now rotting on the ground, only visible from a metre away at best. However, the cave was relocated in 1998. It turns out to be very close to the faintly-marked path which leads past Lost Rucksack Cave towards CUCC 1996-05, and is a short way south of 1623/173.

(GPS: (cliff directly above 101A) GK 5410503 5283483 (FOM 9.2m))",,,,"Tag","extremely faded numbers ""101"" and ""101A"" in red on upper and lower entrances. 1998 tag ""1623 101 CUCC 1977"" on upper entrance, southeast-facing (M6 stud).",, +,,"main",,"entrance","plateau/101main.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"t101",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"Bräuning Scharte 218°, Grieskogel 012.5°, Bräuning Nase 194.5°, Lost Rucksack cairn 319° (compass #439258: NPC2)",,,,"Entrance is in a rift orientated 40°-220° and hading about 20°",,"Tag","extremely faded numbers ""101"" in red. 1998 tag ""1623 101 CUCC 1977"" southeast-facing (M6 stud).","Surveyed", +,,"a",,"last entrance","plateau/101a.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps98.101a",,,,"GPS pre SA","gps98.101a",,,,,,,"(GPS: (cliff directly above 101A) GK 5410503 5283483 (FOM 9.2m))",,,,"Paint","extremely faded numbers ""101A"" in red","Surveyed", +102,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/102.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 102",,,"1d","CUCC 1977 - Team Youth (A.Waddington) ","A near-straight shaft of 20m ends on a snow plug.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps00.102",,,,"GPS post SA","gps98.102",,,,"c 1630m",,,"GPS GK 5410464 5283496 (FOM 11.5m) About 50m west of Kat.101, c 15m south of Kat. 103, on a parallel joint.",,,,"Tag","painted number is extremely faded, and appears only as a slight lightening in the lichen when wet. Part drilled hole for tag. Tagged 1998","Surveyed", +103,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/103.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 103",,,"1d","

  • CUCC 1977 - Team Youth (S.Farrow & N.Thorne)
  • Surface survey to entrance, CUCC 1998

","A semi-horizontal rift going south, slopes down at 45° to head of a very broken shaft aligned on a joint perpendicular to the scarp (joint is on 055-235°). Drops 30m past much wedged, frost-shattered rock to a choke at -30m.",,,,,,,,,"30m",,,,"t103",,,,"Surface survey","gps98.103",,,,,"HSK 075°, VSK Nipple 153°, Lost Rucksack Cairn 325°",,"GPS GK 5410472 5283506 (FOM 8.7m) About 15m north of Kat.102, in the face of the same 125-305° fault scarp as 101´s northward crawl, which is about 35m away to the SE. ",,,,"Tag"," alloy tag ""1623 103 CUCC 1977"" on M6 stud below the faded remains of a painted number on the NW-facing wall of a prominent joint making a break in the scarp fade in which the entrance lies. ","Surveyed", +104,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/104/104.html",,,"Plateau Schacht 104",,,"1d","CUCC 1977 - Team Youth (S.Farrow)","Belay to a bolt in the boulder (on top, 1977 vintage), and as much dwarf pine as you can string together. A somewhat broken but roomy shaft of 29m with ledges at -10 and -24m, to a choke.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1650m ",,,"In deep scrub adjacent to a very large erratic boulder, in the same area as Eislufthöhle (Kat. 76). The boulder has an incipient split, and is visible from the col.",,,"

Entrance

Photo © Olly Betts + Jenny Black, 2004","Paint","Red-painted number (1977)","Refindable","Close to 76, worth a look" +105,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/105/105.html",,,"Plateau Schacht 105",,,"1d","CUCC 1977 - Team Youth (N.Thorne, A.Waddington)","Handline descent for 9m leads to a ledge from where a fine 31m pitch drops 14m to a large ledge, then continues in a parallel shaft below an aven, with further ledges at -17, -21m. The shaft is in clean bluish-white limestone and lands on a dampish flat gravel floor.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p105",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"30m north of Eislufthöhle on the plateau.",,,"

Entrance (red circle indicates tag)

","Tag","paint; tag 1999","Surveyed", +106,,,,,,,,,,"Number not allocated (see Eislufthöhle 1623/76)","nonexistent",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +107,"4/S/T +",,,,"plateau/107.htm",,,"Gemshöhle",,,"1c","CUCC 1978: opened and Big Rift explored by Team Youth. Team Geriatric explored the Big Pitch and reached the bottom.","Small entrance in boulders in a dry gully drops into a small chamber, in the bottom corner of which is the excavated head of a pitch. This quickly bells out to 6m diameter and lands after 18m in a large passage which contains ice-formations early in the season. This large, phreatic passage chokes in both directions and the way on is in a rift to one side, from which the draught pours.

A pitch of 23m has an inlet entering part way down, which makes the rest of this pitch and the following one of 19m unpleasant in wet weather. Two ways then lead on, either down with the water or by traversing round this drop to another passage.

Climbing down with the water leads to a short passage with the water in a rift below. Round a sharp corner is a short drop to the head of a larger rift. A 5m pitch down this leads to another rift which, in turn, leads out to the side of a large shaft. Stones dropped from a small hole in the corner of the passage above the 5m pitch also fall into this shaft. Laddering from the side, the pitch is 67m with a large ledge just above half-way, and is unpleasantly wet in poor weather. From the base of this pitch, the continuing rift/canyon trends south west and has pitches of 5, 9 and 8m before the other route drops in from above.

Over the traverse, a short pitch of 4.5m, followed by a short climb up, leads to the head of a pitch of 10m to a boulder floor. Two ways on from here are down through the boulders into a shaft, or across the shaft and into a narrow rift. The way through boulders soon chokes, but the narrow rift soon opens into a massive shaft of 100m with a rebelay roughly halfway. This drops directly into the rift reached by the original route.

Below the junction, the rift continues with a 5m climb and pitches of 5, 14 and 44m, this last pitch being quite wet and emerging into a massive cross-rift trending south east. The water disappears into the choked floor of this rift via a nasty wet crawl, rapidly becoming too small.",,,,,"Reverse-engineered data in dataset measured from drawn-up survey","grade 5 survey from 1978

",,,"280m",,,,,"p107","exact point not recorded",,"Surface survey","gps98.107",,,,,,,"On the plateau in a prominent dry valley below southern forepeak of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel, some way below Laser Point 0_5. The bottom of the gully is pretty much on the (cairned) best walking route from Top Camp to Bräuninghöhle (Kat.82) and Eislufthöhle (Kat.76).",,,"

","Tag","number twice in orange paint, 1998 tag on survey point ""1623 107 CUCC 1978""","Surveyed", +108,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/108/108.html",,,"Schwa-Höhle 108",,,"1d","CUCC 1980 John, Tony and Andy Connolly","Horizontal entrance to a large chamber with narrow rift dropping away. Ends too tight.

A cave numbered 108 was relocated in 2004, but does not match this description. It's marked with paint ""108"" and has a spit in the centre of the ""0"". The spit isn't great, but there's a good chunky flake to use too. The shaft descends ~9m to a ledge. At this level there's a horizontal passage which leads immediately to a 4m deep blind rift pitch. Back in the main shaft, a few natural rebelays get you to a floor just under 30m down. At one end of the rift a draught emerges from rocks, but removing some rocks it appears it would need quite a lot of work to make progress and the continuation may be too small anyway.

",,,,,,,,,"7m",,"This does not appear to be in the Austrians' Kataster.",,,"p108",,,,,,,,,"Bräuning Nase 200°, Bräuning Zinken 235°, Vd. Schwarzmooskogel 175°.",,"108 is not near 41 - it is on the plateau. Further across than 76 (106) past erratics - middle of nowhere",,,,"Paint",,"Surveyed", +109,"1/T/S +",,,,"smkridge/109.htm",,,"Schwa-Schacht 109",,,"2a","CUCC 1980, 1987","The obvious way in leads to a 'Viewing gallery' over the entrance chamber, but descent this way would require tackle. Best way in is to the left where a freeclimb leads down a 10m ramp in a chamber. This is snow-choked in some years but in 1980 a dig opened a triangular slot to a 6m pitch into a smaller, boulder-choked chamber. This was reentered in 1987 and an animal skeleton was found and removed for the Austrian cavers. There is a very small, but draughting tube in the roof of this final chamber, going back towards the surface.",,,,,,"? grade 1",,,,,"This does not appear to be in the Austrians' Kataster.",,,"p109","point above 1623/109 entrance",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"This is a hole you step over on the way to Sonnenstrahlhöhle (113).",,,"Paint","as at Aug 2001: ""109"" in very faded yellow paint, with an Omega.","Surveyed", +110,"1/S/T +",,,,"remote/110.htm",,,"Kein Hubschrauber Höhle",,,6,"CUCC 1978 - Team Supersmooth/Supercool ","Insignificant low entrance with icy draught is marked with number in red paint. Through boulders leads to an 8m drop and walking passage ending in a collapse chamber with draught emerging from the choke. Needed digging to get in.",,,,,,"

",,,,,"Name comes from logbook comment ""helicopter failed to turn up"".",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"On the plateau, about 2km (sic) beyond Eislufthöhle towards Schönberg. Actually, I am convinced that 2 km is a gross exaggeration, and half a mile would be more likely, otherwise it would be in a huge area of dwarf pine.",,,,"Paint",,"Lost","We don't have a cat's chance in hell of finding this" +111,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/111.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 111",,,"1d","CUCC 1978 - Supersmooth/Supercool","Shaft 20m to ledge, then 10m to choke/too narrow.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Out on plateau, quite near 98. ",,,,"Paint (?)",,"Lost","Near 98" +112,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/112.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 112",,,"1d","CUCC 1978 - Supersmooth/Supercool","Next to open shaft half full of snow. Shaft drops 50m past two ledges to choke.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,," Out on plateau, 50m from 111. ",,,,"Paint (?)",,"Lost","50m from 111 and close to 98" +113,"4/S/T +",,,,"smkridge/113.htm",,,"Sonnenstrahlhöhle",,,"2a","

  • CUCC 1980 (Team Sunbeam) to bottom
  • 1982 to push bottom, but no new passage found.
  • Entered from 152 in 1985, Ibbeth Perilous Pot route connected 1987

","Entrance is huge. A sizeable dry valley develops into a canyon which is full of snow. The canyon ends downstream in a solid wall, where the rigging point for the entrance pitch starts by the aforementioned tree. A short drop leads to a ledge where a stretch to the left (facing the rock) reaches a rebelay in a fine position on the impending wall. From here, drop 21m onto a large snow slope, then 10m further to the flat snow floor of a large chamber lit from above by the shaft.

The way on is up a climb of 3m to a horizontal passage. There is an area of hading rifts, not fully explored. The first hole descends a ramp over treacherous ice and rubble for 30m to the head of a pitch, Ibbeth Perilous Pot. A second parallel ramp connects to the same point. Both these ramps suffer from loose rock and are best tackled with a handline. The main pitch drops for 20m in a series of steps, best rigged. A final 13m drop then lands on a rock/ice blockage Marathon Ledge, which at one time contained the original explorer's helmet and lights, dropped from the head of the pitch. A hammered route past the blockage leads to two short drops, then a 6m pitch into the Opera House (see below).

A descent of the second major hole from the entrance is the normal route and leads to a ramp down, traverse across and the head of Point Five Gully. The gully is decorated with ice formations early in the season, as are all the useful hand- and footholds on the following ramp, so a rope is recommended to descend Fox's Glacier. At the foot, about 60m below the entrance chamber, is a low bouldery chamber, and a low arch leads to a larger chamber, Barnsley Methodist Chapel, which is 20m high and 30m long.

The Chapel is floored with large boulders at one end, but an obvious low sandy passage to the left leads to the head of a 14m dry rift pitch with a bouldery takeoff. The pitch is free-hanging after the first two metres, to a gravel-floored chamber opening off the rift. Water entering high on the right takes a floor trench 10m deep which may be traversed above to gain the Balcony of the Opera House, an impressive 20m diameter, roughly circular chamber. A 12.5m pitch (awkward takeoff as rigged in 1980) gains the bouldery, sloping floor. A scramble down boulders and a further 7m pitch over a very large boulder leads into a rift, where an awkward 10m pitch with natural belays and joke bolts leads to a flat mud floor at a larger section at the head of a pitch. At this point the draught changes direction, the cave becomes clean, and a stream is met falling from an inaccessible (and out of sight) passage, apparently at the same level as the pitch head.

Down the pitch, a rebelay (which is a very long stretch to rig unless you're very tall) avoids the worst of the water on Purple Pit. Quite possibly this could be rigged as a deviation (we didn't do these in 1980). There is a long section to a large ledge, from where the pitch leaves the fault it has been following and heads down a series of short steps with rebelays a few metres apart. At the bottom of this section, 60m below the start, a further fault is met at right angles, with twin holes in the floor. The first one is wet and nasty, while the second is tolerable. Both unite and go off to the left in a diminutive streamway. To the right above the holes is the entry point from Bananehöhle(152), explored in 1985.

Simon Kellet at the top of the short dry pitch below Purple Pit

The diminutive streamway ends shortly in a tight sump, but before this, a climb up leads unobviously to a traverse and then a crawl trending back over the entry point, Müsli Crawl. A number of acute bends are disorientating, then a short drop leads to a final rift and a pitch head. This is a thrutch to start, then drops 10m to where the water reenters. A series of drops, Sprucy Wind, follows, and some of the bolts (1980 vintage, greased in 1982) are easily missed, which makes the pitches wetter. There is a branch shaft at one point which is unexplored, but appears to reunite somewhat lower down. The pitches of 8, 26, 12, 10, 10, 20, 5 and 9m drop to a final rift chamber where an inlet from up on the left doubles the size of the stream on a rocky floor. This inlet responds to floods about an hour faster than the main water. The combined waters fall down a 6m drop and sink in a gravel-choked pool.

Climbing up opposite the inlet, a dry rift is a little tight but pops out into a series of dry passages, apparently quite unrelated to the rift pitches. This area, The Crematorium, is a good place to wait when the pitches flood. There is a large horizontal passage ending in a chamber with various bedding crawl extensions. Avens in the roof are hard to reach (one bolt used for aid) and don't seem to go anywhere. A narrow rift in the floor contains the stream, and a climb down can be made at one point where it is just wide enough. Thrutching forward in a traverse cum crawl a short way above the water, a couple more diminutive drops reach a place where to continue would be just plain stupid, since it is small and wet. The cave was rigged in 1982 just to go and push the end. It didn't go.

There is potential for further extension by traversing over down-ramps in the entrance area, and by gaining access to the source of the water (and route of the draught) at the top of Purple Pit. Apparently the Point Five Gully and Fox's Glacier Ramp was traversed over in 1987, and another ramp descended, but this seems to have rejoined the main route somewhere near Barnsley Methodist Chapel. This route was not surveyed.",,,,,,"? MISSING (grade 3)","caves/113/113.svx","521m","330m approx (apparently, but surveyed only to 206m)","91m",,,,"p113","pitch head bolt on wall above yawning chasm near ""113"" paint mark. NB this cannot be reached without SRTing off the bunde and is very exposed (start of underground survey)",,"Surface survey",,,81333,36253,"1640m",,,,"Follow Stögerweg (path 201) well past turn off for Stellerweghöhle. This involves a steep descent, then a long horizontal stretch, crossing the dry valley containing Kat. 87a. After quite a way, there is an orange paint flash on the left, more easily seen when coming the other way. This is just a few metres before you turn left and start hacking up the hillside. Further orange paint marks the route, which goes up a dry valley and over the entrance 109. Eventually, a scrub-free area is reached, go right and then scramble up rock towards a tree. Don´t rush beyond the tree or you'll fall a long way.",,"

Andy Connolly on entrance, 1980

","Paint","Orange painted number on north-facing wall above shaft","Surveyed", +114,"0 + ?",,,,"wilden/114.htm",,,"Verlorenschacht 114",,,5,"CUCC 1980",,,,,,,,,,,,"I have just (May 1990) found an old note book which says this was explored by John, Tony and Andy C, but gives no detail on where or what. There is a strong suspicion that the cave was one of the ""promising leads"" found on their trip to Wildenseealm. However, the only published account refers the reader to the 1980 log book. This latter is, unfortunately, missing.

This does not appear to be in the Austrians' Kataster ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"This cave has not been documented, but is probably somewhere near 115 or 41. ",,,,,,"Lost","Near Wildenseealm (not a hope)" +115,"6/t/S/W x",,"40m",,"smkridge/115.htm",,,"Schnellzughöhle",,,"2a","CUCC 1980-1985","This is the main entrance through which the majority of the Stellerweghöhle system was explored. See the separate full guidebook description for details, just an overview is given here.

The entrance leads to a non-obvious way on to the head of the short Bell Pitch, from where very awkward going leads out to a bigger passage to reach The Ramp a series of off-vertical pitches. The damper but technically easier Inlet Pitches drop to a Big Chamber, from where Pete's Purgatory starts, and leads in 800m of tortuous going to The Confluence and the larger streamway leading to the deepest point.

Better is the Purgatory Bypass which starts as dry fossil tubes, with a choice of routes to reach Junction Chamber where the Big Rift of Stellerweghöhle enters. Opposite, the huge fossil tube of Dartford Tunnel makes for easy progress to the Confluence, about halfway down the system. The continuing main streamway is interrupted by a bypassable sump and numerous pitches before a low airspace duck at the end of an unpromising canal leads to the spectacular Orgasm Chasm. Careful rigging avoids the water in this 140m shaft, ending in muddy passage and another short drop to a deep and terminal sump. ",,,,,"In dataset","CUCC's parts surveyed to Grade 5 but not all drawn up - see ","smk-system.svx",,"-740m, +231m",,"The Austrian Kataster has adopted a very perverse way of numbering things. Their numbers are as follows:

",,,"p115","P115 on left in Schnellzug entrance.","p115x","Nils",,"gps00.115",81041,35841,"1488m",,,,"Follow Stögerweg beyond Windloch to a steep descent. Just below this, by a large tree on the right of the path (permanent survey station P3), descend steeply to the right on a barely discernible trod.

This involves at least one freeclimb which is awkward with lots of kit. Make lots of noise if you are first, especially on the first trip, since snakes seem to like it here. Eventually a large horizontal railway-tunnel-like entrance appears. If you fall off a cliff, you've gone a little too far downhill.",,,"Paint","number painted on right (east-facing) wall of entrance","Surveyed", +116,"2/t/S/E +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/116.htm",,,"Kleine Eishöhle",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,"In dataset","M Schweicer & F Vischer, July 1982, PLAN (20k) and ELEVATION (12k)","caves/116/116.svx","286m","38m",,"This cave was previously marked as having an altitude of 1820m",,,"p116",,,"Nils",,,81449,35689,"1662m",,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Surveyed", +117,"2/T/S/ +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/117.htm",,,"Stuttgarter-Schacht",,,"2a","Germans ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +118,"0/S =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/118.htm",,,"Schwa-Schacht 118",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +119,"0/S =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/119.htm",,,"Schwa-Schacht 119",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +120,"0/S =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/120.htm",,,"Schwa-Schacht 120",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +"121-126",,,,,,,,,,"Numbers 121-126 are allocated to the Germans, but there is no documentation available to suggest that caves have been found for these numbers.","nonexistent",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +127,"1/T =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/127.htm",,,"Kleine Firnhöhle",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +128,"1/S =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/128.htm",,,"Enttauschungsschacht",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +129,"2/T =",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/129.htm",,,"Große Firnhöhle",,,"2a","Germans",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. ",,,,,,"Lost", +130,"2/S +",,,,"noinfo/smkridge/130.htm",,,"Cäcilien-Schacht",,,"2a","Germans","Halfway down, a hading rift is intersected, which can be followed a short way SW, climbing up slightly. This appears to be dipping steeply SE, but becomes too narrow. ",,,,,,"K Gebhard, F Vischer, 1982 ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1660m",,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel.",," A fairly straight shaft of c 80m on a joint aligned on 230°.",,,,"Lost", +131,"2/E/S x",,,,"noinfo/remote/131.htm",,,"Thomas-Eishöhle",,,6,,,,,,,,,"caves/131/131.svx","1017m","193m","234m",,,,"p131",,,"Laut Information Robert Seebacher, E-Mail 11/00 an Thilo",,,83700,37700,"1721m",,,"SE face of Kleines Augsteck. ",,,,,,"Surveyed", +132,"2/T +",,,,"noinfo/remote/132.htm",,,"Tropfsteinhöhle am Augsteck",,,6,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1600m",,,"SE face of Kleines Augsteck.. ",,,,,,"Lost", +133,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/remote/133.htm",,,"Unterstandhöhle",,,6,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1604m",,,"SE face of Kleines Augsteck. ",,,,,,"Lost", +134,"1/T +",,,,"noinfo/wilden/134.htm",,,"Höhlenruine bei der Wasserstelle",,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,," 1531m ",,,"West of Wildenseealm. The name would suggest that it is next to the water tank which supplies drinking water to the various buildings of Wildenseealm, and which is shown on the map, at about the right altitude.",,,,,,"Lost", +135,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/135.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 135",,,"2c","

  • CUCC 1983
  • Surveyed-to 1999 (Wookey, Mark Shinwell)

","Shaft choked at -20m ",,,,"Surface survey (138-136a-135) NotKH Survey book p88-89","In dataset",,"caves/135/135.svx","21m","20m","4m",,,"p135",,,,"Surface survey",,,82219,36399,"1783m",,," East of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. 1 shelf below 136. 40m East of 136a.","Approach as for 136 – then from large cubic boulder at 136a follow gully NE for 35m, then down to next shelf. 135 is immediately (5m) on R.","Rift approx 1m x 8m",,"Spit","Spit awaiting tag (1999). Red Paint ""CUCC 135"" (1983). ","Surveyed", +136,"2/S +","a–d",,"yes","smkridge/161/136.htm",,,"Steinschlagschacht",,,"2c","CUCC 1983, 1984, 1997, 1999","1983 description is : shaft -194m. The bottom was reached in 1984, at depths variously estimated -240m, -260m and -285m, when the rift became too narrow. 1983 survey (which was never drawn up) only goes to -194m.

1997 rigging

The rope (60m used in 1997, though this is not generous) for the first pitch is belayed to the 3m boulder. A short drop from the surface (c.3m) leads to the top of a steeply inclined boulder slope which is also very loose. The head of the main entrance pitch hang used to be immediately at the foot of this slope, however it has now been rigged from the right hand wall, out of the immediate line-of-fire from the boulder slope. A traverse line of around 10m at 30° is rigged on the right hand wall to reach the pitch head. The main hang is around 35m almost free-hanging, but for a minor deviation about 8m below the pitch head.

From the foot of the entrance pitch, a fairly narrow slot with a short climb down (c 1m) connects to a large boulder-strewn chamber. This chamber is entered from the top left corner (standing looking down the slope) and the main way on is around 10m down the slope, under a very large boulder towards the right hand wall. At the foot of the chamber are two large holes of around 5m depth, one in each corner. One of these holes has a spit above it, suggesting it was descended in 1983/4, however no descent was made of either hole in 1997. It is speculated that these may connect to the second pitch at a lower point than that used as the pitch head in 1997.

Second Pitch

Returning to the main route down, the head of the second pitch is a belay point on the right hand wall of the chamber immediately above a very large perched boulder at ""floor"" level. A 130m rope was initially used here, though some spare was later cut off. Beware of apparently sound footholds here as they have a habit of falling off down the next 70m or so of the pitch series! A rebelay is required just below the take-off point on the boulder to avoid rubbing the edge of the block on the way up. This rebelay is particularly awkward on the way up since the rope tends to pull into the crack between wall and boulder. The shaft continues down more or less vertically for a further 3 rebelays (50m) until the first substantial ledge is reached. (A deviation is required below the 3rd rebelay from the pitch head to avoid an otherwise serious rub just below the rebelay bolt).

From this ledge, a further pitch descends, rigged from two bolts on the left hand wall with an immediate deviation off the right hand wall. Traversing ahead over the pitch, it appears that there is a parallel shaft visible through an eyehole in the left hand wall. It is believed that this is the shaft described as being accessed by a ""desperate step across"" which was descended in 1984 and found to reconnect to the wet route lower down.

Descending from the ledge, a further substantial ledge is reached after c8m. On the way up it is advisable to cower under the overhanging wall of this ledge to avoid exposing yourself to rocks dislodged by people on the pitch above - the pitch head is especially loose.

Third Pitch

From the ledge an awkward take-off to an almost immediate rebelay leads to a connection with a wet shaft - the main source of water below this point. The hang is fortunately almost dry, aided by a very wide rebelay about 12m below the ledge. A further 15m hang reaches another large ledge where water continues through a large slot in the floor at the foot of the pitch. It is at this point that the two routes diverge into Wet Dreams (the way explored in 1983/4) and the Eyehole Route.

Eyehole Route (1997)

The Eyehole Route is to-date the main route in 136, leading eventually to the 1997 connection with the Forbidden Land in 161, and the 2½km Chile series, found in 1999.

The eyehole is reached by means of a traverse over the slot in the floor (through which the water disappears) and is the obvious large hole on the right. A short horizontal rift, with a steeply-inclined hole in the floor, connects to the head of the fourth pitch series. This pitch series is about 30m of dry shaft, broken by three ledges and landing on a much larger ledge with a couple of large boulders jammed in the exit rift. A 54m rope was sufficient in 1997. From the foot of the fourth pitch, the head of the fifth is only a few metres away over the jammed boulders.

The head of the fifth pitch does an extremely good job of hiding the enormous cavern into which it breaks some 10m below. Do not be mistaken into believing that the floor, as it appears, is only 5m below your feet, nor that your light will be even remotely adequate for ensuring maximum exposure on the multiple hanging rebelays below. The pitch starts with a large Y-hang across the rift at the pitch head.

An airy traverse around the corner to the left (rigged rope) leads eventually to the Footlights Traverse. (The eyehole immediately opposite the pitch head connects with the climb around to the left).

Below the Y-hang is a large, mud-covered outcrop of rock, over which you must traverse before proceeding further to a very wide deviation, hated by those with short legs, just below the muddy ""floor"". A further 5m descent leads to a smallish ledge with another rock outcrop to cross to a hanging rebelay on the left-hand wall. This point is around 60m above the floor of the chamber and is where the Gods' Traverse begins. A 35m rope was sufficient to reach this point in 1997.

Continuing straight down from the rebelay, first a parallel shaft is reached and the wall of the chamber becomes convex, requiring another hanging rebelay 21m below the last. A further 24m hang drops to a boulder floor at the top of a huge chamber - The Theatre. The landing point for the main route into the Theatre is at the top of the steeply inclined floor.

Standing at this point, looking down the slope of the floor, an opening at the bottom of the chamber of the left-hand wall leads to the Orchestral Pit. From the foot of the chamber up a short (c 8m) climb over mud and boulders and then up another (c 8m) climb on steep rock, leads to a small opening. (The rope has been left permanently rigged on this climb). On the right hand wall at the foot of the chamber is a boulder choke through which it is possible to climb down around 10m. No recommendable leads were found here. Immediately behind the landing point and around 30m higher up the wall is the connection to the Forbidden Land (161) which must be reached via the God's Traverse.

Proceeding up the 16m climb from the floor of the Theatre, a narrow opening leads to a precarious climb down the other side (c.5m) over the top of a large wedged boulder in a rift chamber, Exit Stage Left. There is an aven in the roof of this chamber, which can be descended as a pitch (the 30m continuation of Plughole Pitch) from the end of the Footlights Traverse. A second aven is reached by a short (c 3m) climb up opposite the entry climb. A small window (too small for human access) in the left hand wall of the chamber connects to the undescended pitch accessible from the rock bridge 18m down Plughole pitch, 26m above. Rocks can also be thrown in through a small gap in the boulder floor. This pitch continues below this level.

In the Orchestral Pit, a number of wet shafts connect from the ceiling in addition to a number of dry avens. The dry avens nearest to the Forbidden Land have been connected to an eyehole on the God's Traverse around 15m above the connection to Elin Algor. The floor of the Orchestral Pit has a number of pools and also a considerable amount of brown powdery mud, similar to that found in the horizontal areas of Kaninchenhöhle such as Mississippi Mud Pie, Triassic Park etc. , of which the majority of 136 is devoid. No leads were found in the Orchestral Pit.

The Gods' Traverse (1997)

The earlier (and lower) of two impressive traverse routes off the fifth pitch, The Gods' Traverse heads NE towards Kaninchenhöhle, to which it eventually connects.

From the hanging rebelay 10m below the head of the 5th pitch (on Eyehole Route), a short (4m) descent with a swing leads to a small muddy sloping ledge, with precipitous drop. A bolt in the middle of the traverse ""protects"" a caver who teeters around the ledge and up a short (c.2m) climb over a corner bulge onto the main face of the traverse. This roughly horizontal section is about 12m in length across a slab of limestone inclined at 70 - 80 °. Should your lighting equipment allow, you will be able to admire the enormous vertical rock-face which forms the opposite wall of the Theatre and the precipitous drop to the floor 40+ metres below. Hand holds (barring the rope) are non-existent on the second half of the traverse and most foot ledges were of the disposable type (single use only), now long gone. At the far end of the traverse a hanging rebelay just over the edge of the wall leads, with a wide swing, to a large eyehole on the opposite wall. A short (15m) pitch against the wall on the outside of the hole leads to a large muddy sloping ledge at the back of which is a hole into narrow traversy passage. This is the final impressive overlook reached in Elin Algor from the Forbidden Land in Kaninchenhöhle in 1996. The whole of the pitch - traverse - pitch to this point was left rigged.

Back through the eyehole, a couple of pitches lead eventually to the Orchestral Pit.

Fifth pitch and Footlights Traverses (1997)

The later traverse route off the fifth pitch (starting at the pitch head, some 10m higher than the Gods'). This heads generally SW, and is in two sections, split by a 16m pitch. The lower section is strictly the Footlights traverse, but the name has been applied to the whole route, causing some confusion.

A short, unobvious (roped) traverse, Service Duct, starts from the left hand side of the Y hang at the head of the fifth pitch. It goes left round the corner into a window, then climbs up 3m above a deep hole to a lip into a chamber with a large hole in the steeply sloping floor that drops down near the start of Traverse of the Gods. Traversing to the right of this chamber, past an eyehole with a view back to the Y hang, a pitch (Ventilation Shaft p.16, 1 bolt rebelay, -5m) descends to the Box, a platform with a fine view to the left across the Theatre to the Gods' Traverse. Looking out and to the right from the Box is the start of Footlights Traverse.

This airy, diagonal, section around and down the south-western corner of the Theatre, 30m off the floor was left rigged after the 1997 expedition, but in 1999 was deemed easy enough to rig afresh on each expedition, so the rope was taken off. Two bolt rebelays reach a Y hang, and descending from this a window can be reached by an entertaining pendulum to reach a rift in the wall. This window enters a choss-filled passage whose boulder floor is apparently suspended above a void (traverse line recommended). An old phreatic level was hypothesised to exist at a similar height to the connection with Elin Algor, and this seems to correspond roughly to that level, although at this point the morphology is a tall rift, passable at various levels, with many windows, climbs and pitches, difficult to explore exhaustively.

The passage leads, after a 3m climb up and a 2m climb down, to a narrow slot opening out into the spacious Plughole pitch below, which drops 18m to a rock bridge.

At the rock bridge the single shaft splits into three. An inlet enters from an aven and goes down an undescended clean-washed shaft [99-xx A]. This descends about 8m to a ledge where a slot drops at least 30m, past the choked floor at the bottom of the Footlights pitch (determined by rocks thrown in from two points below). This apparently does not connect (at least directly) with the Orchestral Pit - rocks were not audible from there. The second of the shafts is more like a 3m blind pit, of little interest.

The third, and biggest, of the dry shafts is a further drop of 30 m (bolt, tape deviation at -10m) and lands on the floor of Exit Stage Left (originally reached by the 16m climb up from the Theatre).

Across the rock bridge, over a few boulders and through a smallish slot, is a short 5m pitch. This is the way on to Chile, 1999's major find.

Wet Dreams (1983/4)

Wet Dreams is the original route, explored first in 1983/4, but named in 1997 in memory of the anticipated connection with 161 by this route. In fact no such connection has yet been found, but the shaft series has not yet been bottomed and so it's still a possibility.

Continuing from the foot of the third pitch and crossing the traverse to the point where the Eyehole Route diverges, a dry hang is possible to the bottom of the rift down which the water disappears. At the foot of this 15m pitch is a narrow rift, leading quickly to a further 12m pitch followed by another narrow rift to another pitch.

Around the head of this pitch, Phreatic Fantasy - so called because of the anticipated large sloping ramps expected from a previous cave description - are a number of small, clean and fairly uninteresting roof tubes, probably phreatic in origin. The shaft at this point becomes roughly vertical and descends in a number of sections a further surveyed 35m, becoming increasingly wet towards the bottom. From the surveyed limit a further pitch of around 30m (estimated) can be seen descending immediately below.

1983 rigging

The split between Eyehole and Wet Dreams is about three quarters of the way down what the 1983 description had as a broken shaft of c 100m. This was in sections of 14m vertical, 24m sloping, 13m vertical to a ledge. Here a desperate step across (worse on exit) attained a parallel shaft which apparently connected back lower down. The main way dropped 9m sloping, 29m vertical, to a 9m slope and a final 3m vertical to what is assumed to have been the Phreatic Fantasy level - though the pitch lengths (mainly deduced from survey data) don't correspond well with the 1997 experience and this may be below the next pitch. 1983 figures put the next pitch as 17m sloping, then 15m vertical to a bolt at -194m, which may be a similar point to that reached on this route in 1997, or not quite as deep.

