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<title>CUCC 1997 Expedition Goals</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../../css/main2.css" />
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<body>
<h2><center>CUCC Austria 1997 - Why ?</center></h2>
<h1>CUCC Austria 1997 - Why ?</h1>
<p>The 1997 expedition is now in the planning stage, with a few people
(as usual) doing most of the work. Dates are nominally 12th July to
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@ Arrival dates for many depend on the timing of a pre-Expo canyonning
trip to the Alpes Marit&icirc;mes in France. Departure dates for some
depend on the International Speleological Congress, in the Swiss Jura
this year. As predicted, an Expo Prospectus has been produced, of which an
edited version appears here.
edited version appears here.</p>
<hr />
<center><h2>CUCC Austria '97 (21st expo to Austria)</h2></center>
<h2 class="centre">CUCC Austria '97 (21st expo to Austria)</h2>
Once again it's time to think of all those wonderful times you may
<p>Once again it's time to think of all those wonderful times you may
have had in Austria, lying on the sun-drenched sand by the Altaussee
lake, barbeques at the luxurious Gasthof Staudenwirt campsite,
swimming in the crystal clear (if somewhat chilly) waters of the
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ anyway) of G&ouml;sser, festering in the potato hut, fixing the crap cars,
laughing at the radios, sampling the magnificent expo cuisine. And
don't forget the superb caving available on the
<a href="../../areas.htm">Loser Plateau</a> or more specifically in
<a href="../../smkridge/161/top.htm">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</a>.
<a href="../../smkridge/161/top.htm">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</a>.</p>
<p>If you want to know what happened last year in the way of caving,
here's an extract from the sponsor's report (Anthony Day, 1996):
here's an extract from the sponsor's report (Anthony Day, 1996):</p>
<blockquote><p>"July 1996 saw the twentieth Cambridge University Caving Club
expedition to the Austrian Totes Gebirge and the ninth which has
@@ -45,55 +45,55 @@ of the system. The most exciting finds are to the south however. The
southern end of Kaninchenh&ouml;hle is now tantalisingly close to the
Stellerweg system. Were this connection to be made, the resulting
system would be over 40km long and 1000m deep making it an
internationally significant cave system."</blockquote>
internationally significant cave system."</p></blockquote>
<p>If you want an idea of some of the alternative activites that are
possible, you may like to visit the CUCC web site's
<a href="../../fester.htm">guide to expo festering</a>.
<a href="../../fester.htm">guide to expo festering</a>.</p>
<p>The contribution made by <a href="../../../excs/index.htm">ExCS</a> members
(and indeed anyone of similar experience) to CUCC expeditions is, as it has
always been, valued greatly. Anyone is welcome to come, caving or not, and
we (CUCC) would be pleased to see you.
we (CUCC) would be pleased to see you.</p>
<h3>Some current KH statistics:</h3>
<table border=6>
<table class="trad bigfatborder">
<tr><td>Found:</td><td>1988</td>
<td>No. of question marks:</td><td>201 in list</td></tr>
<tr><td>Length:</td><td>19.75 km</td>
<td>of which no. of huge question marks:</td><td>c.30</td></tr>
<tr><td>Depth:</td><td>498 m</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=2>Distance from Eish&ouml;hle-Stellerwegh&ouml;hle:</td>
<td colspan=2>c.200m and closing</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2">Distance from Eish&ouml;hle-Stellerwegh&ouml;hle:</td>
<td colspan="2">c.200m and closing</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td>Likely year of connection:</td><td>1997/98</td>
<td></td></tr></table>
<p>I've just made these numbers up because I don't know the exact
figures, but I think they're about right. Wookey
(email: &lt;wookey (at) aleph1.co.uk&gt;)
will give you more accurate answers if you like.
will give you more accurate answers if you like.</p>
<h3>Dates:</h3>
Expo '97 is nominally 12th July - 17th August 1997, although as usual
<p>Expo '97 is nominally 12th July - 17th August 1997, although as usual
these are flexible according to when people want to go/leave.
Typically there are people arriving/leaving on every weekend so it is
entirely possible to go for as long or as little time as you like.
Transport is pooled to minimise cost.
Transport is pooled to minimise cost.</p>
<h3>Cost:</h3>
Cost is variable and difficult to be precise about since it depends on
<p>Cost is variable and difficult to be precise about since it depends on
factors such as how long you go for and how much beer you drink. Typically a
fortnight may cost between &#id163;250 and &#163;350 (all in), of which a
fortnight may cost between &#163;250 and &#163;350 (all in), of which a
large part is transport and a (fixed) tackle charge. 3 weeks probably cost
around &#163;50 or so extra.
around &#163;50 or so extra.</p>
<h3>Expo Committee:</h3>
<table border=6>
<tr><td colspan=3 align=center>This year's expo committee is:</td></tr>
<table class="trad bigfatborder">
<tr><td colspan="3" class="centre">This year's expo committee is:</td></tr>
<tr><td>Leader</td><td>Julian Haines</td><td>
(jhaines (at) scigen.co.uk</td></tr>
<tr><td>Treasurer</td><td>Andrew Ketley</td><td>
@@ -110,25 +110,24 @@ around &#163;50 or so extra.
the unlikely event of you changing your mind, but we need some money
to pay for things like insurance and carbide in advance. Cheques
should be payable to "CUCC Expo Account" and sent to Andrew Ketley,
Trinity Hall, Cambridge, CB2 1TJ.
