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@ -19,27 +19,27 @@ We were mainly interested in an area of the <span lang="de-at">Totes
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Gebirge</span> known as the <span lang="de-at">Loser</span> Plateau, which
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has recently had a new toll road built up to it. This meant that our area of
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interest was only an hour's walk away on level ground (hostile cattle
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permitting).
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permitting).</p>
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<p>The CUCC had been out the previous year and had only scratched the surface
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by the time they had to depart.
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by the time they had to depart.</p>
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<p>The three of us travelled out by train; a fairly arduous 30-hour journey
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without any real sleep. Eventually we met up with the other members of the
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expedition and I was able to swop my two-day old copy of the 'Times' for a
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good English cup of tea; it's remarkable how British one becomes when on the
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continent!
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continent!</p>
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<p>Our first night under canvas was greeted by a classic alpine storm with
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thunderbolts and lightning (pyrotechnics worthy of even Hryndyj). Later we
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made acquaintance with the Austrian lager, not a patch on Tetleys but very
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potent.
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potent.</p>
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<p>Next day we began prospecting and spent the following few days inspecting
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small shafts (100'). These all choked so we concluded that we were looking
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for the wrong sort of entrance. What was needed was an entrance with
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horizontal passage so that any glacial debris could not enter and block the
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pitch below.
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pitch below.</p>
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<p>We eventually came across a small hole which was draughting violently.
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Andy descended and found a snow slope on which he rigged a ladder as a
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@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ the hole he found another snow slope which led to the head of a pitch with a
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large gale, sufficient to put out a carbide lamp, blowing up it. Returning
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the following day, with a bolting kit, since there were no natural belays, we
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rigged the pitch and descended to discover a vertical snow plug. Deeper still
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a pitch belled out to Bar Pot dimensions.
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a pitch belled out to Bar Pot dimensions.</p>
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<p>We later had grave doubts about the stability of this snow bridge which
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was definitely melting and only seemed to stay suspended above the void by
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will-power. Pressing on down the shaft we had great problems rigging it; in
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fact we spent a good two days bolting/rigging and rerigging before the thing
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was satisfactory. The total depth of the pitch was 70 metres.
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was satisfactory. The total depth of the pitch was 70 metres.</p>
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<p>At the base of the shaft we passed into a hole with fluted walls soaring
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up into the distance further than our lights could penetrate; it was
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@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ came to a boulder choke! This was a surprise; we had not considered this
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possibility because of the large draught. First appearances suggested a total
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choke. However, a man-size hole was found at the base of the choke and the
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boulders seemed safely stuck. We pushed Andy through the hole and he found a
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pitch, so we retreated until the next day.
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pitch, so we retreated until the next day.</p>
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<p>The shaft was descended for 30 metres to another pitch but the draught had
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disappeared, so we named it 'Keg Series'. We traversed over this pitch into
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@ -76,26 +76,26 @@ taking the draught so we were back on the trail again. We found two more
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pitches; the first was a good hang of 16 metres, the second (down the side of
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a large vadose passage) was 11 metres. Then came the first bit of horizontal
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development we had encountered - it led to a large chamber and a hefty inlet
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making the place a maelstrom of spray.
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making the place a maelstrom of spray.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately at this point we ran out of both ladder and time so we had
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to derig with the sight of more pitches ahead (a sort of Ghar Parau in
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miniature). The pot is definitely still going and we shall be back next year
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to continue on into the unknown....
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to continue on into the unknown....</p>
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<p>I think we were all impressed by the area, which is virtually virgin
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territory. The <span lang="de-at">Loser</span> Plateau must be one of the
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least explored areas of Europe; it has 800 metres potential and large areas
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of cavernous limestone which are totally unexplored.
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of cavernous limestone which are totally unexplored.</p>
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<p align=right>S.Farrow
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<p align=right>S.Farrow</p>
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<h3><a id="id1978">Austria 1978</a></h3>
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<p>August 1978 saw a return of University cavers to the <span
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lang="de-at">Totes Gebirge</span> of Austria. Since five members of the
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expedition were also Pennine members, this report is included to show that we
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don't spend all year digging on Fountains Fell.
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don't spend all year digging on Fountains Fell.</p>
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<p>Following a successful trip in 1977, a much more organised group set off
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in July with a ton of gear (mainly food and rope) for the two-and-a-half day
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@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ days of icy digging and bolting to rig 'Plugged Shaft'. At the bottom was a
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15-metre free drop overhung by a large ice boulder in the process of melting
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- indeed, below this point, we were the target for any ice falling in the
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shaft. The pitch lands in a large round chamber, on a pile of shattered ice
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blocks.
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blocks.</p>
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<p>From the chamber a further 13-metre pitch (Saved Shaft), drops over the
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last of the ice into 'Boulder Chamber'. A small hole in the wall of huge
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@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ down leads to the head of 'Follow-through shaft', a 30-metre pitch broken by
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a large ledge half-way down. An abandoned stream passage leads out into a
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high rift chamber - 'The Taproom' - last year's terminus. On our first trip,
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the heavy drip in the chamber was absent, but later it returned with a
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vengeance.
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vengeance.</p>
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<p>A climb down leas to the continuing rift - too narrow at stream level -
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but a travese to sections of false floor leads to an alternative way down.
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@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ boulders, a large black hole suggests a chamber going up a vast distance, but
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downwards is more directly interesting and accessible. The explorers rigged a
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short drop to a narrow slit which rapidly opened into a magnificent 55-metre
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free drop from which it was seen that the upward black space is the top of an
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80-metre high chamber - the Hall of the Greene King.
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80-metre high chamber - the Hall of the Greene King.</p>
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<p>Doug and Andy reached the chaotic boulder floor of the chamber after
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descending a short 'Balcony' pitch. The Hall is about 20 metres in diameter
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@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ split in half, causing the floor below Andy to drop 6 inches! Shortly after,
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a series of mysterious sump-like gurgling noises from below suggested that
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surface rain was coming through - the explorers retreated from the
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increasingly intimidating hole - twelve hours plus, this time, having been
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spent underground.
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spent underground.</p>
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<p>The third and final overnight visit was the last pushing trip. Nick, Simon
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and Julian descended the rift to find a muddy stream passage - again too
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@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ down. More traversing led to an oxbow containing an incredible volume of
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sticky mud. A 13-metre pitch descends down a filthy wall - prussiking here
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was a losing battle except with Gibbs. We called the pitch the 'Fiesta Run'
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for reasons soon to be apparent. More traversing leads to an unbottomed black
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space where the stream could be heard below.
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space where the stream could be heard below.</p>
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<p>We got 5 metres down what seemed to be a 50-ish metre pitch. From a depth
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of about 330 metres the party slogged out to the surface after 12 hours
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@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ spectacular leap (double somersault with twist). Nick, Simon and Julian woke
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up to find themselves in the river - eliminating two of our group of five on
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the spot. There were three more trips involving members of the other groups.
