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<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 65%" lang="fr" xml:lang= "fr">(<acronym>GSAB</acronym>) Sp&eacute;alp 1 (Juin 1977) pp 33-49</p>
<h1 lang="de" xml:lang="de">TOTES GEBIRGE</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Description of the principal caves in the West of the massif.</h2>

<p><b>Introduction</b> : The choice of this area was quite
arbitrary. Indeed, there is very little chance that the area is all
drained by the same hydrological system. While for some caves, the
presumed resurgence is almost certain, the same is not true of
others which may drain in totally the opposite direction ! Our
choice was governed by means of access: roads, gear lift, paths, a
refuge etc.. The <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Totes
Gebirge</span>, which is one of the biggest karst ranges in
Austria, is only easily accessible in certain areas, such as the
one we discuss in this article. In this area are many kilometres of
totally virgin lapiaz. Many hours walking are needed to reach it.
Moreover, in this area, only a tiny part is more-or-less
prospected. It includes the valleys of <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Raucherkar</span> and <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Feuertal</span>, and the areas adjoining the path which goes
to them as well as the north face of <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Hagender Kogel</span>, in which lies the <span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Tropfsteinh&ouml;hle</span>, which had extraordinary
formations but which is today completely trashed out.</p>
<p><b>Cave Research</b> : has been mainly carried out by our
friends of Upper Austria, an English group, two French groups, and
ourselves. For our part we did almost no prospecting, except in
1976. We contented ourselves with the descent of certain known
caves - again, not all of them (We bitterly regret this today
because others have made discoveries in our place). Our effort was
particularly carried out in <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Ahnenschacht</span>, but a chronic deficiency of able cavers
and relevant experience (in 1975 we were only 4) has prevented us
from getting as far as we would have liked.</p>
<p><b>Geology/Hydrology</b> : Not having a geologist in the group,
we could only sketch out the major outlines. The great majority of
the area is <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Dachsteinkalk</span>,
also with some pockets of Dolomite, well seen in certain places -
notably north of the <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Ahnenschacht</span>. Another problem, the presence of a nappe
(overfold) between -400 and -500m which could cause problems in
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Ahnenschacht</span>. For the
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Raucherkar</span>, the drainage is
practically certain: the flood resurgence is in <span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Nagelstegh&ouml;hle</span> to the south of
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Raucherkar</span>, and north of
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Altaussee</span>. It should be
possible to connect the two either directly, or by diving.
<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">QUELLI</span> should also go in the
same direction, at least if one believes its trend. Nevertheless,
with <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Quelli</span> opening up 2km NE
of <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Raucherkar</span>, we need to be
very careful in drawing conclusions.</p>
<p><b lang="de" xml:lang="de">AHNENSCHACHT</b> lies in an area with
very complex boundaries, and could very well go off in several
totally different directions. It is very possible that several
directions can be followed. The explorations have not proceeded far
enough in plan to be able to decide.</p>
<p><b lang="de" xml:lang="de">TRUNKEMBOLDSCHACHT</b> and <b lang=
"de" xml:lang="de">UFO SCHACHT</b> should be expected to head off
to the north where many resurgences can be seen. The other
directions should nevertheless not be ignored. At any rate, the
explorations will be pushed a lot further this year and perhaps it
will become clearer to us.</p>
<p>From the hydrological point of view, it is very regrettable that
no dye tests have been carried out, and this through lack of
authorisation, collaboration and interest !!!</p>
<h2 lang="de" xml:lang="de"><a id="id55" name=
"id55">RAUCHERKARH&Ouml;HLENSYSTEM</a></h2>
<p><span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Steiermark - Totes Gebirge</span>
- 1632m<br />
Depth 723m Length so far, about 20km<br />
Deepest point is a sump</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: In the Western <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Totes Gebirge</span>, south of the <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Sch&ouml;nberg</span>, 2km SE of <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Ahnenschacht</span>.</p>
<p><b>History</b>: Exploration started in 1961. In 1965, the cave
was 6km long and 246m deep. The National Austrian expedition of
1965 reached -530m. In 1973, <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de"><acronym>LVfHK</acronym> Ober&ouml;sterreich &amp;
Steiermark</span> reached a sump at -723m, at which time the length
had reached 18km.</p>
<p><b>Description</b>: The system has no less than 13 entrances
ranged between 1500 and 1623m altitude. The labyrinthine system
contains several levels of development mostly southwards towards
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Nagelstegh&ouml;hle</span> (the
probable resurgence at an altitude of 850m). It is interesting to
note that the final sump has been reached by systematically