Trinity Hall, Cambridge, CB2 1TJ.</li>
<li>It would be helpful if you could indicate (to me or Andrew) when
you are likely to be going and whether or not you have transport for
sharing. Clearly this is only a first impression and is not expected
to be final.
<li>Book some leave if you have to!
to be final.</li>
<li>Book some leave if you have to!</li>
</ol>
<p>Julian Haines<br>
Expo '97 leader
<p>Julian Haines<br />
Expo '97 leader</p>
<hr />
<p>Many of the objectives of the 1997 trip are already pretty obvious to the
participants of the 1996 expedition. How many of these, and how many new ones
are addressed in 1997 depends mainly on the manpower and experience of the
intending participants.
intending participants.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most obvious single objective is the one which time and
deteriorating weather conspired to stop at the end of 1996. This was the
@@ -140,16 +139,16 @@ passages are approached through a potentially very dangerous loose
choke at the southernmost point of "Flat France", and a new way in,
either from the surface, or via some bypass, is urgently needed. A
bypass proved elusive in 1996, and a connection with Steinschlagschacht
seems by far the best hope.
seems by far the best hope.</p>
<p>The Forbidden Land heads very promisingly under the Vorderer
Schwarzmooskogel, towards the great linked system of
<a href="../../smkridge/41.htm">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</a>,
<a href="../../smkridge/78.htm">Schwabenschacht</a> and
<a href="../../noinfo/smkridge/78.htm">Schwabenschacht</a> and
Schwarzmooskogeleish&ouml;hle, explored by CUCC and a
variety of other groups over many years. It is hoped to find a connection
(already provisionally named <b>The Promised Land</b>) linking these into a
single system, which would be approaching 40km in length and over 1000m deep.
single system, which would be approaching 40km in length and over 1000m deep.</p>
<p>There are many more accessible leads in Kaninchenh&ouml;hle,
reached via the 1995 "Scarface" entrance
@@ -161,7 +160,7 @@ furthest reaches of the "old cave" much easier, and a return to
<a href="../../smkridge/161/sibria.htm#siberia">Siberia</a> and
various pitches below the ways north, beyond
<a href="../../smkridge/161/sibria.htm#cfn">Chicken Flied Nice</a>
are on the cards.
are on the cards.</p>
<p>As well as the tenth year of exploration in Kaninchenh&ouml;hle,
there are a variety of other leads, and much relocating and better
@@ -169,7 +168,7 @@ documenting of smaller caves to be done. Though less glamorous, this
is no less vital, and provides easier caving for days between big
pushes in the deeper systems. A lot of the work needed is listed
in the Expedition <a href="../../handbook/look4.htm">Prospecting
Guide</a>.
Guide</a>.</p>
<p>As CUCC caves link up with other caves explored by different groups, one
emerging problem is the lack of available documentation from these
@@ -183,14 +182,14 @@ detailed examination of a cave which occurs whilst surveying it reveals
previously unnoticed leads. Thus, it is hoped that reexploration of
Larchenschacht and Schwarzmooskogeleish&ouml;hle will reveal important new
links north towards the Kaninchenh&ouml;hle area, hastening the linking of
all these caves into one system of world significance.
all these caves into one system of world significance.</p>
<p>One overriding goal in all of this is to provide a consistently high
standard of documentation of all our work. This will avoid the need for
future cavers to repeat all the explorations again, placing new bolts
and otherwise having an adverse impact on the caves. Descriptions,
photographs and all CUCC's published material will appear on this website
over the years.
over the years.</p>
<hr />

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<title>1999: Expedition report (2000-01-05)</title>
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<h2>Expo '99<br>
Cambridge University Club<br>
<h2>Expo '99<br />
Cambridge University Club<br />
July - August 1999</h2>
<p>In the summer of 1999, Cambridge University Caving Club ("CUCC") held its
23<sup>rd</sup> annual expedition to the Loser Plateau in Austria.
<p>In the summer of 1999, Cambridge University Caving Club ("CUCC") held its 23<sup>rd</sup> annual expedition to the Loser Plateau in Austria.</p>
<p>There were twenty-five expedition
<a href="../../folk/index.htm">members,</a> making it one of the larger
Expos in recent years. The expedition lasted for five weeks.