1984 series

A further drop is 5m to ""a very bad bolt"" and either 15m total, or a further 15m from the bolt, to a spray lashed ledge with only one small alcove in which to cower and brew up. A rift in the floor leads 6m to a rebelay and a final 20-25m pitch into a chamber with two ways off. One was very tight to an aven and small drop which stones indicate ends blind in mud floor after c10m. The main way was a squeeze past a very large boulder, down a 10m pitch to a stream which flows into the classic too-narrow draughting rift. Logbook describes this as -260m, which fits with the non-existence of a 30m ""virtual"" pitch which is believed to be the result of an ambiguity elsewhere in the 1984 log book.",,,,,"In dataset","

  • 1983 Surface survey from Vord. Schwarzmooskogel (p1843)
  • 1997 Surface survey to 1623/147
  • Underground survey, CUCC 1983 to -194m (unpublished ?), and a new one in 1997

","smk-system.svx",,"(to deepest point in 161) 534m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"135m on bearing of 66° from Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel summit or 123m East and 55m north of the summit. 136b is 22m N of 136a, 136c is 28m N of 136a, 136d is 35m NNE of 136a. All entrances on same shelf. 136b & are holes in shelf, 136d is large (15x10m) funnel-shaped hole just over 1m ridge (so not obvious from normal route).","Relocated in 1996. From main summit, drop down east to a bare limestone shelf. Follow this ~NE for some way (c 200m) until a way down east again reaches a small group of holes/shafts/rifts (CUCC 1997-07, 209, 136c, 136b). Cross this area south, initially keeping close below a small cliff to your right. After passing 136b, 136a is a little off to the left (east) of the cliff at the south end of the karren shelf. (See area map in NotKH survey book p88-89). The entrance is in a depression and is marked by, and under, a large (3m cubicish) boulder with a faint (in 1996) '136' painted on the S side, and a Tag.

From Top Camp, proceed via the 161 approach up to the point (immediately past 1623/147) where a short climb down through the bunde drops onto a large, wide, grassy area perhaps 200m before reaching Vd1 and 30m higher. Cross the grassy patch, contouring around the hill and then take the 3rd steep grassy bank up to the right, through some bunde (this is not the most obvious slope). Climb up to the limestone shelf above and then continue contouring around the hill at roughly the same level for a further 300m to the entrance.",,"

",,,, +,,"a",,"entrance","smkridge/161/136a.htm",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p136",,,,"Nils","gps96bestfit.136","gps00.136 gps00.136_2",82220,36364,"1796m","135m on bearing of 66° from Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel summit or 123m East and 55m north of the summit.",,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"b","CUCC96-WK10","entrance","smkridge/161/136b.htm",,,,,,,"

  • Discovered CUCC 1996 (Wookey)
  • Explored and surveyed 1999 (Andy Atkinson, Simon Flower)

",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p136b","spit",,"Surface survey",,,82237,36367,"1789m","VSK: 233°, Hollweiser: 145° (from a point between the WK7-WK10 entrances)",,"136b is 22m N of 136a",,"Slot entrance, leads 10m down spacious boulder slope to p5. Warm draught.",,"Spit",,"Surveyed", +,,"c","CUCC96-WK9","entrance","smkridge/161/136c.htm",,,,,,,"

  • Discovered CUCC 1996 (Wookey)
  • Explored and surveyed 1999 (Andy Atkinson, Simon Flower)

",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p136c","spit",,"Surface survey",,,82252,36371,"1790m","VSK: 233°, Hollweiser: 145° (from a point between the WK7-WK10 entrances)",,"136c is 28m N of 136a",,"136c is slot next to Schistock-Absturzschacht, and clearly connects to 136d.",,"Spit",,"Surveyed", +,,"d","CUCC96-WK9","last entrance","smkridge/161/136d.htm",,,,,,,"

  • Discovered CUCC 1996 (Wookey)
  • Explored and surveyed 1999 (Andy Atkinson, Simon Flower)

",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p136d",,,,"Surface survey",,,82252,36376,"1792m","VSK: 233°, Hollweiser: 145° (from a point between the WK7-WK10 entrances)",,"136d is 35m NNE of 136a.",,"136d is 15x10m funnel-shaped shaft over a 1m ridge from 209 - Schistock-Absturzschacht, so not quite as obvious.",,"Retag","Tag ""CUCC 97-08"" between 136d and 209 (Schistock-Absturzschacht)","Surveyed", +137,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/137.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 137",,,"2c","CUCC 1983","Shaft",,,,,,,,,"47m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1790m",,,"East of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel",,,,"Paint (?)",,"Refindable","Believed marked (may have been seen 1996) Same area as 135 & 136. Should be refindable" +138,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/138.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 138",,,"2c","

  • CUCC 1983
  • Surveyed-to 1999 (Wookey, Mark Shinwell)

","Rapidly turns vertical and when explored, choked with snow at -40m.",,,,,"In dataset","Sketch in not-KH survey book 1996, page 14. Area map NoKH book p88.","caves/138/138.svx","46m","42m","6m",,,"p138",,,,"Surface survey",,,82206,36323,"1795m",,,"East flank of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. One shelf up from 136. 50m WSW of 136a.","Follow route to 136. From large cubic boulder at 136a entrance climb 4m step to west. Go 25m SW along 'gully' between bunde, then turn R into gap. Large, T-shaped entrance now visible in cliff 15m ahead.",,,"Tag","Number in red on the right wall of the vertical of the ""T"" saying ""138 CUCC 1983"". Spit with metal tag ""CUCC 138"" placed 1997. ","Surveyed", +139,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/139.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 139",,,"2c","

  • CUCC 1983
  • Relocated 1996 (Wookey).
  • Surveyed to 1999.08.07 (Andy Atkinson, Simon Flower)

","Shaft. Two pitches to -30m, then too narrow.",,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/139/139.svx","21m","20m","0.6m",,,"p139",,,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.139",82312,362328,"1827m","HSK 022°, Gries Kgl. 356°, Hollweiser 147°",,"Vord SMK, just below (~70m on bearing 070°) secondary Northern summit. 90m NW of 136d, approx 200m N of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel summit.

GPS fix GK 5411207 to 5282893, Alt. 1877 ± 91m","From VSMK summit: go down 50m on E side to a large shelf, walk along ~NE 200m to where shelf peters out. Up slope on left is 139.

From VD1 to 136 route: As you come over crest out of grassy gully there is a choss bowl/snow ahead (you cross this to get to the 136 shelf. Instead turn right uphill, up small steps on open limestone. 139 is a large square cleft in a limestone scarp after about 60m.",,,"Tag","Tag ""CUCC 139"" (1997). Red Paint ""139 CUCC 1983"" (1983).","Surveyed", +140,"2/S x ",,,,"smkridge/140.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 140",,,"2b","CUCC 1983","Shaft entrance is 9m by 6m, with first pitch 15m to boulders. A 6m pitch is immediately followed by a 10m drop to a sloping boulder floor. From the end of this, a 5.5m drop reaches a longer boulder slope, which leads into a canyon at 90°. Down this is a longer pitch split into 10 and 10.5m sections by a small ledge, landing on a very large boulder. Over the boulder are two ways on.

Through a squeeze is a shaft 10m deep to floor with continuing hole and a further shaft to one side, neither of which were descended, despite a draught coming out through the squeeze.

The way followed is a 5m pitch from the big boulder, to a boulder false floor. At the end of this, the roof rises into a high aven and an 11m pitch drops to a flat boulder floor next to another huge block. A hole down gives a 7m drop next to stacked rocks and a way on across boulders leads to a final 8m pitch.

Forward over boulders passes under another high aven from which water falls. A short climb down leads to where this water disappears into a scrofulous slot, at a depth of 95m.

The cave is in a key position, almost directly above the Breeze Block area of Chile, in Kaninchenhöhle. However, these passages lie between 250 and 300m below the 140 entrance, so this is probably not a potential easy way in.",,,,,,"? grade 3. In 1983 logbook (but not scanned?)",,,,,,,,"p140","very old surface survey (notes missing)",,,"gps98.140","gps00.140",,,"1796m",,,"South of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel - 126m on 194° from summit.

47° 40' 41"" N 13° 48' 58"" E","From Top Camp, climb the ""high"" route towards 161. Just past the highest point, join a traverse round the Schwarzmooskogel heading south and eventually more west. If you pick the right level, this passes the large open shaft of 140. Alternatively, the cave may be approached from the summit (point 1843) though various cliffs make this approach difficult.",,,"Paint (?)",,"Surveyed", +141,"1/S =",,,,"smkridge/141.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 141",,,"2a","CUCC 1982, 1983",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p141",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"On the hillside above Windloch (Kat.32).",,"A large non-draughting entrance, not pushed, appears to contain an 80m pitch in a narrow rift. Described in a later journal as -30m.",,"Paint","painted number ""131"" in red [is this a typo? I hope so]","Surveyed", +142,"6/T/S x",,"40n",,"smkridge/142.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 142",,,"2a","

  • CUCC 1982-85
  • Arge/CUCC 1996

","Yet another entrance to Stellerweghöhle, with two points of connection, and also the first point of connection with Schwabenschacht, a similar cave explored by Arbeitsgemeinschaft Höhle und Karst Grabenstetten e.V.. 142 contains a very large chamber, imaginatively named The Big Chamber reached by a 34m pitch from a point adjacent to the connection. A full description of 142 (but not 78) is one of the components of the Stellerweghöhle guidebook, just an overview is given here.

Note: With apparent perversity, the Austrians have numbered this as 115e in their Kataster. This is likely to give rise to immense confusion in the long term as more caves are connected, and numbers on entrances cannot readily be altered (owing to the obscurity of their location and inaccessibility from within the system).

After an initial small tube, the cave opens into passages very similar to those in Schwabenschacht and the upper levels of Stellerweghöhle. Descent of some of the steep ramps to the right of the main way on may provide further connections into the main cave (and one may have already done so). However, staying high leads through tubes to an inobvious junction. Left is the connection to 78, whilst right leads immediately to the head of a pitch into the Big Chamber - a popular name in the system. A route from this chamber leads to the foot of an 18m pitch in the entrance series of Stellerweghöhle, and a more obscure route through boulders from the head of the Big Chamber pitch leads to the same place.",,,,,"In dataset","CUCC plan from surveys 1982-1985, here in several sections:

","smk-system.svx",,,,"this entrance to the main system really should have a name.",,,"p142",,,"Nils",,,81218.2,35770.4,"1615.1m",,,,"Hack up the hillside behind Windloch (Kat.32).",,,"Tag (?)","The entrance was prominently numbered '132' in red but this was finally changed in 1996 after the connection to Schwabenschacht (1623-78)","Surveyed", +143,"3/S +",,,,"smkridge/143.htm",,,"Weiße Warze Schacht I",,,"2a","CUCC 1983, 1984 ","The first pitch starts after a short climb down boulders. From here light may be seen entering from another entrance 143b. The pitch of 20m lands on a small ledge and a short freeclimb leads to a traverse over wedged blocks. The next pitch of 10m is rigged over the edge of the last of these and brings one to a balcony at the start of a 23m shaft. Another clean, almost circular shaft (19m) follows, to a climb of 6m down wedged boulders. The passage now narrows to a small vadose canyon with a stream in it, but soon turns vertical at an 8m pitch, followed quickly by one of 18m. At the foot of this final shaft, the stream flows down a rift, approximately 10m deep, but too narrow to follow. Much hammering here achieved little progress, but could be heard clearly in passages leading from above the Big Pitch in Stellerweghöhle.",,,,,"In dataset","? MISSING (grade 5)","caves/143/143.svx","182m","124m","36m","The above name is provisional, since its not really my prerogative to name it, but it should have a name really.",,,"p143",,"p143x","Nils",,,,,,,,"The Nipple, (aka ""Weiße Warze"")",,"The square shaped entrance lies just below (22m vertically at 34m on 158°) the nipple at the end of the ridge running SSW from Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel.",,,,"Surveyed", +144,"6/S/T x",,,,"smkridge/144.htm",,,"Tony's Second Höhle",,,"2a","CUCC 1983, 1985 ","This is the highest entrance to Stellerweghöhle found by CUCC, and a full description is included in the Stellerweghöhle guidebook description, just an overview is given here.

A predominantly vertical entrance series leads to a level of extensive fossil phreatic development, not fully explored. The main passage, The Yellow Brick Road, leads to the lip of a 25m pitch into a large muddy chamber. From the bottom, a steeply dipping tube is followed down until a canyon is reached from a boulder chamber. Most ways close down quickly from here.

Across the pitch from Yellow Brick Road is a large continuing passage, gained by an obscure and somewhat exposed route in boulders. It soon leads to a bolted climb, but a ramp down below drops to another large passage. Right here, the draught is followed through winding passage until it emerges 20m up in a chamber. Backtracking leads to a squeeze and muddy crawls to the bottom, from where a canyon develops, finally dropping into Stellerweghöhle below the Big Pitch via a 10m chimney.

There are a significant number of unpushed leads in the cave, but all are expected to connect back to already known passage. One may provide a connection to the northernmost reaches of Schwabenschacht (1623/78).",,,,,"In dataset","? grade 5","smk-system.svx",,,,"This name is the 1983 provisional name, which was intended to be scrapped. Weiße Warze Höhle II might be better, but this cave really should have a proper name - after all, it was 284m deep before the connection to the main system! It appears in Austrian lists just as Schwarzmooskogelschacht. ARGE call it ""Tony's Second Höhle"" , so we're probably stuck with the name now.",,,"p144",,"p144x","Nils",,,,,,,,"The Nipple, (aka ""Weiße Warze"")",,,,,,"Surveyed", +145,"4/t/S +","a–c",,"yes","plateau/145.htm",,,"Wolfhöhle",,,"1c","CUCC 1983-4. There is now a history file indexing into the log book write-ups.","Entrance is 2m high and 1m wide and walking passage leads for 120m of level going to first pitch, with a few side passages (one to higher entrance). Pitch is 19m into Wolf Chamber where the skeleton proved not to be of a wolf but of a Brown Bear, Ursus arctos. A pit in the floor, the Bear Pit is blind, and the continuation of the entrance pitch emits no draught and is believed to choke, but was never seriously investigated. A loose 3m climb at the far end of the chamber leads up into a draughting tube. This leads to an awkward 15m slimy tube descent, Bog Seat Climb, best laddered. A short grovel enlarges to a sandy stooping passage which pops out over the edge of a large black hole. Off to the left at this point a crawl intersects a larger passage leading to another set of smaller shafts only partially descended. It is also possible to reach the opposite side of the big pitch by this route.

The 83m Big Leap is rigged in three sections of 22, 25 and 36m via two freehanging rebelays and a deviation near the bottom, in a large rift with black peaty mud on the walls in the upper section. The rift narrows and bottoms out in a small streamway blocked here and there by jammed boulders which no longer (since 1984) constitute a squeeze. Short traverses and pitches of 15m and 6m are straightforward until a second large shaft is reached. The water cannot be avoided on the 59m Tiddley Pom pitch, which can become a serious proposition in wet weather. The first section is 11m, to the level where a heavy drip (rapidly becoming a torrent in thunderstorms) enters. The rebelay bolt is tucked away to the left, a long reach round the corner. Further sections of 17 and 24m in a circular shaft of about 6m diameter reach a big wet ledge. The final section of 7m reaches a big dry stance on jammed boulders, Cold Toes Ledge. This is far enough out of the water to be an acceptable place to sit and wait for 16 hours, or to brew soup.

The stream continues to drop in a rift, with pitches of 13 and 14m from jammed boulders. The water then sinks into a slit, Nobody Knows, which was descended for 15m before becoming too tight. To continue, traverse over this hole and continue a short way to a large black chasm, the 112m Fear and Loathing Pitch, involving some airy traversing near the top. Sections of 10, 29 and 16m reach Acrobat Flake, where careful rigging is required to avoid a particularly gymnastic changeover for the next section of 16m. The rift (never wider than 3-4m) continues with drops of 18 and 23m to land on an unpleasant bit of damp floor: Las Vegas.

A particularly unpleasant mud-walled rift, Beezley Street, ("where the rats have rickets") continues as a traverse if you can stay up, or a nasty thrutch otherwise. This ends abruptly where an aven brings clean washed limestone for the next 14m pitch. A clean, but sharp traverse continues to corkscrewing 18 and 5m pitches into The Drainage Ditch, a wading depth section of passage occasionally blocked by boulders, which hold back the static pools. Short pitches of 8, 9 and 7m twist down to another section of drainage ditch which continues for a few more metres to a static sump 399m below the main entrance.

A hole above the sump leads to a small, muddy, grovelly continuation to some small avens and a further sump, before closing down.

Geology : Tubes near the entrance are formed along the prominent NE-SW joint direction in the area, which so dominates the nearby Bräuninghöhle, and the cave trends generally SW as it drops. However, all the major vertical development is in deep shafts on joints at right-angles to this major trend, on a strike of about 120-300°. Fear and Loathing pitch in particular is in a strikingly narrow rift over 110m deep, suggesting an almost vertical joint. Below this shaft there is very little significant jointing, and the cave meanders considerably before the dismal end another 140m SW.",,,,,"In dataset","There is a particularly inadequate elevation only in Cambridge Underground 1985. There is an area plan, drawn at 1:2000, showing 145, 82 and 148 on Gauß and Krüger coordinates, which has never been published.

There is enough survey bumph to draw a respectable plan.

","caves/145/145.svx","1108m","402m","354m",,,,,,,"laser point",,,,,,,,"On the plateau, 18m above Bräuninghöhle (Kat. 82)

Permanent survey station 0/4 at entrance a.","There are two routes to this entrance, one directly from the Schwarzmoossattel, which is marked by the remains of a line of blue bailer twine, and one from the plateau camp.

For the latter, follow route described under Kat. 80 and 82, but rather than heading for the obvious entrance of 82, follow the cairns uphill towards the col between the Schwarzmooskogels. Shortly on the right is a horizontal draughting entrance 0.9m high and 1.1m wide with no number - this is presumed to be 145b (it has been checked as going into 145). 20-30m further up the hill, drop into a doline with a horizontal entrance leading off. This is 145a.",,"

","Paint",,, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p145","May be Laser point 0/4, but it is dubious",,,,"gps00.145",,,,,,,,,,"Paint",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p145b",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"c",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p145c",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +146,"1/S -",,,,"smkridge/146.htm",,,"Tobogganschacht",,,"2c",,,,,,,,,,,,,"Interestingly, the Austrians have this as 1/T +, at 1700m, NE of Schwarzmoossattel, and think it was explored by CUCC in 1984 to a depth of -40m. A photocopy of an annotated copy of the OAV map lying around in the Expo files puts this about halfway between 145 and 147, which makes sense when you think about it.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unexplored entrance (may be the one Tony called Tobogganschacht)",,,,"Refindable","May be unexplored; AERW had this marked as lost, but the mysterious map suggests it shouldn't be too hard to find - worth a look." +147,"2/T +",,,,"smkridge/147.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 147",,,"2c","CUCC 1988 ","Horizontal walking entrance leads south to a descending passage and junction. Down to right is a shorter but smaller route to the lower cave, while ahead leads past a small choked passage on the right to the head of a pitch. Across the pitch a smaller passage continues to a blind pitch where a draught enters from the floor, and an even smaller continuing passage which ends too small, also draughting.

Down the main pitch, in a rift, is 10m to a boulder pile in a chamber where the shorter route reenters, and a passage continues back north towards the entrance. South is a rift ending too tight. The main way soon leads to a pitch of 10m with a large ledge halfway. A short passage intersects a cross-rift before becoming too small (with a draught), but down the rift drops c15m to a choke at about -45m.",,,,,"In dataset","Elevation and plan, 1988, unpublished? Claims to be grade 5b, but comment in 1988 logbook suggests that compass may have been seriously deviated by use of a torch to illuminate it. Drawn up survey has only one scale bar, though clearly plan and elevation are not to the same scale. Surface survey to top of Vd. Schwarzmooskogel, 1994

Re-explored and surveyed in 1999 - see log-book write-up – but apparently never drawn up.

","caves/147/147.svx",,,,"Number originally allocated to a cave which was not marked with a number, and which was not relocated until 1988. Interestingly, the Austrians had this as 2/T +, at 1700m, NW of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel, and think CUCC explored it to 60m long and 10m deep in 1984. This suggests a CUCC documentation failure and probably a relocation failure, as the cave explored in 1988 was very different...",,"t147","p147","Start of (old) underground survey (Orange circle with orange dot in middle on rock nodule above entrance)",,"Nils",,,,,,,,"Probably somewhat uphill from 146, ie. NW of Vd. Schwarzmooskogel.

"3m entry pitch in rift going into bluff wall on camp 2 side of Vord. Schwarzmooskogel on cairned path." (Camp 2 refers to the 1988/89 camp up near the col between Vord. and Hint. Schwarzmooskogel.)",,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +148,"2/t/S +",,,,"plateau/148.htm",,,"Marilyn Monroe Höhle",,,"1c","CUCC 1984, 1987","Not really pushed in 1984, since discovered right at the end, but relocated in 1987: horizontal tube entrance about 1m in diameter. An awkward crawl over boulders for 10m leads to a squeeze down behind a boulder with light entering ahead. Short freeclimb reaches a phreatic tube of about 3m diameter. To the right silts up in boulders while to the left descends gently over snow and big rocks to reach a sizeable chamber and pitch of about 20m. Avoiding the pitch, a route down through boulders for 3m reaches a very unstable boulder slope, which is crossed to reach another 3m pitch to a rift with a further pitch on the left. To the right, the roof lowers over large boulders, and a small ice chamber is reached with a frozen stream. A narrow section leads down to a rift of 5m down to an earthy passage.

Back at the boulder slope (I think), the 20m pitch can again be attained and from here is 15m to the floor of a 20m high chamber with three ways on. Facing away from pitch, righthand rift leads to a flat-out crawl over ice. This passes remarkable ice formations to emerge at The Ice Castle, a chamber with a large ice-stalagmite formation. The route terminates in a steep ice slope at the far side of the chamber.

Way directly ahead from pitch is a 3m climb into a large phreatic tube round a 90° bend to a solid wall of boulders. Ways into the choke proved very loose and tight, but a continuing rift/chamber could be seen through a tiny but strongly draughting hole.

Third way on from pitch ascends steeply and becomes tight, with a jammed boulder now in the way. Route ends at a steep ice-climb for which no equipment was available.",,,,,"In dataset","? MISSING (grade 3)","caves/148/148.svx","92m surveyed","39.2m surveyed","48m surveyed",,,,"p148",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"On the plateau, next to cairned path from the col past 82 leading to 107 etc., just by a short climb up; noticeable by (and discovered by) its cold outward draught.",,,,"Tag","red painted number ""148"". 1998 tag ""1623 148 CUCC 1984"" on survey point on RHS of entrance.","Surveyed", +149,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/149.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 149",,,"2c","CUCC 1984","Documentation comprises a grade 1 sketch with no description in 1984 logbook. Horizontal entrance leads under a shaft to surface and a 5m climb down to a choke. Over the hole and left leads in a sandy tube to a traverse reaching a 4m diameter tube. To the right this is choked, with small blocked tubes leading off. Ahead and left a 10m pitch leads to a solid choke.",,,,,,,,,,,"Until the 1984 logbook surfaced in 1993, we thought this number was not allocated, but, interestingly, the Austrians had this as 2/T +, 1685m, NE of Schwarzmoossattel, and think it was explored in 1984 by CUCC to 100m long and 15m deep. Where is this information coming from, and why didn't CUCC record it for their own benefit too?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The entrance is in a large gully, just above the sandy depression, opposite Wolfhöhle. Several draughting entrances. Sketch with no north arrow, but would guess that its north from 145.",,,,,,"Lost","Needs looking at again, AERW doesn't know where to find it" +150,"0/T +",,,,"smkridge/150.htm",,,"Schwa Röhrhöhle 150",,,"2a","CUCC 1985 ","Draughting tube, too tight at -2m, and therefore should not really have a kataster number. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p150",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"On the way to 152",,,,,,"Surveyed", +151,"0/T +",,,,"smkridge/151.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 151",,,"2a","CUCC 1985 ","Chamber 3m in diameter with draughting slot which proved too tight, -3m. This suggest that it is is too small to have a number. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p151",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"On the way to 152",,,,,,"Surveyed", +152,"4/S +",,,,"smkridge/152.htm",,,"Bananehöhle",,,"2a","CUCC 1985 ","A vertical entrance which leads, at a depth of -145m, into Sonnenstrahlhöhle below the Purple Pit, just before Müsli crawl (-198m from Sonnenstrahl entrance bolt). Entrance pitch Scott is 9m over snow, then a small tube leads down to a short climb down boulders to an 8m pitch Virgil, followed immediately by Alan, another 8m pitch landing in Dump Chamber. A long rift, Boulder Alley leads to a rock bridge and scramble down boulders into Boulder Chamber which ends in a 4m climb and pitches of 5m (John) and 4m (Parker) over boulders. A 5m pitch (Mr. Tracy) drops into the top of a very tall narrow rift. A slight widening allows a short climb down into the canyon, but is soon too tight - Lady Penelope. The rift continues until a fault is met and The Good Pitch Venus is 24m to Behind the Drinks Cabinet. A further rift leads to a 16m pitch which lands in Sonnenstrahlhöhle.

Boulder Chamber appears to correspond with the bouldery Opera House in Sonnenstrahlhöhle, while the Good Pitch Venus and following 16m pitch correlate with the Purple Pit.",,,,,"In dataset","? MISSING (grade 4)","caves/152/152.svx","321m","145m","80m",,,,"p152","drilled station at entrance ",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"on the hillside below and to the east of 113",,,,"Drilled station",,"Surveyed", +153,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/153.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 153",,,"2b","Discovered CUCC 1985 (on last day), explored 1987","Entrance climb of 12m in doline appears to choke, but a small letterbox squeeze in side of shaft leads to broken pitch. First section of 6m in a rift less than 2m wide leads to a ledge, then 12m down to a floor. A slightly hammered squeeze leads into another narrow rift dropping 10m. This constricts to 20cm and then becomes totally impassable only shortly below. Squeezes are quite epic to reverse.",,,,,,"Grade 1 elevation from 1987 Log Book, surface survey from cairn on Bunter's Bulge.

",,,,,,,,"p153",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.153",,,,,,"~200m on 013° magnetic and +03° from Bunter's Bulge (Weiße Warze).","From Weiße Warze, follow red arrows until you see yellow arrows, follow these (there would seem to be just two of them). After last yellow arrow, cross gully in same direction, then permanent survey mark TC is on large slab in centre of next depression. From here, climb out of depression on bearing 035°, then keep going up gully to 153 (large boulder above on left is a good vantage point). ",,,,,"Surveyed", +154,"1/S x","a b",,"yes","smkridge/154.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 154",,,"2b","Discovered CUCC 1985 (on last day), explored 1987","Loose pitch head gives onto 5m entrance pitch. A rift leads off but quickly chokes, while a draughting slot could be dug, but is rather loose and dangerous, so was left.",,,,,,"Grade 1 plan (no scale) from 1987 Log Book, surface survey from Bunter's Bulge.

",,,,,"This doesn't sound much like the 1985 log book description, which is of a climb down in a rift below the survey mark into a chamber with daylight entering in two or three places. There is another way out, though where this is isn't mentioned, and the cave needed a rope to push further. However, the 1987 sketch does sound like this ! It is not clear whether the 1987 push addressed the way out needing a rope - perhaps another look would be a good idea, if a party is working in this area.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"~60m on 222° from outcrop which is ~100m on 10° from 153.","From 153, follow gully, keeping slightly left to end (10° magnetic), climb over ridge to left and continue with next gully into depression. Lower entrance in bottom of depression, but this is not marked, on over next ridge to find marked entrance.",,,,,, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p154",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p154b","unmarked",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +155,0,,,,"smkridge/155.htm",,,"Unerforscht Schacht 155",,,"2b","CUCC 1985 (on last day), was this pushed in 1987 ?","The cave can be entered via a slot on the right hand side of snow plug, or by crossing the snow plug onto the ice. The ice slopes down in one corner, possibly to a pitch, which, however, will need a rope to verify. Another slot nearby may drop into the same chamber. ",,,,,,"Grade 1 elevation in 1985 Log Book ?",,,,,,,,"p155",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.155",,,,,,"about 150m ENE of 154","From 154, climb up and right and around a grassy shoulder. Then walk down (heading roughly east), skirting past a choked doline and 155 lies ahead.","A huge snow-plugged entrance apparently akin to 113.",,,,"Surveyed", +156,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/156.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 156",,,"2c","CUCC 1987","An open rift with a rock bridge. Pitch of 25m drops onto snow bank, and route to southeast of this drops a further 15m to a complete choke with snow.",,,,,,"

Grade 1 plan/elev of 156 and T.B.H. from 1987 Log Book",,,,,"The log book refers to exploration in the vicinity of 0/1 including 156 and a nearby cave (unnumbered in 1987) Tumbling Boulder Hole. There is, however, another piece of paper which says it is very near (and NE of) point 0/2. This appears to arise from the diagram which accompanies the log book entry, which shows 0/2 with no north arrow, and uphill up the page. If the point was really 0/1 on this diagram, then the descriptions would match, with north at 7 O'Clock on the diagram. The logbook suggests that the discoverers had visited 0/2 (and found very little nearby) and then 0/1 later, finding 156. GPS location and later a surface survey (1998) confirms that 0/1 is the correct laser point.",,"t156","p156","random point or top rigging bolt",,"Surface survey","gps98.156",,,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel, 50m south of laser rangefound point 0/1. The recently (1998) cairned route up the Vd. Schwarzmooskogel NW flank passes very close to the laser point, and skirts the NE end of the open rift of 156. Surface survey connecting Tag and original survey ( to top rigging bolt) done in 1999. ",,,,"Tag","""1623 156 CUCC 1987"" on alloy tag on west side of more southerly opening, more-or-less directly above the first rigging bolt","Surveyed", +157,"2/S x ",,,,"smkridge/157.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 157","Pirat Schacht",,"1c","Uncertain. Rediscovered CUCC 1987","Entrance shaft of 50m until gap between snow and rock became too perilous in 1987 - bottom still out of sight. About 25m below the karren, a rift passage leads off from side of shaft into parallel shaft with aven. This shaft is of unknown depth but has recent looking bolts of unknown origin. It is just conceivable that these bolts are in 107, but far more likely that the cave had been looked at by GSCB who were in the area on a reconnaissance in 1986 (?) and more seriously in 1987.

The second cave has a walk-in entrance, splitting just inside. The left passage comes out below a shaft from the surface, and apparently continues unexplored. The main passage reaches a 10m pitch, also below a surface shaft, which drops into a chamber. To the left is a short passage to an undescended pitch of about 10m, while to the right are three ways on. First is a rift, then a passage with an ice floor, and finally, half back towards the entrance, is a passage emerging below another surface shaft (passed on the surface just before reaching the entrance). This final passage also appeared to continue. Because a large carbide pig was found outside the entrance, it was assumed that someone else was in the course of exploring this cave.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"p157",,,,,,,,,,,,"""about 6m above Laser rangefound point 0/5"" (which is above gully containing Kat. 107 and marked with an alloy tag stamped ""LASER 0-5""). The cave was looked for but not seen in a visit to this laser point in 1998. A second cave 100m from 0/5, uphill to the left, was not given a number because of evidence of previous exploration, but should be investigated further. (This might, or might not, be Bogenhöhle.) 157 was relocated in 2001, visible to the right of the route up to 204. It was marked with faded yellow paint.",,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2000","Surveyed","Much confusion" +158,"3/S +",,,,"smkridge/158.htm",,,"Donner und Blitzen Höhle",,,"2b","CUCC 1987","A body-width passage formed by a wall on the left and a large detached slab on the right descends for about 5m at 45°, with occasional glimpses of daylight above. A cross passage is then encountered. To the right is blocked after a few metres, but left descends to meet the base of the wall. To the right here, a 20-22cm squeeze is passed by lying on one side. After 2m of further tight progress, the rift opens onto a drop. A steep tube descends for about 12m to a small chamber and with care can be descended free.

From the chamber, the passage curves to the left and opens onto the head of a 7m pitch, which drops onto a large ledge. A rebelay just over the lip of the ledge at the left hand side gives a further 18m free-hanging pitch to a landing on boulders several metres across, which appear to be jammed across the shaft.

A narrow rift around a corner stops at a drip and a small pool. The way on is through a gap to a hole with a jammed block. Climbing down to the block leads to the head of an 18m pitch which rapidly opens into a huge split-level chamber. The pitch lands on Big Bertha, a boulder some 4m in diameter.

To the north, a narrow rift has been followed for about 10m to a tight vertical drop of at least 5m down the rift, but this has not been pushed. East from Big Bertha leads to a 5m drop to the lower half of the chamber, which is floored with loose rock. An archway to the left leads to a 7m pitch to a small stream. This disappears down an impassable slot, but is met lower in the cave.

From the archway, a climb up behind a boulder propped against the side of the chamber leads to a col. One side rapidly curves up to the roof. The other ascends over very loose boulders for at least 25m (15m vertical) until the roof is met. This area has not been exhaustively pushed, but seems unlikely to lead anywhere.

Descending the other side of the col gives a series of ledges via 5m, 7m and 8m pitches, in a canyon some 5m wide and at least 15m high. The stream enters at the bottom of the 7m pitch. Below, the rift continues down a moderate slope and round a corner, with a final short 4m pitch to a soil and rock floored chamber.

A strong draught is felt around the edges of the chamber, rising from the choked floor. It is possible to descend in loose boulders in a number of places but all ways meet the roof and choke - pushing in this area is dangerous and unpromising.

Near the bottom of the previous pitch, a 5m deep circular pit in the floor can be descended. This takes a large drip from the stream above. At the bottom, a tight (22-26cm) rift leads on for 3m to a further 3m pitch to a small chamber. An impassable passage continues, while a small window gives a view of a widening beyond.",,,,,"In dataset","Grade 3 plan and elevation in Cambridge Underground 1988, p 6

",,,"128m (deepest surveyed point is -118m)",,,,,"p158","on big rock at entrance",,"Surface survey",,"gps00.158",,,,,,"400m NNE of The Nipple (Weißen Warze) at the base of a wall to the left after passing a sandy depression (walking from the Nipple).",,,,"Paint",,"Surveyed", +159,"2/S +",,,,"plateau/159.htm",,,"Winded Hole",,,"1a","CUCC 1988 (1st pitch Chris & Becka, bottomed by Chris).","Two bolts in entrance for Y-hang to give c40m vertical to a boulder floor, then a further 20m in a big boulder chamber. A ""nice skeleton"" and an old colander (!) were found on the terminal choke in 1988.",,,,,,,,,"c50m",,,,"t159",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"1990 Bearings (we have no idea where these came from and they aren't remotely in the right place): HSK 116°, Nipple 174°, Bräuning Nase 199°, Bräuning Zinken 216°

1996: HSK 059°, VSK nipple 111°, Bräuning Nase 152°, Kleine Wild Kogel 009°(left) and 010°(right), Bräuning Wall pt. 1828 209°, Bräuning Wall pt. 1835 221°, Bräuning Zinken 232° ",,"Near 'crapping region' of Top Camp (1990). Cave is on the same fault/joint as 1623/90, 1623/207 and 1623/208, but further out from the Bräuning Wall, c 100m on 067°.","Cave relocated 1990, 1996 and surveyed to in 1998. Entrance reached in two minutes from upper top camp by heading west and dropping down one terrace.",,"

","Tag","orange number ""159"" facing north. 1998 tag ""1623 159 CUCC 1988"" attached to more northerly of two Y-hang bolts, just below surface. This is the anchor visible in the photograph (with an orange circle painted round it), taken before the tag was attached.","Surveyed", +160,"2/S/ +",,,,"plateau/160.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 160","Jared's Hole",,"1a","CUCC 1988 ","Bottoming trip used a 70m rope to reach a choke (with a draught). A small side rift at the bottom choked after 3m.