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Two derigging and one surveying trip cleared the pot and took the survey to
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-140 metres.
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-140 metres.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, the other group had found a powerfully draughting entrance
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which took three days of Yorkshire digging to enter. This soon proved to be a
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@ -189,18 +189,18 @@ smaller rift by pitches of 5, 40 and 30 metres (by-passing a parallel
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75-metre free drop) to more rift streamway and further pitches. ExCS
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descended the big rift in a 95-metre pitch to reach the same point and
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eventually reached a very nasty choke at -280 metres, thus making <span
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lang="de-at">'Gemsehöhle'</span> the second deepest on the plateau.
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lang="de-at">'Gemsehöhle'</span> the second deepest on the plateau.</p>
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<p>At least two NPC will be out again in 1979 to push <span
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lang="de-at">Eislufthöhle,</span> and to look at other leads in <span
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lang="de-at">Gemsehöhle</span> - finding deep pots is amazingly easy out
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there, pushing them just a little more trouble.
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there, pushing them just a little more trouble.</p>
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<p align=right>A.Waddington</p>
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<hr />
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<!-- LINKS -->
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<p><ul>
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<ul id="links">
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<li><a href="http://www.pennine.demon.co.uk/NPC/">Northern Pennine Club</a>
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<a href="http://www.pennine.demon.co.uk/NPC/1979/MENU.HTM">1979 Journal</a>
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(from which the above is taken)</li>
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@ -12,29 +12,29 @@
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<p>Lat: 47° 40' 40"<br>
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Long: 13° 48' 50"<br>
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Altitude: 1790 metres
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Altitude: 1790 metres</p>
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<p>The entrance to 161 was located at the start of what proved to be a very
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successful year for CUCC. The entrance is located on a limestone ridge, just
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along from the col between the Hint. and Vord. Schwarzmooskogel. Due to its
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location, the cave has been unaffected by the large amount of rock shattering
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usually found blocking shafts in the area.
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usually found blocking shafts in the area.</p>
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<p>The relatively free hanging entrance shaft lands in a small chamber with
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two ways on. The most obvious being a 20m shaft leading to a 3rd pitch
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through an eye hole, being 10m in length landing on a boulder strewn floor,
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with two ways on.
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with two ways on.</p>
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<p>The left way continues as a 12m pitch landing on a loose boulder slope
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ending in a choke. The right way through a small hole under a huge boulder
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resting on a loose boulder slope, this continues at an angle of 30 degrees to
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a further pitch, this has as yet not been descended due to the unstable
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nature of the boulder slope.
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nature of the boulder slope.</p>
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<p>The second route out of the chamber at the bottom of the entrance pitch,
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known as the "Rabbit Warren Series" leads via a small phreatic tube to a
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series of shafts of 10.5m, 40m, 47.5m in length eventually ending in a sand
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filled tube with no way on at a depth of 170m.
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filled tube with no way on at a depth of 170m.</p>
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<p>The key to the system is to be found on the second pitch, where, after
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descending approx 12m, you pendulum off on to an inclined rift leading to a
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@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ followed by a very unstable boulder slope leading to a further 26m pitch
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known as "Death's Door" in an inclined rift. This is followed by a free
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climbable rift ending in a very tight 8m pitch "Beer Belly Blues". This rift
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then enlarges and merges with another, entering a huge phreatic passage. This
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gives two possible ways on, the Left Hand Route and the Right Hand Route.
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gives two possible ways on, the Left Hand Route and the Right Hand Route.</p>
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<p><b>LEFT HAND ROUTE</b>
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<p><b>LEFT HAND ROUTE</b></p>
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<p>This consists of an inclined rift which you continue along avoiding the
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holes in the floor. Many ways on have been seen, but none pushed, along this
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@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ shafts continued down with ledges hindering your descent, until a large black
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hole with sheer walls is found. This, the "Niflheim" has as yet not been
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fully descended. The word Niflheim comes from the Norse Myths and means "A
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realm of freezing mist and darkness under one root of Yggdrasall (world tree)
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which hell lies within".
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which hell lies within".</p>
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<p><b>RIGHT HAND ROUTE</b>
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<p><b>RIGHT HAND ROUTE</b></p>
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<p>This takes the form of a large phreatic passage which is covered by a thin
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layer of moon milk. This continues via a short 5m pitch to an area with rock
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@ -71,30 +71,30 @@ to a large 45 degree boulder slope "Boulder Alley". The passage continues
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descending with the roof gaining height all along until a 32m pitch is
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reached at the edge of a large black space. This pitch lands in a very large
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sloping chamber (60m x 45m approx) called "Knossus" containing a frozen
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manganese oxide stream and house size boulders.
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manganese oxide stream and house size boulders.</p>
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<p>A walking sized route through a boulder choke "Star Wars" leads to yet
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another large chamber (possibly a continuation of the first) called "Tower
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Blocks" in which you can quite easily get lost. Various routes lead off, none
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of which have yet been properly looked at.
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of which have yet been properly looked at.</p>
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<p>The 1989 expedition to Austria will be concentrating mainly on further
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pushing 161 as there are many wide open leads to be looked at left from last
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year's expedition.
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year's expedition.</p>
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<ol>
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<li>The Niflheim (Left Hand Route)
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<li>Phreatic levels of Tower Blocks (Right Hand Route)
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<li>Skull Pitch (possible by-pass to Death's Door)
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<li>Passage above Death's Door Pitch
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<li>The Niflheim (Left Hand Route)</li>
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<li>Phreatic levels of Tower Blocks (Right Hand Route)</li>
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<li>Skull Pitch (possible by-pass to Death's Door)</li>
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<li>Passage above Death's Door Pitch</li>
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</ol>
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<p>Also it is hoped to investigate by diving, the known resurgence in
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Altaussee Lake.
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Altaussee Lake.</p>
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<hr />
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<!-- LINKS -->
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<p><ul>
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<ul id="links">
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<li>Cambridge Underground 1989,
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<a href="../../../jnl/1989/index.htm">Table of Contents</a></li>
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<li>1988 Expedition info:
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@ -68,10 +68,10 @@ stuff sacks. Kaninchenhöhle is not wet, so there were no real problems
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in keeping gear dry in transit.
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<p>We'll be back in 1990, and it will be fun to see if we can make it a bit
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more civilised. Now, a music system would be really nice.....
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more civilised. Now, a music system would be really nice.....</p>
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<hr />
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<!-- LINKS -->
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<p><ul>
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<ul id="links">
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<li>Cambridge Underground 1990,
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<a href="../../../jnl/1990/index.htm">Table of Contents</a></li>
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<li>1989 Expedition info:
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@ -20,18 +20,18 @@
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and Vorderer Schwarzmoos Kogels, about 200 metres up towards the Hinterer
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from the col, and about 20m down the east side of the ridge itself. Due to
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its location the cave has been unaffected by the large amount of rock
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shattering usually found blocking shafts in the area.