<p>There were twenty-five expedition <a href="../../folk/index.htm">members,</a> making it one of the larger Expos in recent years. The expedition lasted for five weeks.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<p>For the last eleven years CUCC has been exploring the cave system known
as <a href="../../smkridge/161/top.htm"><span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span></a>
<p>For the last eleven years CUCC has been exploring the cave system known as <a href="../../smkridge/161/top.htm"><span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span></a></p>
<p>To the south of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> lies the major
<span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem,</span> consisting of
<span lang="de"><a href="../../noinfo/smkridge/40.htm">Eish&ouml;hle,</a>
<a href="../../smkridge/41/41.htm">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle,</a>
<a href="../../smkridge/41/115.htm">Schnellzugh&ouml;hle,</a>
<a href="../../noinfo/smkridge/88.htm">L&auml;rchenschacht,</a></span> and
<a href="../../smkridge/78.htm"><span lang="de">Schwabenschacht</span></a>
as well as a few other entrances. Parts of this were explored as long ago as
1938, but the major central part of the cave,
<span lang="de">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle,</span> was explored by CUCC in 1980-85,
to a depth of 973m and a length of some 7km. Other parts of the cave have
been explored by both French and German groups, and the total length of this
cave system is around 20km. After the CUCC 1998 expedition, the gap between
these two systems was about 130m, in passages at much the same level.
<p>To the south of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> lies the major <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem,</span> consisting of <span lang="de"><a href="../../noinfo/smkridge/40.htm">Eish&ouml;hle,</a> <a href="../../smkridge/41/41.htm">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle,</a> <a href="../../smkridge/41/115.htm">Schnellzugh&ouml;hle,</a> <a href="../../noinfo/smkridge/88.htm">L&auml;rchenschacht,</a></span> and <a href="../../noinfo/smkridge/78.htm"><span lang="de">Schwabenschacht</span></a> as well as a few other entrances. Parts of this were explored as long ago as 1938, but the major central part of the cave, <span lang="de">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle,</span> was explored by CUCC in 1980-85, to a depth of 973m and a length of some 7km. Other parts of the cave have been explored by both French and German groups, and the total length of this cave system is around 20km. After the CUCC 1998 expedition, the gap between these two systems was about 130m, in passages at much the same level.</p>
<p>Linking the two systems would involve not only exciting new exploration,
but also a great deal of tie-up surveying to establish definitive figures for
the length and depth of the combined system. Current survey information
suggests that the complete system would be over 42km long and over 1050m
deep, ranking the system as one of the world's major cave systems -
approximately 50<sup>th</sup> in both the world's longest <b>and</b> deepest
caves lists.
<p>Linking the two systems would involve not only exciting new exploration, but also a great deal of tie-up surveying to establish definitive figures for the length and depth of the combined system. Current survey information suggests that the complete system would be over 42km long and over 1050m deep, ranking the system as one of the world's major cave systems - approximately 50<sup>th</sup> in both the world's longest <b>and</b> deepest caves lists.</p>
<h3>Aims of the Expedition</h3>
<p>The closest point between <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> and
the <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem</span> was determined
to be at the bottom of the deep <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span>
entrance to the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> system. This was
explored previously in the 80s by CUCC and again in 1997, when it was
connected to the rest of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span>
<p>The closest point between <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> and the <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem</span> was determined to be at the bottom of the deep <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> entrance to the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> system. This was explored previously in the 80s by CUCC and again in 1997, when it was connected to the rest of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span></p>
<p>A major aim of the 1999 expedition was thus to attempt to link
<span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> to the
<span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem.</span>
The aim was to connect with the part of the
<span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem</span> known as
<span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle,</span> which, being the northernmost part of
the <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem,</span> is the closest
point to <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span>
<p>A major aim of the 1999 expedition was thus to attempt to link <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> to the <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem.</span> The aim was to connect with the part of the <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem</span> known as <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle,</span> which, being the northernmost part of the <span lang="de">Schwarzmooskogelh&ouml;hlensystem,</span> is the closest point to <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span></p>
<p>Additionally there were well over 200
<a href="../../smkridge/161/qmtodo.htm">ways on</a> in the rest of the
<span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> system, and expedition members
were keen to investigate certain of them with the aim of further extending
the system.
<p>Additionally there were well over 200 <a href="../../smkridge/161/qmtodo.htm">ways on</a> in the rest of the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> system, and expedition members were keen to investigate certain of them with the aim of further extending the system.</p>
<p>In keeping with CUCC's high standards of documentation and surveying, it
was as usual an object of the expedition to document and survey every new
cave passage found.
<p>In keeping with CUCC's high standards of documentation and surveying, it was as usual an object of the expedition to document and survey every new cave passage found.</p>
<p>Surface work forms an important part of every CUCC expedition - more so
than in the early years - and an aim of each Expo is to prospect for and
document new caves on the plateau, in addition to tidying up any work left
over from previous expeditions. This includes surveying to and fixing the
locations of cave entrances.