The cave could probably do with another descent to record some details of the interior or even a survey !",,,,,,,,,,,"1988 logbook implies that this is "Jared's Hole". Was provisionally numbered "181" but apparently never marked. ",,"p160",,,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.160",,,,,,"On plateau, near B10 (according to B10 info). Map in 1988 logbook shows 160 as out on the plateau from Bräuning Scharte in an area of terracing, and WSW of B10. Hole tagged in 1998 is just east of 91, and can also be reached by following the terrace west from the 159 entrance.",,,,"Tag","The hole believed to be 160 was unmarked until tagged in 1998 ""1623 160 CUCC 1988"" on flat limestone 1m east of entrance. This had been relocated in 1996 and was then thought to be 159, but latter was found marked in 1998.","Surveyed", +161,"5/S/E x","a–h",,"yes","smkridge/161/top.htm",,,"Kaninchenhöhle",,,"2c","CUCC 1988-98","Rather than adopting the usual approach of describing every side passage in the main description, which makes the 'normal' descent route hard to follow, this description describes each main route down the cave first, mentioning side passages only where necessary to make the correct main route clear. Various side passages and connecting routes are described subsequently, area by area. The directions left and right are always relative to travel in the direction of the description, compass directions are given where there is any ambiguity. Most passages are described going 'into the cave', on the assumption that this is how they will be first met. Some passages are described in both directions, either because it is difficult to follow them without getting into side leads, or because they form important links between different parts of the system, and may be traversed either way on various round trips.

The clickable index has developed into a glossary, which it is hoped will make it easier to find bits of the cave by name - be warned, this became so big that it was decided to split it up and it is now a framed page.

There are also virtual tours, containing thumbnails of all the pictures of the caves. Although these pages are kept small, all the photos mean that they can require a lot of memory to load. The original comprehensive tour has been split into two, for the Right Hand Route, and for passages most conveniently reached from the Scarface entrance. Two new tours have been created for the Lost World and Wheelchair Access, and for the new way into the Forbidden Land via Steinschlagschacht.Each thumbnail on these tours links to a full-size version of the picture, and each full-size picture has links into the appropriate bit of the description.

Exploration

Throughout the guide, the date of exploration is noted for each area. There is a history page which can be used as a clickable index into the logbook write ups of all the 161 trips, so it should be easy to follow the exploration of any part of the cave. Warning, this was also getting too big and is now framed.

Overview

The upper part of the system can be best thought of as a number of separate areas, each with its own vertical development. The more recently found extensive horizontal development, being easier to traverse, is generally better connected. Although there are various links between the vertical routes, a given destination will tend to have one 'obvious' approach. These areas are France, the Left Hand Routes, the Right Hand Routes, the southernmost part of the system reached via Steinschlagschacht, routes from Scarface entrance. So rapidly has exploration proceeded from Triassic Park that now more than half the total length is most conveniently reached via 161d.

The key to all the deepest and most remote parts of the system is the huge collapse chamber of Knossos. This was reached from the 161a entrance via the Right Hand Route, and now via the 161d ""Scarface"" entrance through Triassic Park. This provides a much easier route in, making trips to the further reaches less strenuous. From Knossos, horizontal trunk passage leads north, giving access first to a series of deep vertical systems, and further on to complex areas of rifts and old passages. A significant horizontal route leading northwest, Siberia, has only been pushed as a result of the new entrance, but has yielded a new deep point to the cave. There appear to be deep vertical leads in the far north, too, though they have mostly been avoided by a series of ""mental"" tyroleans and bolt traverses.

Tourist trips

It is still probably some way off the time when one might choose a tourist trip on the basis of its ""classic"" quality. Mostly, choices available depend on what is rigged this year for exploratory purposes. This will usually only include one main route into an area, so trips like a Left Hand Route / Garden Party or Drunk & Stupid exchange will not be easy. Similarly, the original classic Right Hand Route / Dreamtime exchange was only really possible during the exploration of the latter, before the Squeeze was bypassed and this modified RHR became the trade route.

However, now that Knossos is accessible from the Scarface entrance, this has opened up the possibilities for a whole raft of pull-through trips with a minimum of pre-rigging. The one fly in the ointment is the relative difficulty of surface travel between the 161d and upper entrances. The route used in 1996 seems to be good enough to have become a trade route, and after one benightment through loss of the route in 1997, it has been very well marked with cairns.

Already possible is the 161c to 161d through trip via France. In the future, pull-throughs of LHR, Garden Party or Drunk and Stupid should all be possible via Ambidextrous. Right Hand Route or Dreamtime give access to Knossos. Care must be taken, however, not to try rapelling down any of the plethora of routes which don't connect into the Knossos area.

As in the more famous Dent du Crolles system, route-finding errors on bridge-burning trips could entail a long wait for someone to figure out where you went!

Structure

Line plots of the cave give some idea of it's shape, extent and structure.

The main entrance at 1787m drops to a major sub-horizontal level at 1720-1750m, containing the large passages of Big Sainsbury's and its continuation into the upper part of Dreamtime, and the smaller passages of the Rabbit Warren and the French entrances 161b and 161c. From this level a number of vertical routes drop to another significant sub-horizontal level dipping from around 1700m in the SW of the system (upper part of France) to around 1600m where this level is lost in the roof of Knossos. [This is probably debatable, as Boulder Alley from Poxy Pitch downwards is probably in a fault rift].

Multiple, predominantly vertical, routes drop to the cave's most important sub-horizontal passages around 1540m in the area below the entrance dipping to c1510m in Tower Blocks and the start of YAPATE. This is a major fossil passage rising up the dip to the NNE, and continuing as Chicken Flied Nice to c1540m where complexity increases. The major horizontal development in France is entered at c1550m, with the lowest passages down to 1480m. The major trunk route through Triassic Park is between 1560 and 1620m, and this level is also lost in what is presumed to be the roof of Knossos.

Whilst none of the routes below the entrance area get below about 1480m, there are a series of interconnecting shafts dropping below YAPATE and Chicken Flied Nice ending at or just above 1290m in sumps or tightness. The original deepest point, at the bottom of Flapjack, is at 1289m, 498m below the main entrance. Passages to the northwest led through a bitterly cold, draughty passage known as Siberia, which was left well alone until access via 161d made it easier. It was pushed in 1997 and 1998 down two very large pitches to a new deep point 534m below the 136 entrance at 1258m altitude.

There is just one section of horizontal level at c1400m, which is not very extensive to date, and similarly a tantalising glimpse of what appears to have been very large trunk passage below 1300m in Siberia, but this is comprehensively choked in both directions.

This overview is currently mostly updated to reflect exploration to 1995, though the line plots are up to 1996. ",,"Outstanding and now finished",,,"In dataset","? grade 5","smk-system.svx","24485m after 1999 expedition","534m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"On the limestone ridge between the Hinterer and Vorderer Schwarzmooskogels, about 200 metres up towards the Hinterer from the col, and about 20m down the east side of the ridge itself. The main 161a entrance shaft overlooks a gully dropping steeply SE towards Augstwies See. The 161b and 161c (French) entrances are close together about 75m to the SE, down the gully. Considerably further down the gully, a traverse is possible (somewhat engineered) to reach an area of recently fallen rock, where the ""Scarface"" 161d entrance is located. Continuing the traverse, but regaining about 20m of height to the NE, the ""exits"" of 161f and then 161e can be reached.",,,,,,, +,,"a",,"entrance","smkridge/161/161a.htm",,,,,,"2c",,"Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161a",,,"Nils",,"gps00.161a2",,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance","smkridge/161/161b.htm",,,,,,"2c",,"Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161b",,,"Nils",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"c","VSS 88AF","entrance","smkridge/161/161c.htm",,,,,,"2c",,"Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161c",,,"Nils",,,,,,,,,,,"The 161c entrance is shown here.","Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"d",,"entrance","smkridge/161/161d.htm",,,,,,"2c",,"Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161dtag","p161d",,,"Surface survey","gps96.161d_1 gps96.161d_2 gps96.161d_3 gps96.161d_4 gps96.161d_5 GPS96bestfit.161d GPS96bestfit.161d_2 GPS96bestfit.161d_3 GPS96bestfit.d_4 GPS96bestfit.161d_5","gps00.161d gps00.161d_2",,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"e",,"entrance","smkridge/161/161e.htm",,,,,,"2d",,"Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161e",,,"Nils",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"f",,"entrance","smkridge/161/161f.htm",,,,,,"2d",,"Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161f",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"g","2003-06","entrance","smkridge/161/161g.htm",,,"Arachnowrapper",,,"2d","CUCC 2003","Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161g",,,,,,"gps03.161g",,,,,,,,,,"Retag","Tag still says ""CUCC 2003/06"".","Surveyed", +,,"h","2004-12","entrance","smkridge/161/161h.htm",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2004","Click here for underground description",,,,,,,,,,,,,"p161h",,,,"Underground survey",,"gps04.p2004-12",,,,,,"NE slope of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel","Difficult route finding past Damoclesschact and 2003-07 to edge of plateau. Climb down to easy gemsa path and turn north for 200m.","Above short climb low body sized tube below cleft in cliff.","

161h entrance

","Retag","Tag still says ""CUCC 2004-12""","Surveyed", +,,136,,"last entrance",,"smkridge/161/136.htm","a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +162,"2/S +","main b",,"yes","smkridge/162.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 162",,,"2c","CUCC 1988. 162b independently discovered by Brian and Becka 1999 and relocated + tagged ""1999-10"" by Wookey and Andy A 2000.","The cave takes a good couple of hours to explore thoroughly. Through the entrance is a large chamber with a 4m x 8m crater in it. A 3m climb down to the bottom gives access to a 3m climb back up to the right, leading into the cave and a crawl at the lowest point of the boulders leading into a choked bit of cave with small solutional stuff in the roof. It is also possible to traverse around the left edge of the crater to reach a triangular crawl which goes for about 10m before it gets too tight.

The entire floor of this cave consists of small rocks and boulders. There is no solid rock anywhere horizontal, except halfway down the pitch.

After climbing out of the hole there is another 5m deep choked hole beyond. Traverses round to both the left and right are possible, although a little care is required due to the low roof and loose floor.

To the right, rubble coming out of the bottom of a choked shaft almost blocks the passage but a crawl through to the left remains, with a strong wind blasting through the confined space. Beyond this constriction the draught is lost. The roof remains low on the other side, although it is possible to stand up off to the left where there is a 4m climb up to what looks like a way on but is actually blind. Moving around the boulder pile to the right leads to a big passage. There are a few large boulders 10m to the right with a 4m climb down between them leading to a tight choked rift. This was also dug into from the top passage by the extremely zealous original explorers! There is an alcove in front and a rubble slope up to the right. Round the corner to the right is another shaft-bottom rubble pile and a hole disappearing into the roof. At the top of the slope to the left is a 4m climb up through and around big wedged boulders to reach an impressive chamber 7m × 9m and 12m high. There is a possible climb up into an aven in the corner which probably doesn't go and has a couple of moves at the top which need protecting.

Back at the fork near the entrance, turning left and thrutching over a couple of rocks (another windy spot) leads to the head of a 17m pitch broken by a ledge 8m down. There is a bolt for a ladder hang on this ledge. Going off to the left allows a safe traverse past the pitch continuation to the bottom of a 6m high rift with some ice in it, slowly narrowing as it goes up.

At the foot of the pitch is what looks like an ancient phreatic remnant. It is about 40m long and 6m wide, and mostly full of rocks. To the left it is blocked at the end by the rubble coming out of the bottom of a big shaft. It is possible to work round the foot of this for about 3m to the left and 10m to the right.

Going the other way down the passage reveals a large snow column by the left hand wall. It is possible to climb up between the column and its containing shaft, presumably all the way to the surface, but no-one has managed it yet. Beyond this column the roof gets lower, apart from a couple of solutional avens and eventually a small shaft-bottom rock pile and a couple of small inlet tubes mark the end of the cave.

There is no extant description or survey of what Brian and Becka discovered in 1999 except that it was a shaft to around 50m of passage. This and the position of their entrance suggests that they had dropped into the lower part of 162, near the snow column from the original description.",,,,,"In dataset","1990 plan Cambridge Underground 1991

","caves/162/162.svx","156-159m","22 m (survey) or 33 m (text)",,"The 1988 log book refers to this cave as ""Adam's Hole (2)"".",,,,,,"Surface survey","gps96.162 gps96bestfit.162","gps00.162",,,,,,"Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel, about halfway between 161 and Eishöhle. Following the French traverse route along the shelf marked with orange paint from 161c will take you to just below 162 and 163.","About 250m from survey point vd1. From vd1, head directly down the gully (bearing about 100°, for about 130m, then turn right, angle right and traverse below the bunde field on the right along the most obvious shelf (you should find the french path here) for another 130m or so. The cave entrance is a 1.5m × 2m hole in the wall to the right of the traverse shelf with a very cold draught coming out of it. It is one shelf above the French path and if you are at the wrong level you will miss it.",,,,,, +,,"main",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p162",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Paint",,"Surveyed", +,,"b","1999-10","last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p162b","spit hole",,,,"p1999-10",,,,,,,,,,"Retag","Tag placed 2000, still says ""CUCC 1999-10""","Surveyed", +163,"2/S +",,,,"smkridge/163/163.html",,,"Schwa Höhle 163",,,"2b","CUCC 1988 ","This is a fairly small cave remnant, but it does have a draught at the end suggesting more passage beyond.

The entrance is low and wide (3.5m) and descends down a rocky slope for 20m to some impressive ice stals. There is a small tube in the roof on the right through which daylight can be seen. The cave extends another 10m past the ice stals in fossil passage until it chokes. A 3m climb up on the left allows access to a tiny rift which can be climbed down for a few uninspiring metres.

5m back from the ice stals, towards the entrance, there is a stoop under a massive boulder forming the left wall. Here is a 3m climb down into the second part of the cave. Downslope from here is a chamber with a small frozen stream running through it and a choked alcove containing another ice stal beyond the stream. The chamber through which the stream 'flows' appears to have been formed by the entire roof falling about 1.5m in one piece and it is possible to climb beneath this huge rock near the way in. Over on the right is a climb through an eyehole to a 3m climb down into a stream rift. This has a howling draught coming out of it but it is too small to get down - although the heavy application of a hammer might do the trick.",,,,,"In dataset","1990 plan, Cambridge Underground 1991

","caves/163/163.svx","58m","17m",,"The 1988 log book refers to this cave as ""Adam's Hole (1)"".",,"p163tag","p163",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.163",,,,,,"In the right hand side of a 15m diameter couloir near 162.",,,"

Olly Betts at the 163 entrance with the numbering board

Photo © Wookey 2002","Tag",,"Surveyed", +164,"2/S +",,,,"plateau/164.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 164",,,"1a","CUCC 1988","The entrance pitch is 10m, and has a detectable draught - quite strong in view of the size of the entrance. There was only the remains of a snow plug in 1988, although the plug is almost complete in some years (eg. 1995 - it was gone again in 1996).

A small stream enters and lands on boulders at the foot of the pitch in a passage leading south along a fault. A climb of 4m over precarious boulders reaches a bolt for the second pitch. The quality of rock in this area leaves a lot to be desired. The second pitch, 12m and third pitch, 15m are separated only by a small ledge. Water sinks in floor of small passage floored with what would appear to be the previous season's roof, now decayed into small jagged rocks. Continuing passage over boulders rises to 4-5m dropping steeply for 30m on the same south-trending fault. The water is rejoined at a freehanging 10m pitch from a rock bridge overlooking a sizeable chamber.

The stream sinks at the foot of the pitch in the centre of the 15m by 7m chamber floor. To the east, a scramble leads up to a shattered cross-rift from a large shelf about 15m long and 10m wide, but ends too tight. A similar feature to the west up a 4m climb becomes a low bedding with no way on. Due south are two passages, the one to the right leading 20m round a couple of bends to a sandy choke. The left passage quickly chokes. The draught seems to be lost into the continuation of the passage above the final pitch, on the far side of the chamber. This would be best reached by a traverse on steep loose rock from the 4m climb in the chamber. The pitches take large quantities of water very quickly in rain.",,,,,,"Elevation in Cambridge Underground 1989",,,"60ish metres",,,,"p164tag","p164rig",,,"Surface survey","gps96.164/189 gps96bestfit.164",,,,,,,"On plateau, beyond B11 (1623/198). This is a snow-choked shaft next to the very large snow-choked shaft, which has always been blocked with snow and was therefore not explored or numbered for many years, but is now 189.",,,"

164 entrance (left of centre) seen over 189 entrance.

","Tag","On wall above entrance, facing NE, number in red, 1988. Austrian metal tag, 1995.","Surveyed", +165,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/165.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 165",,,"2d","CUCC 1989","15m shaft explored by Adam and Planc on 24th August 1989, and apparently never returned to, but did get its number painted. Relocated and surveyed to in 1999.

In same fault line, but further north, in an area of bare limestone is another shaft. This already had a bolt when encountered in 1989, despite being outside the area previously looked at by CUCC. It was in excess of 35m deep and was not marked by CUCC. Cross on Schönberg 322°, Bräuning Nase 222°

This latter cave may be 195 (marked in 1995) which is c 80m almost due north, although the faults in this area are mainly aligned on about 020°, so it may be an as-yet-unrelocated shaft.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p165",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"Cross on Schönberg 331°, Bräuning Nase 226°",,"On the west side of the Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel in a fault line. About 80m due south of 195, which is visible from top camp.",,,,"Tag","Tag placed 1999","Surveyed", +"166-170",,,,,,,,,,"Not CUCC numbers","nonexistent",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +171,"1/T +","a b","90/1","yes","plateau/171/171.html",,,"Plateau Höhle 90/1",,,"1a","CUCC 1990.","Subhorizontal phreatic tube trending 154°. Multiple entrances and windows with total passage length in excess of 150m. Passage generally elliptical: 5m wide and 3m high.

Along the fault to the north are numerous choked shafts with a maximum depth of 5m.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1644m","Bräuning Nase 190½° (in 1995, recorded as 186° in 1990), Bräuning Zinken 236½° (1995), Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel appears as a single peak on 056° (both 1990 and 1995), East end of Top Camp 177° (1995), Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel appears as 126° (1990 and 1995) but this point is not the true summit, and therefore cannot be used to plot the cave on the map. It is useful if you just want to find the cave.",,"150m north of Top Camp (camp 3). c 20-50m east of prominent fault which cuts through Bräuning Nase, in sub-horizontal limestone.",,,"

171 entrance in 1995 171 entrance in 1999
1623/171 entrance and a small shaft linked to it
by a section of mostly unroofed cave, seen in 1995		 Robert Seebacher at the entrance in 1995

Photos © Andy Waddington 1995, except 1999 photo © Olly Betts","Tag","Paint marking on wall facing southwest:

Original 90/1 marking of 1990 vintage, converted to ""171"" in 1991. This image taken in 1995. There is also a metal tag bolted on by the Austrians in 1995.",, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"t171",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p171b",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Paint (?)",,"Surveyed", +172,"1/T +",,"90/2",,"plateau/172.htm",,,"Plateau Höhle 90/2",,,"1a","Almost certainly seen before, but recorded CUCC 1990","Horizontal, walk-in phreatic tube dipping to S and trending 190°. 40m long, 4m wide, 1.5 to 2m high. Choked at end.",,,,,"In dataset","

Notes in 2000#34","caves/172/172.svx",,,,,,,"p172",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"North of 171 along fault, on cliff facing north, 10m east of fault. HSK 063°, Schönberg cross 343°. Relocated from these bearings, which seem about right, in 1995.",,,"

Entrance to 1623/172, seen in 1995

","Tag","Originally marked ""CUCC 90/2"" in red, changed to ""172"" in 1991. An Austrian metal tag bolted to entrance in 1995.","Surveyed", +173,"1/S +",,"90/3",,"plateau/173.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 90/3",,,"1d","Recorded CUCC 1990","Lies along fracture line from 172 with several shafts connected by a narrow rift. Most of these are snow plugged - 173 also has a plug but this has shrunk and a large gap is visible around the edges. Fracture trends 024°, shaft is c20m deep and 7m diameter.",,,,,,,,,"C20m",,,,"t173",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"Bräuning Nase 191° (1995, 1990 record says 186°), Nipple 159°, Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel appears as two peaks, left hand one is 080° (1995, 1990 figure 082° unclear which peak), Bräuning Zinken 224° (1995, 1990:220°)",,,,,"

","Tag","Originally marked ""CUCC 90/3"" in red, changed to ""173"" in 1991. An Austrian metal tag bolted to entrance in 1995.","Surveyed", +174,"1/S +",,"90/4",,"plateau/174.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 90/4",,,"1d","Recorded CUCC 1990, descended by Adam ?","c 30m shaft, climbable for first 10m to rock bridge. Snow at bottom, but cobble floor also visible.",,,,,,,,,"C30m",,,,,,,,,,"gps00.174",,,"1665m (by altimeter set 1610 at Bergrestaurant)","Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel 088° (1995, 1990:087°) to right hand peak, Rightmost apparent peak of three on Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel 160° (1990), Bräuning Nase 188° (1995, 1990:189°), Bräuning Zinken 221° (1995, 1990:218°)",,"Situated on fracture bearing 044° which forms prominent banded cliff visible North of Top Camp on second low ridge.","This cave is quite hard to find, even though the bearings get you very close. It is just below a cliff, which is almost the highest bit of cliff in the vicinity. The entrance is almost on the (E-W) axis on the ridge and the cliff faces SE. The number is easily missed.",,"

","Tag","Originally marked ""CUCC 90/4"" in red, changed to ""174"" in 1991. An Austrian metal tag bolted to entrance in 1995.","Surveyed", +175,"1/S -",,"90/5",,"plateau/175.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 90/5",,,"1d","Recorded CUCC 1990, but not descended ?","c20m shaft, snow at bottom, but quite possibly open.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps00.175",,,,"Nipple 167°, Bräuning Nase 193°, Bräuning Zinken 220°, HSK 100° (1990 bearings)",,,"Further round cliff to NE of 174 on NW side of shallow valley bounded on one side by the HSK.

If you are coming from 174, 175 is a couple of scars down from where you arrive by simply following the cliff.",,"

","Tag","Originally marked ""CUCC 90/5"" in red, changed to ""175"" in 1991. An Austrian metal tag bolted to entrance in 1995.","Surveyed", +176,"1/S -",,"90/6",,"plateau/176.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 90/6",,,"1d","Recorded CUCC 1990","c30m shaft with snow-covered ledge at 15m. Rocks thrown down land on cobble floor.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps00.176",,,"1665m (by altimeter set 1610 at Bergrestaurant)","Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel 102½ (1995, to left hand peak; 1990/91 100 or 104°?), rightmost (of three) peak of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel 168½° (1990/91: 167 or 169°), Bräuning Nase 195° (1995, 1990:193°), Bräuning Zinken 220½ (1995, 1990/91 220 or 214°), Top Camp 192° (1991?)",,"At foot of SE-facing scar, just NE of a much more obvious (but unmarked) NW-SE rift with snow. Below this scar is a pavement formed in a shelly band of limestone, which dips c 10-15° on a strike of 135-315°. Following the pavement down and dropping down one scar leads to 175.",,,"

","Tag","Originally marked ""CUCC 90/6"" in red, changed to ""176"" in 1991, on scar above cave, rather small. An Austrian metal tag bolted to entrance next to the number in 1995.","Surveyed", +177,"1/S +",,"90/7",,"plateau/177.htm",,,"Tantalus Schacht",,,"1d","CUCC 1990 ","Named by dehydrated discoverers who had allowed water (and paint) out of their possession. At the bottom of the shaft is beautiful flowing stream. 35m shaft from Bunde belay to pool, water seep and ice at bottom. Access to promising looking passage which unfortunately quickly chokes.",,,,,,"

",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Bräuning Nase 215°, Bräuning Zinken 234°, Schönberg summit 332°. This proved impossible to find in 1995 from these bearings which bring one to a point c 200m NNE of 1623/104 (easily spotted by the prominent split boulder above its entrance). The vicinity is hard to search owing to an excess of dwarf pine scrub and small cliffs.",,"At break of slope between HSK and the plateau. ",,,,,,"Lost","There is a shaft nearby with a loose rock numbered 177, which is wrong (suspected at the time, hence the use of an easily erasable mark)" +178,"1/T +",,"90/8",,"plateau/178.htm",,,"Plateau Höhle 90/8",,,"1d","CUCC 1990 ","Window into very large passage about 10×20m, fluted snow plug, second drops onto end of plug. To NE, passage leads to another large chamber with another shaft coming in at the far end.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schönberg cross 330°, Bräuning Zinken 239°, Bräuning Nase 229°, Nipple 210°. The last is apparently totally wrong, but the other three lines intersect within a circle about 200m across",,,,,,,,"Lost", +179,"1/S +",,"90/9",,"plateau/179.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 90/9",,,"1d","CUCC 1990 ","A 7m pitch leading to c5m of low cave.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Bräuning Scharte 218°",,,,,,,,"Lost", +180,"2/S +",,"90/10",,"smkridge/180.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 90/10",,,"2c","CUCC 1990 ","There is an ice shaft under collapsed boulders. A bedding in the side of this gives access to two adjacent loose pitches. Various impenetrable vocal connections to the surface exist. 30m pitch with ledge and rebelay at -15m leads to Icicle Works - very nice stals and flows. Follow flow down hole Slush crawl then rift. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p180",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Located on terrace N of 161b and 161c (French entrance), before a big bowl of choss and rifts.",,,"

","Tag","Red painted ""CUCC 90/10"". Spit placed for tag in 1997. Tag 1999","Surveyed", +181,"1/S +",,"90/11",,"plateau/181.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 90/11",,,"1b","CUCC 1990 ","12m shaft with snow at bottom and rocky ledge at -5m. Aligned on 120°. Short way off at bottom is soon too tight.",,,,,,,,,"12m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"HSK 074°, Bräuning Nase 165°, Bräuning Scharte 194°, Bräuning Zinken 216°",,,,,,"Paint","Paint says ""90/11"" in red","Lost", +182,"4/S +",,"90/12",,"plateau/182/182.html",,,"Bovistundpuderzuckerhöhle","Puffball and Icing Sugar Cave",,"1b","CUCC 1990-1992 - see History for index into logbooks","The main entrance joins with a secondary, slightly smaller entrance in a daylit chamber on top of a snow plug. Sky can be seen through a third entrance in the ceiling, which is surrounded by undergrowth on the surface. A hole down the back edge of the snow plug leads to a slither down a partially iced steep (30°) boulder slope, with a low ceiling which soon rises. A large boulder several metres across is jammed across the slope at a few metres further down, below which the boulder slope continues. An inlet to the left just before an ice formation soon becomes too tight. Carrying on, the slope soon gives way to a traverse above a vadose canyon, with a laddered climb (6m) after about 25m. It is possible to continue along the top of the rift all the way to above the top of shell pitch. It is much more spacious than below but has a couple of bad steps.

From the bottom of the ladder, the passage soon drops down a climb of 2m. Then there is a winding, rifty passageway, named ""Magic Mushroom Passage"" due to the peculiar mushroom-like formations on the walls. These, together with the white dusty look of the walls in places, give the cave its name. After 100m the rift widens, and a traverse develops above a narrower rift below. The upper level may be followed to above the first rope pitch, but the more usual route is to climb down a rock pile into the lower rift (40cm wide), which is known as the Yorkshire Ripper, due to the effect of the sharp, narrow rift on oversuits, and the Yorkshire feel of the cave at this point. After 15m, relieved at one point by a small alcove with an irritating spray of water, the narrow rift widens, after a final flourish, to the head of the first rope pitch (6m).

Shell Pitch

Carrying on from the base of the pitch, the tiny rift in the floor deepens, and traversing along leads soon to the head of Shell pitch (19m). Descending gives a fine view of the chamber, the walls of which contain many large bivalve fossils (hence the pitch's name). From this chamber, a short traverse leads to a junction. Left is an unclimbable aven, whilst to the right is Piezo de Resistance, described below. The main route is currently down Q8 pitch which is broken by a ledge after 16m. After a further 9m and a rebelay, a pendulum through a window to one side leads on. Descending further, the shaft stops after 19m and a further rebelay. There are no passable ways on from the bottom (Strike One).

After the pendulum, a vast army of rebelays lies in wait (Dot to Dot), eventually ending in a larger pitch (25m) the bottom of which, again, has no ways on (Strike Two).

Yet again, a pendulum (at -14m) yields more cave (Bottom Bypass). A dubious 11m hang leads to a ledge. At one end of the ledge, ducking under an arch enters a chamber at the bottom of a high shaft (Lady's Loo), down which a vast torrent pours in wet weather. A further 9m down from the ledge is a floor. Progress can be made along the top of a slimy keyhole shaped rift (Tarzan's Folly) which is irritating to pass, especially with tackle. After 20m, a false floor appears and a few metres further on is The Dark Room, a high chamber with dark, textured walls. A waterfall cascades down from unfathomable heights, and pounds onto a ledge to the back right of the cavern.

Climbing down a slimy slope (which in an ideal world would be lined) the way on is along a rift which exits from the rear of the chamber on the left side. The rift has a couple of false floors in it. The middle level leads to the head of the next pitch: Natural Redundancy (11m) is reached after about 10m. The rope is belayed to a large chock stone at head level, then to a bolt about two inches from a beautifully rounded thread, hence the name. Cyclotron pitch follows immediately, then comes Quark, Strangeness and Charm, a rift passage with many possible traverse levels. In places there are flowstone bosses, and near the roof, some odd tippex stals can be seen. The formations are only notable due to their rarity in the caves of this region.

Cloud ChamberQuark Strangeness & Charm

At the end of QS&C, the passage sweeps round to the left as the floor drops away into Cloud Chamber. The pitch is broken by two rebelays. The grade 5 survey stops about 20m back from the pitch head. The details of the passage leading to the next pitch are uncertain, although the consensus is that it is around 20-30m long, and fairly straight. The lack of information led to the name Amnesia Alleyway. The next pitch is NDE, an acronym for ""Near Death Experience"" , since a party of cavers was flood-pulsed just below this pitch during the initial exploration. This incident also named The Delicate Sound of Thunder, another rift passage with a traverse along to a pitch (Traditional Style - laddered in 1991, marking the end of exploration that year).

After the first 5m slope to a rebelay, Traditional Style drops 12m (with one deviation) to a wide shelf. At the right hand edge is another 12m pitch. This lands in a muddy area which quickly becomes a very muddy steeply descending rift. An 8m pitch (2 bolts, Y-hang) a bit of clambering and a 5m pitch (one bolt) get you to a washing-up-bowl-sized sump at -292m.

5m up on the left hand wall (by the last bit of string) is a muddy crawl. This is below the 'tide-mark' of the sump so is somewhat oppressive. It leads, after 8m to a high parallel rift. A couple of 2m climbs ahead lead back down to another, slightly larger, sump. The rift rises at least 20m, apparently without connecting back to the main descent route.

Piezo de Resistance

From the head of ""Q8"" pitch, an alternative route may be followed along a rift on a fault at 20-200°, hading 80° to the west. Taking the passage to the right, a traverse develops after 10m. Water sinks into a hole in the floor after a further 10m, and beyond this, is a 9m pitch, followed after 10m or so by a longer pitch of 16mm.

Crow's NestThe Chimney

This lands on a ledge with an obvious continuation below, but the route, to keep away from potential water, takes a much more interesting route. It goes up a 6m pitch to the Crow's Nest, a narrow rock rib separating two parts of the shaft. This was originally reached by a bolt traverse round the right hand wall. From the Crow's Nest, The Chimney drops 30m in typical Puffball triangular pitch (elliptical joint-aligned phreas cut down on lower side by vadose action). The rope stays resolutely on the upper side with a series of epic hanging rebelays.

At the bottom a 34m freehang lands in the Darkroom, but the bottom of this is in the waterfall (noted in the Darkroom description), so the route goes through a window near the top of the hang which gives a nice dry 30m hang. ",,,,,"In dataset","? grade 5","caves/182/182.svx","1177m","292m","302m",,,,"p182",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"Bräuning Scharte 180°,Bräuning Zinken 210°, HSK 070°. Journal CU's 1991,92 says VSK 210° but this has to be a typo, maybe 110 ?