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shattering usually found blocking shafts in the area.</p>
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<p>The relatively free hanging 45m entrance shaft lands in a small chamber
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with four ways on. The most obvious being a 20m shaft leading to a 3rd pitch
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through an eyehole, being 10m in length landing on a boulder strewn floor,
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with two ways on.
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with two ways on.</p>
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<p>The left way continues as a 12m pitch landing on a loose boulder slope
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ending in a choke. The right way through a small hole under a huge boulder
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resting on a loose boulder slope, this continues at an angle of 30 degrees
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to a further pitch, this has as yet not been descended due to the unstable
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nature of the boulder slope.
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nature of the boulder slope.</p>
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<h4>Rabbit Warren Series:</h4>
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@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ short climbs-down to a series of shafts and rifts - <b>Adrian's Route</b>
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10m, 40m, 46m in length eventually ending in a draughting sand-filled tube
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with no way on at a depth of 170m. Halfway along the entrance phreatic there
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is a blocked 12m pitch and just beyond that a fork to the right leads to a
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tight stream rift and a couple of nasty but undescended pitches.
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tight stream rift and a couple of nasty but undescended pitches.</p>
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<h4>Big Sainsbury's:</h4>
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@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ walking round the corner reveals the open space of <b>Big Sainsbury's</b> - a
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very large passage about 100m long and 10m diameter. This is reached by a 20m
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pitch (<b>Automatic Doors</b>) down to the boulder floor. The fourth way out
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of the entrance chamber (a 1m diameter hole in the floor) comes out in the
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wall halfway down Automatic Doors.
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wall halfway down Automatic Doors.</p>
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<p>At the lowest point of this end of Big Sainsbury's - to the right of the
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foot of the pitch a rift leads back through to the '88 second pitch and on
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through the floor (undescended but probably connected to <b>The Dungeon</b>
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passages at base of said 2nd pitch). On the second pitch you descend approx
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12m before penduluming off on to a ledge giving access to this connecting
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rift.
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rift.</p>
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<h4>The Dungeon:</h4>
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@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ another short (4m) pitch. At the bottom of this a passage leads off to three
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different pitch heads. Two of these pitches are short and choked but the
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last goes, however the pitch head consists of a large pile of unstable
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boulders and is accessed by crawling under one of the biggest and thus
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remains undescended.
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remains undescended.</p>
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<p>walking 20m up the boulders of Big Sainsbury's takes you to the highest
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point of the chamber. In the left wall is a pair of eyeholes overlooking
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@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ at the bottom. A few metres further along the left wall is a short low
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passage which chokes after 12m. Another 25m along Big Sainsbury's there is a
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2m x 4m hole against the right hand wall. This is the start of <b>Drunk &
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Stupid</b>, a steeply descending rift which goes down to -200m before
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connecting with the Left Hand Route at French Connection Pitch.
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connecting with the Left Hand Route at French Connection Pitch.</p>
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<h4>Alternative Shopper:</h4>
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@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ which goes for 25m before choking. The first drop is <b>Checkout</b>, the
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main route on. The second drop is <b>Alternative Shopper</b>, a funnel-shaped
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30m pitch followed by a 10m pitch under a big boulder at the bottom. At the
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bottom is a tight rift leading to a chamber where both the rifts out of it
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are too tight.
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are too tight.</p>
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<h4>Dreamtime:</h4>
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@ -96,31 +96,31 @@ are too tight.
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to stand on the rock ridge between Checkout pitch and the Alternative Shopper
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30m pitch. Along the ridge turn left below loose boulders, traverse a few
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metres, and climb 3m up a steep slab to gain the continuation of Big
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Sainsbury's passage. This traverse should be lined.
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Sainsbury's passage. This traverse should be lined.</p>
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<p>The continuation descends for 30m past windows into a large rift on the
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right, before closing down. The route continues to the right into a narrower
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section, and soon leads to a pitch, with two ways down.
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section, and soon leads to a pitch, with two ways down.</p>
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<p>A hole to the left descends a 30m pitch (measured but not surveyed beyond
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a window on the left). At the bottom, this closes down to a tight rift to a
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sharp corner and drop, which was not descended due to the near impossibility
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of rigging and return.
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of rigging and return.</p>
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|
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<p>Climbing off the pitch through the window, and continuing round to the
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left, pass underneath jammed boulders which form the floor at the pitch head,
|
||||
and enter a chamber. The second way down the pitch, ahead rather than to the
|
||||
left, lands at this point.
|
||||
left, lands at this point.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Climb up a couple of metres at the back of the chamber and pass through an
|
||||
eyehole. From here, a vertical climb down for some 6m in an elliptical tube
|
||||
enters a bedding plane. To the left, the bedding plane continues to the top
|
||||
of a pitch which has not been descended.
|
||||
of a pitch which has not been descended.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The examined route goes ahead, as the bedding plane opens into a rift.
|
||||
From here on, the passable passages are widened sections within the rift,
|
||||
until the limit of exploration is reached, where there are two or three
|
||||
possible pitches.
|
||||
possible pitches.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Down to the Squeeze:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ free-climbable rift - <b>Rift Sans Nom</b> - ending in an 8m pitch <b>Becka
|
||||
Falls</b> with a very tight hammered squeeze - <b>The Squeeze</b> - at the
|
||||
top. This rift then enlarges and merges with another, entering a huge
|
||||
phreatic passage. This gives two possible ways on. The <b>Left Hand
|
||||
Route</b>, and the <b>Right Hand Route</b>.
|
||||
Route</b>, and the <b>Right Hand Route</b>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Drunk & Stupid:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -141,28 +141,28 @@ ignored in 1988. This should be rigged with a traverse line to reach a tube
|
||||
at the bottom leading into a large rift with a 20m hang to boulder strewn
|
||||
floor. There is a possible route 10m down the pitch, and a tight side rift to
|
||||
an undescended pitch at the bottom. The hole in the floor beneath the
|
||||
boulders is about 10m deep to a dead end chamber.
|
||||
boulders is about 10m deep to a dead end chamber.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>From the bottom of the 20m pitch, a traverse line is required to lead down
|
||||
a slippery slope to the head of an excellent 30m pitch (rope pad for the
|
||||
belay knot). The main route is now washed rift with traverse lines and a
|
||||
couple of short hangs.
|
||||
couple of short hangs.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>At the bottom of the 30m pitch there is a very tight rift leading back
|
||||
which is too tight, and also a parallel rift to the main one, reached by
|
||||
climbing up 7m to find a bolt to rig it. This rift heads down and enlarges
|
||||
with a 15m pitch at the limit of exploration in 1989.
|
||||
with a 15m pitch at the limit of exploration in 1989.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The main route comes to a 20m pitch, where several alternatives are
|
||||
possible. The continuation of the D&S route is across into another
|
||||
passage at the head of the pitch.