traversing round pitches in excess of 90-40m.</p>
<p>Author of this summary : <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Etienne
Degrave</span>.</p>
<h2><a id="id120" lang="fr" name="id120" xml:lang="fr">QUELLI</a>
or <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">KACHERLSCHACHT</span></h2>
<p>Western <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Totes Gebirge - Feuertal -
Sch&ouml;nberg</span><br />
Depth -708m Altitude about 1950m</p>
<p><b>History</b>: Discovered in 1973 by the
<acronym>GSAB</acronym> under the name T3. Rediscovered in July
1976 by <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">J.M.Piron</span> and explored
from 12th to 23rd of July by <span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">A.C.Toulon, S.C.Toulon, Lou Darbon</span> and <span lang="fr"
xml:lang="fr">Sp&eacute;l&eacute;o Ragaie</span>.</p>
<p><b>Description</b>: P8, p19, p83, p33, p24, p17, p5, p33, p24,
p9, p33, p27, p103. At -400m one reaches a vast passage going up
and downhill. The downstream passage emerges at the top of an 84m
pitch. Below this a winding canyon interspersed with small pitches
gives onto a 15m pitch and the end of exploration at -708m.</p>
<p lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Etienne Degrave</p>
<h2><a id="id117" lang="fr" name="id117" xml:lang=
"fr">EMPAGADURE</a> or <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">TRUNKEMBOLDSCHACHT</span></h2>
<p>Western <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Totes Gebirge -
Hintergras</span><br />
Depth -587m Altitude 1610m</p>
<p><b>History</b>: Discovered in July 1976 by <span lang="fr"
xml:lang="fr">F.Vergier</span>. Explored between 12th and 23rd July
1976 by <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">A.C.Toulon, S.C.Toulon, Lou
Darbon</span> and <span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">Sp&eacute;l&eacute;o Ragaie</span>.</p>
<p><b>Description</b>: Down to -287m the cave is made up of
shortish pitches interspersed with tight meandering passage : p8,
p12, p17, p9, p20, p3, p12, p30, p7, p6, p9, p8, p7, p5, p34, p6,
p8, p5, p9. At -287m, a 21m pitch drops into a large chamber. The
water disappears in the boulders to reappear in a whole series of
wet pitches of which the longest is 30m. Floods impeded exploration
at the bottom of this branch: at -456m a pitch of about 20m was
definitely too wet to be descended. At -488m a low passage was also
too wet. Moreover, the draught there was weak or absent.</p>
<p>In the chamber at -308m, a reascent of about 15m gave access to
a fairly wide fossil canyon which blew a detectable draught. After
30m, this passage opened onto the enormous "<span lang="fr"
xml:lang="fr">Puits de Naufrag&eacute;s</span>" (The Castaway's
pitch), with a cross section of 15 by 25 metres. On this pitch,
several inlets appeared to come from the first branch explored. The
bottom of the pitch contracted to a joint-guided rift, exploration
ending at the head of a pitch estimated at 40m.</p>
<p lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Etienne Degrave</p>
<h2 lang="de" xml:lang="de"><a id="id50" name=
"id50">AHNENSCHACHT</a></h2>
<p>Location: Western <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Totes Gebirge -
Feuertal</span><br />
Depth: -612m Length so far: &gt; 5km<br />
<b>Altitude</b>: 1890m</p>
<p><b>History</b>: Discovered by our Upper Austrian colleagues in
1856. The point -320m was reached by them in 1958. In 1967 and 1968
the <a href="../../bec/index.htm">Bristol Exploration Club</a>
reached -400m, the Horizontal network, with a length of 1 km, was
discovered. In 1972, 73, 74 and 75, the <acronym>GSAB</acronym>
"<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Les Gours</span>" explored and
discovered over 5km of passage and about 1500m of pitches. This got
them to -612m. We note also the participation, in 1974, of three
French clubs from Eastern France: <span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">S.C.Vesoul, G.S.Clerval</span> and <span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">S.S.Daules</span>. In 1975 <acronym>CARSS</acronym> joined a
mini-expedition in July and likewise, <acronym>CASEO</acronym> in
August.</p>
<h3>Description: Entrance series</h3>
<p>The entrance is in a small doline situated on the ridge
separating <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Feuertal</span> and
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Hintergras</span>. The cave starts
with four pitches (p14, p11, p5 and p11) which drop onto a slope
formed of big boulders (rope desirable). After this, another series
of small pitches (p9, p7, p6, p4, p10, p18, p11) from which is
reached the "<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Sinterterrasse</span>"
at -141m.</p>
<p>From this point, one has left the zone of small pitches and
started a series of pitches which in reality are part of a single
shaft down to -400m.</p>
<p>Indeed, if you had an unfortunate accident on the "<span lang=
"de" xml:lang="de">Sinterterrasse</span>", you would fall all the
way to -400m. These pitches are usually wet, especially after
rain... Here is the list of pitches: p25, <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Schuppenstufe</span> 30, p10, <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Sicherungsstufe</span> 32, <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Schachtgabel</span> 48, a 10m ramp, <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Josef Schacht</span> 100m. On the <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Josef Schacht</span>, a pendulum 6m from the top enables one
to reach the entry to the "Horizontal network". Descending the
<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Josef Schacht</span> a little
further, after a 6.5m and a 10m pitch, access can be gained to a
wide canyon, active in the bottom, and which ends in a fissure.