Top Camp below the Bräuning wall is on 144° and +01.5° but can't actually be seen from entrance.",,,,,"

Entrance area with snow plug Entrance area (clear of snow) Entrance rift

Photos © Olly Betts 199? (1 + 2) & © Andy Atkinson 1992 (3)","Paint","Paint mark may still say ""90/12""","Surveyed", +183,"2/S x ",,"90/13",,"plateau/183.htm",,,"Elchfalle",,,"1b","CUCC 1990-1992","A small man-sized hole behind a flake in the obvious fault. Boulder almost blocking entrance was pulled clear in 1992. Descend a boulder pile for 5m then sloping start to an 8m pitch. Strong draught at this point. A few metres of boulder-floored passage lead to another short pitch (5m sloping, then 5m vertical). Another very short passage leads to the third pitch of 10m to a flat boulder floor followed quickly by the fourth pitch rigged clear of a tiny stream by bolts on the roof/far wall. This is again c 10m with a deviation half way to land on more boulders. The water quickly sinks in these, and a little way forward, a hole opens onto a pitch of 6m rigged from a Y-hang. The stream comes down at the east end of this chamber, joined by another inlet from the north, and leaves south to another 5m pitch, quickly followed by another 5m pitch, from the base of which there is a crawling passage. Downstream is a crawl was explored for varying distances on several occasions until the explorers ran out of enthusiasm; the passage also continues upstream, which was not explored.",,"Continuing crawl both upstream and downstream at bottom",,,"In dataset",,"caves/183/183.svx","106m","71m",,,,,"p183",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"From 182, go N up pavement. Just over crest turn left along sporadically vegetated ledge below 2m wall (to S). After 100m, a large fault is met which contains 183. ",,,"Paint","Paint mark still says ""90/13""","Surveyed", +184,"1/T +",,"90/14",,"plateau/184.htm",,,"Shiruken",,,"1b","Recorded CUCC 1990, descended by Adam ?","It's a sharp narrow canyon and it's a BASTARD. Hence is called Shiruken (the sharp spikey things Ninjas throw).",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p184",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"From 183, go south up the fault until an area of exposed limestone is met on the left (about 20m). Go left (E) along this exposure up to where the bunde starts and locate a surface stream canyon. This becomes 184 when it goes underground (and it's marked). ",,,"Paint",,"Surveyed", +185,"2/S +",,,,"smkridge/185/185.html",,,"Zweijahreentstehungshöhle",,,"2c","CUCC 1990 ","A narrow slot first bolted in 1988 and descended in 1990. First pitch, Fancy a coffee, descends past a small snow plug down to a large(ish) chamber covered with snow which appears to be about 7m deep. A small section to the left lets in a shaft of light, which changes from a wide beam to a narrow one. A low crawl on the left (ice covered) leads to the second pitch Your place or mine ?, a short (3m approx) drop to a ledge, then a longer (10 to 13m) drop down to the floor. The second pitch is slightly wet, with small amounts of water dripping from the roof. A loose climb leads to a tight crawl and even tighter pitch (Marble Sink revisited, JR), which is now named get yer kit off. This descends into a small chamber, where the limestone changes in colour from yellow to blue. A rift then drops into a boulder covered chamber, with a larger boulder choked to the right and a very, very small hole leading to the left for a few metres. The fourth and probably final pitch has been named Came too soon.",,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/185/185.svx",,,,,,,"p185",,,"Nils","gps96.185 gps96bestfit.185","gps00.185",,,,,,"On pavement on the east side of the col between the two Schwarzmooskogels on the usual (89/90) route from Top Camp to 161.",,,"
Entrance areaCloseup of entrance

Photos © Olly Betts 2000. Model: Mark Shinwell.","Paint","Paint says 162 (sigh)","Surveyed", +186,"2/S +",,,,"kratzer/186.htm",,,"Rosenkavalierhöhle",,,4,"CUCC 1990 ","Cairn built by entrances. There are three entrances investigated:

Highest is really tight flat out crawl leading to a tightish but passable rift, draughting. Abandoned in favour of a newly collapsed small hole 10m below, at the foot of a small (5m) cliff. This had a very big rock blocking the entrance and rewarded the huge effort required to move it with nearly 5m of passage to a choke and a choked shaft.

10m further down still is the third entrance. A 6m climb down to a large ramp and a rebelay is the start of a 30m pitch. One way at the bottom is an 8m boulder slope climb up to a choke and small aven. The other way is a 2m climb into moonmilk crawl and some tight thrutching and chokes. All thoroughly investigated and not going anywhere.",,,,,,"

sketch survey by William Stead from 1990 logbook",,,,,,,,"p186",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"(1994 bearings Bräuning Zinken 284.5°, Loser 235°)",,"Near Schwarzmooskogel just before top camp, 50m higher than path and on opposite hillside, where path by Bräuning Nase meets fault running up the mountain.

1994 log shows location (note that the arrow labelled "approx north" is very approx, as it is actually roughly east):

Following the route depicted, if you reach a sandy depression, you have gone too far.",,,,"Tag","This was numbered 185 at the entrance, but this was fixed in 1997, and a metal tag ""CUCC 186"" bolted on. ","Surveyed", +187,"1/S -",,,,"smkridge/187.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 187",,,"2c","CUCC 1990-","Nearly vertical bedding plane allows a 5m climb from where 5m+ of pitch can be seen and stones thrown down it indicate more.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Bräuning Nase 246°",,,"Up ridge to Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel from 161, Cairn by entrance.",,,"Paint","Marked ""CUCC 90"". Near 161a","Refindable", +188,"1/T +","a–d",,"yes","plateau/188/188.html",,,"Skinrip Durchgange I-VI",,,"1a","CUCC 1990","From memory, the cave consists of two 3m deep surface shafts of diameter two meters, connected by c. 4m of 0.60m diameter horizontal phreas at the bottom. From the shaft nearer the Hinter-SMK the phreas continued for another 5-6m before I ran away as it was getting a bit tight. It could well be skinrip durchgang from the huge description given on the website, and I just never made it as far as the awkward climb. Survey is Grade II.",,,,,,"It is not yet confirmed, but it seems likely that this is the same cave partially surveyed by Phil Underwood in 1997 entitled 'dodgy compost'.",,,,,"""Austria cave systems manual"" has scribbled note ""this number not CUCC's"" so this probably should revert to number CUCC-1990-18?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"A line of about six entrances near Top Camp.",,"A fun system of openings in a line, all connected by cave, the last of which is a very tricky climb to get out of and is in the middle of Bunde. It contains some snow and ice blockages, making it unpleasant without gear.","

Entrance locationView down main entranceView along rift

","Tag",,, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p188",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Refindable", +,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Refindable", +,,"d",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Refindable", +189,"1/S +",,,,"plateau/189.htm",,,"Plateau Schacht 189",,,"1a","CUCC 1993 or 1994","In fact, it doesn't appear to have been written up at the time. It was redescended in 1996, and there is nothing in the 1996 logbook or notKH survey book, so there is no description here.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"t189",,,,"Surface survey","gps96.164/189",,,,,,,,"From Schwarzmoossattel directly out onto the plateau, keeping to the left edge of a large flat area of karren, passes first Fuchshöhle B11, then 164, a snow-plugged shaft below a small north-facing scar. 164 and 189 are both on the same joint going 018-198°: a few metres north of 164 is a fault line on 102-282° with a large open and heavily snow-plugged shaft, noted often since 1976, but not explored and written up until 1994 (or 1993?).",,"

164 entrance (left of centre) seen over 189 entrance.

The entrance looking north during surface survey in 1996.

","Tag","This is 189, numbered in red paint, and marked with an Austrian metal tag in 1995.","Surveyed", +190,"1/S/T/E =",,"B9",,"plateau/190/190.html",,,"Glitterstompf",,"B9 now known to be same as 190","1a","CUCC 1976, 1993","Rectangular shaft 6.7m long (aligned on a joint on 275°) and 4.0m wide. Wall on south side is 1.5m higher than rest of surface. Freeclimb descent of 6m to scree/boulder floor usually with snow plug. At eastern end of the south wall, a horizontal passage leads 7.5m on 185° to the lip of a second pitch. This is 10m leading to a big rift. Ahead over boulders and ice an 8m pitch descends through (sic) spectacular ice stalactites. Way on is effectively blocked by ice but could well connect with a major shaft nearby (1623/189), not descended in 1976 on account of the condition of the ice. The small alternative hole back in the rift is blocked by ice at -6m.

In 1993 the cave was ""extremely cold and some ice formations"".",,,,,,,,,"c 25m",,,,"t190",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"From 164, north to an east-west fault line (climbing past the large open and heavily snow-plugged shaft, which is 189). To the east, this fault line is a north-facing scarp, below which is 190 (number in red, and Austrian metal tag on this wall above the SW corner of the shaft), somewhat before (ie. west of) B8 (1623/197). ",,"

< /a>

Photos © Andy Waddington 1995 (left) & © Olly Betts 1996 (right). ","Tag","On wall above entrance, facing N, number in red, 1993. Austrian metal tag, 1995. The 1976 number ""B9"" was in dull green and was already hard to spot in 1977, since when it has not been seen.","Surveyed", +191,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/191.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 191",,,"2c","CUCC 1995 ","A 1½m diameter shaft in a limestone shelf with the sound of water. 4m 1st pitch leads to loose floor sloping to passage 3m long heading SSW. 2nd pitch in floor has water entering from above (which could simply be meltwater). 5m pitch leads to sloping boulder choke. ",,,,"Anthony from James 95.07.08 S94p45",,,,,,,,,,"p191",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"Trisselberg cross 185½°, Summit of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel 222½°, Prominent col to north of Trisselberg 147½°.",,"About 100m NNE from 161c",,,,"Tag","""CUCC 191 +"" in paint and a metal tag ""CUCC 191"" added in 1997.","Surveyed", +192,"1/S -",,,,"smkridge/192.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 192",,,"2c","Unknown, and CUCC 1995 (unfinished) ","About a 15m shaft with a large rift at the bottom. Probably doesn't go but can't be sure. Rift c 10m long, on 50-230° with deepest point to SW. Descended to -10m on ladder, but can't see round corner to left (SE) below. Existing spit found near top, but previously unmarked.",,,,"Kate 95.07.26 S94p42",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c1755m","1623/161c 200°",,"About 100m NNE from 161c, and a few metres higher.",,"Two cairns, one either side of entrance.",,"Paint",,"Lost", +193,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/193.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 193",,,"2c","CUCC 1995, 2000 ","Rift at 70-80°. A 3m by 4m shaft descends 7m to a rock floor. To the south a tight bit of rift can be entered for a few metres. To the west a small chamber can be entered via a 1m step down.",,,,"

  • Anthony from Nick's notes 95.07.08-9 S94p45
  • ref survey 2000#36, 2000#37

","In dataset","

","caves/193/193.svx",,,,,,,"p193",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"200m East of 161c.",,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2000","Surveyed", +194,"1/S +",,,,"smkridge/194.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 194",,,"2d","Unknown, and CUCC 1995","A small hole in the side of a big surface rift (on about 060-240°). The surface rift is about 5m deep, and a tiny way goes off to the E at the north-eastern end, becoming too tight at about -15m. The small hole under the NW wall at the SE end is a pitch of c 30m to a 10m long rift parallel with the surface rift. Rope did not reach, but appears to be no way on.","50m rope?",,,"Kate 95.07.26 S94p42-3",,,,,,,,,,"p194",,,"Surface survey","gps96bestfit.194",,,,,"Bräuning Zinken 230°

Two other bearings are given, one to ""Kleine Wehr Kogel"" 354°, but, in fact, to ""Kleine Wild Kogel"". The other is 295° to a small peak left of the Schönberg which I can't identify from the map. ",,"On large white patch of limestone on NW flank of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel (visible from Top Camp), quite near the far side of the bare area and just above a larch tree leaning SE.","On cairned path from Top Camp to Steinbruckenhöhle (204). 60m W of 195. Area map NotKH book p 115.",,"

","Tag","Tag ""CUCC 1623/194"" (1999). Cairn and numbered in red (1996) on NE face of a large boulder bridging the rift (visible in context photo).","Surveyed", +195,"1/S -",,,,"smkridge/195.htm",,,"Schwa Schacht 195",,,"2d","

  • Original discovery not known
  • Refound 1989 (Pete Lancaster Adam Cooper)
  • Re-found and marked 1995 (Kate Janossy)
  • Surveyed to 1999 (Anthony Day, Duncan Collis)

","A very large surface rift (almost a canyon), with a pitch at the west end. This has a 5-6 second booming clattering drop, and had a very poor quality spit at the top. It was not descended in 1995. This may be the cave referred to in the description of 165, located by CUCC in 1989, but already having a bolt, and not descended by CUCC but with ""a drop in excess of 35m"".","50m rope?",,,"Kate 95.07.26 S94p43-4","In dataset",,"caves/195/195.svx",,,,,,,"p195",,,"Nils","gps96.195 gps96bestfit.195","gps00.195",,,,"Bräuning Zinken 225° ""Kleine Wild Kogel"" 354°",,"On large white patch of limestone on NW flank of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel (visible from Top Camp), quite near the top of the bare area (higher up than 1623/194).","On cairned path from Top Camp to Steinbruckenhöhle (204). 195 is 60m E of 194 and 50m WSW of 196, and 90m NNW of 165. Area map NotKH book p115.",,"

","Tag","Cairn, Red paint '195' (1995). Tag ""CUCC 1623/195"" (1999).","Surveyed", +196,"1/T +",,,,"smkridge/196.htm",,,"Schwa Höhle 196",,,"2d","

  • Discovered: CUCC 1995 (Kate Janossy, Balázs Izapy)
  • Surveyed: 1999 (Anthony Day, Duncan Collis)

","By a large (10m wide) snow choked doline, are two horizontal entrances going WSW. The right one is uphill over boulders and ends very quickly. The left one (196) is downhill and carries a draught. The triangular cross-section (widest at the bottom) passage goes for 10m to a junction with a blind uphill branch to the right, whilst straight ahead is too tight.","None",,,"Kate 95.07.26 S94p44","In dataset","

","caves/196/196.svx","26m","15m",,,,,"p196",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"Bräuning Zinken 240°""Kleine Wild Kogel"" 356°",,"On large white patch of limestone on NW flank of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel (visible from Top Camp), quite near the top of the bare area, higher up than 1623/195. ","Path from Top Camp to Steinbruckenhöhle (204) goes past this cave. Close to 194, 195, 165.",,,"Tag","Red paint '196' (1995). Tag ""CUCC 1623/196"" (1999).","Surveyed", +197,"1/S +",,"CUCC 1976/B8",,"plateau/197.htm",,,"Bemoost Tropfen Höhle","Mossy Dribble Cave",,"1a","CUCC 1976","A large open hole with snow in the bottom. In wet weather, the old number is even harder to spot, but the hole is very noisy with sinking water. 20m of ladder were fed down between snow and rock before snow plug totally blocked the way on. However, this was in 1976, a year with quite a large amount of snow.",,,,,,,,," 25m",,,,"t197",,,,"Surface survey","gps98.b8","gps00.b8",,,,"(1976) Bräuning Nase 208°, Schönberg 350°, Spot point 1828, 240°

In fact it is impossible to see any landmarks from the actual entrance.",,,"This is situated on the plateau just on a major fault where one climbs down over bare rock for 4m. From Top Camp, head somewhat east of north onto a large area of bare karren containing B11 (1623/198). Continue parallel with the line of a small scarp running north, and pass 1623/164 on the left. Scrambling past a wide snow choked shaft (1623/189) on the right, descend and turn right, along the line of a north-facing scarp containing B9 (1623/190), heading roughly east, and clamber down a few small scars to the large open doline.",,"

Photomontage showing location of B8 below scar. Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel and Schwarzmoossattel behind (Warning - full size image is 1000 pixels wide)

","Tag","Number ""B8"" of 1976 vintage painted in dull green on the wall facing south, opposite the fault scarp, which is very hard to spot, although not fading appreciably year to year. There is an easier-to-find number painted higher up on an east-facing rock, initially in orange, but "refreshed" in red in 1995 as the orange paint was crap. Below this number is the drilled spit with tag ""CUCC 1976 B8"" which is also the point surveyed to. This will, in due course, be replaced by a new tag with the Austrian kataster number, on the same bolt.

Retagged 1997.","Surveyed", +198,"2/S +",,"B11",,"plateau/198/198.html",,,"Fuchshöhle",,,"1a","CUCC 1976, reexamined 1994, surface survey 1996","A fine pitch of 55m is broken by a ledge halfway down. The shaft narrows towards the bottom, and from the foot of the ladder, boulders lead to a choke a few metres further down.",,,,,,,,,"55m",,,,"t198",,,,,"gps96bestfit.b11 gps98.b11_1998","gps00.b11",,,,,,"On plateau between B8 and the col, very difficult to spot from more than 5m away, but very noisy in wet weather.",,,"

1976 - ladder descent1994 - Julian Haines making an SRT descentAndy Waddington placing tag, 1996

Photos © Victoria Brown 1978, Andy Atkinson 1994, Olly Be tts 1996","Tag","Number ""B11"" was repainted in 1988 (in red) and this is quite visible on flat rock to the SE of the shaft. Just next to it is the spit for the tag ""CUCC 1976 B11"" which is the point surveyed to. This tag was replaced 1999 with a new tag bearing the official Austrian number.

Retagged 1999","Surveyed", +199,"1/T +",,,,"smkridge/199.htm",,,"Stürzender Felsbrocken Höhle","Tumbling Boulder Hole",,"2c","

  • CUCC 1987-08-30
  • Reexplored (and a new sketch survey, see 1998 NotKH survey book) (Kate Janossy, Brian Outram) in 1998.
  • Grade 3 survey in 1999 (Wookey, Andy Atkinson)

","A steeply descending tube over scree (sometimes snow), initially 3m in diameter, leads down to a choke. To the right in a cross-rift 24m long (beware of loose rock here) is an audible connection to the surface (199c). The final section of the main tube has roof pendants, and ends with a rising sand floor over which the crawl becomes too tight. The second entrance (199b) is just up and to the left of the main one.","None absolutely required, but 15m handline helpful for entrance, especially if snowy.",,,,"In dataset","

","caves/199/199.svx","65m","29m",,,,,"p199",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.199",,,,,,"NW flank of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. About 30m SSW of 156.","Follow the cairned path which ascends the Vorder Schwarzmooskogel from the NW. Shortly after passing the open rift entrance of 1623/156 (50m south of Laser Point 0/1), scramble up to the right (south). One large and two small open cave entrances.",,,"Tag","metal tag stamped ""CUCC 199"" fixed by M6 stud epoxied into vertical wall left of main entrance (stud placed 1998, kataster number tag replaced provisional one in 1999).","Surveyed", +200,"1/S +",,"93/01",,"plateau/200.htm",,,"Verlorener Rucksack Schacht","Lost Rucksack Cave",,"1d","Discovery and initial descent CUCC 1993 (Adam Cooper), bottomed in three trips in 1998 (Wookey, Andy Waddington).","Found in 1993, it was intended to mark the cave but not descend. However Adam Cooper's rucksack (containing the rope), placed unwisely near the edge, made the first descent. Adam followed on a ladder to retrieve it, then placed a bolt for a further descent on rope. The shaft continued beside a snow plug, but was deemed unsuitable for further exploration in shorts. The find was not relocated in 1993, so exploration stopped. Found again in 1995 whilst marking other known entrances, and probably seen again in 1996.

After a first descent placing a bolt again showed it unsuitable for exploration in shorts, a determined effort by Wookey in 1998 pushed the second pitch, between hanging death ice and snow to a definite choke. However, partway down this pitch was a window with a draught, leading to a third pitch (one bolt at takeoff, another just below). This was nn metres to a final choke.

The whole cave is formed on a fault which forms a SE-facing scarp on the surface. A short distance NE of the entrance, the fault line cuts a lower-lying area. The draught, which was mostly outward through the head of the third pitch during the final exploratory trip, periodically reverses for 10-15 seconds. It would appear to be powered by surface breezes via various other small windows to the surface, most probably including ones lower down in the depression to the NE.",,,,,,"

",,,"45m",,,,"t200",,,,"Surface survey","gps98.1993_01 gps98.1993_01a","gps00.93_01a gps00.93_01b",,,,,,"700m north of Schwarzmoossattel.","From 164, avoid 189 (easiest 15m to its right over a small ridge, but OK immediately on its right edge), then go roughly NNW (a few cairns - 1996 vintage orange paint has completely faded). This leads up onto the right edge of a ridge (the main part of which is deep Lärchen), passing right of the OAV ski marker pole. This is an easy walk above a short (climbable) cliff looking down onto 210. When this easy walk is interrupted by a step down, head leftish over a series of limestone steps to reach a descent into a large broken area (near 173). Climb steeply left up boulders to a large cairn, then along a sloping limestone shelf. Shortly ahead is an abrupt headwall, below which is the shaft of Lost Rucksack Cave (given temporary number CUCC 1993 01). The area could also be reached (with more difficulty) from the ""central"" plateau area towards 76, and also via the ""Geologists' walk"" which passes much further left via 171 and 172. ",,"

Adam Cooper descending to place a bolt below the lip in 1993

","Retag","M6 stud with alloy tag ""CUCC 1993 01"" on flat rock NE of shaft. This will be replaced with the correct kataster number in due course.","Surveyed", +201,"1/S +",,"1998/01",,"smkridge/201.htm",,,"Haftefelle Schacht","Ski-skin shaft",,"2c","CUCC 1998 - a single descent.","2m diameter shaft drops 25m to a boulder floor - a short second pitch follows immediately leading to a too-tight rift. A 40m rope is sufficient.",,,,,"In dataset","? pic","caves/201/201.svx","15m","15m",,,,,"p201",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.201",,,,,,"NW flank of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel. 20m N of Laser 0/1","Follow the cairned path which ascends the Vorder Schwarzmooskogel from the NW. Shortly before the obvious open rift entrance of 1623/156 (which is 50m south of Laser Point 0/1) is a small (2m diameter) open shaft.",,,"Tag","metal tag stamped ""CUCC 201"" fixed by M6 stud epoxied into horizontal surface on NW side of main entrance (stud placed 1998, proper kataster number tag replaced provisional one in 1999).","Surveyed", +202,,,,,"noinfo/smkridge/202.html",,,"Dominoschacht",,,"2a",,,,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/202/202.svx",,,,,,,"p202",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +203,,,,,"noinfo/smkridge/203.html",,,"Sonnenscheinschacht",,,"2a",,,,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/203/203.svx",,,,,,,"p203",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +204,"5/S x","a–f","CUCC 1999/03","yes","smkridge/204/204.html",,,"Steinbrückenhöhle",,,"2d","

  • CUCC 1999 to length 1365m, depth 226m
  • CUCC 2000 to 2.5km, depth 368m
  • CUCC 2001 to 4.7km, depth 368m
  • CUCC 2002 to 5.3km, depth 454m
  • CUCC 2003 to 7.2km, depth 510m
  • CUCC 2004 to length 9.1km, depth 542m

","

",,"Question mark list and Completed question mark list. ",,,"In dataset; download .3d file or Raw survey data","

","caves/204/204.svx","9147m","542m","645m (approximately N-S)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The cave is situated on the west side of the col between the Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel and Nieder Augst-Eck. It is currently one of the main areas of exploration for CUCC, who in 2001 established a bivvy site under the stone bridge opposite the entrance.","The route from Top Camp used since 1999 (probably near optimal) is a cairned path via Wolfhöhle (1623/145) and Laser Point 5, then up to the top of the bare patch of white limestone visible from Top Camp, passing 195 and 196. The path used in 2001 then skirts around the contours, passing the unmistakable arched entrance of Hauchhöhle, to arrive directly opposite the stone bridge after which the cave was named (in previous years a route slightly higher up towards the Hinter was used, which some people still prefer; this is also cairned). Alternatively, the cave may be approached from the summit of HSK - probably the optimal route if you are coming from any of the 161 entrances.",,,,,, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p204a",,,"Nils",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p204b",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p204c",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"d",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p204d",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"e",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p204e",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"f",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p204f",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +205,"2/S +",,"1999-BO-01",,"smkridge/205/205.html",,,"Nordalpenschacht",,,"2c","CUCC 1999","The main entrance is rigged off a spit and naturals and drops around 8m, via a natural deviation at a ledge, to a small chamber. A crawl leads off from here at head height for some distance, but closes off. The way on is to continue straight down through the floor of this chamber, through fairly solidly wedged boulders (quite tight) using the rope rigged on the entrance pitch. This lands at the head of a walking sized rift heading steeply down. There are two small passages in the wall where the rope comes down [these connect to the horizontal entrance of Nordalpenhöhle, see below]. Clamber down the rift. At the bottom is the snow plug from the second entrance. It is possible to cross the snow plug. At the far side, the passage closes down and is mud filled with no draught.

The way on is a flat-out crawl under the right wall, immediately before the snow plug. The crawl was dug because it was draughting out quite strongly. Once under the wall, the roof immediately rises to comfortable crawling height and the passage widens. After 5m, roomy phreatic passage is reached, around 5m wide and 3m high. A roof tube leads off to the right. It can also be reached by a roof crawl from further down the passage on the left. The tube leads to two small chambers and ends in a too-tight rift.

The floor of the main passage starts to drop away as the passage turns to the right, leaving a ledge along the left wall. A trickle of water enters at floor level. A pitch is rigged off the ledge using spits in the left wall. This pitch drops 10m and ends in a choked chamber. An exposed traverse on the left, beyond the pitch head, leads to a choked tube. Directly across from the pitch head, a further roof tube also chokes.

The third horizontal entrance begins with a flat out crawl in sticky mud, and reaches a small, low chamber. The low passage continues as hands and knees crawling. This passes a window on the left which looks into the snow-filled shaft (the second entrance). Straight ahead and a little further, an eyehole looks into the chamber which the first entrance pitch lands in. Continuing on, straddling over a rock ridge leads to two further eyeholes which look into the sloping rift passage where the rope ends from the first entrance pitch.",,,,,"In dataset","1996-9 NotKH book pages 76-77. There are two sets of surveys: larger-scale drawings of the main passages, and less detailed sketches including the horizontal Nordalpenhöhle entrance. These are all very bad scans, as the originals are on very thin paper, and can't easily be removed from the NotKH book without damaging them.

","caves/205/205.svx","91m","39m",,,,"p205tag","p205",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.205",,,,,,"(tagged point might be the start of underground survey, main entrance, ~2m from tag)",,"The main (first) entrance is a 2m x 0.5m shaft around 5m higher and 7m away from a larger, snow-plugged shaft (the second entrance), which in turn is just above a snow field, a little higher than the Eishöhle path. Both entrances lie on an obvious fault line which heads uphill for around 100m. If the fault line is followed up to just past a squeeze through bunde, you can turn left for around 100m to reach the entrance to 1623/136, Steinschlagschacht.

A third, horizontal entrance is found by heading down to the snow filled shaft (the second entrance) and traversing left beneath a small cliff for around 20m. This leads to a low, unobvious hole at foot height, noticed because it was draughting out quite strongly. There is a surface survey to this third entrance from the first entrance.","

Photos © Olly Betts 2000. Model: Martin Green.","Retag","tag at main entrance ""CUCC 1999-01""","Surveyed", +206,,"a–g",,"yes","noinfo/smkridge/206.html",,,"7-Eingangshöhle",,,"2b",,,,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/206/206.svx",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p206",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +,,"d",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +,,"e",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +207,"1/T +",,"96-WK2",,"plateau/207/207.html",,,"Plumpsklohöhle","Crapper Höhle",,"1a","

  • Original exploration ('+' mark) unknown.
  • Documented and surveyed: CUCC 1996.07.15 (Wookey)

","Small (1.1 x 0.9 m) horizontal cave about 7m long in cliff edge, very small skylight lets light in at end.","None",,"Form sent 2000.05, number allocated. ",,"In dataset","

 

Survey drawn up in loose leaves in front of 1996-9 NotKH book","caves/207/207.svx","7m","1m",,,,,"p207",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.wk2",,,,"VSK (obvious point = Nipple ?) 103°, HSK (leftmost top) 052°, Schönberg 346° ",,"100m W of the waterhole at (upper) top camp. In small cliff one step up from top camp level. Entrance faces N. 16m S of 1623/208.","From Top Camp (upper site) walk along ""crapper"" shelf, following path. After 80m where path goes down to next shelf, climb 3m step ahead. 207 is to the left (and 208 to the right).

Surface survey location sketch in not KH 1996 p 3, area map: NotKH book pp68-69",,,"Spit","""+"". Spit set awaiting tag (shared with 208).","Surveyed", +208,"1/S +","a b","96-WK3","yes","plateau/208/208.html",,,"Quallenhöhle","Jellyfish Cave",,"1a","

  • Original exploration ('+' mark) unknown.
  • Documented and surveyed: CUCC 1996.07.15 (Wookey)

","Two entrances, one 5m lower than the other. Lower section is expanded joint at foot of step, 6m deep. free-climable to gain a choked floor. A small continuation leads to small space in rifty corner where rocks have not filled. Upper entrance is 2-3m diameter shaft 5m deep, also free-climable.","None, 8m handline would be useful.",,"Form sent 2000.05, number allocated. ",,"In dataset","

Grade 2 (at a guess), drawn up in loose leaves in front of 1996-9 NotKH book","caves/208/208.svx","15m","13m",,"The name is essentially spurious, but makes a change from bears, wolves and rabbits ;-).",,,,,,,"gps96.wk3 gps96bestfit.wk3","gps00.wk3",,,,"B.Nase 161°, VSK (obvious point = Nipple ?) 104°, HSK (leftmost top) 054°, Schönberg 346°, Wildkogel (L&R ends of obvious summit ridge) 007-011°",,"100m W of the waterhole at (upper) top camp. 65m N of 90. 16m N of 207.","From Top Camp (upper site) walk along ""crapper"" shelf, following path. After 80m where path goes down to next shelf, climb 3m step ahead. 208 is to the right (and 207 to the left). The lower entrance is accessible from below the step.

Surface survey location sketch in not KH 1996 p 3, area map: NotKH book pp68-69",,,"Spit","""+"" (on cliff between entrances). Spit set by upper entrance awaiting tag (shared with 207).","Surveyed", +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p208",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Refindable", +209,"1/S +",,"1996WK8 (maybe also CUCC 1996-08)",,"smkridge/209/209.html",,,"Schistock-Absturzschacht","Dropped skipole hole",,"2c","

  • Discovered/recorded: CUCC 1996.07.21 (Wookey) (NoKH book p14)
  • Explored and Surveyed: CUCC 1999.08.03: (Paul Hammond, Tony Rooke, Becka Lawson) NotKH book p82

","3m x 0.8m shaft, 16m deep. Freeclimb descent is possible but difficult. Belay (and light!) needed. No draught. Bottom choked by rubble.","20m rope. ",,"Form sent 2000.05, number 209 allocated. ",,"In dataset","? grade 5","caves/209/209.svx",,,,,,,"p209",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,"VSK: 233°, Hollweiser: 145° (from a point between the WK7-WK10 entrances)",,"Along shelf from 136. 35mN of 136a, 10m NW of 136d.","The normal route to 136 (from SMK col/Vd1), passes over/past this cave. It is one of the group of holes shafts and rifts on the same shelf as 136a,b,c,d. From large cubic boulder at 136a, follow shelf N past 136b, and 136c. This cave is the last of these 3 holes. The entrance is joint-developed 3 x 0.8m shaft. Area map NotKH book p 88-89.","

Photo © Paul Hammond 1999",,"Tag","136d Tag, 8m away. ?has its own tag too","Surveyed", +210,"1/T +",,"1998-03",,"plateau/210.htm",,,"Fettsack und Faulpelz höhle","Lardy Festerers' Cave",,"1a","

  • Discovered: CUCC 1998.07.19 (Brian Outram, Wookey)
  • Explored/Drawn/Surveyed to: CUCC 1998.07.21 (Kate Janossy, Brian Outram) (NotKH book p64), surface survey NotKH book p58

","In a small doline, a low horizontal entrance next to a snow plug leads to a boulder slope. A draughting squeeze leads to muddy passage + a small chamber with boulder floor, a choked depression to the left + a choked uphill slope stright on. There is a rifty hole in the floor just before the large boulder in the middle of the chamber, partly covered with boulders. The bottom can be seen 2m below. No way on, not clear where draught goes.","None",,"Form sent 2000.05, number 210 allocated. ",,,"

",,"~30m",,,,,"t210","lardysurf.0","Entrance",,"Surface survey",,"gps00.210",,,,,,"On plateau NNE of Lower Top Camp, on route to 101 area. This cave is about 120m north of B8, ~150m NNE from the large doline of 189.","Follow route (towards 101/102/200 area if that helps) from Lower Top Camp past 164 and 189 (large holes, passed 15m to right), then go roughly NNW (a few cairns). This leads up onto the right edge of a ridge (the main part of which is deep Lätchen), passing right of the OAV ski marker pole. This is an easy walk above a short (climbable) cliff looking down onto the small doline containing this cave.",,,"Tag","Tag on doline wall opposite cave.","Surveyed", +"211-213",,,,,,,,,,"We don't know if these numbers were ever used","nonexistent",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +214,,,"2000-03",,"smkridge/214.html",,,"Segment cave",,,"2d",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p214",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag still says ""2000-03""","Surveyed", +215,,"a b","2000-05","yes","smkridge/215/215.html",,,"Rufverbindungshöhle",,,"2b","CUCC 2000 Wookey, Mike Allen","? Wookey",,,,"2000 log book (2000/08/03 + 2000/08/06)","In dataset","

Notes in 2000#23","caves/215/215.svx",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Eishöhle portal row, between 40e and 40h","? wookey","Low and wide","? wookey","Tag","tag as 215 in 2001","Surveyed", +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p215",,"p215x","Nils",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","tag as 215a in 2001",, +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p215b",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","tag as 215b in 2001",, +216,,,"2000-06",,"smkridge/216.html",,,"Nichts 50",,,"2b",,,,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/216/216.svx",,,,,,,"p216",,"p216x","Nils",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","tag as 216 in 2001","Surveyed", +217,,,"2000-07",,"smkridge/217/217.html",,,"Schneepfropfenhöhle",,,"2b","CUCC ?Wookey","? Wookey",,,,,,"? wookey.",,,,,,,,"p217",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"? wookey","? wookey","? wookey","

