Map of caves, categorised by date of discovery - credit K. Bender -
This year’s aims are to continue pushing leads from Balkonhoehle, and possibly Fischgesicht
-and Keinewassermelon.
+
This year’s aims are to continue pushing leads from Balkonhöhle, Fischgesicht
+and Homecoming.
Map of caves, categorised by date of discovery - credit K. Bender
-
-Balkonhoehle provides ample opportunity for expo freshers and veterans alike to explore large amounts of passage every year - although it has got a bit harder than wandering down massive passage now. Since its re-discovery and the beginning of exploration in 2014, the cave has provided numerous promising leads, and large amounts of passage have been discovered year on year. Promising “A” leads remain unexplored, and despite the fewer numbers and smaller expo length this year, Balkonheohle will undoubtedly provide a wealth of exciting new passage. -
The phreatic passage discovered in Fischgesicht, and trending NE towards the main SMK system, provides another key aim for this year’s expo: to continue pushing these leads to discover a connection. +
Balkonhöhle (264): many promising leads at multiple levels, allowing for meaningful exploration to be done by cavers of varying abilities. +Medusa’s Maze is a particularly exciting lead taking the SMK system into an area not traditionally explored by this expedition. Additionally, the +system connects the previously explored Tunnocks system at convenient points to push leads remaining there, allowing us to explore unfinished +areas of Tunnocks without rigging the previous route, which was flood-prone. -
The ultimate long-term goal of the expedition is to connect the SMK system with the neighbouring Schoenberg system, resulting in a cave of epic proportions. To achieve this, prospecting for new cave entrances will continue, with focus on discovering new cave to the north of the Loser Plateau, attempting to bridge of the gap between the 2 systems. +
Fischgesicht (290): The entrance was blocked by snow in 2019 and could not be excavated. Leads from 2018 are still yet to be explored including a +20x20 m large phreatic tunnel with strong draught leading in direction of the rest of SMK left unexplored at the opposite side of a 40 m pitch. It +is also likely to connect to another significant find from 2017, Glucklich Schmetterlingerhoehle (‘Happy Butterfly Cave’; 291,), adding length to +the system. +
Second Camp: An objective for this year is to establish a second top camp known as "Garlic Cave'', which is located further west than Stone +bridge, as a base for those exploring Homecoming Hole and Fischgesicht. + +
Homecoming Hole (359): discovered in 2018 at the western extent of our current area. This is planned to be the focus of further expeditions, but +if resources allow this cave will be pushed in 2022. + +
Updated: 7 March 2022
Back to Expo Planning Guide.