This canyon is fossil in the upper level and certainly presents
possibilities for continuation.</p>
<h4>Lateral development from <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Josef
Schacht</span></h4>
<p>After one has crossed the "doorway" and a short squeeze, one
enters the network proper. At this point is a passage covered in
rather special formations. The first junction gives access to a
network [ lines missing from original photocopy - sorry :-(]</p>
<h4>The Vegetable Garden</h4>
<p>This fossil system, which has not been fully travelled through,
contains numerous possibilities. It is reached by three principal
access routes: the pitch already mentioned; a descending fissure a
little before the "Belgica"; and a sloping passage with formations
in the "Mammoth pitch" chamber. The system is composed of a big
chamber with numerous passages and junctions; it is very poorly
known and no doubt houses many surprises. Continuing along the
passage, one passes a step of 4m to find a junction, to the left at
which lies the bivouac.</p>
<h4>"Belgica" system</h4>
<p>Directly after the bivouac, there is a 10m pitch, and at the
bottom, a new junction: downhill the "Belgica" passage, of fairly
small dimensions, which leads, after traversing past three holes,
to a descent of an 8m and a 17m pitch and to the squeezes passed by
our French colleagues. [<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">A
revoir</span>]</p>
<p>Uphill, discovered by <span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">D.Motte</span> and <acronym>PIE</acronym>, in the course of
the expedition in 1974, is the "<span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">Galerie de Francs comtois</span>". This is a large ascending
fossil passage interspersed with traverses, dips and pitches. It
reascends to -90m. At -150m, a 20m pitch reaches the "<span lang=
"fr" xml:lang="fr">Resomega</span>".</p>
<p>A little before the 20m pitch, a short descending canyon passage
avoids the 20m pitch and the series of squeezes following it. The
"<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Resomega</span>" is an alternately
ascending and descending passage, very chaotic, interspersed with
several junctions and pitches which leads to the "Balcon du
Visionnaire", offering several possibilities. A 60m pitch gives
onto another 60m pitch which is undescended. There is another big
pitch in excess of 100m and an unfinished ascending passage. A
little before, a 10m pitch allows one to reach a passage
interspersed with 3 junctions and 7 exits !!!! This shows the level
of complexity which we ran into.</p>
<p>It was also at the "<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Balcon du
Visionnaire</span>" that an accident occurred in 1975, which
terminated exploration in that year.</p>
<p>Back in the Horizontal network, and after passing a little
bouldery climb an inlet is encountered, named "The Bath". The
passage continues a little longer, to end in a pitch. [To be
completed]</p>
<p>The following junction has been named "Mammoth Junction" because
the passage to the right leads onto the pitch of the same name. It
is necessary to exercise great care and attention not to slip
hereabouts, because a fall would drop you into same.</p>
<p>The Mammoth Pitch, Para-pitch and probably the "Negus" pitch,
form part of the same system ( see survey ) which is composed of a
146m pitch, a 10m pitch and a narrow canyon interspersed with
several cascades leading finally to a 35m pitch giving onto the
sump at -612m. The Para-pitch, p106, is followed by pitches of 5,
10 and 50m and drops via the latter into the "Mammoth Canyon"</p>
<p>The "Negus" pitch, which is undescended, should also drop into
the same canyon. Several other small pitches and active streamways
should also rejoin this system.</p>
<p>The depth of 612m should be treated cautiously because the
method of survey used (height of a man) is fairly imprecise. The
bottom could be anywhere between -580m and -630m. The shortage of
time prevented us from redoing our survey. Maybe this year ????</p>
<p>Turning left, the "Zipfer" passage is followed for 150m before
reaching an important junction: to the left "Chimneys passage", to
the right "Draughting passage".</p>
<h4>Chimneys Passage</h4>
<p>This is very large with a constant slope, interrupted in the
middle by a squeeze and a couple of drops. The "Schnaps pitch" (40m
with an unexplored, narrow canyon) is avoided by traversing to
reach a 25m pitch in which you must pendulum 5m from the bottom in
order to reach a chamber in which is met a small stream. Climbing
up a little opposite, a short upper passage rejoins the stream by a
20m pitch. In the chamber, the descent of a 10m pitch allows the