|
||||
passage at the head of the pitch.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>10m down the pitch is a ledge and a good natural rebelay. From this ledge
|
||||
a 1m diameter tube descends a series of climbs and is unexplored. At the
|
||||
bottom of the 20m pitch is a 3m diameter chamber with nice fossilized
|
||||
bivalves set in the floor. A very tight damp rift heads off from one side. At
|
||||
the other side is a very tight squeeze through an eyehole, <b>White Hole</b>,
|
||||
into a neighbouring shaft - the continuation.
|
||||
into a neighbouring shaft - the continuation.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Follow the passage from the head of the 20m pitch (minding holes in floor)
|
||||
to reach a superb natural belay with natural backup in the roof - <b>Parallel
|
||||
@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ muddy hading rift, <b>Bacon Slicer</b>, which requires a traverse line to
|
||||
reach a ladder pitch some 15m down. The walls of the rift slope at 65°.
|
||||
The rift is relatively tight and awkward although a reasonably easy route was
|
||||
eventually discovered that involved doubling back to the streamway 15m below
|
||||
the head of the ladder.
|
||||
the head of the ladder.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A short climb out of the rift leads to a larger section with a trench in
|
||||
the floor. Within 20m the passage closes down into a very loose looking
|
||||
@ -183,13 +183,13 @@ boulder choke. Beneath this is a short section of narrow rift leading to the
|
||||
head of a fifteen metre pitch, <b>Darkness Dooms</b>. At the base of the
|
||||
pitch, the stream disappears down a 3m trench that slopes steeply downwards
|
||||
for about 15m. A handline is useful here. The trench gradually widens until a
|
||||
sharp right turn where large rift passage is again entered.
|
||||
sharp right turn where large rift passage is again entered.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>After a short section of wider passage, a 2m boulder climb leads to the
|
||||
head of another hading rift. This is much larger than the Bacon Slicer
|
||||
although the walls slope at the same angle of 65°. The boulder climb
|
||||
marks the start of a spectacular climb down a boulder slope with a vertical
|
||||
descent of 18m. The boulder slope ends in:-
|
||||
descent of 18m. The boulder slope ends in:-</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>The Helipad:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ ascended. The stream disappears into boulders in the floor and it is possible
|
||||
to climb down through the boulders to an undescended pitch. Immediately to
|
||||
the left of the boulder climb is a 5m section of 2m high passage that ends at
|
||||
an 8m pitch, <b>Dead and Buried</b>. All ways on from the bottom of the pitch
|
||||
were too tight.
|
||||
were too tight.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>To the right of the waterfall in the Helipad is a short climb up leading
|
||||
to a section of small, twisting phreatic tubes. These were not surveyed but
|
||||
@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ Immediately behind the French Connection Pitch is a large phreatic passage
|
||||
approximately 5m high. This leads to a small sandy chamber. A climb into a
|
||||
rift from the chamber leads to a small section of ever diminishing rift that
|
||||
ends at a pitch; this is in fact the other side of Dead and Buried and thus a
|
||||
survey connection was made between Left Hand Route and Drunk and Stupid.
|
||||
survey connection was made between Left Hand Route and Drunk and Stupid.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Left Hand Route:</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ survey connection was made between Left Hand Route and Drunk and Stupid.
|
||||
explored for 25m to undescended pitch) and becomes a zig-zagging keyhole
|
||||
passage with a very deep narrow canyon in the floor. Two sandy passages off
|
||||
on the right after 30m lead to the Left Hand Route camp-site and a climb up a
|
||||
boulder slope to a choked aven.
|
||||
boulder slope to a choked aven.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Arrow Chamber:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -229,14 +229,14 @@ leads to <b>Arrow Chamber</b> where there are three shafts and a passage off
|
||||
to the right leading to two short undescended pitches after about 15m. The
|
||||
three shafts are <b>Butcher, Baker</b> and <b>Candlestick Maker</b> and only
|
||||
the easiest to rig one (Butcher) has been descended, although they are
|
||||
thought to all be parallel shafts to the same place.
|
||||
thought to all be parallel shafts to the same place.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Butcher is found by climbing down under some boulders by the left hand end
|
||||
of the far wall of the chamber (the arrow of the chamber name points to the
|
||||
relevant boulder). This 45m pitch lands on a choked shaft floor where a
|
||||
further parallel shaft can be seen at each side through slots in the walls.
|
||||
A large eyehole into the shaft on the right shows the way on, being a
|
||||
traverse followed by a 10m pitch.
|
||||
traverse followed by a 10m pitch.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Niflheim:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ hindering your descent, until a large, wet, black hole is found. This is
|
||||
Yggdrasall (the world tree) which hell lies within" - a 51m very wet
|
||||
pitch which lands on a rock bridge about 45m down. Here the shaft splits -
|
||||
most of the water goes down the French Connection side and the rope goes down
|
||||
the other side to land on a ledge about 7m above the floor.
|
||||
the other side to land on a ledge about 7m above the floor.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>French Connection:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ coming down the pitch has cut a small canyon across the chamber floor to the
|
||||
5m round to the left before becoming too tight. Also in French Connection
|
||||
Chamber there is a hole in the wall about 2m up on the same side as FC pitch.
|
||||
This leads through to an aven with a 4m pitch and a 2m climb up into another
|
||||
too-tight rift.
|
||||
too-tight rift.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Ragnorok:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -273,19 +273,19 @@ takes you into a narrower canyon section for 10m which is choked with
|
||||
boulders at ground level, but an easy climb up 2m at the start of the
|
||||
boulders takes you into the passage proper. It is about 8m wide with sides
|
||||
sloping down towards a central 0.5m wide canyon in the floor which can only
|
||||
be seen occasionally as it has largely been covered with rock fall and sand.
|
||||
be seen occasionally as it has largely been covered with rock fall and sand.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>About 25m after the climb there is a boulder slope down to the left.
|
||||
Climbing under these boulders gives access to a 17m pitch followed by a 10m
|
||||
pitch with two ways on at the bottom. The first goes through a small chamber
|
||||
(2m high) and then chokes, the second goes along a descending rift for about
|
||||
25m before becoming too tight.
|
||||
25m before becoming too tight.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>At the foot of the boulder slope there is a walking passage which joins
|
||||
back to Ragnorok in about 15m and a 4m pitch down to the foot of a sandy
|
||||
slope. Climbing up this slope and around a corner to the left leads to an
|
||||
open area with a pitch/climb down about 10m to the left and a sizable stream
|
||||
canyon to the right. This is a major way on.
|
||||
canyon to the right. This is a major way on.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Back in Ragnorok just beyond the pitches is another small wet hole in the
|
||||
floor (undescended) and then another 30m of passage (with a choice of either
|
||||
@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ unchecked offshoots, leading to a 12m pitch into a boulder-floored rift.
|
||||
Climbing up the sloping floor and then down the other side leads to a 20m
|
||||
pitch down to a wet passage. A couple of metres to the left is <b>Thumper the
|
||||
Talking Sump</b> and to the right is a couple of short climbs up to an aven
|
||||
where the sump water comes down.