Photo © Wookey 2002","Tag",,"Surveyed", +218,"1/S =",,"1996WK6",,"smkridge/218.html",,,"Hammerkopfabsturtzhöhle",,,"2c","CUCC 1996 (Wookey)","A narrow rift entrance 4m deep leads to a tight squeeze needing caving gear (and maybe some hammering). An estimated 6m drop lies beyond the constriction.",,,,,,"? wookey.",,,,,,,,"p218",,,"Surface survey","gps96.218 gps96bestfit.218","gps00.218",,,,"Grießkogel: 354°, HSK (rightmost peak) 018°",,"Holes CUCC1996WK5 and CUCC1996WK6 are close together, at GPS fix GK 5411291 5282969. (Converted from GPS: E 36414 N (52)82369 H?, Averaged from GPS: E 36417 N (52)82366 H? )","On return from 161d, whilst heading up gully towards the col (and survey point Vd1), turn off left heading for top of VSK.",,,"Retag","tag 2000 as WOOK6","Surveyed", +219,"1/S -",,"1996WK5",,"smkridge/219.html",,,"Tertaeingfester",,,"2c","CUCC 1996 (Wookey)","Cave in rift with two vertical ways in, both c 5m deep. There is a tight third way in at an angle. The floor of the rift chokes.",,,,,,"? wookey.",,,,,,,,"p219",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.219",,,,"Grießkogel: 354°, HSK (rightmost peak) 018°",,"Holes CUCC1996WK5 and CUCC1996WK6 are close together, at GPS fix GK 5411291 5282969. (Converted from GPS: E 36414 N (52)82369 H?, Averaged from GPS: E 36417 N (52)82366 H? )","On return from 161d, whilst heading up gully towards the col (and survey point Vd1), turn off left heading for top of VSK.",,,"Retag","tag 2000 as WOOK5","Surveyed", +220,"1/T +",,"2000-04",,"smkridge/220.html",,,"Kennedy Alternative",,,"1c","CUCC 2000 (Wookey, Olly B, Andy A)","Descending joint-controlled cave about 10m long, choked at end/bottom.",,,,"2000 log book (2000/08/01)",,"? wookey.",,,,,,,"p220",,,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Very close to 145b","? wookey","? wookey","? Apparently on Julian Todd's camera","Tag (?)",,"Surveyed", +221,,,,,,,,"?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +222,"1/S -",,"1996-04",,"smkridge/222.html",,,"Gösserhöhle",,,"2d","CUCC 1993 (only marked “+""), 1996","Large space at foot of 5m cliff in very broken area. 5 x 1.8m shaft bridged by chockstone, 8m deep to a sloping choked floor.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p222",,,"Surface survey","gps96bestfit.96_04","gps00.96_04 gps00.96_04a",,,,"VSK (probably true summit): 213°, ?? (not Hollweiser - nearest peak across Hochklapf valley): 114°",,"East of HSK summit, in an area of small shafts (north of CUCC 96-02, south of 96-03)",,,,"Retag","A spit with tag ""CUCC 9604"" placed in 1996 and a red ""+"" next to chockstone on east side opposite cliff.","Surveyed", +223,"1/S +",,"1996-03",,"smkridge/223.html",,,"Eggenbergschacht",,,"2d","CUCC 1993 (only marked “+""), drawn + tagged 1996, surveyed 2000","Cave appears as narrow slot. Two tight holes after 6m climb down gives p10 to choked floor & quite large chamber 10 x 5m floor area.","Ladder required",,,,,"? wookey.",,,,,,,,"p223",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.96_03",,,,"VSK (probably true summit): 213°, ?? (not Hollweiser - nearest peak across Hochklapf valley): 114°",,"East of HSK summit, in an area of small shafts (north of CUCC 96-02 and 96-04)","See 2000 survey",,"

","Retag","A spit with tag ""CUCC 96-03"" placed in 1996 and a red ""+"", both on wall of doline facing north.","Surveyed", +224,"1/S +",,"1996-02",,"smkridge/224.html",,,"Toplesscayonhöhle ",,,"2d","CUCC 1993 (only marked “+""), explored 1996, surveyed 2000","Cave is exposed section of canyon formed on a bend. Bridge of roof remains at one point, separating the two entrances. At the bottom of the canyon (~8m deep) about 10m of descending rift is accessible with a climb back up part way along. All choked.","No tackle required",,,,,"? plan, elevation",,,,,,,,"p224",,,"Surface survey",,"gps00.96_02",,,,"VSK (probably true summit): 213°, ?? (not Hollweiser - nearest peak across Hochklapf valley): 114°",,"East of HSK summit, in an area of small shafts (south of CUCC 96-03 and 96-04)","area map notKH p23.",,,"Retag","A spit with tag ""CUCC 9602"" placed in 1996 and a red ""+"", on wall of canyon, facing west.","Surveyed", +225,"1/S +",,"90 ADAM",,"smkridge/225/225.html",,,"Jahrzehnschacht",,,"2c","CUCC 1990",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"On the old path to 161, on a bit where you're walking over soil-like stuff, just near the ankle-breaking hole. Probably around halfway between 146 and 147.",,,"

View from 225 entrance area

Photo © Olly Betts 1990","Tag made but not placed yet (probably at 76 bivi)",,"Refindable", +226,,"a b","1999OB03","yes","plateau/226/226.html",,,"Skaschacht",,,"1a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"

Photos © Olly Betts 1999. The left picture is 226a; the right is 226b.",,"226b tagged in 2001 as 226, 226a untagged",, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p226a",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p226b",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +227,,,"1999OB04",,"plateau/227/227.html",,,"Faultienschacht",,,"1a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p227",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,"

Photo © Olly Betts 1999.","Tag","Tag placed 2001","Surveyed", +228,,,,,"noinfo/egglgrub/228.html",,,"Kleine Schnellzughöhle",,,7,"ArGE (Nils + Kai Schwekendiek, August 2000)",,,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/228/228.svx",,,,,,,"p228",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +229,,,,,"smkridge/229/229.html",,,"Weiße Höhle",,,"2b","ARGE (Thilo et al, July 2000). Relocated and confirmatory survey carried out CUCC 2002 (Olly Betts, Wookey)",,,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/229/229.svx",,,,,,,"p229",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,"

EntranceEntrance from below

Photos © Wookey 2002","Spit","Tag bolt placed but no tags to hand","Surveyed", +230,"+(?)",,"1999-04",,,,,"Vergeßlichheithöhle",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Retag","Tagged as ""99-04""","Lost", +231,"2/E +","a–i","2000-01","yes","smkridge/231/231.html",,,"Traungoldhöhle",,,"2d","CUCC 2000","Entrance A leads to daylight chamber, down an awkward climb, whilst entrance B is a snow and boulder slope to the same chamber. To the right leads to another chamber, which ent H drops into, and a slope up to the left about 2m up the wall leads to entrance D. Continuing on stooping passage leads to a climb which emerges under a stone bridge which contains entrances E, F and G. A crawl at ground level between A & B leads to some loose slopes and entrance I. From the day light chamber the passage to the left leads quickly to a 3m climb down into the largest chamber of the cave. From here around to the left leads to entrance shaft C, and a passage leads off the other side of the shaft that is walking height leading to climbs up over boulders with a loose ceiling above. This leads to a T junction, which ends in boulders to the right and a short climb to a dead end to the left. To the right in the largest chamber, a wide low short passage leads to an ice-floored chamber. Crawling passage then leads to the deepest chmber, which has an ice flow into and down the chamber. At the opposite end of the chamber a 3m climb is reached, which was climbed and quickly closed down. ",,,,,"In dataset","

Survey of 231 ","caves/231/231.svx","229m","27m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The cave is situated 30m NE of 204b.",,,"

Photo of 231A

",,"Tags made saying ""1623/231"" and entrance letter for all entrances.",, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231a",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,"

Photo of 231A

","Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231b",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231c",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"d",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231d",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"e",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231e",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"f",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231f",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"g",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231g",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"h",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231h",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"i",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p231i",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +"232-233",,,,,,,,,,"Not CUCC numbers; apparently allocated to ARGE","nonexistent",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +234,"3/S/W x","a b","2000-09","yes","smkridge/234/234.html",,,"Hauchhöhle",,,"2d","CUCC 2000, 2002, 2004.","

The horizontal entrance slopes downhill for about 20m, passing beneath a skylight, and a crawl to the left leading to the Left Hand Series. At the bottom of the slope there is an unpushed crawl to the left [C2002-234-01 C] and a wriggle up over rubble into a chamber. From this chamber, the obvious way on is a pitch of approximately 15m; the 2002 description alleges that there is an unpushed crawl above this, but that it ""doesn't look promising"" [C2002-234-07 C].

At the foot of the pitch, in large rift passage, a crawl on the left leads for about 15m before turning left and becoming too tight. Further along, a crawl on the left leads to Underhand Passage, while the main passage continues to a choice of a climb down of around 2m or an ascending traverse round to the left.

The traverse is exposed but easy, and leads to an upwards sloping passage, with an aven above from which daylight emerges; a vocal connection has been established to a nearby surface shaft, which has accordingly been tagged as 234b. The passage continues upwards past some loose boulders to emerge in a small chamber leading down to the right. An awkward wriggle through boulders to the left in the chamber leads to a drop [C2004-234-01 C].

The climb leads to a short slope down, after which ducking under a low arch leads to Doesn't Go Rift, where an ascending traverse can be followed up a ledge on the left-hand wall; alternatively it is possible to force through at floor level, but this is difficult. There is an aven above [C2004-234-29 X]. It is advisable to climbing back down to the level of two prominent wedged boulders, where there are threads in the left-hand wall from which a handline can be rigged for the 3m climb down to the floor of Flashgun Chamber. This is a large rift chamber whose floor slopes upwards steeply to the left; there is an aven above [C2004-234-30 X]. At the bottom of the chamber one can climb back down underneath the rift to the head of an undescended, awkward-looking pitch, Foolish Idea [C2004-234-02 B]. At the far side of the chamber is a ledge loose boulders (care); to the left is a crawl, with a narrow tube in the ceiling and an oxbow on the right. A few metres on there is a T-junction: straight on is tight and looks unpromising [C2004-234-35 B] while the draughting right-hand passage, Geometers' Crawl, is the main way on. A few metres in is the other end of the oxbow, and further along is a passage on the right, the far end of Clifton's Circuit.

At the end of Geometers' Crawl is a T-junction. Left leads to Hades, two interconnecting parallel passages sloping steeply upward. The right-hand passage is too tight; the left fork levels off slightly, at which point there are three possibilities: straight on is too tight; down a hole in the floor is choked; down and to the left through an extremely tight tube leads to a drop, awkward even to throw stones into, which could possibly be passed by someone really small and ambitious [C2004-234-03 C]. Right at the T-junction is a 2m deep hole in the floor, which can either be traversed over or climbed down.

At the bottom of the 2m climb there are two passages to the right and one to the left. The leftwards branch passes over some dry cascades to a climb down, where there are curious golfball-like formations in the ceiling. Crawling on from here the passage gradually becomes impassably tight; more spacious passage is visible through a slot in the floor, but this looks to be difficult to enter to enter [C2004-234-04 C]. The rightwards branches soon unite and lead back into Geometers' Crawl, forming the loop known as Clifton's Circuit.

An intimidating ascending traverse across the hole, You Must Be Joking, soon regains the floor. Climbing into the roof at this point gains access to Dangly Bag Jazz. Straight on is Tacklesack Blues, an awkward section of tight hading rift, with intermittent wider sections where there are holes in the floor - these could possibly be entered but are very tight [C2004-234-11 C]. A stal on the right-hand wall heralds the return to easier passage, where there is a triple junction. Climbing down a hole in the floor (5m handline recommended) leads to a small chamber, with possible crawls left, right and down, all looking tight and awkward [C2004-234-12 C]. Traversing over this hole to the left leads to Measles Inlet. Straight on leads to Stalactite Passage.

Stalactite Passage is a fine stooping-height phreatic passage with a soft mud floor; after a few metres there is a duck under a low section where there are some formations on the right. Shortly beyond this is a choice of a floor-level crawl, or a clamber over a greasy slab, into a chamber on the right. There may be a passage in the roof on the right behind some wedged boulders [C2004-234-13 C]. Immediately beyond is a junction, where a 3m climb leads to the Pie Series, while on the left is an upwards-sloping passage. This soon trifurcates. The leftmost passage leads to a drop [C2004-234-14 C]; this has not been descended but there is a light connection to Cess Pot. The middle and largest passage bends round to the right, where a sequence of small passages branch off to join up with the remaining fork at the head of a loose, chossy pitch of at least ten metres [C2004-234-15 B]; traversing over this leads to Sweet Sight. The main passage continues to a climb up to the left over a large smooth slab, where there is a window into a chamber. There is a possibly free-climbable hole in the floor, Cess Pot [C2004-234-16 B] and there may be passage continuing at the other side of the chamber [C2004-234-17 C]; there is also an aven above [C2004-234-31 X].

Measles Inlet

Measles Inlet begins as a fine phreatic passage, sloping slightly upwards. A few metres in there is a passage entering from the left. A few metres into this there is a rightwards bend, at which point a wriggle down into the floor on the left leads to a tight tube, Dangly Bag Jazz; after an S-bend this emerges in the roof above the top end of You Must Be Joking traverse. The passage continues past a prominent pillar to emerge in Cascade Chamber, an aven chamber with water dripping down several tiers of cascades. One can climb up for some distance but it is loose and rather unappealing [C2004-234-06 C]; decidedly exposed steps lead into two passages to either side [C2004-234-05 B] [C2004-234-07 B]. There is also a climb down at floor level at the far end of the chamber, which is too tight after around 3m. The water disappears into a hole in the floor, where there is another small chamber, with a crawl leading off to the right in sharp rock [C2004-234-08 C]. The main Measles Inlet passage continues sloping gradually upwards; the left-hand wall is covered in brown mud blobs (hence the passage name). There is a crawl leading off to the right around halfway along [C2004-234-09 C]. After some distance a chamber is reached; the only obvious way on is a crawl at floor level to the left, which was not pushed as it passes over attractive calcited mud with dessication cracks [C2004-234-10 B].

Pie Series

The initial 3m climb is free-climbable but in view of the drop beyond it is advisable to rig from the spit in the ceiling, which may be backed up to a thread back on the right. At the bottom is a wide ledge, with a narrow crawl leading off to the left [C2004-234-20 B]. Ahead is the head of the first pitch, Steak (21m), rigged from a Y-hang in the ceiling and a deviation from the left-hand wall around 5m down. There is a sizeable aven above the pitch [C2004-234-32 X]. The landing is on a boulder floor, a few metres away from the head of the next pitch, Kidney (17m). This is a fine shaft with a kidney-shaped cross-section; it is possible that in wet conditions it might need a deviation to stay out of the drips, but it has been drip-free on all trips so far. The landing is on another boulder-strewn floor; at the far side of the chamber is a narrow slot in the floor, Who Ate All The Pies, bridged by a large boulder. It is possible to squeeze past the boulder and climb down, but it does not appear to be possible to climb back up. For further exploration this will need rigging, and possibly a crowbar [C2004-234-21 A].

Around 5m from the floor of Kidney, a side passage, Crust leads off; after passing a puddle of water it turns to the right and slopes steeply upwards. At the top of the slope the continuation is a mud-floored, body-sized tube, which was explored for some distance but was becoming increasingly tedious; shortly beyond the furthest survey station it opens out into a small chamber (just big enough to turn round in) after which it closes in horizontally to a narrow high slot, which may be passable if anyone can be arsed [C2004-234-22 C]. If anyone does decide to go there, they may wish to collect in passing a bottle of red nail varnish accidentally left at the last survey station by the original explorers!

Sweet Sight

Traversing round the left-hand side of the pitch (rope advised; two natural pillars provide ample backup, and there is a thread at the far end). This leads to an ascending ruler-straight phreatic tube, Sweet Sight. After 30m this bends sharply right, and there is a sloping downwards crawl leading off straight ahead. Round the corner is a chamber, Fledermaushalle, with a high dripping aven on the right [C2004-234-36 X]; the floor is amply sprinkled with bat excrement, and a bat skeleton was observed by the discoverers in 2004. Across the chamber, a slot in the floor is too tight, and there is a possibly passable but awkward crawl beyond this [C2004-234-18 C]. Easier going is provided by a passage leading off to the left. A few metres into this is a branch to the left which connects back to the downward-sloping passage at the previous junction. The main passage continues on for a further 40m or so before closing down in a pebble choke [C2004-234-19 Dig]. Midway along this passage is a climb up into an ascending roof tube on the left, Sour Taste, which closes down after a few metres.

Left-Hand Series

The crawl to the left in the entrance passage leads to a drop into a rift, where there are three ways on. To the right closes down; to the left, there are crawls at two levels. The higher-level crawl chokes; the two crawls at the lower level unite, passing two branches to the left [C2002-234-02 C] [C2002-234-03 C] and then reach a junction. To the left chokes; to the right leads to a chamber. This chamber can also be reached by going straight on from the aforementioned junction at the rift.

From this chamber, there are two ways on. A small choss wall surrounds a vertical hole through which it is possible to drop down (tricky on the return) into a small chamber. From here, an awkward squeeze leads into a continuing crawl, which has not been pushed [C2002-234-04 C]. To the left is a crawl over choss which enlarges. After a short distance a tube on the right leads to the head of a pitch (not pushed; probably 15-20m [C2002-234-05 B]) and continues to a choke. Straight ahead leads to an earthen-floored draughting crawl which has been dug, and needs further work to get through [C2002-234-06 Dig]. Shortly before the crawl becomes flat-out, a tube leading up on the right also becomes too tight.

Underhand Passage

The crawl on the left in the main rift shortly after the bottom of the first pitch leads to a small mud-floored chamber, after which a further downward-sloping crawl emerges in a large rift passage parallel to the main route. To the right are a profusion of tubes, one leading down into the floor [C2004-234-26 C], one leading up into the ceiling [C2004-234-25 C], and two at more or less head level [C2004-234-23 B] [C2004-234-24 B]. These have been explored by Pete Clifton, leading to a maze known as the Flatulence Series, but no description is extant. There is also an aven above [C2004-234-33 X], which is presumed to connect to undescended pitch 02-05 in the Left-Hand Series.

To the left, the rift passage continues onwards, sloping gradually downhill, past another aven [C2004-234-34 X]. After around 20m it closes down; a passage to the left leads to a contortion into a narrow immature dry streamway, which draughts somewhat and continues in both directions [C2004-234-27 C] [C2004-234-28 C]. ","20m rope + 2 slings for ent pitch; 5m handline + 1 or 2 slings for climb down into Flashgun Chamber. More needed for Pie Series and traverse to Sweet Sight.","Question mark list.","Form submitted summer 2003 as part of a misnumbering cockup. Resolved 2004-07-28 with allocation of new number 234.",,"In dataset; download .3d file or Raw survey data","plan drawn up after 2004 expo:

(Also exists in printable form, which will be 1:500 scale if printed at 300dpi; see here, or here and here for versions split up to print on 2 A4 sheets. There are also corresponding colour versions here, here and here.)","caves/234/234.svx","619m","61m","127m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The arch-shaped entrance and gully are obvious from the route used in 2000 onwards from Top Camp to Steinbrückenhöhle. Shortly after crossing the large bare area of limestone slabs on the flanks of the Hinter, the path traverses directly around the right-hand side of the entrance gully.",,"

",,,, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p234a",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,,"b","2002-02","last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p234b",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +235,"1/T +",,,,"smkridge/235/235.html",,,"Schaukelfelsbrockenhöhle",,,"2b","CUCC 2001","A rift can be descended, over wedged stones, inculding one that rocks. This leads to a narrow hading rift with wedged boulders for a ceiling.",,,,,,"

",,"6m","3m",,,,,"gps02olly.235",,,,,,,,,,,"The cave is situated on a flatish area of limestone uphill from the row of Eishöhle entrances that lead to Schneevulcanhalle. ",,,,"Tag","""1623/235"" tag placed 2002-08-09. (Is this correct, or does the tag really say 1623/230, as the 2002 logbook asserts?)","Surveyed", +236,"1/T +",,,,"smkridge/236/236.html",,,"Moostunnelhöhle",,,"2b","CUCC 2001","A short initially mossy cave that slopes downhill to a corner, where the cave becomes to tight.",,,,,,"

",,"5m","2m",,,,,"gps02olly.236",,,,,,,,,,,"The cave is situated on a flattish area of limestone uphill from the row of Eishöhle entrances that lead to Schneevulcanhalle. ",,,"

Photo of 236 entrance

Close up photo of 236 entrance

","Retag","Alloy tag ""1623/232"" placed 2002-08-09. Number realised to be in error 2004, needs correcting","Surveyed", +237,"1/T +","a–c",,"yes","smkridge/237/237.html",,,"Dreieingangabdrosselnhöhle",,,"2b","CUCC 2001, 2002","A moderate sized chamber with large blocks on the floor, one entrance is low and wide, one is small up a 3m climb and one is a walk in entrance",,,,,,"

",,"10m","5m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The cave is situated on a flattish area of limestone uphill from the row of Eishöhle entrances that lead to Schneevulcanhalle, SW of 163 and below VSK summit cliffs. Very broken area.","Follow ""path"" towards 163, but instead of taking down-trending traverse ledge (above 40f), after very steep slope up, continue up slope and to left.",,"

237A237B237C

","Retag","Main entrance tagged ""1623/233A"" in 2002, owing to misnumbering cockup. Spits placed for 233B and 233C and tags left by spit holes 2002-08-09 (failed to take enough bolts - d'oh). Misnumbering noticed 2004, needs correcting.","Surveyed", +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.237",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"

",,,, +,,"c",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, +238,"1/T +","a b",,"yes","smkridge/238/238.html",,,"Flinkameiseschacht","Speedy Ant Shaft",,"2b","CUCC 2001,2002","An approximately 20m deep shaft with snow at the bottom. If snow levels allow, a way on can found down the left side of the snow plug, through an awkward squeeze over a large rock into a chamber with a snow and ice slope. A second short pitch leads off to the left, but soon ends.

A second small entrance leads via an awkward crawl to a sloping ledge on the right hand wall of the shaft a couple of metres down.",,,"2002 logbook (2002-08-05)",,,"

Survey of 238 from 2001. The cave was resurveyed in 2002 but this has apparently not been drawn up.",,"25m","20m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The cave is situated on a flattish area of limestone uphill from the row of Eishöhle entrances that lead to Schneevulcanhalle. The shaft is located at the base of a cliff. Refound in 2002 by following path from 163 towards 162 for ~100m.",,,,,"Tag ""1623/234A"" placed on main entrance in 2002. ""1623/234B"" tag placed 2002-08-09. Misnumbering noticed 2004, needs retagging.","Surveyed","Tags on both entrances say 234" +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p238",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,, +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,, +239,"3/S/T x",,"2001-04",,"smkridge/239/239.html",,,"Rock'n'Roll Höhle",,"(a.k.a. Olly's Sucking Höhle)","2d","CUCC 2001 Phil U, Mark S","[Taken from 2001 log book] ""Went to investigate this draughting orifice. Initial entrance climb is fine, if you chimney down on the R side. At the bottom, there are three ways on. The first one goes back under the entrance, down a boulder slope, to emerge in a large chamber ""Cheesy dip"". There are a number of small leads off, all choked. In the roof is lots of daylight, coming from 2001-046. Left from the entrance went down a loose slope (blowing). Right (Sucking) went along a bit. We decided to do some surveying. Which required red paint. Which was at the bivvi site. So we went and had a cup of tea for a bit. Came back with surveying gear and surveyed the LH route to a ~5m deep pit.""

(There were at least three trips to this cave judging by the survey file, but only this one was written up.)",,,"Form sent 2004.04.30. Number 239 allocated by Robert TWC at 2004 expo dinner",,"In dataset","

","caves/239/239.svx","503m","45m","172m",,,,"p239",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"In small valley just below top of SMK ridge, 200m S of 204 bivvy site",,,,"Tag","Tagged as 2001-04 by initial explorers. Retagged with final kataster number 2004-07-31.","Surveyed", +240,"2/S/T +",,"2003-08",,"smkridge/240/240.html",,,"Gewölbeschacht","Arch Shaft",,"2d","CUCC 2003 Earl M, Brian O","Entrance is a wide, open rift aligned roughly north-south, spanned by a rock bridge at the southern end. The cave proper starts with a boulder slope at the north-east corner of the rift, which briefly closes down before opening out into a high, narrow slot. Beyond thisis a pitch, the foot of which is blocked by snow.","Approx 75m rope; see elevation survey.","There is a possible lead in an alcove on the far wall of the final pitch, but this was not thought promising, and was left uninvestigated.","Form sent 2004.04.30. Number 240 allocated by Robert TWC at 2004 expo dinner",,"In dataset","

(Notes in 2003#29)","caves/240/240.svx","51m","44m","11m E-W",,,"p240",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tagged as 2003-08 by original explorers. Retagged with final kataster number 2004.","Surveyed", +241,"2/T +",,"2003-04",,"smkridge/241/241.html",,,"Dreieckhöhle","Triangle Cave",,"2d","CUCC 2003 Julian T, Dave L, Frank T","A short sloping crawl leads to a stooping passage which opens out into a large horizontal phreatic passage heading northeast, floored with large blocks. This proceeds for around 25m to the northeast before terminating in an unstable boulder pile. Some small tubes branch off but are too small to access. In summer 2003 there was a strong inwards draught, which lost itself in the terminal boulder chokes.","None required","None (one arguable dig, not worth the bother)","Form sent 2004.04.30. Number 241 allocated by Robert TWC at 2004 expo dinner",,"In dataset","

(Notes in 2003#23)","caves/241/241.svx","53m","13m","33m N-S",,,"p241",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"In small elliptical depression around 100m N of stone bridge. A short tunnel to the south from this depression can be seen from the stone bridge; this is triangular in cross-section, hence the name.",,,"

","Tag","Tagged as 2003-04 by initial explorers. Retagged with final kataster number 2004-07-31.","Surveyed", +242,"1/S/W +",,"2002-04",,"smkridge/242/242.html",,,"Tropfelhöhle","Dripping Cave",,"2d","

  • Tagged CUCC 2002 (culprit not known).
  • Explored + surveyed CUCC 2003, Anthony + Julia.

","Square hole at the end of short gully looks out onto a drop of 3m (spit placed for ladder) to a false floor with a further similar-sized drop by a large boulder (continue the same ladder). Landing in a rift, east quickly becomes too tight, while west leads to a 3m free-climbable drop which is choked at the bottom.",,,"Form sent 2004.04.30. Number 242 allocated by Robert TWC at 2004 expo dinner",,"In dataset","

Notes in 2003#22","caves/242/242.svx","17m","11m",,,,,"p242","pitch head bolt",,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"Go to 204C and stand facing the stone bridge. The entrance can be seen ~60m away {might be wise to check surface survey if bothered} at the end of a short gully.",,,"Tag","Tag on LH wall of gully approaching entrance. Tagged as 2002-04 by original discoverers; retagged with final kataster number 2004.07.31.","Surveyed", +243,"2/S/E x",,"2001-05",,"smkridge/243/243.html",,,"GNDN Höhle","Goes Nowhere Does Nothing",,"2d","CUCC 2001 Earl, Becka, Mick","[Taken from 2001 log book] ""It went in ~5m horizontally then into hading rift. I climbed down ~5m to the head of a pitch + various possibilities. Back out. Earl in to rig pitch whilst Mick + I surface surveyed from 204D tag bolt to new cave + put in a tag bolt above its entrance. Mick + I then continued the survey down to Earl. Pitch went down, still hading, to large snow + ice plug ... with no ways on + we seemed to have lost the draft. Surveyed to far side of chamber then back out. Earl derigged + Mick + I went into passage at top of pitch which had two LHS small leads off, both of which drop into steeply descending rift (the second one being too tight to go through). Mick dropped well down into the rift, which kept going, though without much draft, to a small way on which he reckoned would drop into the pitch. Its possible we did miss the way on in the cave as we seemed to have lost the draft down the pitch. Worth another look around probably.""","Rope for 5m pitch","Some C-grade QMs, see survey","Form sent 2004.04.30. Number 243 allocated by Robert TWC at 2004 expo dinner",,"In dataset","

","caves/243/243.svx","53m","31m",,,,"t243",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"About 50m from 204D, down the hill + north",,,,"Retag","Tagged as 2001-05 by original explorers. To be retagged with final kataster number 2004.","Surveyed", +5,"2/W +",,,,"noinfo/1626/5.htm",,,"Nagelsteghöhle",,,1626,"LVHK Oberösterreich, 1972","A short climb (protection advisable; two hangers in situ; rope of unknown vintage present in 2002) leads to a tube. This descends at 45° to a short walk round a pool to a short greasy climb. One soon emerges in the huge main passage, floored at the lower end by vast amounts of very unpleasant mud. The sump is reached by a right turn over some fine stratified sand, but CUCC's interest lay in some holes in the roof at the top end, with the hope of a high-level continuation.

The mud eventually runs out to be replaced by more and more inclined slabs, which were very easy on the way up. The gradient steadily increases until the floor merges into the end wall, and the trickle of water enters from high up. At this point, a couple of holes in the roof have already been passed, but investigation revealed these to be beyond reasonable reach without some fairly serious bolting.",,,,,,,,"278m",,,"A resurgence cave of major importance, visited by CUCC in 1976 and 2002. Krenmayr gives it 278m long, seasonally active, very roomy water cave. The associated perennial resurgence is Naglbrünndl, putting out 50-100 l/s.",,,,,,,,,,,"865m",,,"Above Rettenbachtal (north side); about 20-25 minutes on foot from Blaa-Alm.","Continue past the Blaa-Alm hostelry on the track to a crossroads of paths. Take the path to the right and then bear downhill and to the left at a fork by a small wooden hut. Follow the track until you end up walking parallel to the river; keep a lookout on the right for a small bridge across the river. Cross the bridge and take a small path to the left, which arrives at a further (smaller!) bridge over a stream. Just before the bridge, ascend up the hillside to the right through the undergrowth, keeping the large rocky gully to your right and the stream to your left. After a few minutes you will arrive at the resurgence (under tree-roots) to the left. At this point, cross into the gully on the right and climb up to the very top to reach the cave.","Entrance is at the head of a large, steeply-inclined stream bed (carries major flow in flood), and is reminiscent of Sleets Gill.","

Photos © Olly Betts 2002",,,, +50,"3/S/T",,,,"noinfo/1626/50.htm",,,"Ahnenschacht",,,1626,"

  • Discovered by Upper Austrians in 1856.
  • The point -320m was reached by them in 1958.
  • In 1967 and 1968 the Bristol Exploration Club reached -395m, the Horizontal network, with a length of 1 km, was discovered.
  • In 1972, 73, 74 and 75, the GSAB ""Les Gours"" explored and discovered over 5km of passage and about 1500m of pitches. This got them to -612m.
  • We note also the participation, in 1974, of three clubs from Eastern France: S.C.Vesoul, G.S.Clerval & S.S.Daules.
  • In 1975 CARSS joined a mini-expedition in July and likewise, CASEO in August.
  • A GSAB expedition in August 1977 connected a new entrance (Frigoschacht) at -130m, surveyed the Vegetable Garden and explored the new areas Yodl and KGB.
  • Descent 176 (Feb/Mar 2004) p18 states:

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the range, Upper Austrian cavers have undertaken some homework that others left behind a quarter of a century ago. Ahnenschacht (Ancestors' Shaft) was discovered in the 1950s and pushed to -395m. In the 1970s, Belgian cavers found vast horizontal passages amounting to about 5km in total – and a continuation to -602m. Their pushes came to an abrupt halt, however, when in 1975 a caver fractured his pelvis and had to be transported out of the cave. It was Austria's biggest cave rescue operation in the 20th century.

    Since documentation of the Belgian finds was fragmentary and of very poor quality, some members of the Verein für Höhlenkunde in Oberösterreich decided to fill in the gaps in the maps and resume surveying activities. So far, 1.7km have been accurately surveyed.

    Correspondent: Theo Pfarr

    (I fear attempting to reconcile the chronology of the above snippet with theinformation above is a hopeless task.)

","

Entrance series

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

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

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

Lateral development from Josef Schacht

After one has crossed the ""doorway"" and a short squeeze, one enters the network proper. At this point is a passage covered in rather special formations. The first junction gives access to a network ... [unfortunately there are lines missing in my photocopy of Spéalp 1]

The Vegetable Garden

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

Belgica system

Directly after the bivouac, there is a 10m pitch, and at the bottom, a new junction: downhill the Belgica passage, of fairly small dimensions, which leads, after traversing past three holes, to a descent of an 8m and a 17m pitch and to the squeezes passed by our French colleagues.

Uphill, discovered by D.Motte and PIE, in the course of the expedition in 1974, is the Galerie de Francs Comtois. This is a large ascending fossil passage interspersed with traverses, dips and pitches. It reascends to -90m. At -150m, a 20m pitch reaches the Résomega.

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

It was also at the Balcon du Visionnaire that an accident occurred in 1975, which terminated exploration in that year.

Back in the Horizontal network, and after passing a little bouldery climb an inlet is encountered, named The Bath. The passage continues a little longer, to end in a pitch. [ exploration incomplete ]

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

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

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

The depth of 612m should be treated cautiously because the method of survey used (based on the height of a man) is fairly imprecise. The bottom could be anywhere between -580m and -630m. The shortage of time prevented us from redoing our survey. [The depth quoted in Atlas des Grandes Gouffres is -607m, which is shown as the bottom of this system. However, a Belgian survey shows the Yodl system (which is supposed to end at -607m) to be somewhere else entirely, so it is rather unclear which survey is wrong.]

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

Chimneys Passage

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

Draughting passage

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

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

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

Just after the base of Kitschacht, a passage of 80m makes a connection with the system of the Décollement pitch at the bottom of the 40m shaft. A canyon leaving the junction passage can be followed for more than 300m, and exits, in several places, into the side of the big fossil passage, just before the pitch upwards.

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

Extensions to the Belgica system (various Belgians, June/July 1977)

After the Bivouac: a 10m pitch, then turn left into a small passage, ignore three pitches to the side, then descend pitches of 8 and 13m to arrive at some easy squeezes on the left. After this, a climb of 5m and a 42m pitch. Stops in a sand blockage at -410m.

Over the 13m pitch a small passage goes to several climbs in a fossil series. There is a 25m pitch and two 10m pitches ending in several very tight chimneys.

Yodl system (explored GSAB, August 1977)

From the entrance, after 70m down Josef schacht, climb down 7m over a large block and descend about 12m in the bottom of a meander. Progress is then in the meander, with a short climb in a fault on the left and a 120m pitch, in sections of 22m and 100m. Beyond is a tight canyon with a 20m pitch to a sump at -607m (the last part of the 100m pitch is wet).