<p>Surface work forms an important part of every CUCC expedition - more so than in the early years - and an aim of each Expo is to prospect for and document new caves on the plateau, in addition to tidying up any work left over from previous expeditions. This includes surveying to and fixing the locations of cave entrances.</p>
<h3>The Expedition</h3>
<p>As has been usual for previous years,
<a href="../../bcamps.htm">Base Camp</a> was situated at the campsite at
<span lang="de-at">Gasthof Staud'n'wirt, Bad Aussee,</span> where the members
were made very welcome by <span lang="de-at">Karin Wilpernig</span> and
family.
<p>As has been usual for previous years, <a href="../../bcamps.htm">Base Camp</a> was situated at the campsite at <span lang="de-at">Gasthof Staud'n'wirt, Bad Aussee,</span> where the members were made very welcome by <span lang="de-at">Karin Wilpernig</span> and family.</p>
<p>The caving area is situated on the Loser plateau at an altitude of 1600m, some 800m higher than Base Camp. A <a href="../../tollrd.htm">toll road</a> ascends the mountainside to a restaurant and car park at the top. From here it is approximately a 45-minute walk to <a href="../../tcamps.htm#topcamp">Top Camp</a> on the plateau, more if one has hundreds of metres of rope and other caving gear on one's back!</p>
<p>The first expedition members arrived on or shortly after the 10<sup>th</sup> July 1999. The logbook recalls "... we did manage to get lost in Brussels and inadvertantly explore their tunnel network (time underground 20 minutes) ..."! Things looked up for this group when Base Camp was finally reached, arriving at 3pm (having set off from Cambridge at 5pm the previous afternoon) and promptly "imbibing too much <span lang="de-at">G&ouml;sser</span> [A lager beer found in Austria and much enjoyed by Expo cavers!] ..."</p>
<p>The caving area is situated on the Loser plateau at an altitude of 1600m,
some 800m higher than Base Camp. A <a href="../../tollrd.htm">toll road</a>
ascends the mountainside to a restaurant and car park at the top. From here
it is approximately a 45-minute walk to
<a href="../../tcamps.htm#topcamp">Top Camp</a> on the plateau, more if one
has hundreds of metres of rope and other caving gear on one's back!
<p>Several carries of equipment and supplies were made up to Top Camp and the first caving was done shortly afterwards, with an introductory tour around a section of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> known as Triassic Park for some of the cavers new to Expo.</p>
<p>The first expedition members arrived on or shortly after the
10<sup>th</sup> July 1999. The logbook recalls "... we did manage to get
lost in Brussels and inadvertantly explore their tunnel network (time
underground 20 minutes) ..."! Things looked up for this group when Base
Camp was finally reached, arriving at 3pm (having set off from Cambridge at
5pm the previous afternoon) and promptly "imbibing too much
<span lang="de-at">G&ouml;sser</span> [A lager beer found in Austria and much
enjoyed by Expo cavers!] ..."
<p>Several carries of equipment and supplies were made up to Top Camp and the
first caving was done shortly afterwards, with an introductory tour around a
section of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> known as Triassic Park
for some of the cavers new to Expo.
<p>On the 18<sup>th</sup> July a two-man team set off with 330m of rope to
rig down <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht.</span> This prepared for
exploratory trips to the bottom to probe for ways on towards
<span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle.</span>
<p>On the 18<sup>th</sup> July a two-man team set off with 330m of rope to rig down <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht.</span> This prepared for exploratory trips to the bottom to probe for ways on towards <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle.</span></p>
<h3>Discoveries in <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span></h3>
<p>One of the expedition members had been waxing lyrical in Cambridge about
an aven [a vertical shaft come across from the bottom] at the bottom of
<span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht,</span> which was suspected to be a way on
towards <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle.</span>
<p>One of the expedition members had been waxing lyrical in Cambridge about an aven [a vertical shaft come across from the bottom] at the bottom of <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht,</span> which was suspected to be a way on towards <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle.</span></p>
<p>However, it turned out in Austria that the aven was not quite as
remembered in Cambridge! The team of two cavers decided to attempt to view
the aven from above and whilst partway down
<span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> spotted a
small passage disappearing off into the wall, not noted previously!
<p>However, it turned out in Austria that the aven was not quite as remembered in Cambridge! The team of two cavers decided to attempt to view the aven from above and whilst partway down <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> spotted a small passage disappearing off into the wall, not noted previously!</p>
<p>The hole in the wall was inspected more closely and turned out to lead to
a short pitch and a chamber. This led to a continuing rift and another pair
of pitches. There was insufficient gear available to descend the second,
described as a hole "into a <b>very</b> rainy chamber with a <b>big</b> echo
. . ."
<p>The hole in the wall was inspected more closely and turned out to lead to a short pitch and a chamber. This led to a continuing rift and another pair of pitches. There was insufficient gear available to descend the second, described as a hole "into a <b>very</b> rainy chamber with a <b>big</b> echo . . ."</p>
<p>The new passage was surveyed and the group returned to Top Camp, not
knowing that the find was to prove one of the most significant of Expo '99
...