|
||||
where the sump water comes down.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Right Hand Route:</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ right for 30m a short 5m pitch breaks up the passage. At the foot there is a
|
||||
another 30m brings you to an area with large rock pinnacles, odd water-worn
|
||||
clefts. At the start of this there is a small sandy passage in the right hand
|
||||
wall which goes downhill for 15m before reaching an undescended (but bolted)
|
||||
large rift pitch.
|
||||
large rift pitch.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Over the Rainbow:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ block allowing a traverse over a deep pitch followed by a steep slope
|
||||
upwards; this is <b>Over the Rainbow</b>. To the right of this hole is a rock
|
||||
pillar and the other side of it allows a safe bypass. Two other holes in the
|
||||
floor in this area connect to <b>Rainbow Pitch</b> which becomes too tight
|
||||
10m down.
|
||||
10m down.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Pot of Gold:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ and down a steep and quite long climb to a fossilized streamway -
|
||||
<b>Trembling</b>. It is tight in places and leads to a 25m pitch ending in an
|
||||
impossibly tight rift. An inlet off the streamway leads to a maze of phreatic
|
||||
tubes, <b>Free Attics</b>, and an active streamway that is too tight to
|
||||
follow.
|
||||
follow.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Poxy and Bungalow pitches:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ rift. 10m on is the 6m <b>Poxy Pitch</b>, again on the right hand wall. You
|
||||
then climb down through a massive boulder collapse area to a flat slab and an
|
||||
apparent junction. To the right it merely chokes in about 5m but it looks
|
||||
like the obvious way on when returning so most people have checked it out in
|
||||
detail!
|
||||
detail!</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Boulder Alley:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ hand wall 3m above the floor. A short sandy slope goes up from the foot of
|
||||
Boulder Alley and then the steeply descending boulders continue, passing a 4m
|
||||
climb down into a stream canyon in the left hand wall. A traverse line starts
|
||||
just after this climb, taking you down what is now a false floor, past a
|
||||
couple of holes to the edge of the huge open space of <b>Knossus</b>.
|
||||
couple of holes to the edge of the huge open space of <b>Knossus</b>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Knossus:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ boulder floor of a 60m diameter domed space. Up in one corner the rift that
|
||||
has just been traversed comes down a smooth sloping wall to the chamber
|
||||
floor, and a very loose continuation can be seen beneath large boulders.
|
||||
There are also a couple of drippy avens and a short canyon over at the
|
||||
opposite side of the chamber, and a frozen manganese oxide stream.
|
||||
opposite side of the chamber, and a frozen manganese oxide stream.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Star Wars:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ is lots of jumbled rock and open space. Over to the left a gap looks over the
|
||||
cliff into <b>Tower Blocks</b> and to the right is a steep, loose climb down
|
||||
and a small rift passage in the right hand wall. At the foot of the climb you
|
||||
can go left down a climb into Tower Blocks, or right over boulders into
|
||||
<b>Tower Hamlets</b>.
|
||||
<b>Tower Hamlets</b>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Tower Hamlets:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ sloping sandy passage connecting to the other half of Tower Hamlets. This
|
||||
consists of a large sand ramp sloping up into the roof and a couple of steep
|
||||
1.5m diameter tubes going up at the sides. walking back down the sand slope
|
||||
takes you onto the col between Tower Blocks and the passage to <b>Waterfall
|
||||
Chamber</b>.
|
||||
Chamber</b>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Tower Blocks:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ side of the wide open space there is a shelf leading to a short, choked,
|
||||
sandy inlet, and just to the right of this is a climb over a boulder into
|
||||
<b>Olympus</b>. Further around to the right the floor drops steeply down to
|
||||
the foot of a high drippy aven. A dodgy climb up 10m by the left hand wall
|
||||
will also bring you into the start of Olympus.
|
||||
will also bring you into the start of Olympus.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Olympus:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ chamber and round to the right you can look back down to where you just
|
||||
climbed up from. Going down the pitch and walking down the sloping, rocky
|
||||
chamber floor brings you to another 6m pitch into the foot of an active
|
||||
stream pot. The water goes off down a rift by the foot of the pitch but
|
||||
disappears into a boulder choke another 6m down in the bottom of the rift.
|
||||
disappears into a boulder choke another 6m down in the bottom of the rift.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The main Olympus passage continues for another 30m, passing a turn off on
|
||||
the right hand side. At the end of the passage is an impressive cemented
|
||||
@ -437,12 +437,12 @@ a couple of crawls with an aven between them brings you into larger passage
|
||||
with yet another choked inlet on the right and a very unlikely-looking
|
||||
zig-zag ending with a crawling passage to the left and a 3m climb up into a
|
||||
rift straight ahead. This rift leads straight to the top of <b>Flapjack</b>,
|
||||
directly opposite the way in from Carrefour.
|
||||
directly opposite the way in from Carrefour.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The crawling passage leads to a 2m climb down after 15m with a phreatic
|
||||
going left to a 2m climb into a high, choked rift, and right over boulders
|
||||
to another view into the Flapjack pitch and a complex collapse chamber with
|
||||
various climbs and passages through boulders.
|
||||
various climbs and passages through boulders.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h4>Carrefour:</h4>
|
||||
|
||||
@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ blocked pit to the left with a large wet window through the wall behind
|
||||
looking over Flapjack. A lot of water is falling from the roof into the pit.
|
||||
Continuing by the right hand wall leads to a junction with a very big
|
||||
phreatic passage with a narrow floor slit containing water some 10m below.
|
||||
This junction is <b>Carrefour</b>.
|
||||
This junction is <b>Carrefour</b>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>To the right is <b>YAPATE Inlet</b> (Yet Another Pitch At The End) which
|
||||
goes for 100m with a couple of climbs up, an inlet on the left and a large
|
||||
@ -462,13 +462,13 @@ the floor to a boulder-floored area with a way on 5m up the end wall and a
|
||||
reach a bedding plane going back to the foot of the hole that was climbed
|
||||
over, and another 25m wet pitch - <b>Wish you were here (not me) pitch</b>
|
||||
leading to a choice of ways on down a dodgy hole in the floor or over the
|
||||
boulders around it into a tight rift.
|
||||
boulders around it into a tight rift.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Straight across Carrefour takes you into the <b>Toilet Block</b>, the
|
||||
camp-site for the Right Hand Route. A short walking section leads into a very
|
||||
high cross rift via a 2m climb. This rift is chocked at both ends, but going
|
||||
straight across takes you into a 3m high 2m wide sandy floored passage to a
|
||||
crawl into a chamber containing a damp climb down to a choked streamway.