Atlas des Grands Gouffres du Monde 1979 says that the original -395m route goes on to c-470m (unsurveyed) and there are also routes ending at -385m and -386m.",,,,"

78.2012
(GSAB) Spéalp 1 (June 1977) pp 33-49, Totes Gebirge : Description des principaux gouffres de la zone ouest du massif, Jean Claude Hans & Etienne Degrave
English Translation
En Français
79.1855
(GSAB) Spéalp 3 (Oct. 1978) pp 44-45, survey, Ahnenschacht 77/78, Jean Pierre Braun
English Translation
En Français

The description was translated from the references by Andy Waddington and Jill Gates.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1890m, Frigoschacht 1875m (enters at -130m at Sinterterrasse)",,,"NW of Wehrkogel on the Schönberg. Marked and named on OAV map sheet 15/1.",,,,,,, +55,"4/T/S/E x","a–q",,"yes","noinfo/1626/55.htm",,,"Raucherkarhöhle",,,1626,"

  • Under the aegis of LVHK Oberösterreich, 1961-present,
  • Austrian National expedition took place in 1965,
  • Both LVHK Oberösterreich and LVHK Steiermark worked together in 1973.

","The labyrinthine system contains several levels of development, mostly southwards towards Nagelsteghöhle (the probable resurgence at 850m). The current deepest point (a sump) has been reached by systematically traversing over pitches of 40 to 90m.",,,,"

78.2012
(GSAB) Spéalp 1 (June 1977) pp 33-49, Totes Gebirge: Description des principaux gouffres de la zone ouest du massif, Jean Claude Hans & Etienne Degrave
English Translation
En Français

The description is translated mainly from reference 78.2012 by Andy Waddington and Jill Gates, with additional info on dates/lengths as cited.",,,,,,,"

More information on this cave, by those exploring it, can be found on the Landesverein für Höhlenkunde in Oberosterreich site, with text available in both English and German and with a number of excellent photos.

  • The cave had been surveyed to 6000m long and -216m by 1965. An Austrian National expedition in 1965 reached -530m.
  • A sump in the Hinterland at -538m was reached in 1966, when the length was over 10.3 km.
  • In 1970, Großen Rundgange and Ischler Esteiler brought the length up to 16.3 km.
  • In October 1973, the Dunkler Grund area led to -718m, (-723m in some sources) at which time the length was 18km.
  • In 1975 the system was connected to the nearby Planer-Eishöhle.
  • The length in January 1976 was 19052m and in December 1977, 20155.5m.
  • Sektion Ausseerland journal gave 23900 m in July 1980.
  • Spéleo Flash number 128 gives 16 entrances and a length over 30km.
  • Die Höhle 1986(3) gives 747m, 40km, which is about the same as LVHK Steiermark Journal for 1984, which states length 40.2km, depth 746m as at the end of 1984.
  • The World Deep/Long caves list (end 1995) from Bob Gulden of the NSS Geo² Long and Deep caves committee gives 70km and 725m, quoting BCRA Caves & Caving number 44, p 47 as its source (Summer 89).

",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"NE of Hinterer Raucher",,"There are seventeen entrances, of which the highest is at 1635m. This gives the cave a vertical range of -718m, +7m, total 725m.",,,,, +55,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Durchgang Fensterhalle",,,,,,,,,,"1539m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Bärenhöhle",,,,,,,,,,"1547m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Neuer Eingang",,,,,,,,,,"1563m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"d",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Grundloch ("Brunnen")",,,,,,,,,,"1544m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"e",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schacht I",,,,,,,,,,"1570m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"f",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schacht II",,,,,,,,,,"1547m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"g",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schacht III",,,,,,,,,,"1560m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"h",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schneegrube",,,,,,,,,,"1540m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"i",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Schacht IV (Pilzlingschacht)",,,,,,,,,,"1560m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"k",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Obere Himmelspforte",,,,,,,,,,"1630m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"l",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Untere Himmelspforte",,,,,,,,,,"1593m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"m",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Durchgang Feistor",,,,,,,,,,"1540m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"n",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Einstieg Altausseergang",,,,,,,,,,"1553m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"o",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Planer-Eishöhle",,,,,,,,,,"1470m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"p",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Humuspforte",,,,,,,,,,"1635m",,,,,,,,,, +55,,"q",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Gigantenkluft",,,,,,,,,,"1518m",,,,,,,,,, +117,"3/S =",,,,"noinfo/1626/117.htm",,,"Trunkemboldschacht","Gouffre Empagadure, H1",,1626,"

  • Discovered in July 1976 by F.Vergier.
  • Explored between 12th and 23rd July 1976 by A.C.Toulon, S.C.Toulon, Lou Darbon & Spéléo Ragaie to -587m.
  • In 1977 A.C.Toulon, and groups from Aragnous & Darboun reached -854m.

","Down to -287m the cave is made up of shortish pitches interspersed with tight meandering passage : p8, p12, p17, p9, p20, p3, p12, p30, p7, p6, p9, p8, p7, p5, p34, p6, p8, p5, p9. At -287m, an 18m pitch drops into a large chamber. The water disappears in the boulders to reappear in a whole series of wet pitches of which the longest is 30m. Floods impeded exploration at the bottom of this branch: at -456m a pitch of about 20m was definitely too wet to be descended. At -488m a low passage was also too wet. Moreover, the draught there was weak or absent.

In the chamber at -308m, a reascent of about 15m gave access to a fairly wide fossil canyon which blew a detectable draught. After 30m, this passage opened onto the enormous Puits de Naufragés (The Castaway's pitch), with a cross section of 15 by 25 metres and 242m deep. Near the bottom of this pitch, several inlets appeared to come from the first branch explored. The bottom of the pitch contracted to a joint-guided rift, exploration in 1976 ending at the head of a pitch estimated at 40m. (Depth 587m).

The cave continued predominantly vertical in 1977, with pitches of 54, 88, 53 and 25m to two siphons at -854m. The altitude of these sumps is 756m - the valley level.",,,,"

78.2012
(GSAB) Spéalp 1 (June 1977) pp 33-49, Totes Gebirge: Description des principaux gouffres de la zone ouest du massif, Jean Claude Hans & Etienne Degrave
English Translation
En Français
78.2003
(GSAB) Spéalp 2 (1978) p64, survey, Trunkemboldschacht, Jean Pierre Braun
En Français

The description is translated mainly from reference 78.2003 by Andy Waddington and Jill Gates.",,,,,"-854m to 3 sumps, a predominantly vertical system.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1610m",,,"NE of point 1895m (Hangender Kogel, NE face).",,,,,,, +120,"4/T/S x","a–d",,"yes","noinfo/1626/120.htm",,,"Feuertalsystem",,,1626,"

  • Found in 1973 by Groupe Spéléo Alpin Belge under the name T3, but not pushed to any depth.
  • Rediscovered in July 1976 by J.M.Piron and explored from 12th to 23rd of July by A.C.Toulon, S.C.Toulon, Lou Darbon & Spéléo Ragaie to a depth of 708m. Later sources refer to this group as 'an unheard of group of ""Spéléos Provençaux""'.
  • The same group in 1977 discovered the two lower entrances, using them to explore to the bottom at -913m.
  • The Austrian expedition of 1985 set out to connect Feuertalsystem to Raucherkarhöhle and found a large horizontal passage, but no connection.

","From the Quelli entrance, pitches p8, p19, p83, p33, p24, p17, p5, p33, p24, p9, p33, p27, p103 lead to -400m. Here one reaches a vast passage going up and downhill. The downstream passage emerges at the top of an 84m pitch. Below this a winding canyon interspersed with small pitches gives onto a 15m pitch and the end of exploration in 1976 at -708m.

The lower entrances lead by large phreatic passages to pitches which drop into a further large horizontal level which undulates between -410m and -500m. At -497m, this links to the main vertical system from Quelli. Using these lower ways in, exploration reached a sump at -913m in 1977. Following the large phreatic level away from Quelli goes for about a kilometre before breaking into the side of a colossal shaft at -414m. This is a 211m pitch to a choke at -625m. There is a possible way on across this shaft, which is, however, 20m in diameter.",,,,"

78.2012
(GSAB) Spéalp 1 (June 1977) pp 33-49, Totes Gebirge: Description des principaux gouffres de la zone ouest du massif, Jean Claude Hans & Etienne Degrave
English Translation
En Français
78.2013
(GSAB) Spéalp 2 (1978) pp 66-67, survey, Feuertalsystem, Jean Claude Hans
En Français

The description is translated mainly from these references by Andy Waddington and Jill Gates.",,,,,,,"

  • The Austrian expedition of 1985 found a 3km horizontal passage, which brought the total length of the system to 15km.
  • In early 1997 the length was given as 19808m (Markus Wiesinger, personal comm.)

",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"In the south flank of Feuertal on the north side of Schönberg. Kataster says west of Schönberg, east of Franzosenschacht, 1626/119.",,,,,,, +120,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Kacherlschacht (Quelli, F3)",,,,,,,,,,"1940m",,,,,,,,,, +120,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Velo-Tracteur (F6)",,,,,,,,,,"1774m",,,,,,,,,, +120,,"c",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Carcajau (F9)",,,,,,,,,,"1736m or 1731m",,,,,,,,,, +120,,"d",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Altarkögerlhöhle",,,,,,,,,,"1670m",,,,,,,,,, +122,"3/S =",,,,"noinfo/1626/122.htm",,,"Ufoschacht","Gouffre Ovni",,1626,"

  • Discovered in August 1974 by D.Motte.
  • Entrance unblocked by Groupe Spéléo Alpin Belge in 1975 and 76.
  • Explored in August 1976 by F.Dechany & J.C.Hans (GSAB) to -201m
  • Pushed to -565m on a further GSAB trip 5th-29th August 1977.

","The entrance consists of a crack about 20cm high, which was at first cleared as far as a chamber with no exit. The draught which had enabled the entrance to be found now showed the way on. After having unblocked a fissure dubbed Sas, a pitch, Escalier Anti-G, was reached. This is broken in five places. A second pitch, Puits Andromède, broken into three, leads to a short canyon, then to several drops and pitches interspersed with short squeezes. The following pitches can be seen as forming a single 80m shaft, the Puits Ganimède, divided into five and becoming bigger and bigger in depth as well as width. The cave continues by a fault rift two or three metres wide and 40m deep, Puits Trou Noir (The Black Hole). The early pitches are dry, but by this point, at -200m, the shafts are much wetter.

The explorers in 1977 started on the descent of a fine 60m pitch of constant shape, slightly sloping, Puits Zorglub. At the bottom of this is the only chamber of the cave : the Salle Galactique. Here the cave splits into two routes, the active and the fossil.

Active system

Downstream from the chamber a drop leads to a small chamber among boulders, the Love Nest. (No idea who ventured to call it this). Between the boulders a 20m pitch opens, immediately followed by a 25m pitch. In fact, the last 25m of descent drops between the walls of an immense aven to land on a flat gravel floor. A diagonal chimney leads to a trickle of water.

A fissure marks the start of the Méandre Anti-Matière, where one immediately rejoins the underground stream. This has an average flow of two litres per second but quite rapidly increases to 10-15 litres per second in flood. The first part of the meander is straight and interrupted by 3 small pitches and two drops. At the top of the first, in the roof, is the connection with the fossil system. Quickly, the meander becomes less amenable: high and narrow, it is plastered with mud (the anti-matter) which makes progress quite arduous. Three pitches of 5, 14 and 10m punctuate progress. This last, followed by a drop of 3m, gives access to a section of passage blocked by clay. At the end of this, the stream disappears into a fissure with tight impenetrable bends.

The main passage continues ahead as a quite large fossil branch. After some 50m, the draught goes into an earthy hole, the start of a big pitch of 70m in several stages, the Puits du Centaure.

Halfway down, the pitch is rejoined by the stream which is avoided by a parallel fossil shaft. There immediately follows another pitch of 55m, the Puits du Fond des Ages, totally wet and characterised by an elliptical cross-section and constant slope. At the bottom, the water is engulfed by a fissure about three metres long, followed by a tight meander which has not been pushed. This is the deepest point : -565m.

Fossil system

Upstream from the Salle Galactique, a window some metres high gives access to a good-sized passage (3x3m on average), the Méandre des Petits Hommes Verts (the Little Green Men's passage). One comes up against a climb of 3m at the base of which the trickle of water is lost into a meander cut below the fossil passage (see below). After a narrowing and a climb, the passage ends in boulders between which it is still possible to penetrate for a dozen metres.

Back in the meander below the fossil passage: this ends at the Puit de la Comète (discovered by the Gaumais), a 60m pitch, spray-lashed in its lower part by Le Pipi (the wee-wee). At the base of this pitch is the beginning of the Méandre des Mutants. This is a passage for masochists par excellence: low and tight, gear gets caught everywhere. It ends in a series of climbs and a 30m pitch joining the active system.",,,,"

78.2012
(GSAB) Spéalp 1 (June 1977) pp 33-49, Totes Gebirge: Description des principaux gouffres de la zone ouest du massif, Jean Claude Hans & Etienne Degrave
English Translation
En Français
78.2008
(GSAB) Spéalp 2 (1978) pp 14-19, figures, surveys, Gouffre Ovni, Georges Feller
English Translation
En Français

",,,,,,,"Description adapted from the references by Andy Waddington. This translation has not been vetted by a fluent french reader, and I'm afraid it shows rather badly in places.

See reference 78-2008 for Geology and Meteorology.",,,,,,,,,,,"1520m",,,"Plagitzergrube, NE of Hangender Kogel. This puts it quite close to Trunkemboldschacht, 1626/117 (which is 90m higher) and also near the path.",,,,,,, +,"1/S +",,"A1",,"kratzer/a1.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/A1",,,4,"CUCC 1976","An obvious open entrance leads to an 11m pitch into a rift chamber choked in both directions. ",,,,,,,,,"11m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"c 1635m",,,"Situated some 50m vertically below Schwarzmoossattel, up valley from the Loser Hütte. (I think the reference to the Loser Hütte is very misleading outside the context of the original article in Cambridge Underground, and should really be up valley from Bräuning Alm).",,,,,,"Lost","Probably hopeless" +,"1/S/T +",,"B1",,"kratzer/b1.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B1",,,4,"CUCC 1976","A 14m pitch drops into rift passage quickly choking to the east. To the west, a short walk reaches a 3m climb to a higher level, choking rapidly.",,,,,,,,,"14m ",,"Thought by the Austrians to be one of a group of shafts numbered 36 in the Kataster, but the location of B1 relative to B4, which is very near 36, precludes this interpretation. Unfortunately, B1 was not relocated in a search in 1990.",,,,,,,,,,,"c 1640m ?",,,"Situated some 40m from A1, up valley and slightly higher up the east slope, the hole lies in an obvious E-W fault.",,,,,,"Lost","Probably hopeless" +,"1/S +",,"B2",,"kratzer/b2.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B2",,,4,"CUCC 1976 ","A 4m climb leads to two 5m drops and a snow plug. Across the snow a direct pitch can be reached.",,,,,,,,,"15m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Up the bottom of the valley from B1, B2 is met just at the foot of the last steep pull up onto the col. Not relocated in search in 1990.",,,,,,"Lost","Probably hopeless" +,"1/S +",,"B3",,"kratzer/b3.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B3",,,4,"CUCC 1976","The lowest entrance drops via a 10m pitch into a descending rift. The rift drops steadily over boulders to a choke. Up rift from the pitch, daylight is reached from one of the other holes.",,,,,,,,,"15m ?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Just a few metres up valley from B2, a series of holes. (Cambridge Underground 1977 gives bearings of Loser 238°, Bräuning Nase 280°. However, Loser is not visible from this area and it is most likely that this bearing is to Sommersitz, which looks rather similar from this direction.) Not relocated in search in 1990. ",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/S +",,"B4",,"kratzer/b4.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B4",,,4,"CUCC 1976","Descent of 45° snow slope reaches a choked rift. Above and ahead water enters via small aven but no sign of a way on.",,,,,,"CUCC sketch 1996",,,"?",,,,,"p1976_b4",,,"Surface survey","gps96.b4 gps96bestfit.b4","gps00.b4",,,,,,"Again just a short distance up valley from B3, a significant shakehole with snow at foot. (Cambridge Underground 1977 gives bearings of Loser 234°, Bräuning Nase 292°. However, Loser is not visible from this area and it is most likely that this bearing is to Sommersitz, which looks rather similar from this direction.)

Relocated in searches in 1990 and 1996 - best (and pretty easily) found from Schwarzmoossattel or Top Camp by following the path south until a small spring (at the site of the 1979 bivouac) feeds a tiny stream descending into the valley. This sinks in the northernmost shaft of Schachtgruppe 36. In the centre of the valley across from this point is an obvious shakehole, usually with a small snowchoke, in a shaft.",,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"B5",,"kratzer/b5.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B5",,"probably = 74",4,"CUCC 1976","Descent over snow of 10m or so ended a snow choke.",,,,,,,,,"10m",,"Probabaly =74",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"""Right on the col - the scar to the west has large holes immediately below it."" A scar to the west with large holes below it exactly describes Schachtgruppe 36 as seen from B4. B5 was not relocated in a search in 1990, nor so far in 1995. However, the Austrians thought B5 was the same as Kat. 35, whose description is nothing similar, but 35 is in the same doline as Kat. 74, which does sound exactly like B5, so we can probably assume that it is the same place.",,,,,,"Lost","Probably hopeless" +,"1/S +",,"B6",,"plateau/b6.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B6",,,"1a","CUCC 1976","Descent of 8m to a choke.",,,,,,,,,"8m",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Small shaft on plateau just over the col. It is believed that this has not been found since 1976, despite a number of searches.",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/S +",,"B10",,"plateau/b10.htm",,,"CUCC 1976/B10",,,"1a","CUCC 1976, 1988","Simply a 5m climb to two short pitches choked at foot of second. Rigged entirely on natural belays in 1988.",,,,,,,,,,,"This was apparently relocated and reexplored by CUCC in 1988, before they spotted the number. Shown as being near the foot of the Bräuning wall, in the same area as 159 and 160. Not relocated, however, in a search in 1990, probably because it's further out onto the plateau than the 91,93,94 area where I looked. There are a couple of likely looking holes immediately north of the grassy area containing lower top camp, but no number was visible in 1998.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Lies in maze of karren north of B9.",,,,,,"Refindable","Persistent reports of this being seen (including accidental reexploration in 1988), but not by those doing the documentation :-(" +,"2/S +",,"LA11",,"1626/la11.htm",,,"Lungehöhle",,,1626,"LUSS 1987-9","A large rift gives an awkward 7m ladder climb down into a chamber leading to a boulder slope. Climb down in a rift for 8m (narrow at top) until a loose slope leads down to a 7m pitch where a small dry inlet enters. The pitch leads onto a rocking boulder wedged in a narrow rift and a tight squeeze down, The Jaws, forms the head of the next 16m pitch and the start of Deep Throat Series.

The pitch lands in a small chamber with a short walking rift exit. Pitches of 14m, 8m and 10m follow in rapid succession. At the foot of the 10m pitch, a smooth, oval squeeze, The Cnut (spelling mistake), opens onto The Womb. This is a fine pitch of 41m in a spacious shaft, landing in a chamber 12m x 10m with a floor of large boulders of dubious stability.

A rift to one side is a loose and narrow pitch of 17m to a ledge and much nicer drop of 10m. A large rift, The Large Intestine, follows. Initially traversed on wide ledges, this soon narrows to a crawl along the rift at roof level. A 14m pitch descends to the foot of the rift and a short section of sharp, suit-ripping rift leads to a chamber with an inlet up to one side. The suit ripping rift can be bypassed by a pendulum, but the rope left for this is now hanging inaccessible, so the original manoevre would need to be repeated.

The exit from the chamber is too tight, but a 12m pitch up reaches a muddy solution tube at roof level, originally reached by an exposed traverse from a point halfway down the previous pitch. A slippery climb up and a short flat-out crawl, The Small Intestine, leads to the head of a constricted pitch of 10m to a wider section of the rift. After a few metres, a pit in the floor necessitates a climb down, then back up of 5m. At this point, a traverse follows the roof of the rift while the floor cuts down sharply. A pair of 13m deep holes are crossed by fairly exposed traverses, and further traversing reaches the next pitch Fantasy, in a shaft which is initially about 15m in diameter.

A drop of 46m, broken by ledges covered in loose boulders, lands on a large sloping ledge at a junction with a much larger shaft. The rubble needs caution, as much of the rest of the pitch is in the firing line.

The next section is 58m with two deviations, close to a wall down which some water falls. The opposite wall is some 20-30m away, and to either side, no walls are visible. Below this section, a narrow saddle of rock splits the shaft, the left hand route (facing the water) being taken. A further 27m lands on an enormous (20m x 30m) flat ledge right across the shaft, with pitches continuing both sides.

The right hand (facing the water) shaft is the continuation of the route voided at the rock saddle. A steep, muddy slope leads onto a 41m pitch and, below this, a climb over a muddy boulder pile leads onto a steep ramp (rope required) descending 15m into The Dream Machine. This is a massive passage 30m wide leading through boulders the size of houses. After about 100m, a boulder pile with a large central boulder is reached. Beyond, the passage can be seen to continue, but scaling equipment will be required to reach it.

From the 30m x 20m ledge, the left hand shaft is undescended, but rock tests indicate a similar depth to the right hand shaft, ie. about 50m.

At the end of 1988, the depth is 354m with excellent potential.

Stopped at -375m, no further details at present.",,,,"

  • 87.1514
    Austria Reconnaissance Expedition 1987, Lancaster University Speleological Society
  • 89.1866
    Dead Mountains Expedition 1988, L.U.S.S. 24pp illus.

",,,,,"354m Still going",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1839m",,,"13° 50' 22" E, 47° 42' 26" N

150m due south of Roß Kogel summit - to north of a snowfield. In a depression 90m due East of Sternloch and the Rock Shelter.",,,,,,, +,"3/S -",,"LA12",,"1626/la12.htm",,,"Sternloch",,,1626,"LUSS 1987-8","A narrow slot (1m x 5m) with a small capping roof, soon bells out to a landing after 17m on a boulder-strewn ledge. The second pitch, Virgo, follows immediately, bolt belays giving a fine hang of 21m. Ways down through the boulder floor soon choke, but a step up into a small alcove reveals a small hole dropping into a rift. This is the take-off for Aquarius, an 85m shaft in six sections. Halfway down, the water cascades in from the roof, usually in large quantities.

From the base of Aquarius, traversing forwards gains a drier hang for the next pitch of 16m. A pendulum 10m down avoids the worst of the water, which continues down a clean circular shaft (see below).

The pendulum reaches W.C.S. series where two short drops in a rift lead to a bolt rebelay in a massive jammed boulder. Just below this, a window opens into a narrow shaft which is undescended. At the foot of the rift, a short section of hading rift gets wetter at the head of the next pitch, whose 11m are always lashed by spray from somewhere above.

A short traverse into a large alcove escapes the spray and facilitates a dry hang for FUDE, a 14m pitch with natural belays set well back and soft squidgy choss at the pitch head. Two climbs lead to a rift/ramp area where the way on is tight and thrutchy. Nil Desperandum soon drops to the head of a short pitch and more climbs down into a chamber.

The rift outlet is too tight, but a 5m climb up gains a bypass where a short traverse leads to Ardua, a pitch of 11m. Down the slope, the water sinks in boulders, but the way on is a slot in the wall behind a large boulder. This immediately bells out onto Astra, a 38m pitch where a pendulum onto and over a huge chocked boulder reaches bolts for the second part of the pitch, a superb 25m drop down one end of a large rift.

Climbing down at the far end of the rift, an area of breakdown is reached. Up the boulders, a rift enters from the right (presumed to be an inlet, but not explored), while water can be heard away to the left. However, the loose nature of this area, combined with the pitch below, precluded anything more than a cursory examination.

Under the boulders, a short pitch lands in a chamber where the water is rejoined shortly before it cascades over the lip of another large shaft, the limit of exploration in 1987.

The pitch is 57m and quite wet, dropping into a sizeable chamber (50m x 10m and 40m high), The Planetarium. This chamber is formed along a fault, with breakdown littering the floor. At one end, under a large waterfall, is a pitch between the wall and the boulders. This drops 15m into an extremely loose boulder choke Religious Places, with no way on. No other route out could be found from the Planetarium, giving an overall depth of 331m.

The wet way on from the bottom of Aquarius descends pitches of 7m and 27m. The latter is arguably the best pitch of the cave, hanging free for 23m beside a column of water. Unfortunately, the way on is a tiny impassable rift.",,,,"

  • 87.1514
    Austria Reconnaissance Expedition 1987, Lancaster University Speleological Society
  • 89.1866
    Dead Mountains Expedition 1988, L.U.S.S. 24pp illus.

",,,,,"331m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1850m",,,"13° 50' 20" E, 47° 42' 27" N

On flat col to the south of Roß Kogel, slightly above and to the west of a small but prominent rock shelter.",,,,,,, +,"2/S +",,"LA25",,"remote/la25.htm",,,"LUSS/LA25",,,6,"LUSS 1987-8","A tricky 4m climb down to a ledge and further 2m drop gain the floor of a chamber. Down boulder slope in chamber leads to a further short climb on overhanging loose rubble to a small chamber with draughting rift. A squeeze through the rift opens directly onto the head of an awkward 8m pitch. Beyond, the floor soon disappears and way on is 5m of traverse in a widening rift to where stones fall free for 5 seconds, this was the 1987 terminus.

A 6m drop reaches a point overlooking a 5m wide circular shaft. Bolts for a Y-hang lead onto the 56m free-hanging Heart of Gold pitch, named for its cross section. Another 10m drop on the other side of a boulder lands on a large ledge covered in loose boulders, The Italian Bistro. Awkward rigging on the right wall and two lower bolts allow Deep Thought to be rigged just clear of the tottering boulders that give the 18m pitch its name.

At the base is The Restaurant at the End of the Cave, a large chamber sporting five waterfalls. From the foot of the pitch, the floor is steeply inclined up to an arch, beyond which the chamber continues to rise to a total length of about 50m. A debris slope up to a tube at the highest points leads only to a choke. There is no other way on from the Restaurant since the floor is choke by major collapse at a depth of 117m.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS reports on the 1987 and 1988 expeditions.",,"A4 elev/plan to grade 5b, LUSS 1987-8 ",,,"117m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1880m",,,"13° 50' 04"" E, 47° 42' 04"" N

A large depression on the Hohes Augst-Eck ridge about 1km SSW of Roß Kogel, is reached from the crest of the ridge above the obvious rock arch, by following a large snow field to the head of the depression. Contouring around to the south of the depression, following the bedding, LA25 to 27 are close together.",,"Above the large depression, LA25 is an open, but obscure hole on a bedding shelf. ",,,,"Lost", +,"2/T +",,"LA26",,"remote/la26.htm",,,"LUSS/LA26",,,6,"LUSS 1987","A large low opening behind a large snow field soon develops into a large horizontal passage dropping to a choke after 50m. A climb up before the choke reaches a loose ramp. Uphill in the ramp chokes, whilst down the slope passes an oxbow toreach a drippy choked chamber. Opposite the point of entry to the ramp, a slot in the wall reaches an ascending ramp. To the left is a small inlet, and to the right is a pitch into the rift. A climbable bypass gains the roof of the drippy chamber.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS report on the 1987 expedition.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1880m",,,"13° 50' 06"" E, 47° 42' 02"" N

A large depression on the Hohes Augst-Eck ridge about 1km SSW of Roß Kogel, is reached from the crest of the ridge above the obvious rock arch, by following a large snow field to the head of the depression. Contouring around to the south of the depression, following the bedding, LA25 to 27 are close together. LA26 is approximately 200m SE of LA25",,,,,,"Lost", +,1,,"LA27",,"remote/la27.htm",,,"LUSS/LA27",,,6,"LUSS 1987","A small tube at the foot of the cliff leads as a low crawl for about 30m to a choke. A slight draught emerges from a 10cm wide rift.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS report on the 1987 expedition.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1860m",,,"13° 50' 08"" E, 47° 42' 04"" N

A large depression on the Hohes Augst-Eck ridge about 1km SSW of Roß Kogel, is reached from the crest of the ridge above the obvious rock arch, by following a large snow field to the head of the depression. Contouring around to the south of the depression, following the bedding, LA25 to 27 are close together. LA27 is approximately 100m E of LA26, down the snow slope and around to the foot of a small cliff. ",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/S -",,"LA30",,"remote/la30.htm",,,"LUSS/LA30",,,6,"LUSS 1987-8",,,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS reports on the 1987 and 1988 expeditions.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1820m",,,"13° 50' 13"" E, 47° 42' 12"" N",,"Hole at base of snowfield drops to head of ice-ramp which is undescended. Small chamber visible below.",,,,"Lost", +,"3/S +",,"LA34",,"1626/la34.htm",,,"Rätselhöhle",,,"1626 or 6 (borderline)","LUSS 1987, 1989","Originally thought to be a choked shaft, it was noted as "worth another look" in 1987, but was not relocated in 1988. Closer inspection with a ladder revealed parallel slots in the rift and a noticeable draught.

The original entrance is a "walk-in" open shaft which leads on to a twisted vertical pitch of 17m, Parthos, into a sizeable chamber at the top of a rubble slope. The obvious small wriggle at the bottom of the slope leads to the Musketeers' Series, while a bolted climb leads to the main way on.

The Musketeers' Series consists of stooping phreatic passages, with a 5m pitch, then a couple of climbs to the head of an 11m pitch, Aramis, into a chamber. At the far end, a further pitch, Athos, is 8m. The way on is up a short climb to the head of a 5m+10m ramp, Porthos, down to a phreatic tube with a silted up floor. Digging in the silt revealed a tight rift rising up, but as this was too tight, the dig was abandoned. The water from Aramis descends a tight rift in the base of the phreatic tube, but after 3m, this too became too tight.

The climb up before the Musketeers' Series leads quickly to a T-junction. To the right, a winding ramp passage of decreasing size leads on and up with several fallen blocks making progress awkward. This route ends at a small chamber with an inlet dropping from the roof. Left from the T-junction leads on down a gently sloping boulder ramp in stooping, then walking passage. This increases in size and becomes steeper before emerging into the side of an enormous boulder ramp, Hillsborough Revisited. The inlet passage enters three quarters of the way up Hillsborough, which is 10m wide by 5m high and drops a total of 40m at 40°. At the base of Hillsborough, an aven rises to the surface and daylight can be seen reflecting off the sides of this second entrance. A third entrance was discovered on the surface which leads down a deep grike through a tight arch and into a small chamber. Digging boulders revealed a steeply inclined squeeze leading onto a pitch at the top of the Hillsborough ramp. The base of this pitch leads onto an inclined overhanging terrace with a hole at the back which drops 2m onto another inclined overhanging terrace. A 4m climb down from this ledge ends at the top of the boulder ramp of Hillsborough.

The base of Hillsborough was blind until a dig in unstable boulders on the left hand side revealed a tight drop between two wedged boulders into another very sizeable ramp, Penistone Road. This ramp is convoluted and twists around open shafts and roof collapse to end in a huge chamber with a small muddy hole in the floor, The Hole in the Road. This way on is blind.

An alternative route from the main ramp of Penistone Road leads down an old phreatic tube decorated with calcite frost and numerous small helictites to a flat-out crawl to a 25m blind pitch.

Near the bottom of the Hole in the Road, a 6m rope climb up the eastern wall, The Escalator, leads to a series of solution tubes. A 1m diameter tube drops NE into The Broadwalk, a sizeable mud-floored phreatic passage. Here, following a strong draught, the passage opens up, becoming very high with a number of avens cutting down into the passage. A 4m rope climb drops down to the head of a pitch, Reason to Believe?. This dry shaft is disjointed and 144m deep, broken at approximately half depth by a 'saddle'. A further short pitch lands on a slope before the final drop into a sizeable chamber. The only exit from this chamber is to the east and is a muddy rift passage traversed at various levels. This leads to the head of a further series of disjointed shafts and the wet 77m pitch More than a Feeling. Here a 57m drop lands on a spray-lashed ledge and a further 20m drop gives way to a large boulder slope. Two wet 2m climbs lead up to the head of a 7m pitch which leads to the base of the shaft.

Through the small passage across the base of the shaft, a climb down through boulders leads to a rift streamway. Only a short way down is an 11m pitch followed immediately by a 17m pitch, Leonie's Birthday Leap. The stream leads on once more until it cuts away and a traverse along a muddy rift passage leads to the head of a fault collapse chamber running away at an angle of 70°. Over 20m above the stream a distinctly dodgy rope climb/abseil leads to a point where a climb back around rejoins the stream. A further 8m rope climb leads to the last 19m pitch which drops into a sump at a depth of 425m.",,,,"

  • 87.1514
    Austria Reconnaissance Expedition 1987, Lancaster University Speleological Society
  • 90.1341
    Dead Mountains Expedition, Ian Rolland, Underground October 1989 pp 4-9 (Army Caving Association)
  • 90.1342
    Dead Mountains Expedition 1989, Ian Rolland, Chelsea Speleological Society Newsletter 32(5) pp 56-9

",,,,,"425m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1835m",,,"13° 50' 30" E, 47° 42' 20" N

Slightly to the right of a hillock visible from Sternloch (LA12) approx. 200m SE of LA11. (This is borderline 1626 or 1623).",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/S +",,"LA35",,"remote/la35.htm",,,"LUSS/LA35",,,6,"LUSS 1988","Crawl at back of rock shelter leads to 15m pitch to large chamber on fault. Many loose boulders. Squeeze between boulders onto 16m pitch to choke.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS report on the 1988 expedition.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1880m",,,"13° 50' 05"" E, 47° 42' 03"" N",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/S +",,"LA37",,"remote/la37.htm",,,"LUSS/LA37",,,6,"LUSS 1988","Steep snow ramp descends 10m to pool of water. No way on.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS report on the 1988 expedition.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1860m",,,"13° 50' 08"" E, 47° 42' 03"" N",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/S +",,"LA38",,"remote/la38.htm",,,"LUSS/LA38",,,6,"LUSS 1988","15m inclined pitch to snow blockage.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS report on the 1988 expedition. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1900m",,,"13° 50' 01"" E, 47° 42' 02"" N",,,,,,"Lost", +,"1/E +",,"LA40",,"remote/la40.htm",,,"LUSS/LA40",,,6,"LUSS 1988","Small entrance leads to boulder ramp to choke with ice formations.",,,,"The above description is taken from the LUSS report on the 1988 expedition.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"1860m",,,"13° 50' 01"" E, 47° 42' 13"" N",,,,,,"Lost", +,,,"BS1-16",,,,,,,"UBSS finds - no documentation",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Lost", +,"2/S +",,"BS17",,"noinfo/remote/bs17.htm",,,"Organhöhle",,,6,"UBSS 1990","A deep and serious cave in a very remote location, with numerous Puits en bayonettes, from which rescue would be virtually impossible after a tortuous tube at -100m.