<p>The new passage was surveyed and the group returned to Top Camp, not knowing that the find was to prove one of the most significant of Expo '99 ...</p>
<h4>Further exploration</h4>
<p>The <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#oatso">new passage</a> was named
<b>Oatso Simple,</b> after the oats eaten at Top Camp and a play on words "Oh
so simple!" (The area of cave concerned had been looked at before and deemed
to have no way on!).
<p>The <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#oatso">new passage</a> was named <b>Oatso Simple,</b> after the oats eaten at Top Camp and a play on words "Oh so simple!" (The area of cave concerned had been looked at before and deemed to have no way on!).</p>
<p>Two days after the initial discovery was made a larger team returned to
continue the exploration. A huge passage was discovered - "Overshoot" -
heading directly SW for 250m, thus surprising everyone by going straight past
<span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle.</span> On examining the survey data it became clear that this
section was almost directly in line with the
<a href="../../smkridge/41/deepwy.htm#confluence">main streamway</a> in
<span lang="de">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</span> several hundred metres away!
<p>Some idea of the size of the passage might be gleaned from the logbook
entry from this day:
<p>Two days after the initial discovery was made a larger team returned to continue the exploration. A huge passage was discovered - "Overshoot" - heading directly SW for 250m, thus surprising everyone by going straight past <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle.</span> On examining the survey data it became clear that this section was almost directly in line with the <a href="../../smkridge/41/deepwy.htm#confluence">main streamway</a> in <span lang="de">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</span> several hundred metres away!</p>
<blockquote>
... It is <b>huge</b>! with 3 big holes in floor and 4 other pitches.
Far end is enormous jumble of boulders where lots of cavers wandered
about in the interstices peering out over big holes at each other and
shouting "Where am I?!" a lot ...
</blockquote>
<p>Some idea of the size of the passage might be gleaned from the logbook entry from this day:</p>
<blockquote><p>... It is <b>huge</b>! with 3 big holes in floor and 4 other pitches. Far end is enormous jumble of boulders where lots of cavers wandered about in the interstices peering out over big holes at each other and shouting "Where am I?!" a lot ...</p></blockquote>
<p>Much further exploration continued over the next weeks. "Windy Bottom",
<a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#lost3">"Steady Aim",</a>
<a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#carpet">"CarpetWorld"</a> and many other passages were discovered, in
addition to the discovery of a sump [a flooded passage blocking the way on]
named <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#natborns">"Totality"</a> (Expo
was directly in the path of the solar eclipse in August 1999).
<p>Much further exploration continued over the next weeks. "Windy Bottom", <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#lost3">"Steady Aim",</a> <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#carpet">"CarpetWorld"</a> and many other passages were discovered, in addition to the discovery of a sump [a flooded passage blocking the way on] named <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm#natborns">"Totality"</a> (Expo was directly in the path of the solar eclipse in August 1999).</p>
<p>After the initial horizontal section the passage trended steeply downwards to -450m depth and also swung towards the NE, making a direct connection to the <span lang="de-at">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</span> streamway less likely from the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> end.</p>
<p>After the initial horizontal section the passage trended steeply downwards
to -450m depth and also swung towards the NE, making a direct connection to
the <span lang="de-at">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</span> streamway less likely from the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span>
end.
<p>This general part of the cave was named <a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm">"Chile".</a> In total about 4km of new passage was discovered, leaving <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> about 500m distant from the <span lang="de-at">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</span> streamway. A major achievement.</p>
<p>This general part of the cave was named
<a href="../../smkridge/161/chile.htm">"Chile".</a> In total about 4km of new
passage was discovered, leaving <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span>
about 500m distant from the <span lang="de-at">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle</span>
streamway. A major achievement.
<p>However, the connection with <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> was to
remain elusive. Just 75m away!
<p>However, the connection with <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> was to remain elusive. Just 75m away!</p>
<h3 lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle</h3>
<p>A "surface stroll" by three cavers on the 25<sup>th</sup> July discovered
"a very large horizontal entrance by a prominent rock bridge". There were
actually two entrances discovered and the cave was named
<a href="../../smkridge/204/204.html"><span lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle</span></a> after the rock bridge.