|
||||
crawl into a chamber containing a damp climb down to a choked streamway.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Turning left at Carrefour leads past the very wet window into Waterfall
|
||||
Chamber to <b>Flapjack</b>, a large pitch leading straight down 30m and then
|
||||
@ -486,12 +486,12 @@ enough for cavers and a very tight pitch descends 8m to a small chamber where
|
||||
all the water goes through a .5m diameter hole in the floor. Passing through
|
||||
this leads to a very wet steeply descending rift and 15m along at the end of
|
||||
this is a ridiculously wet 32m pitch to a vertical sump, which is at least a
|
||||
couple of metres deep. <b>The Bottom!</b>
|
||||
couple of metres deep. <b>The Bottom!</b></p>
|
||||
|
||||
<hr />
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- LINKS -->
|
||||
<p><ul>
|
||||
<ul id="links">
|
||||
<li>Cambridge Underground 1990,
|
||||
<a href="../../../jnl/1990/index.htm">Table of Contents</a></li>
|
||||
<li>1989 Expedition info:
|
||||
|
@ -19,18 +19,18 @@ were discovered. One, Adrian's Route, choked at -200m. The other two routes
|
||||
separated after an awkward squeeze that lay directly above a 10m pitch. The
|
||||
left hand route ended at an undescended pitch estimated to be 100m deep. The
|
||||
right hand route followed large passages to two enormous chambers at -300m.
|
||||
There were several unexplored routes from the chambers to return to in 1989.
|
||||
There were several unexplored routes from the chambers to return to in 1989.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The 1989 expedition aimed to continue the exploration of 161 and resurvey
|
||||
the whole cave. One of the primary aims was to find a by-pass to the Squeeze
|
||||
Pitch to enable faster descent of the system.
|
||||
Pitch to enable faster descent of the system.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The expedition began officially on 5th August, 1989. Most of the
|
||||
expedition members arrived by car, bringing with them food and tackle. The
|
||||
remainder came by train or flew to Austria. Base camp was established at the
|
||||
camp-site at Bad Aussee outside the Gasthof Staudenwirt. A top camp was wet
|
||||
up on the Plateau itself close to the Bräuning Nase where a spring
|
||||
provided an almost continuous supply of water.
|
||||
provided an almost continuous supply of water.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The first week was spent rigging the cave down to the limits of
|
||||
exploration and attempting to find a by-pass to the squeeze in the maze of
|
||||
@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ completely out of character with the rest of the cave. A longer and larger
|
||||
pitch, 30m, left the ledge. At this point the route was below the level of
|
||||
the squeeze and yet was only a small distance horizontally from it. There was
|
||||
a strong chance that this route would by-pass the squeeze. The route was not
|
||||
named after its discoverers; Drunk and Stupid.
|
||||
named after its discoverers; Drunk and Stupid.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Also in the first week, much of the upper parts of the cave and a good
|
||||
deal of the Left Hand Route were surveyed. The survey was to B.C.R.A. grade
|
||||
@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ and clinometer readings were taken of a centre line down the cave. Cross
|
||||
sections drawn at each places where there was a change in the passage shape.
|
||||
Approximate passage height and widths were measured or estimated where
|
||||
appropriate. All data was recorded on permatrace paper that was kept in
|
||||
aluminium binders.
|
||||
aluminium binders.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The beginning of the second week saw the bottoming of Niflheim; the long
|
||||
pitch on the Left Hand Route. The pitch was spray lashed and cold and the
|
||||
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ rigging trips down here were the most uncomfortable in the cave. A brief
|
||||
reconnaissance at the bottom of the pitch showed there to be a way on
|
||||
through a two foot diameter hole (small for Kaninchenhöhle). However
|
||||
further exploration on this trip was not possible due to a shortage of
|
||||
carbide underground.
|
||||
carbide underground.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The pushing and surveying continued down Drunk and Stupid although a link
|
||||
with either of the routes below the squeeze still proved elusive. Below the
|
||||
@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ development in a vadose trench before another series of pitches that dropped
|
||||
into a small chamber; Wet Nappy Chamber. Here a large joint between two
|
||||
types of limestone was met which formed a long thin Hading Rift. The rift
|
||||
was approximately 30m long and 20m deep although the easiest way through
|
||||
took three pushing trips to find.
|
||||
took three pushing trips to find.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Several long surveying trips were required to survey the large chambers at
|
||||
the bottom of the Right Hand Route, Knossus and Tower Blocks. Several routes
|
||||
@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ led from these chambers and the most promising was pushed down a 50m series
|
||||
of short pitches; the Flapjack series. The last of these landed in a small
|
||||
streamway where the water sank into small boulders into a canyon that was
|
||||
reached further down the passage. A traverse along the canyon led over an
|
||||
enormous drop estimated to be seventy to eighty metres.
|
||||
enormous drop estimated to be seventy to eighty metres.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>By the 16th August good progress had been made down the Right Hand Route
|
||||
and Drunk and Stupid, and passages had been surveyed almost up to the pushing
|
||||
@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ winched up the entrance pitch and rushed to hospital by helicopter. It took
|
||||
eight hours to evacuate her from the cave but in spite of this she arrived at
|
||||
the hospital with normal pulse, blood pressure and temperature. This
|
||||
reinforces the view that practicing rescue techniques regularly is essential
|
||||
and reflects very well on the excellent Austrian Cave Rescue.
|
||||
and reflects very well on the excellent Austrian Cave Rescue.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Not surprisingly the accident somewhat dampened the enthusiasm that had
|
||||
been prevalent at the start of the expedition. Morale was further depressed
|
||||
when the first pushing trip after the rescue found a sump down the Right Hand
|
||||
Route. The cave plummeted down a canyon and the sump was discovered at the
|
||||
bottom of a circular shaft.
|
||||
bottom of a circular shaft.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A team of four divers arrived in Austria at the time of the accident to
|
||||
investigate resurgences in the area. Their major aim was to discover whether
|
||||
@ -119,13 +119,13 @@ had yielded another interesting find. On the second dive the right humerus
|
||||
of a human skeleton was retrieved from the bottom of the lake. After further
|
||||
searching with the Austrian Authorities the following day a boot and sock
|
||||
were found. The body proved to be that of a villager from Altaussee who had
|
||||
drowned in the lake thirty years previously.
|
||||
drowned in the lake thirty years previously.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The diving team stayed in Austria for almost two weeks and spent most of
|
||||
their time investigating promising resurgences in the area. They found
|
||||
several leads that are worth pursuing including resurgences in Wolfgangsee
|
||||
and Kessel. One resurgence in Goldloch was pushed to -65m. They hope to
|
||||
return again next year.
|
||||
return again next year.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Work was continued down the routes in Kaninchenhöhle by the dry
|
||||
cavers. A camping trip down the Right Hand Route saw the completion of the
|
||||
@ -136,14 +136,14 @@ of the head of the Flapjack pitches. Another route, also leading off Tower
|
||||
Blocks, ascended a large boulder ramp before dropping down 25m into an
|
||||
impenetrably tight slot. A pitch at the end of the inlet near the camp was
|
||||
also rigged but remains undescended. Several other smaller routes from Tower
|
||||
Blocks were also explored and surveyed.