The 1m diameter entrance is followed by a walking sized phreatic passage with further entrances in the roof. This continues to a four-way junction. Straight on soon chokes at a boulder slope. Up to the left, the passage winds back to a further entrance. The way on is down to the right. The 5m high passage continues, passing low crawls on the left and right to a point where the roof lowers and the passage is split horizontally. The lower passage leads to an extensive series of low crawls whilst the upper passage continues to a squeeze past a debris cone with a distinct draught. Past the debris cone the passage splits again. The right hand passage chokes soon after a 12m pitch but the left hand passage carries on as a hands and knees crawl, crosses a blind 4m pit and soon reaches the first pitch.

A fine descent of 66m in a large shaft lands on a boulder ledge with the second pitch following on immediately. This descends 50m to a 15cm wide rift. Although there is a possible continuation beyond, this would require considerable effort to enter and was not pushed. A climb up to a window above the second pitch (krab and sling left rigged) gains a climb down to the boulder-strewn foot of an aven and a horizontal tube going off (not explored). 13m down the second pitch, Fledermaus ledge can be gained, with a passage leading off to Fledermaus pitch, named for the quantities of bat skeletons at its head. This 27m descent reaches about the same level as the base of the second pitch, and is blind except for a small slot in one wall. Traversing over Fledermaus leads to a small chamber with two tubes leading off, both draughting. The left tube becomes too tight, but a pitch can be seen beyond the constriction. The right tube is the Organ Grinder.

The Organ Grinder is 46m of exceedingly tortuous passage - nowhere extremely tight but twisting and turning, rising and falling, requiring a unique combination of contortions. It is best tackled feet first on the way in (head first on the way out) until a flat out crawl near the end which leads to the crux: a U-bend, best approached head first on the descent. This is even more difficult on the return, when it is best tackled feet first. UBSS's times to pass this passage varied from 10 minutes to 3½ hours, with an average of 20 minutes. There is just room to replace SRT gear before the following pitch. The return of an injured person through this tube would be almost impossible without extensive modification of the cave.

The third pitch descends 42m, passing two windows, to a floor with no way on. From the foot of the pitch, a 3m climb up to a ledge reveals two climbs down. One of thse is blind, but the other leads to an undescended pitch of c20m.

Both of the windows in the third pitch connect with Topher's pitch, and the lower one was rigged. From here the pitch is 86m with a large ledge near the bottom. At the foot, a window leads to an aven, whilst in the opposite wall, another window looks onto the fifth pitch, Toccata and Feuge (sic).

Toccata and Feuge is best descended from a ledge above the large ledge in Topher's pitch. Rigged mainly from flakes and threads, it drops in a series of steps, 39m in total. A small hole in the floor drops into a chamber with no passable way on - just two exits, both too tight. 10m back up the pitch, a ledge can be gained and is the start of the Rift Climb. This is a 40m descent, and is best rigged as a self-lined climb. The rift continues for some distance horizontally, but has not been followed. Below the Rift climb, the head of another pitch can be gained, but great care should be exercised in the Rift Climb and this following pitch (The Pitch of the Flying Boulders) as there are many loose rocks, which, when dislodged, fall the full depth of both pitches. From the bottom of Topher's Pitch to the head of PotFB, many fossils of ""large bivalves and snails on sticks"" protrude up to 25mm from the rock.

The PotFB was rigged from a thread and is somewhat awkward for 6m to a rebelay, after which it hangs free. The 32m descent lands in The Hall of the Flying Boulders, which again contains much loose rock, choking the floor level. However, a 2m climb up a mudbank leads to an impressive phreatic passage. A pit in the floor of this passage drops to a chamber with a deep well. Passing this, and a smaller side passage on he left, one soon reaches Another Bloody Pitch with a strong draught at the head. The side passage also joins this pitch. Another Bloody Pitch is 31m, but ends blind. A window part way down reaches a further shaft of 36m, also blind, but this is the deepest explored point, at -295m.

From the head of Another Bloody Pitch, a continuation of the phreatic passage can be seen, but will not be reached without a serious bolted traverse. It is thought that this is the main way on, at c260m depth.",,,," The above description is adapted from the UBSS report in Newsletter Vol 6 No. 3, November 1990. ",,"Grade 3c survey on cover of UBSS Nls 6(3), 11/90",,"235m","295m",,,,,,,,,,,,,"1950m",,,"About 300m along the north side of the ridge running east from Hohes Augst-Eck, about 50m from the summit of the ridge at the foot of a 5m cliff, a 1m diameter tube. [no surface survey info or coordinates].",,,,,,"Lost", +,,,"BS18-nn?",,,,,,,"UBSS finds - no documentation",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Lost", +,"+ (?)",,"HFG-KA88",,"smkridge/hfg-ka88/hfg-ka88.html",,,,,,"2b","Franco-German group 1988",,,,,"See 2002 logbook entry (2002-08-05)",,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.hfg-ka88",,,,,,,,,,,"Close to 163, down a couple of ledges from 2001-08.",,"Nice sloping shaft on a rift/diaclase","

ApproachCloseup of entrance Paint markings

Photos © Wookey 2002","Paint","Hard to read (originally read as BFG-KA88). Also a red splodge which is more likely to be a + than a -","Surveyed", +,,,"88H",,,,,,,"GSCB","2b",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Refindable","Has been seen recently (1998)" +,,,"88F",,"smkridge/88f.html",,,,,"GSCB","2b",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.88f",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","tag VSS188F 2002","Refindable","Has been seen recently (2002)" +,,,"1987-02",,"plateau/1987_02.html",,,,,,"1c","? GSCB exploration",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"100m up from 157 and 0/5",,,,,,"Lost", +,,,"1989-01",,,,,,,"Probably 195. See 165 for more details.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"North of 165",,,,"Unmarked",,"Lost","May be 195 but seems unlikely; or 196" +,,,"1990-15",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Paint","Numbered erroneously as ""185"" ","Lost","AERW doesn't know where to find it" +,"1/S -",,"1992-X01",,"plateau/1992-X01.html",,,,"Olly's 1992 minus cave",,"1b","CUCC 1992 Olly Betts","Undescended. 2 second drop with a rattle for a bit.",,,,"1992 logbook (1992.08.01)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Refindable", +,"1/S -",,"1996-01",,"smkridge/1996_01.html",,,"Ski-pole höhle",,,"2c","CUCC 1996-07-15 Nick, Brian, Tina","Climb down shakehole to open shaft with a jammed boulder at the top. Shaft developed on joint is 1.4m across, 1.5m in the other direction and drops straight down 10m. Rift at bottom is 2m high. 1.5m drop then gently ascending rift gets too tight.",,,,,,,,,"11.1m",,"There are many holes along the rift - all the others are choked or too tight.",,,,,,,"gps96.96_1",,,,,,,,"Situated at top end of rift/gorge next to path to 161d. Walking to 161d: go into the very narrow gorge, then up the right hand wall about a third of the way along. This gets you into the next gorge, trending on bearing 031° (looking towards 161d end of path). Turn right up the rift. 96/01 is at the top end.",,,"Tag","A spit with ""CUCC 96-01""","Refindable","Has a 1996 GPS fix which is almost certainly hopelessly wrong as it puts it way to the north of 161d" +,"1/S -",,"1996-05",,"plateau/1996_05.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 1996 Andy Waddington and Fran","Cave is a North-South rift in a joint hading very steeply - say 85 degrees dip to west. Stones rattle down shaft for a very long time. No evidence of previous exploration (ie. no spits, no mud, vegetation not noticeably trampled).",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps98.1996_05",,,,"c. 1640m","Schönberg 342½°, Bräuning Zinken 204½°, Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel 101° (very flat summit, so exact point not obvious), Loser Cross 213½°, using AndyW compass NPC#2 (Suunto #439258)",,,"From 164, follow recent (1996 vintage? - not of CUCC origin) fluorescent orange paint dots (these had faded almost completely by 1998, but there are some older red ones for the early part of the route), over a ridge passing the OAV ski marker pole, then leftish over a series of limestone steps to reach a descent into a large broken area (thought to be near 173). Climb steeply left up boulders to a large cairn with a bright orange dot, then over a series of limestone shelves. Shortly up here is a shaft now known to be Lost Rucksack Cave (marked with temporary number CUCC 1993 01). The route continues remarkably easily over a series of bunde-free pavements - easily relocated in 1998. Eventually a large orange dot with an arrow points into a gap in the pines with many fresh (1996) cut branches (again, not CUCC's work). No more dots are to be found, and all ways close up in bunde beyond an obvious shaft in a N-S rift which is therefore clearly the ultimate destination of the marked path.",,"

Entrance rift, looking north.

A picture of the Bräuning wall and Loser from the vicinity of the entrance is here.","Tag","Tag placed on pavement on east side of shaft near middle, a spit with CUCC tag ""9605"".","Surveyed", +,"1/S -",,"1996WK4",,"smkridge/1996wk4.html",,,,,,"2b","CUCC 1996 (Wookey)","Big enough to be worth dropping.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps96.wk4 gps96bestfit.wk4","gps00.wk4",,,,,,"A picture of the Bräuning wall and Loser from the vicinity of the entrance is here.","This is a GPSed hole found by Wookey on a thrashed route whilst looking for a possible route from 161d over the top of the Hochklapf spur of the Vord to the Stogerweg. There is a large N-S (ish) fault/joint in the bunde here which provides useful path. Approximately on top of bulge sticking out into valley."," This cave was a squareish hole in a the path that one had to traverse carefully",,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S -",,"1997-07",,"smkridge/1997-07/1997-07.html",,,," =1996-07, 1996wk7",,"2c","CUCC 1996 (Wookey) Incomplete","Descent through narrow rift and choked bouldery leads (after 10m) to an undescended pitch (20m ?). Draught stops and starts with a period of about 30 seconds (on the day of discovery), but when active, it was inwards.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps96.wk7_1 gps96.wk7_2 gps96bestfit.wk7","gps00.wk7",,,"c. 1810-1820m","VSK: 233°, Hollweiser: 145° (from a point between 97-07 and the 97-08 group of entrances)",,"GPS: E 36338 N (52)82260 H? or E 36385 N (52)82234 H? Averaged from GPS: E 36370 N (52)82269 H?","From route to 139 E of VSK, take big shelf which leads to a series of holes (CUCC 96 WK7 to WK10) and eventually to Steinschlagschacht (136).",,"

Photo © Paul Hammond 1999. Model: Wookey. This picture is believed to be 1997-07, but it has not been definitively ident ified.","Tag","Tag placed 1997","Surveyed", +,"1/S -",,"1996WK11",,"smkridge/1996wk11.html",,,,,,"2b","CUCC 1996 (Wookey)","Big rift aligned 115<->295°. At WNW end is big. Descends over boulders and then snow beyond point of exploration. Needs rope to complete descent, although it is likely to be choked.",,,,,,"? Survey plan and elv in NotKH book.NotKH book 1999- p16",,,,,,,,,,,,"gps96.wk11 gps96bestfit.wk11","gps00.wk11",,,"1661 +/- 53","Nipple: 202°, Trissel: 179°, Hollweiser: 138°",,"At foot of slope from top of VSK, on Eastern side, before flat area containing Nipple to south of VSK.",,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S -",,"1996WK12",,"kratzer/1996wk12.html",,,,,,4,"CUCC 1996 (Wookey)","Oval 3m deep hole. Way on in opposite corner from difficult climb down of 3m to bottom. To the SW is a small mossy hole to choked chamber about 2 x 3m. To the NE clamber 6m down rocky slope then 6m along narrowing rift. V. tight possible way on down, but easier way along can be followed for 10m to awkward boulder blockage. Passage continues at least 3m to corner. The boulder was not passed in shorts and goretex for fear of ripping!",,,,"NotKH book p29-p30",,"? Plan, elevation (grade2)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"c. 1684m",,,"Surface survey passes over cave, but no station at cave.","About 12m or 30m SW of laser point 7 'LSR7_' on south side of Schwarzmoossattel (the one with incorrect position on original laser survey), 40m NE of 36. NW (upslope) from CUCC 1976 B4.","Oval hole 4m x 3m at edge of pavement next to grassy area. Draughting - particularly on entrance slope.",,"Unmarked",,"Refindable", +,"1/T +",,"1996-X01",,"plateau/1996-X01/1996-X01.html",,,,"Sheep Cave",,"1a","CUCC 1996 (Wookey, Andy W, while surface surveying to old Top Camp)","3m long, full of sheep shit",,,,,,,,"3m",,,,,,"nasetotc.7",,,,,,,,,,,"Halfway up the Brauning Näse",,,"

 

Photos © Olly Betts 2004 + 1996","Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"? +",,"1998-X01",,"plateau/1998-X01.html",,,,,,"1d","Has a ""+"" mark of unknown provenance. Rediscovered and tied to surface survey by Wookey and Andy W 1998.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p1998-x01",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked (?)",,"Surveyed", +,,,"1999-X01",,"smkridge/1999-X01/1999-X01.html",,,,"MI5 Cave",,"2c","Has a ""-"" mark of unknown provenance. Rediscovered and surveyed to (but not descended) 1999",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"pmi5",,,,,,,,,,,"Schwarzmooskogel ridge near 180 and 191",,,"

","Paint (?)",,"Surveyed", +,,,"1999-OB-01",,"plateau/1999-OB-01/1999-OB-01.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 1999 (Olly Betts)","Inside small cliff facing toward B.wall. Slightly draughting, 6m deep, with snow plug at bottom. Unexplored, not a promising lead.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"VSK 151, HSK 065, Sch 010, BZW 222 (from top of small cliff). (from NotKH 1996- book p110)",,,,,"

Photo © Olly Betts 1999","Tag",,"Refindable", +,,,"1999-OB-02",,"plateau/1999-OB-02/1999-OB-02.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 1999 (Olly Betts)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"BN 211 BZ 229 HSK 061",,,,,"

LocationEntrance closeup showing tag

(Photo © Olly Betts 1999)","Tag",,"Refindable", +,,,"1999_MS_01",,"smkridge/1999_ms_01.html",,,,,,"2b","CUCC 1999 (Mark Shinwell)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps00.99ms01",,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,,,"1999_MS_02",,"smkridge/1999_ms_02.html",,,,,,"2b","CUCC 1999 (Mark Shinwell)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps00.99ms02",,,,,,,,,,,,"Surveyed", +,"1/T +",,"2000-AA-01",,"plateau/2000-aa-01.html",,,"Schönschrifthöhle","Calligraphy Cave",,"1a","Has a ""+"" mark of unknown provenance. Rediscovered and surveyed by CUCC (Andy A and Wookey) 2000","Surface pit 6m deep, choked at bottom.","Maybe some rope, I don't know.",,,"See 2000 logbook entry (August 9th).","In dataset","

Notes in 2000#34","caves/2000-aa-01/2000-aa-01.svx","10.2m","6.35m","7.98m",,,"p2000-aa-01",,,,,,,,,,,,"On path between 171 and 172.","From old Top Camp",,"A photo is alleged to have been taken in 2000 but has apparently been lost.","Tag","Tagged ""2000-aa-01"" in 2000","Surveyed", +,"1/? +",,"2000-02",,"smkridge/2000-02/2000-02.html",,,,,,"2c","Has a ""+"" mark of unknown provenance. Relocated by Wookey, Andy W and Julian T in 1996; GPSsed and tagged Andy A and Wookey 2000","? Wookey","? Wookey",,,"See 2000 logbook entry (July 30th)",,,,,,,,,,"p2000-02",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tagged ""2000-02"" in 2000","Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"2000-08",,"smkridge/2000-08/2000-08.htm",,,"Grabenkrieghöhle","Trench Warfare Cave",,"2d","Originally noted, but not descended, by Duncan in 2000. Has quite a history of getting reexplored regularly as people explore it and forget to record that it doesn't go: CUCC 2000 (Duncan), 2002 (MikeTA), 2003 (Mark S), 2004 (Dave L)","Short pitch (~6m) from chossy naturals leads to large (~4m wide) unroofed passage. Uphill leads to rift, which is choked (corresponding to nearby choked surface rift). Downhill passes a wedged rock to a climb down onto a snowbank. Right is blind, left descends and leads to a blind pit with a too-tight continuation (looks diggable though).",,"Plausible dig.",,,,,,"~20m","~10m","~15m",,,,"p2000-08",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"The large entrance is adjacent to the route used in 2000 onwards across the plateau to Steinbrückenhöhle, shortly before arriving at the stone bridge. It lies almost directly above the huge aven of 7-11 Chamber in 204; the vertical separation, however, is of the order of 120m.",,,"

","Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"1/T +",,"2001-02",,"smkridge/2001-02/2001-02.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2001 MikeTA","Small downhill crawl, choked after around 1.5 body lengths.",,,,"2001 logbook",,,,,,,,,,"p2001-02",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Spit awaiting tag",,"Surveyed", +,"?",,"2001-03",,"smkridge/2001-03/2001-03.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2001 MikeTA","No description extant",,,,"2001 logbook",,,,,,,,,,"p2001-03",,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,,,"Spit awaiting tag",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2001-06",,"smkridge/2001-06/2001-06.html",,,"Erbärmlichbaumhöhle","Sorry Tree Cave",,"2b","Entrance noted CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2001-06",,,,,,,,,,,"In the vicinity of the Eishöhle portal row",,,"

 

","Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"=",,"2001-07",,"smkridge/2001-07/2001-07.html",,,"Hoffnungschacht","Hope Shaft",,"2b","Entrance noted CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin; partial descent 2002 Wookey","Shaft entrance has good flake to rig off. Ledge at -8m then another at -11, now into wider rift. 2 rope protectors required as rock is very sharp. Bottoms at -22m. Choked floor. Can see through to continuation below but not suitable for exploration in shorts + T-shirt so not pushed. Draughts inwards if at all, not strongly. ","2 hangers, some rope, 2 protectors","Continuation at bottom of shaft",,"See 2002 logbook entry (2002-08-05)",,"? wookey (grade 2 sketch)",,"22m","22m",,"Marked on Olly's GPS as ""RATTLE"", owing to the impressive sound on throwing rocks down",,,"gps02olly.2001-07",,,,,,,,,,,"Above Eishöhle portal row area, somewhat east across choss bowl from 237 and 2001-08",,,"

Photo © Wookey 2002","Spit","Tag bolt placed but no tags to hand","Surveyed", +,"+",,"2001-08",,"smkridge/2001-08/2001-08.html",,,"Schneeoberlichtschacht","Snow Skylight Shaft",,"2b","CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin; CUCC 2002 Olly B, Wookey","Descended from single thread over a few rubs to reach bottom. Very photogenic inside. Checked out thoroughly - it doesn't go.","20m rope minimum",,,"See 2002 logbook entry (2002-08-05)",,"? wookey (grade 2 sketch)",,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2001-08",,,,,,,,,,,"Above Eishöhle portal row area, close to 237 (""c"" entrance is just 10m away from 237c)","As for 237","""A"" entrance is impressive view down a hole in an alcove to sunlit snow below. Top shaft entrance ""B"" is hidden in bunde above - big 5m diameter shaft. Third ent ""C"" is narrow rift connecting to alcove. ","

A entrance - the entrance is to the left of the rucksacks View down A entrance pitch View down A entrance pitch (2)
B entrance (looking southish towards the Trisselberg) View down B entrance pitch C entrance
View northish along the ridge from A entrance

Photos © Wookey 2002","Spit","Tag bolt at ""a"" entrance (but no tag?)","Surveyed", +,"-",,"2001-09",,"smkridge/2001-09/2001-09.html",,,"Funkberaterschacht","Electrician's Shaft",,"2b","Entrance noted CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin",,,,,,"Claimed to be in dataset (not clear where)",,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2001-09",,,,,,,,,,,"In the vicinity of the Eishöhle portal row",,,"

 

","Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"+",,"2001-10",,"smkridge/2001-10/2001-10.html",,,"Großarbeithöhle","Big Job Cave",,"2b","Entrance noted CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin","Free-climbable entrance. Chokes to right; may be diggable to left.",,,,"2002 logbook (2002-08-18)",,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2001-10",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"+",,"2001-11",,"smkridge/2001-11/2001-11.html",,,"Schnürsenkelschacht","Bootlace Shaft",,"2b","Entrance noted CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin. Descended 2002 Olly B","Free-climbable shaft. Doesn't go.",,,,"2002 logbook (2002-08-18)",,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2001-11",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"=",,"2001-12",,"smkridge/2001-12/2001-12.html",,,"Unnotiggewohnlichkeitschacht","Uncalled-for Vulgarity Shaft",,"2b","Apparently explored previously by VfHM. Rediscovered by CUCC 2001 Olly B, Martin but not descended. Descended 2002 Olly B","Large doline entrance can be descended by abseiling or free-climb. At the bottom is a small tunnel which gets smaller - probably too tight, but may be diggable. Can also squeeze through along fault into next, smaller doline, but no further. In the opposite direction is a rift connecting to a second entrance which had a VfHM spit in 2002, where there is a draughting hole in the floor. This gives access to a rift which becomes too tight at ground level; it may be possible to traverse above but it is loose and ""unappealing"".",,"One awkward rift.",,"2002 logbook (2002-08-18)",,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2001-12",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag",,"Surveyed", +,"=",,"2001-MS-01",,"smkridge/bogen.html",,,"Bogenhöhle",,,"1c","Origin obscure; surveyed 2001 Mark S, Mike Cox",,,,,,"In dataset",,"surface/bogen.svx",,,,,,"tbogen",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,,"This cave is somewhat mysterious; it may in fact be the ""second cave with a walk-in entrance"" mentioned in the 157 description, but that is described as being 100m from Laser 0/5, whereas this is more like 30m (or 60m to the further entrance).",,"Tag","Tag, apparently, but what the tag says is unclear!","Surveyed", +,"1/S =",,"2002-OB-01",,"smkridge/2002-OB-01/2002-OB-01.html",,,,,,"2b","CUCC 2002 Wookey, Olly Betts","Unobvious shaft entrance looks choked but can in fact be climbed down 7m to look into largish chamber (~6m across). Needs rope for descent. ","Rope + SRT gear",,,,,"Notes in 2002#06 (not drawn up)",,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2002-ob-01",,,,,,"8m off the left side of the path shortly after leaving 40s before steep section past 40f",,,"

ApproachClose-up

Photos © Wookey 2002","Spit","Tag bolt placed but no tags to hand","Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"2002-W-01",,"smkridge/2002-W-01/2002-W-01.html",,,,,,"2b","Existing spit indicating previous exploration (GSCB?); rediscovered and surveyed CUCC 2002 Wookey, Olly Betts","Upper entrance is short 10m pitch. At the bottom, narrow passage comes back parallel to upper passage to squeeze, which connects to second lower entrance. Significant draught comes out of canyon in floor, but this is blocked by boulders.",,"Very easy dig with a crowbar",,"2002 logbook (2002-08-01)",,"Notes in 2002#06 (not drawn up)",,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02olly.2002-w-01",,,,,,"About 60m from 40f (Königschacht); see sketch in survey notes",,,"

Olly Betts at the upper entranceLower entranceLower entrance again

Photos © Wookey 2002","Spit (?)",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"2002-W-02",,"smkridge/2002-W-02/2002-W-02.html",,,,,,"2b","Almost certainly seen before but documented CUCC 2002 Olly B, Wookey","5m deep rift, snow at bottom. Upper end chokes, lower end continues into narrow canyon going in direction of 40s. There is a vocal connection at the start of this canyon to 217. (Light can just be seen - far too narrow to pass.)",,,,"2002 logbook (2002-08-05)",,"Notes in 2002#06 (not drawn up)","caves/2002-w-02/2002-w-02.svx","22m","10m","13m",,,"p2002-w-02",,,,,,,,,,,,"20m directly below 229 and 15m away from 40s",,,,"Spit","Tag bolt placed but no tags to hand","Surveyed", +,"2/T +",,"2002-01",,"smkridge/2002-01/2002-01.html",,,"Artischockehöhle",,,"2d","CUCC 2002 Dunks, Mark S","A contortion through boulders leads to a large horizontal passage, which gradually ascends until eventually lowering to a short flat-out crawl over choss. This leads to a chamber, from where it is possible to slither to the left through a gap between choss and the ceiling. Here there are two ways on. To the right ends quickly; a dig under the wall ended in a further choke. To the left leads to a tight crawl through dangerous boulders which would need digging to make further progress.

A noticable draught outwards is present throughout the cave.",,,,,,"

",,"64m","7m","51m",,,"t2002-01",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"The entrance is situated in a large choss bowl adjacent to the route used in 2000 onwards from Top Camp to Steinbrückenhöhle, where the path turns left just beyond Hauchhöhle.",,"

(The tag is on the wall behind my head)

","Tag","Tag on rock wall on LH side facing entrance.","Surveyed", +,"1/T +",,"2002-03",,"smkridge/2002-03/2002-03.html",,,"Igelhöhle","Hedgehog cave",,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks, Ben S. Descended CUCC 2004, Dave L.","Awkward sharp climb down leads to constricted chamber floored with choss. No ways on and no draught.",,,,,,,,"~5m","~2m","~5m",,,"p2002-03",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"In the bottom of a small depression that one steps around on the 204 walk-in, just beyond the large choss bowl where the rather nonobvious entrance to Artischockehöhle is situated (which is itself a little beyond the obvious entrance to Hauchhöhle).",,,"Tag","Tag placed 2002","Surveyed", +,"1/S x",,"2002-07",,"smkridge/2002-07/2002-07.html",,,,"Quarries A-C",,"2d","CUCC 2002 Frank, Ben","From the sketch it seems that there are 3 entrances in a line which connect underground, and a continuing downwards shaft blocked with snow. In 2002 there was a gap down one side of the snow plug but this was not explored. This point is 34m below the surface and a mere 9m above Crowning Glory in 204.",,,,,"In dataset","

(Drawn up by DL from Frank's notes in 2002#23)","caves/2002-07/2002-07.svx","42m","34m","16m",,,"p2002-07",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2002","Surveyed", +,"1/S x",,"2002-08",,"smkridge/2002-08/2002-08.html",,,,"Quarries E",,"2d","CUCC 2002 Frank, Ben","Hole at the bottom of a surface depression opens out to a pitch into a 6m by 4m chamber. Next pitch-head is too tight and requires capping.",,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/2002-08/2002-08.svx","21m","14m ","10m",,,"t2002-08","p2002-08","point on dripline",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2002","Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"2002-XX",,"smkridge/2002-XX/2002-XX.html",,,,"Quarries D",,"2d","CUCC 2002 Frank, Ben","12m surface shaft, too tight at bottom.",,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/quarriesd/quarriesd.svx","21m","12m","3m",,,,"pquarriesd","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Spit (?)",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X09",,"smkridge/2002-X09/2002-X09.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","Not descended",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x09","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,"Apparently ""Darenesque""",,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X09B",,"smkridge/2002-X09B/2002-X09B.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","Not descended",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x09b","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,"Prominent rock shelter",,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-10",,"smkridge/2002-10/2002-10.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","5m shaft into a 3m long chamber with unexplored continuations in both directions",,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-10",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2002","Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X11",,"smkridge/2002-X11/2002-X11.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","5m wide circular 8m pitch with unexplored passages leading off NE and NW, and a rock bridg e at SW corner.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x11","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X12",,"smkridge/2002-X12/2002-X12.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","Not descended",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x12","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,"1m triangular slopy",,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X13",,"smkridge/2002-X13/2002-X13.html",,,"L Schacht",,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","15m deep undescended surface shaft",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x13","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X14",,"smkridge/2002-X14/2002-X14.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","Not descended",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x14","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,"Cliff entrance, 3m wide, 1m high on cliff facing E",,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X15",,"smkridge/2002-X15/2002-X15.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","""Big, blind tunnel"" it says here - presumably that's a tick then?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x15","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X16",,"smkridge/2002-X16/2002-X16.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","Notes have one word of description, which is rather smudged but could be ""spring"" (?)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x16","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X17",,"smkridge/2002-X17/2002-X17.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","~20m deep shaft in slabs",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x17","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"-",,"2002-X18",,"smkridge/2002-X18/2002-X18.html",,,,,,"2d","Entrance noted CUCC 2002 Dunks","2m wide shaft in bunde",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps02.p2002-x18","No idea",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S/T +",,"2003-01",,"smkridge/2003-01/2003-01.html",,,"Alcove cave",,,"2d","CUCC 2003 Tony R, Brian O","A short climbable rift in an alcove in the side of the hill leads to about an 8metre pitch to a small round chamber which is comprehensively choked ",,,,,"In dataset",,"caves/2003-01/2003-01.svx","26m","9m","12m N-S",,,"p2003-01",,,,,,,,,,,,,"Walk over the back of the ridge from 204",,,"Tag","Tag placed 2003","Surveyed", +,"3/S/T +",,"2003-02",,"smkridge/2003-02/2003-02.html",,,"Blaudrachenschacht",,,"2d","CUCC 2003 Tony R, Brian O","Awkward climb down leads to a sloping chamber with small climbs. At the end of this chamber a tight awkward rift overlooks a short pitch giving access to a small chamber with a window 4 metres up on the right wall. A rift in the floor leads to a 90m pitch. Rebelays in the far wall eventually reach a fine shaft which can be descended to a floor with no way on. A short 3m climb reveals a climbable rift past awkward boulders to a small elongate chamber with no way on. Bolting up to the window at the top of the pitch led to another small chamber, also with no way on.",,,,,"In dataset","

(Image assembled from two separate drawn up surveys in wallets 2003#10 and 2004#08.)","caves/2003-02/2003-02.svx","133m","109m","25m E-W",,,"p2003-02",,,,,,,,,,,,,"Walk over the back of the ridge from 204",,,"Tag","Tag placed 2003","Surveyed", +,"1/S/T +",,"2003-03",,"smkridge/2003-03/2003-03.html",,,"Kartoffelbreihöhle","Mashed Potato Cave",,"2d","CUCC 2003 Julian T, Dave L","A climb down/squeeze through boulders (awkward on the way out for fat bastards like me - Dave) leads to a small chamber ~4m across, with a loose hole in the floor at the far end. This was descended for perhaps 15 or 20m to a hopelessly choked floor of small pebbles. A window around a third of the way down the pitch leads to a parallel shaft, also choked at the bottom (from which there is another window back into the main shaft).","26m rope + some (4 or 5) hangers sufficient",,"Form prepared 06/03/2005, waiting to be sent.",,,"

(drawn up partly from sketch in 2003 logbook and partly from memory)",,,"~20m",,,,"gps04.p2003-03",,,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"On south flank of Nieder Augst-Eck just north of stone bridge. Directly to the east of 2003-04.",,,"

","Tag","Tag placed 2003","Surveyed", +,"2/S/T +",,"2003-05",,"smkridge/2003-05/2003-05.html",,,"Damoclesschacht",,,"2d","CUCC 2003 Martin G, Brian O","A short entrance crawl gives access to a vertical shaft with precariously balanced boulders. At the base of the shaft a further climb (pitch?) down ends in a choke at -46m. 12m above the floor in the main shaft it is possible to swing into a side chamber, with no ways on.",,,"Form prepared March 2005, waiting to be sent.",,"In dataset","

Notes in 2003 #11","caves/2003-05/2003-05.svx","58m","46m","6m E-W",,,"p2003-05",,,,,,,,,,,,,"Originally approached by walking southwards along E side of SMK ridge from 204.",,,"Tag","Tag placed 2003","Surveyed", +,"?",,"2003-07",,"smkridge/2003-07/2003-07.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2003 ??","Not clear if this has been entered at all.",,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps03.2003-07",,,,,,,,,,,,"This cave is somewhat mysterious. 2003 records give a GPS fix for ""2003-07"" at the location described; but in 2004 it transpired that the cave documented under the number 2003-08, now renumbered as 240, had actually been tagged as 2003-07. So this cave may in fact be marked as 2003-08, or it may not even exist.",,,,"Tag (?)","Tag placed 2003 (?)","Surveyed", +,"2/E x",,"2003-09",,"smkridge/2003-09/2003-09.html",,,"Weizeneishöhle",,,"2d","CUCC 2003: Originally located by Olly M; entrance dug out by Olly + Earl; exploration and underground survey Olly M + Mark S.","Entrance is large alcove / chamber in NW side of choss bowl. Very strong outwards draught emerges from small gap under right-hand wall, which leads to a crawl. This opens up to a walking passage with scatterings of ice and snow. A passage goes up to the left as the main way on turns a corner. It enters a large (> 10m diameter) chamber with an ice floor, and an ice stal on the floor. There is some passage with dodgy boulders to the right, but the draught comes from a very dodgy boulder slope on the left (reached by climbing round the edge of the ice). Might be worth poking, but it's quite unstable. We looked up the passage on the left but it doesn't seem to go anywhere.",,"Tightish meander in the floor of left-hand passage might go (blows outwards a bit), but awkward to enter. QM C. Also dodgy boulder slope, which is in the right direction for terminal chokes of On a Mission in 204 and might repay some prodding with a crowbar.","Form prepared May 2005, waiting to be sent",,"In dataset","

Notes in 2003#31","caves/2003-09/2003-09.svx","134m","18m","42m E-W",,,"t2003-09",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"In large choss bowl southwest of 204d entrance",,"Obvious arched entrance","

","Tag","Tag placed 2003","Surveyed", +,"2/S/T +",,"2003-10",,"smkridge/2003-10/2003-10.html",,,"Dünne Faulpelz Höhle","Skinny Festerers' Cave",,"2d","Original exploration CUCC 2003 (Frank, Brian). Further exploration 2004 (Brian, Tony, Martin, Stuart).","The entrance pitch, which is rigged with a spit y-hang and natural back up, its initially constricted and spiky but not tight. It becomes a fine 28m wine bottle shaped rift with 2 deviations off naturals. A ledge part-way down can be swung onto to look through into a parallel shaft. The landing for both is on a steep unstable slope of gravel and cobbles, in the main chamber of the cave.