<p>A "surface stroll" by three cavers on the 25<sup>th</sup> July discovered "a very large horizontal entrance by a prominent rock bridge". There were actually two entrances discovered and the cave was named <a href="../../smkridge/204/204.html"><span lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle</span></a> after the rock bridge.</p>
<p>The next day saw two of the discoverers return to start descending the
new cave. A significant amount new passage was discovered - spirits were
high when the cavers returned! The <a href="log.htm">log book</a> records:
<p>The next day saw two of the discoverers return to start descending the new cave. A significant amount new passage was discovered - spirits were high when the cavers returned! The <a href="log.htm">log book</a> records:</p>
<blockquote>
<font size=+2><span lang="de">STEINBR&Uuml;CKENH&Ouml;HLE</span> GOES!<br>
NEW CAVE!!</font><br>
70m deep<br>
260m surveyed<br>
12 QMs [Question marks (open ways on)]<br>
still going . . . <br>
Proper write up soon. x x x dunks
</blockquote>
<blockquote><p><span class="plus2pt"><span lang="de">STEINBR&Uuml;CKENH&Ouml;HLE</span> GOES!<br />
NEW CAVE!!</span><br />
70m deep<br />
260m surveyed<br />
12 QMs [Question marks (open ways on)]<br />
still going . . . <br />
Proper write up soon. x x x dunks</p></blockquote>
<p>In successive trips the cave was explored to a depth of 226m and a length
of 1350m, making it a very significant find. Additionally there are now many
open ways on needing further exploration.
<p>In successive trips the cave was explored to a depth of 226m and a length of 1350m, making it a very significant find. Additionally there are now many open ways on needing further exploration.</p>
<p>The cave occupies an important position as it is not inconceivable that it
might connect into the north-western extremities of the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span>
system.
<p>This connection, even though it is not known to be achievable for sure, is
worth striving for on future expeditions, as such a connection would render
the <a href="../../smkridge/161/farnth.htm">Far North</a> regions of
<span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> far more accessible than at the
present time. No doubt future expeditions will shed more light on the
subject.
<p>The cave occupies an important position as it is not inconceivable that it might connect into the north-western extremities of the <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> system.</p>
<p>This connection, even though it is not known to be achievable for sure, is worth striving for on future expeditions, as such a connection would render the <a href="../../smkridge/161/farnth.htm">Far North</a> regions of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> far more accessible than at the present time. No doubt future expeditions will shed more light on the subject.</p>
<h3 lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</h3>
<p>Following the lack of any connection to
<span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> discovered from
<span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht,</span> it was decided to try to attack
the problem from the other direction.
<p>Following the lack of any connection to <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> discovered from <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht,</span> it was decided to try to attack the problem from the other direction.</p>
<p>The entrances of <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> are more difficult
to reach than the main <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> entrances,
being a considerable distance from Top Camp along a non-obvious route.
Thankfully knowledge from previous years helped with route-finding.
<p>The entrances of <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> are more difficult to reach than the main <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> entrances, being a considerable distance from Top Camp along a non-obvious route. Thankfully knowledge from previous years helped with route-finding.</p>
<p>The large amounts of ice and snow in the cave also require unusual (to
British cavers) equipment and techniques - such as caving in crampons!
<p>The large amounts of ice and snow in the cave also require unusual (to British cavers) equipment and techniques - such as caving in crampons!</p>
<p>The entrance having been found, a team descended into the cave, down the huge snow and ice slope into <span lang="de">Schneevulkanhalle,</span> the largest ice-bearing chamber in Western Europe. Photographs were taken and several leads explored.</p>
<p>The entrance having been found, a team descended into the cave, down the
huge snow and ice slope into <span lang="de">Schneevulkanhalle,</span> the
largest ice-bearing chamber in Western Europe. Photographs were taken and
several leads explored.
<p>Finding a possible way on in the right general direction proved easy but each pitch was choked and the explorers ended up <a href="../../smkridge/40/cucc.htm#pov">climbing up 60m</a> before descending 60m again - a lot of difficult caving to get only somewhat closer to the goal. It is still going though... Another team resurveyed the route into the original (1938) part of <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle,</span> connecting the last major missing section of survey data and finding some more possible leads.</p>
<p>Finding a possible way on in the right general direction proved easy but
each pitch was choked and the explorers ended up
<a href="../../smkridge/40/cucc.htm#pov">climbing up 60m</a> before
descending 60m again - a lot of difficult caving to get only somewhat closer
to the goal. It is still going though... Another team resurveyed the
route into the original (1938) part of <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle,</span> connecting the last major missing section of survey data and finding some
more possible leads.
<p>The trips into the cave were successful, especially in increasing CUCC's knowledge of the cave. A priority next year will be to resurvey the areas we know of where data is lost or innaccurate.</p>
<p>The trips into the cave were successful, especially in increasing CUCC's
knowledge of the cave. A priority next year will be to resurvey the areas we
know of where data is lost or innaccurate.
<p>Further research, since the expedition returned to England, by <span lang="de">Thilo M&uuml;ller</span> to track down old survey data and surveys from the 1980s has also been very valuable.</p>
<p>Further research, since the expedition returned to England, by <span
lang="de">Thilo M&uuml;ller</span> to track down old survey data and surveys
from the 1980s has also been very valuable.
<p><span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> certainly deserves further
investigation and this is an important aim of the 2000 expedition.
<p><span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> certainly deserves further investigation and this is an important aim of the 2000 expedition.</p>
<h3>More in <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span></h3>
<p>Additional discoveries were made this year in the "main" part of
<span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> reached from the horizontal
entrances known as 161d and 161e.