stream to be followed to a squeeze beyond which one can hear the
grumble of a large river ? A place to go back to.</p>
<h4>Draughting passage</h4>
<p>This is fossil, and tight in places, and allows exploration of a
very complex network which intersects itself in various places and
which could hold very great surprises, since its exploration has
only been sketchily outlined. The exit from this passage is in an
area of boulders where two possibilities exist:</p>
<p><b>To the left</b>: a tight passage has been forced on a slope
to "<span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Kitschacht</span>" (Tackle Bag
Shaft) a magnificent 50m drop, very wide and completely free
hanging. At its base, several possibilities. A tight active canyon
which can be bypassed by a fossil passage, broken by an earthy drop
of 3m to a huge 15m pitch leading to a sump at -360m.</p>
<p>A drop of a few metres gives access to a huge fossil passage (
10 x 5m ). The floor of this is cut by a deep canyon which has not
been explored. After a hundred metres or so the passage ends at a
vast wet pitch. Climbing over a big boulder on the right gives
access to another pitch upwards.</p>
<p>Just after the base of <span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Kitschacht</span>, a passage of 80m makes a connection with
the system of the "<span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">D&eacute;collement</span>" pitch at the bottom of the 40m
shaft. A canyon leaving the junction passage can be followed for
more than 300m, and exits, in several places, into the side of the
big fossil passage, just before the pitch upwards.</p>
<p><b>To the right</b>: The "<span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">D&eacute;collement</span>" pitch, with, at its base, a sloping
chamber full of boulders. To the left a very deep ascending canyon
is unexplored. In the bottom is the "<span lang="fr" xml:lang=
"fr">M&eacute;andre Emeri</span>", so called because the formations
are orientated in the direction of progress and of the draught.
This rejoins a wide pitch with an inlet. After this 15m pitch is a
short canyon and a damp 40m pitch. At the bottom, a huge descending
passage suddenly turns almost vertical. This is the "Toboggan",
needing 20m of rope (a very spectacular passage). At this level one
again cuts a new streamway. The passage continues, then contracts,
and chokes at -385m.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion</b>: An enormous amount to see and to go back and
finish. The more we explore, the more we find ! With more support
we could do some extraordinary speleological work.</p>
<p style="text-align: right" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">J.C.Hans</p>
<h2><a id="id122" lang="de" name="id122" xml:lang="de">UFO
SCHACHT</a> or <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">GOUFFRE
OVNI</span></h2>
<p><b>Location</b>: Western <span lang="de" xml:lang="de">Totes
Gebirge - Hintergras</span><br />
<b>Depth</b>: -201m <b>Altitude</b>: about 1500m</p>
<p><b>History</b>: Discovered in August 1974 by <span lang="fr"
xml:lang="fr">D.Motte</span>. Entrance unblocked by
<acronym>GSAB</acronym> in 1975 and 76. Explored in August 1976 by
<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">F.Dechany</span> and <span lang="fr"
xml:lang="fr">J.C.Hans</span>.</p>
<p><b>Description</b>: The entrance consists of a crack about 20cm
high, which was at first cleared as far as a chamber with no way
on. The draught which had enabled us to find the entrance now
showed us the way on. After having unblocked a fissure dubbed "Sas"
we arrived at a pitch. This is broken in five places. A second
pitch broken into three leads to a short canyon, then to several
drops and pitches interspersed with short squeezes. The following
pitches can be seen as forming a single 80m shaft, divided into
five and becoming bigger and bigger in depth as well as width. The
cave continues by a fault rift two or three metres wide and
penetrating by successive notches. The exploration will continue in
August 1977.</p>
<p style="text-align: right" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">J.C.Hans</p>
<hr />
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<ul>
<li><a href="../../../noinfo/1626/50.htm"><span lang="de" xml:lang=
"de">Ahnenschacht</span></a></li>
<li><a href="../../../noinfo/1626/117.htm"><span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Trunkemboldschacht</span></a></li>
<li><a href="../../../noinfo/1626/120.htm"><span lang="de"
xml:lang="de">Feuertalsystem</span></a></li>
<li><a href="../../../noinfo/1626/122.htm"><span lang="fr"
xml:lang="fr">Gouffre Ovni</span></a></li>
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