Here three ways lead off. Following the slope down leads to a short climb down to another smaller chamber and on to the head of a pitch; a safety line is useful here, if only to prevent disturbing the loose rocks. The pitch was rigged with one rebelay to land in a puddle at the bottom of a tall chamber, where ducking under a wall leads to a body sized passage with a slight draught. This continues via an acute bend, and tightens to a cobble blockage. A fossil inlet opposite the pool leads to a sandy climb [but not to anything else apparently].

Back in the main chamber, at the bottom of the slope on the left are two phreatic windows, offset by 45°. The upper hole is too small, while the lower hole gives access to a phreatic passage with windows into the parallel upper passage. After around 25m the lower passage ends in chossy infill; an easy 2m climb leads back into the upper phreas, which is somewhat larger at this point. This level soon closes down but continues far enough to bypass the blockage in the lower passage via an easy climb down. Around 7m further on a wall of uniform 20mm gravel blocks the passage; the draught disappears, possibly through this choke.

The third route from the main chamber is a bolt route up one wall toa passage heading off northwards 4m above the floor. There are 2 spits placed to assist the climb and 2 more at the top to rig off. The northwards passage, Zero Gravity Anomaly, is now easy rift to an easy 5m climb down; the way on is a short dug crawl to a tight hammered open pitch head. This is short (7m), with a single spit pitch head backed up by spits in the crawl, and a deviation off a natural. The landing is on a mud and gravel floor; the chamber closes down almost immediately to a 10cm wide rift, no echo, rattle or draft.","Entrance pitch: 3 slings, 2 hangers and maillons, approx 40m rope (use tag spit as one anchor). Upclimb into Zero Gravity Anomaly: 7m rope, 2 hangers and maillons. Pitch at the end of Zero Gravity: 15m rope, 3 hangers + maillons, 1 sling.","Nothing accessible without capping","Form to be prepared",,"In dataset","

Notes in 2003#33 (does not include extensions from 2004, which are in 2004#56 and have not yet been scanned)","caves/2003-10/2003-10.svx","156m","51m","51m",,,"p2003-10",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,"Immediately above and behind the 204 stone bridge bivvy",,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2003","Surveyed", +,"1/T +",,"2003-X11",,"smkridge/2003-X11/2003-X11.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 1",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka)","Loose boulder slope in ~25m into boulder/rubble choked chamber, quite large and with a high roof (say 5m high and 5m wide). No draught, no way on visible. Boulders loose at the top.",,,,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x11",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Below and SE of GPSsed point",,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S -",,"2003-X12",,"smkridge/2003-X12/2003-X12.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Undescended Shaft 2",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka)","Surface shaft ~10m deep to boulder floor. Shaft ~3x4m at surface. Could be rigged on naturals. Can't tell if draughting.",,,,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x12",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,,,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/T =",,"2003-X13",,"smkridge/2003-X13/2003-X13.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Low Entrance 4",,"2d","CUCC 2000? 2001? + 2003 (Earl, Becka)","Crawl over small stones. No apparent draught.",,"Not clear if it's been pushed to conclusion; if so, it needs documenting properly anyway",,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x13",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Just off old route to 204",,"Obvious low arch in large depression",,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/T +",,"2003-X14",,"smkridge/2003-X14/2003-X14.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 5",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka) + possibly also earlier (?)","~6m dia chamber with sloping boulder floor. Non-draughting crawl leading off chokes. Bones in corner.",,,,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x14",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,,,"Obvious low arch under cliff",,"Paint","Spit hole with yellow paint","Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"2003-X15",,"smkridge/2003-X15/2003-X15.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 6",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka)","Moderate shaft. Can free climb down about 15m to small chamber choked with boulders and no draught.",,,,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x15",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Very near summit of Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel",,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S =",,"2003-X16",,"smkridge/2003-X16/2003-X16.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Cave 7",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka)","Moderate shaft, 4m diameter. Drops 10-15m, free-climbable with care. Sloping to boulder floor. One phreatic tube off, sloping up ~20°, not pushed, no draught.",,"One crawling lead.",,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x16",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Very near Rock'n'Roll Höhle.",,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S -",,"2003-X17",,"smkridge/2003-X17/2003-X17.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Shaft 8",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka)","2m diameter shaft, ~5m deep, possible way off at bottom (not promising).",,,,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x17",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"In grassy meadow at edge of bunde",,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S +",,"2003-X18",,"smkridge/2003-X18/2003-X18.html",,,,"Earl + Becka's Dead Shaft 10",,"2d","CUCC 2003 (Earl, Becka)","E-W joint with two shaft entrances. Westerly entrance free-climbable to snow plug. Then crawl under arch into 2nd chamber at base of easterly entrance. No way on.",,,,"2003#03",,,,,,,,,,"gps03_bis.p2003-x18",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"~40m off 204 path near 2000-08.",,,,"Unmarked",,"Surveyed", +,"=",,"2004-01",,"plateau/2004-01/2004-01.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Chossy slope heading down hill, with snow plug below skylight. Close to the 76 bivi, used initially to sleep in, and after we started camping it was used to store gear+food and cook in when raining.",,,,"Email 2005-05-30",,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-01",,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,,"As for 76","Large entrance facing towards ridge (with smaller skylight entrance near 99)",,"Tag","Tag placed 2004","Surveyed", +,"=",,"2004-02",,"plateau/2004-02/2004-02.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Draughting hole with a chossy entrance. Just inside is a crap snow plug that collapsed a lot. The draught issues from a too-narrow rift roughly below the entrance. The top of the rift has a large rock wedged in. This can be rocked if pulled very hard. Perhaps it's worth removing to see if the rift is wide enough at the top? It's definitely wider beyond the rift.",,"tight slot, see description",,"2004 log book",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Short distance further north along same small valley as the 2004 Eislufthöhle bivi",,,,"Tag","Tag placed 2004","Refindable", +,"-",,"2004-03",,"plateau/2004-03/2004-03.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Undescended",,,,"Email 2005-05-30",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"On cairned route from Eislufthölhle to old Top Camp","Large entrance",,,"Unmarked","Tag prepared but not placed 2004, stored at 76 bivvy","Refindable", +,"-",,"2004-04",,"plateau/2004-04/2004-04.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Undescended","Rope required",,,"Email 2005-05-30",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Not too far from 76 or 97","Large elongate hole surrounded by bunde",,,"Tag","Tag placed 2004 (on SW side of hole)","Refindable", +,"-",,"2004-05",,"plateau/2004-05/2004-05.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Not descended. ~10m to a ledge, seemed to go deeper.",,,,"2004 log book",,"Sketch in logbook",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Just below high point west of 2004 Eislufthöhle bivvy (on E side of high point)",,"Series of entrances along a joint","

2004-05 entrance Jenny Black at the entrance

","Unmarked","Tag prepared but not placed 2004, stored at 76 bivvy","Refindable", +,"-",,"2004-06",,"plateau/2004-06/2004-06.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Not descended. ",,,,"2004 log book",,"Sketch in logbook",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Not far from 175, west and a little north of the erratic boulders",,"Rift below a line of small cliffs","

View across plateau towards Bräuning Wall Entrance close-up

","Unmarked","Tag prepared but not placed 2004, stored at 76 bivvy","Refindable", +,"+",,"2004-07",,"plateau/2004-07/2004-07.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Scramble down over boulders, and down slope to chamber. Small passage leads off at the end, but becomes to small.",,,,"2004 log book",,"? Jenny",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Not far from 175",,"Walk/scramble in entrance",,"Unmarked","Tag prepared but not placed 2004, stored at 76 bivvy","Refindable", +,"=",,"2004-08",,"plateau/2004-08/2004-08.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Large chamber with partially collapsed roof and two entrances",,,,"2004 log book",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"West of 2004 Eislufthöhle bivvy",,,"

","Unmarked","Tag prepared but not placed 2004, stored at 76 bivvy","Refindable", +,"-",,"2004-09",,"plateau/2004-09/2004-09.html",,,,,,"1d","CUCC 2004 (Olly, Jenny)","Not descended",,,,"2004 log book",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Near where Tantalus Schacht ought to be, apparently",,,,"Unmarked","Tag prepared but not placed 2004, stored at 76 bivvy","Refindable", +,"-",,"2004-10",,"smkridge/2004-10/2004-10.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2004 Becka + Nial","Go down tube next to main entrance shaft to head of pitch. Pitch less than 10m down. Possible ways on.","20m rope + spits etc.",,,,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-10",,,,"GPS post SA",,,,,,"215 deg to Zinken, 309 deg to Griess Kogel. (I suspect there is an error here, as this would be almost right at the summit of the Griess Kogel -DL.)",,,"From 204 top camp over col then down + west following line of large shafts / collapses.","Entrance shaft with snow plug, pitch visible beyond","

","Tag","Tag 21/7/2004","Surveyed", +,"2/S/T +",,"2004-11",,"smkridge/2004-11/2004-11.html",,,"In Ihrer Gesichtshöhle ","In Your Face cave",,"2d","CUCC 2004 Becka + Nial+Martin+Stuart","A small, drafting entrance in the bottom of a deep gully leads into low phreatic passage. After a short crawl over small angular rocks, a series of small (1 meter) drops enlarge the passage to allow standing room. The passage continues a short distance to a chamber with a scree floor.

To the left, are what appear to be blocked entrance shafts with flows of debris that spill into the chamber. Right leads to a spacious passage that rapidly becomes a flat out crawl over loose rocks, and chokes soon after. Higher up on the right, and looking back in the direction of the entrance, is a small phreatic tube that slopes upward. This can be followed around two right-angled turns before it chokes.

The way on from the chamber is straight on. Ducking under a low protrusion from the ceiling leads into another, slightly larger, chamber.

A passage leads off to the left from the far side of the chamber. This can be followed for a short distance before it reaches a blank wall with a small amount of water emerging from a hole near the top. A climb through a window in the right of the chamber leads to the bottom of an aven.

On the right hand wall of the chamber, to the left of the window, a short free climb provides the main way on. Below the climb an awkward crawling passage slopes downwards and emerges part way down the pitch. From the top of the climb, a high passage slopes steeply downwards for about five meters to emerge at the top of the ten meter pitch.

The pitch descends at a less than vertical angle to an icy boulder choke at the bottom with no way on. Above the pitch and to the left, a walking sized phreatic tube can be reached by way of a bolted climb. This leads to a muddy boulder choke.","30m rope + 10 hangers, should get you to all of the cave.",,"Form prepared 06/03/2005, waiting to be sent.",,"In dataset","

Notes in 2004#13","caves/2004-11/2004-11.svx","145m","39m","53m N-S",,,"t2004-11",,,,"Surface survey",,,,,,,,,"From 204A go to 204D, then carry on a bit further.","Low (crawling) drafting phreatic hole in shallow valley heading down towards bowl of plateau.","

","Tag","Tag 21/7/2004","Surveyed", +,"0/S -",,"2004-13",,"smkridge/2004-13/2004-13.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2004 ?",,,,,,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-13",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag 2004 (?)","Surveyed", +,"1/T +",,"2004-14",,"smkridge/2004-14/2004-14.html",,,"Doktorarbeitloch","Thesis Cave",,"2d","CUCC 2004 Olly M, Mark S + Stuart","Rift continues for ~15m with a critical-angle boulder slope. Choked at bottom with slight draft emerging from rocks.","Oversuit + helmet (and presumably a light as well - DL)",,,,"In dataset","Notes in 2004#41","caves/2004-14/2004-14.svx","23m","13m","18m E-W",,,"p2004-14",,,,,,,,,,,,"SMK ridge, near 234 (Hauchhöhle)","Follow normal 204 walk-in path as far as 2002-03 and turn left (northwards). Climb over ridge, down into choss bowl then left over bunderous ridge.","Pit with snow plug (at time of original exploration in 2004) leads to vertical rift entrance.","

Entrance Close-up showing tag View back from entrance

","Tag","Tag 1/8/2004","Surveyed", +,"1/T +","a b","2004-15","yes","smkridge/2004-15/2004-15.html",,,"Rundreisehöhle","Olly's Through Trip",,"2d","CUCC 2004 Olly M, Mark S + Stuart","20m of rift connects both entrances. Going A->B passage leads off on the left by A but is too tight after ~10m. Next left in the main rift is an oxbow and connects back into main rift after ~4m of tight passage.","Oversuit + helmet (and presumably a light as well - DL)",,,,"In dataset","Notes in 2004#41","caves/2004-15/2004-15.svx","43m","10m","32m E-W",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"SMK ridge, near 234 (Hauchhöhle)","Follow normal 204 walk-in path as far as 2002-03 and turn left (northwards). Climb over ridge, down into choss bowl then left over bunderous ridge.","A: Climb down in rift leads to slot straight ahead. B: Large pit with loose boulders leads to a small rift.","

2004-15a entrance View backwards from 2004-15a entrance 2004-15b entrance 2004-15b tag close-up

","Tag","Tag 1/8/2004",, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"2004-15.taga",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag","Surveyed", +,,"b",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"2004-15.tagb",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag","Tag","Surveyed", +,"0/S -",,"2004-16",,"smkridge/2004-16/2004-16.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2004 Martin, Frank","Not descended","Oversuit + handline",,,,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-16",,,,,,,,,,,,"On slope above 204 C and E","Go to 204C and head up 15m. Now contour around to large cairn. Cave is downslope towards main plateau.","Climb down hole along a fault with 3m cliff behind. Black hole continues down fault. Sucks slightly.","

","Tag","Tag 3/8/2004","Surveyed", +,"0/S -",,"2004-17",,"smkridge/2004-17/2004-17.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2004 Martin, Frank","Not descended","Oversuit + 30m rope",,,,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-17",,,,,,,,,,,,"On slope above 204 C and E","Go to 204C and head up 15m. Now contour around to large cairn by 2004-16. Cave is 25m up fault from here.","Climb down hole in steeply hading rift to 15m pitch blowing out.","

","Tag","Tag 3/8/2004","Surveyed", +,"0/S -",,"2004-18",,"smkridge/2004-18/2004-18.html",,,,,,"2d","CUCC 2004 Martin, Frank","Not descended","20m rope + slings",,,,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-18",,,,,,,,,,,,"On slope above 204 C and E","As for 2004-16 and 17; follow fault northwards to southern edge of large choss bowl containing a number of shafts.","10-15m shaft with snow at bottom. Tagged on south wall.","

","Tag","Tag 3/8/2004","Surveyed", +,"2/S/T x ","a–c","2004-19","yes","smkridge/2004-19/2004-19.html",,,"Kindergartenhöhle",,,"2d","CUCC 2004 Brian, Tony","Entrances A and B quickly unite. Phreatic passage leads downslope to a crossroads. Straight on is choked; right leads to a chamber and another choke. Left is 25m of varying-size phreatic to a T-junction. Right leads to a choke (looks easily passable). Left leads upslope via a 2m climb to a chamber at the foot of an 18m surface shaft (entrance C).","Rope + SRT gear","Pitch in floor",,,"In dataset","Notes in 2004#46","caves/2004-19/2004-19.svx","80m","21m","26m E-W",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"East of 204. Routefinding difficult. GPS essential.",,"4m wide arch in side of limestone bed. Also surface shaft above same bed.",,,"Tagged by original explorers 2004 (?)",, +,,"a",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p2004-19a",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag (?)",,"Surveyed", +,,"b",,"entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p2004-19b",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag (?)",,"Surveyed", +,,"c",,"last entrance",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"p2004-19c",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Tag (?)",,"Surveyed", +,"1/S/T +",,"2004-20",,"smkridge/2004-20/2004-20.html",,,"Crowbar höhle",,,"2d","CUCC 2004 Dave, Olly M","Entrance pitch leads to small elongated chamber floored with gravel and blocks. A slope up at the southern end reveals two impassably tight passages to the left (eastwards). Near the foot of the pitch a tube slopes down to the west, but this is blocked by a large boulder; it presumably would connect to 2000-08 which is nearby.","20m rope + two hangers for ent pitch.","One dig, see description.",,,"In dataset","Notes in 2004#51","caves/2004-20/2004-20.svx","15m","10m","10m N-S",,,"t2004-20",,,"p2004-20",,,,,,,,,"In choss-filled depression near 2000-08.","Follow usual path from 204 bivvy. Turn left just before 2000-08.","Groove in side of depression allows descent past boulder floor; groove continues upwards to lip of depression and is easily spotted.","

","Tag","Tag 8/8/2004","Surveyed", +,"1/E =",,"2004-21",,"smkridge/2004-21/2004-21.html",,,,"Earl's Hat Cave",,"2d","CUCC 2001,2004","Walk down slope (sometimes snow plugged) to chamber. Two passages lead on, left hand passage is choked, right hand passage has not been explored.","Handline may be required","Right hand passage",,,,,,,,,,,,"gps04.p2004-21","No idea",,"GPS post SA",,,,,,,,"Very close to 204 D, approx. 15m down slope NW.",,"Huge open triangular entrance, facing North West.","

","Unmarked",,"Surveyed", diff --git a/noinfo/make-areaindices.py b/noinfo/make-areaindices.py index 41f90b561..743414463 100644 --- a/noinfo/make-areaindices.py +++ b/noinfo/make-areaindices.py @@ -1,7 +1,9 @@ import re, sys, os from string import join import csv - +"""Unused since 7 Jan.2016 when Wookey deleted CAVETAB2.CSV +resurrected 1 May 2020 in order to make the 'are' pages static. +""" areas = [] caves = [] @@ -41,19 +43,26 @@ def create_indices(): create_one_index(f) def create_one_index(filename): - if(filename[-1]!="l"): return + if(filename[-1]!="l"): + print "IGNORING ", filename + return + else: + print "\nprocessing... ", filename, + template = file("noinfo/areapage_skeletons/"+filename).read() try: destination = re.search(r'', template, re.IGNORECASE).group(1) except: - print "Error on: ", filename + print " Error on destination: ", filename return outfile = file(destination, "w") template = re.sub(r'(?i)', '' + (WARNING_MESSAGE % filename), template) - outfile.write(re.sub(r'(?i)', formatted_table, template)) - # re.sub doesn't support re.IGNORECASE, so use (?i) escape code - - + try: + print " Writing to: ", filename, + outfile.write(re.sub(r'(?i)', formatted_table, template)) + # re.sub doesn't support re.IGNORECASE, so use (?i) escape code + except: + print "Error writing to: ", filename def formatted_table(area_matchobj): area = area_matchobj.group(1) diff --git a/plateau.html b/plateau.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..c7b72d785 --- /dev/null +++ b/plateau.html @@ -0,0 +1,279 @@ + + + + + + + +1623: Main plateau area + + + + + +

The Loser Augst-Eck plateau

+ +

The area CUCC calls The Plateau is situated north of the +Bräuning wall. To the west it drops off into Grüne Bichl, a large +valley (relatively unvisited) which marks one boundary with the adjacent 1626 kataster area. To the north it continues +further than most are prepared to walk over the rough limestone. Work done +beyond CUCC's normal limit is considered under "Further" plateau and out to +Augst-Eck. North of this is also area 1626. To the east, the plateau starts +to rise towards the long Schwarzmooskogel ridge, and we take the break of slope +as a rather arbitrary boundary with the western slopes of the next area, the Schwarzmooskogel ridge.

+ +
View from Bräning Nase
+ +

Access

+ +

The route to the plateau takes between 25 and +45 minutes, depending on weather, load and fitness. This is to reach the start +of the karren at the Schwarzmoosattel; it can take +another hour or more to reach a particular cave.

+ +

Description

+ +

From the Schwarzmoossattel at 1684m, the plateau stretches out to the north, +looking relatively level. On the map it appears gently undulating, rising from +steeper slopes above Grüne Bichl to the west, levelling off about 1600m, +and reaching 1700m in the east where slopes rise to the Schwarzmooskogel ridge. +Far to the north, the bare limestone peaks of Schönberg, Große and +Kleine Wild Kogel and Grieß Kogel rise to over 2000m.

+ +
+
+ +

Once down onto the plateau, the reality is a little different, as +small-scale relief is made up of pavements and cliffs of up to 10m. One bit +looks very much like another and an intermittent covering of impenetrable +thickets of dwarf pine (known as Pinus mugo to botanists, Lärchen +to the Austrians, and, for historical reasons, 'Bunde' within CUCC) also help +to make progress and navigation very difficult. Sharp rocks and open shafts +lie everywhere, awaiting the unwary.

+ +
+ +

Small scars and dwarf pine dominate the foreground of this +view to the Bräuning wall from the plateau below Top Camp.

+ +
82 area of plateau

+View over eastern edge of plateau to entrance 1623/82 and Hinterer +Schwarzmooskogel beyond.

+ +

Potential new caves are frequent, although the plateau is characterised by +snow- and scree-choked open shafts. Prospecting is time-consuming, and it's worth +looking very carefully for a painted number or other signs of previous +exploration (eg. bolts) before entering.

+ +

As Top Camp is on the southern edge of +this area, and routes to several major finds cross it, there has been a +significant number of recorded finds, since the earliest years of CUCC's +work.

+ +

Around Top Camp and below Bräuning Wall

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
90Bräu Schacht 90
91Bräu Schacht 91
92Bräu Schacht 92
93Bräu Schacht 93
94Bräu Schacht 94
100Plateau Schacht 100
159Winded Hole
160Plateau Schacht 160
164Plateau Schacht 164
171Plateau Höhle 90/1
172Plateau Höhle 90/2
188Skinrip Durchgange I-VI
189Plateau Schacht 189
190Glitterstompf
197Bemoost Tropfen Höhle
198Fuchshöhle
207Plumpsklohöhle
208Quallenhöhle
210Fettsack und Faulpelz höhle
226Skaschacht
227Faultienschacht
B6CUCC 1976/B6
B10CUCC 1976/B10
1996-X01Sheep Cave
2000-AA-01Schönschrifthöhle
+ +

Western plateau area

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
181Plateau Schacht 90/11
182Bovistundpuderzuckerhöhle
183Elchfalle
184Shiruken
1992-X01Olly's 1992 minus cave
+ +

Eastern plateau area near 204 path

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
80Schwa Schacht 80
81Schwa Höhle 81
82Bräuninghöhle
83Schwa Schacht 83
84Schwa Höhle 84
85Schwa Höhle 85
86Schwa Schacht 86
107Gemshöhle
145Wolfhöhle
148Marilyn Monroe Höhle
157Schwa Schacht 157
220Kennedy Alternative
1987-02?
2001-MS-01Bogenhöhle
+ +

Further plateau

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
37Schachtgruppe beim Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel
38Algenhöhle
76Eislufthöhle
89Schwa Schacht 89
97Schneewindschacht
98Plateau Schacht 98
99Plateau Schacht 99
101Plateau Schacht 101
102Plateau Schacht 102
103Plateau Schacht 103
104Plateau Schacht 104
105Plateau Schacht 105
108Schwa-Höhle 108
111Plateau Schacht 111
112Plateau Schacht 112
173Plateau Schacht 90/3
174Plateau Schacht 90/4
175Plateau Schacht 90/5
176Plateau Schacht 90/6
177Tantalus Schacht
178Plateau Höhle 90/8
179Plateau Schacht 90/9
200Verlorener Rucksack Schacht
1996-05?
1998-X01?
1999-OB-01?
1999-OB-02?
2004-01?
2004-02?
2004-03?
2004-04?
2004-05?
2004-06?
2004-07?
2004-08?
2004-09?
+ + + +
+ + + + diff --git a/remote.html b/remote.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..5ffbf136e --- /dev/null +++ b/remote.html @@ -0,0 +1,89 @@ + + + + + + +1623: remote area + + + + +

Far plateau to Grieß Kogel and +Augst-Eck

+ +

Beyond the comparatively accessible area of plateau just over the +Schwarzmoossattel, explored by CUCC, lies a vast +area of limestone karren and dwarf spruce. Exploration is deterred by the +lack of paths, almost complete absence of water supplies and possible places +to camp and just general inaccessibility - there is still plenty of cave to +find nearer to Top Camp.

+ +

CUCC have gone beyond their normal stomping ground on just one walk, +approaching from the Schwarzmoossattel and finding +the caves numbered 108 and 110. An area right at the far edge of the 1623 +area, described as "SE face of Kleines Augst-Eck", +may prove to mean the SE face of Nieder Augst-Eck, +which should be included in the +Schwarzmooskogel to +Wildensee area, but this is sufficently +uncertain that we treat it here.

+ +

Lancaster University Speleological Society held two expeditions (in 1987 +and 1988) into an area on the very northern edge of 1623, and most caves they +found were in the adjoining 1626 area. The approach to this area around +Roßkogel was from the +Wildenseehütte, after a long approach on foot +from Grundlsee. LUSS produced good printed reports +for each of their trips, and details are included of those finds which appear +to be south of the rather ill-defined 1623/1626 "border".

+ +

The University of Bristol Speleological Society also held two small +expeditions (in 1989 and 1990) into an area near the LUSS one. Unlike LUSS, +they did not contact any member of CUCC (or, as far as we are aware, any of +the Austrian cavers) for information, nor have we been able to obtain many +details of their finds. However, Dan Harries sent a copy of their report on +BS17, whose description is included here.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
110Kein Hubschrauber Höhle
131Thomas-Eishöhle
132Tropfsteinhöhle am Augsteck
133Unterstandhöhle
LA25LUSS/LA25
LA26LUSS/LA26
LA27LUSS/LA27
LA30LUSS/LA30
LA35LUSS/LA35
LA37LUSS/LA37
LA38LUSS/LA38
LA40LUSS/LA40
BS17Organhöhle
+ + +
+ + + + diff --git a/smkridge.html b/smkridge.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..59af4e199 --- /dev/null +++ b/smkridge.html @@ -0,0 +1,404 @@ + + + + + + +1623: Schwarzmooskogel ridge + + + + +

Schwarzmooskogel ridge

+ +

Exploration in the last few years has shown that though a variety of +different approach walks are needed to visit various parts of the +long ridge on the SE side of area 1623, many of the significant caves +form part of a single, very extensive, system.

+ +

In the southern part, the Vorderer +Schwarzmooskogel (1843m), the area is bounded on the west by steep +scars into the Kratzer valley and to the south and southeast by the +cliffs of Weiße Wand, below which lies Altausseer See and +the Hoch Klapf valley to its NE.

+ +

The ridge runs NNE, with a col at 1755m, before rising to the Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel at 1906m. To the west of this, +the area slopes down to the bare karren of the plateau. Steeper slopes to the east drop into +the Hoch Klapf valley which marks the boundary with +the adjacent kataster region 1624. There is no real boundary to the north or +northeast - just a limit to how far we have yet looked. Currently this is +some distance further NE beyond the summit of the Nieder +Augst-Eck. Beyond this, there are no known caves for some way, by which +time they fall into the remote plateau or Wildensee areas, as +listed here.

+ +

The area is more densely covered with dwarf mountain pine than the plateau +or other minor areas we have looked at, with a few "real" trees dotted about +too. This tends to restrict prospecting +to narrow corridors of access on established routes (these can hardly be +described as paths).

+ +

Five approaches are in use:

+ +
    +
  • Stogerweg - path 201, +for entrances low on the S and E side of the ridge
    • +
  • The "Nipple" path to the entrances higher up the +hill, and beyond this the Eishöhle area.
    • +
  • Via the Vd. +Schwarzmooskogel summit for entrances near it - several variants are +possible here. This route has somewhat fallen out of use recently, and it has +become more usual to take the 161 path then hack southwards along the crest of +the ridge.
    • +
  • An established route to Kaninchenhöhle and down the east side.
    • +
  • A route from Top Camp across the plateau, via the +large bare patch of limestone on the side of the Hinter (visible from Top Camp) +across to Steinbrückenhöhle.
    • +
+ +There are corresponding lists of caves in the areas covered by each walkin: + +
    +
  • Stellerweg area (access routes 1+2)
    • +
  • Eishöhle area (access route 2)
    • +
  • 161 area (access route 4) - this roughly covers +the area between the peaks of the Vorder and Hinterer Schwarzmooskogels.
    • +
  • Steinbrücken area (access route 5) - this +covers more or less everything north of the peak of the Hinter, as well as the +recently discovered 161g and 161h entrances.
    • +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
28Augsteckhöhle
31Elchhöhle
32Windloch am Stögerweg
39SCHWA höhle 39
40Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle
41Stellerweghöhle
42Wasserschacht
78Schwaben(schacht)höhle
79Badenerschacht
87ASchacht 87A bei Stögerweg
87BSchacht 87B bei Stögerweg
88Lärchenschacht
109Schwa-Schacht 109
113Sonnenstrahlhöhle
115Schnellzughöhle
116Kleine Eishöhle
117Stuttgarter-Schacht
118Schwa-Schacht 118
119Schwa-Schacht 119
120Schwa-Schacht 120
127Kleine Firnhöhle
128Enttauschungsschacht
129Große Firnhöhle
130Cäcilien-Schacht
135Schwa Schacht 135
136Steinschlagschacht
137Schwa Schacht 137
138Schwa Schacht 138
139Schwa Schacht 139
140Schwa Schacht 140
141Schwa Höhle 141
142Schwa Höhle 142
143Weiße Warze Schacht I
144Tony's Second Höhle
146Tobogganschacht
147Schwa Höhle 147
149Plateau Schacht 149
150Schwa Röhrhöhle 150
151Schwa Höhle 151
152Bananehöhle
153Schwa Schacht 153
154Schwa Schacht 154
155Unerforscht Schacht 155
156Schwa Schacht 156
158Donner und Blitzen Höhle
161Kaninchenhöhle
162Schwa Höhle 162
163Schwa Höhle 163
165Schwa Schacht 165
180Schwa Schacht 90/10
185Zweijahreentstehungshöhle
187Schwa Schacht 187
191Schwa Schacht 191
192Schwa Schacht 192
193Schwa Schacht 193
194Schwa Schacht 194
195Schwa Schacht 195
196Schwa Höhle 196
199Stürzender Felsbrocken Höhle
201Haftefelle Schacht
202Dominoschacht
203Sonnenscheinschacht
204Steinbrückenhöhle
205Nordalpenschacht
2067-Eingangshöhle
209Schistock-Absturzschacht
214Segment cave
215Rufverbindungshöhle
216Nichts 50
217Schneepfropfenhöhle
218Hammerkopfabsturtzhöhle
219Tertaeingfester
222Gösserhöhle
223Eggenbergschacht
224Toplesscayonhöhle
225Jahrzehnschacht
229Weiße Höhle
231Traungoldhöhle
234Hauchhöhle
235Schaukelfelsbrockenhöhle
236Moostunnelhöhle
237Dreieingangabdrosselnhöhle
238Flinkameiseschacht
239Rock'n'Roll Höhle
240Gewölbeschacht
241Dreieckhöhle
242Tropfelhöhle
243GNDN Höhle
HFG-KA88?
88H?
88F?
1996-01Ski-pole höhle
1996WK4?
1997-07 =1996-07, 1996wk7
1996WK11?
1999-X01MI5 Cave
1999_MS_01?
1999_MS_02?
2000-02?
2000-08Grabenkrieghöhle
2001-02?
2001-03?
2001-06Erbärmlichbaumhöhle
2001-07Hoffnungschacht
2001-08Schneeoberlichtschacht
2001-09Funkberaterschacht
2001-10Großarbeithöhle
2001-11Schnürsenkelschacht
2001-12Unnotiggewohnlichkeitschacht
2002-OB-01?
2002-W-01?
2002-W-02?
2002-01Artischockehöhle
2002-03Igelhöhle
2002-07Quarries A-C
2002-08Quarries E
2002-XXQuarries D
2002-X09?
2002-X09B?
2002-10?
2002-X11?
2002-X12?
2002-X13L Schacht
2002-X14?
2002-X15?
2002-X16?
2002-X17?
2002-X18?
2003-01Alcove cave
2003-02Blaudrachenschacht
2003-03Kartoffelbreihöhle
2003-05Damoclesschacht
2003-07?
2003-09Weizeneishöhle
2003-10Dünne Faulpelz Höhle
2003-X11Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 1
2003-X12Earl + Becka's Undescended Shaft 2
2003-X13Earl + Becka's Low Entrance 4
2003-X14Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 5
2003-X15Earl + Becka's Dead Cave 6
2003-X16Earl + Becka's Cave 7
2003-X17Earl + Becka's Shaft 8
2003-X18Earl + Becka's Dead Shaft 10
2004-10?
2004-11In Ihrer Gesichtshöhle
2004-13?
2004-14Doktorarbeitloch
2004-15Rundreisehöhle
2004-16?
2004-17?
2004-18?
2004-19Kindergartenhöhle
2004-20Crowbar höhle
2004-21Earl's Hat Cave
+ + + +
+ + + + + + + diff --git a/wilden.html b/wilden.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..4f0b7c330 --- /dev/null +++ b/wilden.html @@ -0,0 +1,71 @@ + + + + + + + +1623: To Wildensee area + + + + + +

East of Schwarzmooskogel/Augst-Eck ridge to Wildensee

+ +Beyond the much-explored area containing Stellerweghöhle and the +Schwarzmooskogeleishöhle, SE facing slopes dropping from the long +Schwarzmooskogel to Augst-Eck ridge continue for another 3km. The steep +cliff band of Weiße Wand below the Stögerweg path is replaced by +more broken cliffs above the path as it drops down from the southern slopes +of Vorderer Schwarzmooskogel to the pass of Hochklapfsattel at the head of +the cirque behind the Altausseer See.

+ +This path passes through an impressive 170m deep doline on its way to +Wildensee, following roughly the line of the major fault which separates the +limestone block of our area 1623 from the adjacent 1624 area to the SE. The +Wildensee hutte and Youth Hostel are in a relatively level area of mainly +bare karren, separated from the bare rounded ridge of Augst-Eck by steeper +wooded slopes. Although there is no path here, the map shows a ski route +ascending from the huts to the Augst-Eck and Grieß kogel ridge, +from where it would be possible to return to the Toll +road across the plateau.

+ +Almost all the known caves of the area lie east of the Vorderer +Schwarzmooskogel, at the top break of slope of the broken craggy zone. +Explored in the 1950s, they are possibly most easily approached from the col +by Kaninchenhöhle. Other caves lie +very close to the Wildensee Alm, as there appears to have been very little +exploratory effort anywhere in the area. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
NumberName
45Dannerschacht
46Engelbrechthöhle
47SCHWA höhle 47
48SCHWA höhle 48
49SCHWA höhle 49
50SCHWA höhle 50
114Verlorenschacht 114
134Höhlenruine bei der Wasserstelle
+ + +

+ + + +