<p>Additional discoveries were made this year in the "main" part of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> reached from the horizontal entrances known as 161d and 161e.</p>
<p>Teams visited the <a href="../../smkridge/161/icelnd.htm">Iceland area</a>
of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> via the remote 161e entrance,
1&frac12; hours' walk from Top Camp. Some known pitches were descended and
other passages explored, but unfortunately there were no major finds.
<p>Teams visited the <a href="../../smkridge/161/icelnd.htm">Iceland area</a> of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> via the remote 161e entrance, 1&frac12; hours' walk from Top Camp. Some known pitches were descended and other passages explored, but unfortunately there were no major finds.</p>
<p>A couple of trips were made into an area known as
<a href="../../smkridge/161/offffr.htm#regurgitn">Regurgitation,</a> an
interesting corner of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle,</span> where a
known rift was extended down to a continuing stream passage and an
undescended pitch. A lack of time prevented any further investigation this
year.
<p>A couple of trips were made into an area known as <a href="../../smkridge/161/offffr.htm#regurgitn">Regurgitation,</a> an interesting corner of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle,</span> where a known rift was extended down to a continuing stream passage and an undescended pitch. A lack of time prevented any further investigation this year.</p>
<p>Finally a large rift pitch was discovered near a chamber known as the
<a href="../../smkridge/161/fbl136.htm#hotmc">Hall of the Mounting Choss,</a>
but this was not descended on the expedition.
<p>Finally a large rift pitch was discovered near a chamber known as the <a href="../../smkridge/161/fbl136.htm#hotmc">Hall of the Mounting Choss,</a> but this was not descended on the expedition.</p>
<h3>Surface Work and Other Caves</h3>
<p>A significant amount of surface work was carried out over the duration of
the expedition. Several surface surveys were conducted and follow-up work
was needed on a few previous surveys. Some time was spent searching for
alternative entrances to the <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> shaft
series above the present one (to try to increase the depth of the cave). This
had mixed success in that three more entrances were discovered, but the total
depth has only been increased by about five metres!
<p>A significant amount of surface work was carried out over the duration of the expedition. Several surface surveys were conducted and follow-up work was needed on a few previous surveys. Some time was spent searching for alternative entrances to the <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> shaft series above the present one (to try to increase the depth of the cave). This had mixed success in that three more entrances were discovered, but the total depth has only been increased by about five metres!</p>
<p>Several old caves were tagged, surveyed to, surveyed inside and described.
<p>Several old caves were tagged, surveyed to, surveyed inside and described.</p>
<p>Some experimental work was carried out using a combination of GPS and portable computer to locate caves on the plateau, but it was discovered that this needs further development before it will be useable.</p>
<p>Some experimental work was carried out using a combination of GPS and
portable computer to locate caves on the plateau, but it was discovered that
this needs further development before it will be useable.
<p>A new cave <a href="../../smkridge/205.htm"><span lang="de">"Nordalpenh&ouml;hle"</span></a> was discovered and explored not far from the <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> entrance, but unfortunately this proved to end in a pitch with no way on at the bottom. Another cave nearby, <a href="../../smkridge/147.htm">"147",</a> was re-surveyed and re-documented, and a couple of other known shafts on the plateau noted in previous years were descended and documented.</p>
<p>A new cave
<a href="../../smkridge/205.htm"><span lang="de">"Nordalpenh&ouml;hle"</span></a>
was discovered and explored not far from the <span
lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> entrance, but unfortunately this proved
to end in a pitch with no way on at the bottom. Another cave nearby,
<a href="../../smkridge/147.htm">"147",</a> was re-surveyed and
re-documented, and a couple of other known shafts on the plateau noted in
previous years were descended and documented.
<p>Finally, in a new development, mobile phones replaced radios to provide
more reliable communication between Top Camp and Base Camp.
<p>Finally, in a new development, mobile phones replaced radios to provide more reliable communication between Top Camp and Base Camp.</p>
<h3>Follow-Up Work</h3>
<p>The usual follow-up work in Cambridge and elsewhere is continuing even as
you read this report. Survey data is processed on computer using the
<b>Survex</b> software written by CUCC members. Surveys have to be drawn up
and passage descriptions written.
<p>The usual follow-up work in Cambridge and elsewhere is continuing even as you read this report. Survey data is processed on computer using the <b>Survex</b> software written by CUCC members. Surveys have to be drawn up and passage descriptions written.</p>
<p>The CUCC Expo documentation archive, maintained as a Web site, is
currently being updated with the finds from Expo '99. This comprehensive
cross-referenced resource provides an excellent knowledge base of information
for future expeditions.