|
||||
Blocks were also explored and surveyed.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>On the 23rd August, a week after Rebecca's accident, Niflheim was finally
|
||||
redescended. Several routes were found from the bottom; the most obvious
|
||||
ending in a small slot at the bottom of a 6m pitch. However a side passage
|
||||
led across a boulder floor to The Black Lagoon, a chamber with what appeared
|
||||
to be a silted sump. From here there were at least two ways on; one leading
|
||||
down into a canyon and the second entering a maze-like area of passages.
|
||||
down into a canyon and the second entering a maze-like area of passages.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Exploration continued down Drunk & Stupid. At the base of the Hading
|
||||
Rift was a small section of horizontal development ending in an 18m pitch
|
||||
@ -151,13 +151,13 @@ with awkward take-off. This led to a series of climbs that became ever more
|
||||
spectacular in the widening rift. These finally dropped into a chamber with a
|
||||
side passage leading off to a short pitch and a waterfall dropping into the
|
||||
far end of the chamber. The chamber had a sandy floor with 1m high sand
|
||||
ledges around the edge.
|
||||
ledges around the edge.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The surveying continued down Kaninchenhöhle until all the routes
|
||||
except sections of the Left Hand Route had been surveyed. Elevations and
|
||||
projections were drawn at Base Camp. Drunk and Stupid appeared to pass within
|
||||
10m of the Right Hand Route below the squeeze. Several attempts were made to
|
||||
link the two routes although no connection was forthcoming.
|
||||
link the two routes although no connection was forthcoming.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A second camping trip was mounted to push the routes at the bottom of
|
||||
Niflheim. Before this could be done, rope had to be retrieved from the
|
||||
@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ with soil. The way on looked very promising and so the exploration at the
|
||||
bottom of Niflheim was abandoned in preference to this. A day of exploration
|
||||
yielded several rift pitches that led to a few small chambers. Finally the
|
||||
rifts became too tight. The area was surveyed and the campers emerged after
|
||||
48 hours underground.
|
||||
48 hours underground.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Up until this point, the weather in Austria had been reasonable. There had
|
||||
been a few impressive thunder storms but we had had more than our share of
|
||||
@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ the tops of the mountains. We walked up to the plateau to investigate the
|
||||
damage to Top Camp and found it almost completely destroyed. Of the six
|
||||
tents that were there, only two had survived unscathed and three were
|
||||
unusable. Almost all the caving trips from this point were conducted from
|
||||
Base Camp making for very long days.
|
||||
Base Camp making for very long days.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A further pushing trip down Drunk and Stupid saw the termination of the
|
||||
route that left the bottom chamber in a tight squeeze. However another way on
|
||||
@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ pitch choked and so the bottom of Drunk & Stupid had been found. The
|
||||
unknown rope was very clean washed and was assumed to be that of a group of
|
||||
French Cavers who were exploring a cave close to Kaninchenhöhle. A note
|
||||
was attached to the bottom of the rope explaining that C.U.C.C. had found a
|
||||
connection and the cave surveyed to the bottom.
|
||||
connection and the cave surveyed to the bottom.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>On drawing up the survey however, it was found that the bottom of Drunk
|
||||
& Stupid was exceedingly close to the bottom of Niflheim. The connection
|
||||
@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ led up out of the chamber; no other routes left the chamber. At this stage
|
||||
it was almost time to detackle the cave. A short exploratory trip across the
|
||||
very loose and dangerous section above the third pitch yielded a large
|
||||
section of phreatic passage. This ends in an undescended pitch that might
|
||||
drop into the Right Hand Route, thus by-passing the squeeze.
|
||||
drop into the Right Hand Route, thus by-passing the squeeze.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Detackling eventually arrived with a vengeance on the 3rd September. Three
|
||||
teams of three descended each of the three major routes. Unfortunately
|
||||
@ -232,13 +232,13 @@ After a rest at what was left of Top Camp we carried him to the car park. We
|
||||
were met by the others from Base Camp near Top Camp and we carried him down
|
||||
to Top Camp on two poles. Chris arrived in hospital two minutes before
|
||||
Rebecca was discharged. After a romantic reunion Chris was wheeled away to
|
||||
the x-ray room where it was found that he had fractured his pelvis.
|
||||
the x-ray room where it was found that he had fractured his pelvis.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>After this accident there was no time for recuperation. The cave had to be
|
||||
detackled and so people had to cave the day after the accident. After much
|
||||
effort all the rope was brought out from the cave. A further two days of
|
||||
carrying saw all the gear down at Base Camp. There was just time to wash and
|
||||
dry everything before we had to leave.
|
||||
dry everything before we had to leave.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Although two sumps were found, there are still several ways on in
|
||||
Kaninchenhöhle. Down the Right Hand Route there is an unexplored lead
|
||||
@ -248,11 +248,11 @@ at the end of the phreatic passage that leads off from over the third pitch.
|
||||
There are certainly bound to be many other routes that have not been noticed
|
||||
yet. Kaninchenhöhle is an extremely complicated system and there is
|
||||
much to investigate next year. There are also many possibilities of
|
||||
exploration in other caves on the Loser Plateau.
|
||||
exploration in other caves on the Loser Plateau.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<hr />
|
||||
<!-- LINKS -->
|
||||
<p><ul>
|
||||
<ul id="links">
|
||||
<li>Cambridge Underground 1990,
|
||||
<a href="../../../jnl/1990/index.htm">Table of Contents</a></li>
|
||||
<li>1989 Expedition info:
|
||||
|
@ -12,127 +12,127 @@
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1976 This was the first CUCC expedition to Austria, and was primarily a
|
||||
reconnaissance trip. The area was sufficiently promising that it was decided
|
||||
to return in 1977.
|
||||
to return in 1977.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1977 82 Bräuninghöhle -216m (BCRA Grade 3) Entrance crawl
|
||||
followed by a series of wet pitches.
|
||||
followed by a series of wet pitches.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>97 Schneewindschacht -265m (BCRA Grade 1) Tight entrance series leads to a
|
||||
succession of small pitches in a large rift. Too tight at -265m.
|
||||
succession of small pitches in a large rift. Too tight at -265m.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>76 Eislufthöhle -150m (BCRA Grades 1-4c) Pushed as far as the Tap
|
||||
Room (was originally 106).
|
||||
Room (was originally 106).</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1978 76 Eislufthöhle -350m Pushed to -350m as far as The Fiesta Run,
|
||||
and still going.
|
||||
and still going.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>107 Gämsehöhle -280m (BCRA Grade 3) A series of pitches ending
|
||||
in a choke.
|
||||
in a choke.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1979 76 Eislufthöhle -506m Bottomed, though a few side passages left
|
||||
unexplored.
|
||||
unexplored.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1980 - Joint expedition with UBSS 41 Stellerweghöhle -320m A new
|
||||
route explored in what was originally a German find.
|
||||
route explored in what was originally a German find.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>113 Sonnenstrahlhöhle -329m
|
||||
<p>113 Sonnenstrahlhöhle -329m</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1981 - Joint expedition with UBSS 41 Stellerweghöhle -680m Pushed
|
||||
through Pete's Purgatory. Connected to Schnellzughöhle (115) at -400m.