<p>The CUCC Expo documentation archive, maintained as a Web site, is currently being updated with the finds from Expo '99. This comprehensive cross-referenced resource provides an excellent knowledge base of information for future expeditions.</p>
<p>The archive can be viewed on the Web at the following address:<br>
<center><a href="../../index.htm">http://cucc.survex.com/expo/index.htm</a></center>
<p>The archive can be viewed on the Web at the following address:</p>
<div class="centre"><p><a href="../../index.htm">http://cucc.survex.com/expo/index.htm</a></p></div>
<h3>Concluding Remarks</h3>
<p>Expo '99 was a great success, with over 4km of extensions to
<span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> and the discovery of a new and significant cave,
<span lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle.</span> The extensions below <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> are of
special importance and have significantly increased the chances of connecting
the two caves in a future expedition - quite possibly in 2000.
<p>Expo '99 was a great success, with over 4km of extensions to <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle</span> and the discovery of a new and significant cave, <span lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle.</span> The extensions below <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> are of special importance and have significantly increased the chances of connecting the two caves in a future expedition - quite possibly in 2000.</p>
<h3>Expo 2000</h3>
<p>Planning for the expedition in 2000 to the same area is already underway.
It is hoped that the newly-gained proximity to <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> will be able to
be exploited to find the elusive connection! In addition, <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> will
be probed further in an attempt to connect the caves from the other
direction.
<p>Planning for the expedition in 2000 to the same area is already underway. It is hoped that the newly-gained proximity to <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> will be able to be exploited to find the elusive connection! In addition, <span lang="de">Eish&ouml;hle</span> will be probed further in an attempt to connect the caves from the other direction.</p>
<p>In addition it is intended to continue exploring the Chile area of
<span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> and hopefully extend it towards <span lang="de">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle.</span>
<p>In addition it is intended to continue exploring the Chile area of <span lang="de">Steinschlagschacht</span> and hopefully extend it towards <span lang="de">Stellerwegh&ouml;hle.</span></p>
<p>The new cave <span lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle</span> will be further explored with a specific aim of pushing towards the north-western extremeties of <span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span> It looks likely that this will play a large part in the 2000 expedition.</p>
<p>The new cave <span lang="de">Steinbr&uuml;ckenh&ouml;hle</span> will be further explored with a
specific aim of pushing towards the north-western extremeties of
<span lang="de">Kaninchenh&ouml;hle.</span> It looks likely that this will play a large part in the
2000 expedition.
<p>Finally, the usual surface work will be undertaken to further increase the Club's knowledge of the plateau.</p>
<p>Finally, the usual surface work will be undertaken to further increase the
Club's knowledge of the plateau.
<p>Any enquiries about Expo 2000 should be directed to the Expedition Leader,
Mark Shinwell (contact details at end of this report).
<p>Any enquiries about Expo 2000 should be directed to the Expedition Leader, Mark Shinwell (contact details at end of this report).</p>
<h3>Thanks</h3>
<p>Many thanks must go to the following for their gracious sponsorship of
Expo '99:
Expo '99:</p>
<dl>
<dt>GP Batteries (UK) Ltd.
<dd>for twenty Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, used for powering drills for
placing rigging bolts underground.
<dt>Thomas Tunnock Ltd.
<dd>for Tunnock Bars;
<dt>Quaker
<dd>for Oatso;
<dt>Batchelors
<dd>for Cup-a-Soups, Bean Feasts and Super Noodles;
<dt>Tadpole Technologies
<dd>for the loan of a <b>J-Slate</b> portable computer designed for running
programs written in the Java programming language;
<dt>The Ghar Parau Foundation
<dd>for their support;
<dt>Atritor Ltd
<dd>for a drum of carbide.
<dt>GP Batteries (UK) Ltd.</dt><dd>for twenty Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, used for powering drills for placing rigging bolts underground.</dd>
<dt>Thomas Tunnock Ltd.</dt><dd>for Tunnock Bars;</dd>
<dt>Quaker</dt><dd>for Oatso;</dd>
<dt>Batchelors</dt><dd>for Cup-a-Soups, Bean Feasts and Super Noodles;</dd>
<dt>Tadpole Technologies</dt><dd>for the loan of a <b>J-Slate</b> portable computer designed for running programs written in the Java programming language;</dd>
<dt>The Ghar Parau Foundation</dt><dd>for their support;</dd>
<dt>Atritor Ltd</dt><dd>for a drum of carbide.</dd>
</dl>
<p>Finally the expedition members must be thanked for their individual parts
in making Expo '99 a highly successful expedition.
in making Expo '99 a highly successful expedition.</p>
<p><b>Mark Shinwell</b> - President, Cambridge University Caving Club 1999-2000<br>
Queens' College, Cambridge, CB3 9ET, England.<br>
email mrs30 at cam.ac.uk
<p><b>Mark Shinwell</b> - President, Cambridge University Caving Club 1999-2000<br />
Queens' College, Cambridge, CB3 9ET, England.<br />
email mrs30 at cam.ac.uk</p>
<hr />
<!-- LINKS -->
<p><ul>
<ul>
<li>1999 Expedition info:
<ul>
<li><a href="index.htm">1999 index</a> (more detail than in this list)</li>