|
||||
through Pete's Purgatory. Connected to Schnellzughöhle (115) at -400m.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1982 41 Stellerweghöhle -898m (BCRA Grade 5, below Confluence)
|
||||
Bottomed via Purgatory Bypass.
|
||||
Bottomed via Purgatory Bypass.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>113 Sonnenstrahlhöhle Redescended, but the cave went no further.
|
||||
<p>113 Sonnenstrahlhöhle Redescended, but the cave went no further.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1983 142 (near Stellerweghöhle) Explored to the Big Chamber and
|
||||
connected to Stellerweg.
|
||||
connected to Stellerweg.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>136 Steinschlagschacht -194m Very many loose boulders.
|
||||
<p>136 Steinschlagschacht -194m Very many loose boulders.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>143 -125m (BCRA Grade 5a) Became too tight after a series of pitches.
|
||||
Later explored to -140m.
|
||||
Later explored to -140m.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>144 -284m (BCRA Grade 5b) Met phreatic level at -200m, but could not gain
|
||||
access to passage heading towards Stellerweghöhle.
|
||||
access to passage heading towards Stellerweghöhle.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>145 Wolfhöhle -300m This cave was named (incorrectly) after a bear
|
||||
skeleton that was found near the entrance. Still going at the end of the
|
||||
expedition.
|
||||
expedition.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1984 A small expedition involving only ten people for three weeks. Wet
|
||||
weather at the start of the expedition resulting in low morale.
|
||||
weather at the start of the expedition resulting in low morale.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The main aim of exploring Wolfhöhle further was achieved as the cave
|
||||
only went to -426m (approx. 125m further). One pushing team was trapped for
|
||||
12hrs by flooding, with water levels rising suddenly. They emerged to meet
|
||||
the rescue party who were delayed by the weather.
|
||||
the rescue party who were delayed by the weather.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>136 Steinschlagschacht -240m (BCRA Grade 1) Ending in a narrowing rift,
|
||||
no proper survey due to the dangerous nature of the cave.
|
||||
no proper survey due to the dangerous nature of the cave.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>143 Explored for connection to Stellerweg. An audible connection was
|
||||
found, but was too tight to allow the passage of cavers.
|
||||
found, but was too tight to allow the passage of cavers.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>145 Wolfhöhle -426m (BCRA Grade 5b) Bottomed.
|
||||
<p>145 Wolfhöhle -426m (BCRA Grade 5b) Bottomed.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1985 The connection between Stellerweg and 144 was the year's big find.
|
||||
Minor extensions were found in 142, and 152 was discovered and explored to a
|
||||
connection with Sonnenstrahlhöhle. The expedition was even smaller than
|
||||
the 1984 one, comprising only eight people.
|
||||
the 1984 one, comprising only eight people.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>142 Minor extensions were found.
|
||||
<p>142 Minor extensions were found.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>144 Connecting to Stellerweg giving a total depth of -971 m and 6.5km of
|
||||
passage.
|
||||
passage.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>152 (BCRA Grade 5b) Explored to a connection with Sonnenstrahlhöhle
|
||||
at -150m.
|
||||
at -150m.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1986 This expedition intentionally left blank
|
||||
<p>1986 This expedition intentionally left blank</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1987 A small and generally inexperienced party had a rather unsuccessful
|
||||
expedition, finding lots of small extensions to existing systems, but only
|
||||
one new cave.
|
||||
one new cave.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A group of German and French cavers linked their system into Stellerweg,
|
||||
making the entire system over 1 km deep, and giving them the highest
|
||||
entrance.
|
||||
entrance.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>87 Minor extensions found but no extra depth gained.
|
||||
<p>87 Minor extensions found but no extra depth gained.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>113 Sonnenstrahlhöhle Found new route from just inside the entrance
|
||||
to the Opera House.
|
||||
to the Opera House.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>158 Donner-und-Blitzenhöhle Pushed to small wet chamber.
|
||||
<p>158 Donner-und-Blitzenhöhle Pushed to small wet chamber.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1988 This was the largest expedition to date, with over twenty-five
|
||||
members. A total of three weeks was spent in Austria. With little to
|
||||
continue from 1987, the main emphasis was on finding new caves, but
|
||||
atrocious weather hampered progress.
|
||||
atrocious weather hampered progress.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>147 Rediscovered and explored.
|
||||
<p>147 Rediscovered and explored.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>158 Donner-und-Blitzenhöhle Rerigged but didn't go beyond last
|
||||
year's final chamber.
|
||||
year's final chamber.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>164 Bottomed, but not surveyed due to flooding.
|
||||
<p>164 Bottomed, but not surveyed due to flooding.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>161 Kaninchenhöhle -300m (BCRA Grade 3) A promising and complicated
|
||||
system. A tight vertical squeeze was eventually passed to give several ways
|
||||
on.
|
||||
on.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1989 See the expedition diary for a description.
|
||||
<p>1989 See the expedition diary for a description.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>161 Kaninchenhöhle System -500m (BCRA grade 5) A sump was found at
|
||||
-500m, and a major new route was developed. Several routes remain
|
||||
undescended and there is plenty of potential for further discoveries as the
|
||||
complexity of the system becomes apparent.
|
||||
complexity of the system becomes apparent.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>1990 ??????????
|
||||
<p>1990 ??????????</p>
|
||||
<hr />
|
||||
<!-- LINKS -->
|
||||
<p><ul>
|
||||
<ul id="links">
|
||||
<li>Cambridge Underground 1990,
|
||||
<a href="../../../jnl/1990/index.htm">Table of Contents</a></li>
|
||||
<li>1989 Expedition info:
|
||||
|
@ -12,9 +12,9 @@
|
||||
expedition, which is very far from a "cheap holiday", we are grateful for the
|
||||
sponsorship we have received over recent years, largely in the form of Food.
|
||||
Here we detail those who have supported the expedition & how. We also
|
||||
receive monetary support from a number of grant-giving bodies.
|
||||
receive monetary support from a number of grant-giving bodies.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p><h3>Our 1997 sponsors were:</h3><BR>
|
||||
<h3>Our 1997 sponsors were:</h3>
|
||||
Food:<BR>
|
||||
<dl compact>
|
||||
<dt>Barts Spices<dd>Spices and cash: Student cuisine is apt to be monotonous
|
||||
@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Sponsors <a href="../../sponsr.htm">for the current year</a>:
|
||||
<hr />
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- LINKS -->
|
||||
<p><ul>
|
||||
<ul id="links">
|
||||
<li>1997 Expedition info:
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><a href="index.htm">Index</a> (more detail than in this list)</li>
|
||||
|
@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ Queens' College, Cambridge, England. CB3 9ET</p>
|
||||
<hr />
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- LINKS -->
|
||||
<p><ul>
|
||||
<ul id="links">
|
||||
<li>2000 Expedition info:
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><a href="index.htm">2000 index</a> (more detail than in this list)</li>
|
||||
|
Loading…
Reference in New Issue
Block a user