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<title> CUCC Expo Prospecting Handbook: Taking Bearings </title>
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<h2 id="tophead">CUCC Expedition Prospecting Handbook</h2>
<h1>Taking Bearings</h1>

<p style="font-style: italic">Note: With the vast increase in the use of GPS units I
think it's a fair while since anyone used bearings for locating new entrances,
but this document is still relevant as this is the only information we have
about a number of already explored caves. <span style="text-align:
right">&mdash;DL 2004.04.22</span></p>

<p>In the long term, every cave that gets a number should be on a
<a href="survey/ontop.htm">surface survey</a> carried out to the same
accuracy <b>and with equally good sketching</b> as the underground surveys
(see the <a href="survey/index.htm">Surveying Guide</a>). Failing that, a
good <a href="survey/gps.htm">GPS fix</a> should mean that the immediate
vicinity can be found again. However, for prospecting and initial exploratory
work, it is usually good enough to take bearings from the entrance and make a
good sketch or take photographs.</p>

<p>In theory, any cave can be located by taking bearings to two other known
points. For this to work at all well, the bearings should be as nearly as
possible at right angles to each other, and the points should be clearly
recognisable, well-defined and not too far away. As these criteria are not
always readily met, it is usually worth taking extra bearings on several
points (ie. at least three) which can be used for confirmation or for
spotting duff ones.</p>

<p>In general, sharp pointy peaks which can be recognised over quite a wide
area are best, so that the Br&auml;uning Zinken is excellent. Peaks with very
rounded or multiple summits are generally not useful, so that the Vd.
Schwarzmooskogel, for example, is particularly bad. In this case, it is
useful to include a sketch to say exactly which point was used. The apparent
summit, as seen from Top Camp, is usually called "VSK nipple". This is a good
50m below the true summit, but appears well-defined. It is fine for finding
caves in the field but is <b>not</b> adequate for locating them on a map.</p>

<p>In the cave descriptions, bearings are quoted with a series of standard
<a href="abbrev.htm">abbreviations for landmarks</a>, which gives a good
indication of which ones are most useful.</p>

<p>Ideally, take bearings on one of the points identified in the pictures
below (follow the links to useful sized images on which the peaks are named).
Failing that, be sure to identify your feature correctly, using a good map
(ie. the Alpenvereinkarte 1:25000 sheet 15/1, Totes Gebirge West), and write
down the name in full, preferably with a sketch.</p>

<table class="imgtable">
<tr>
<td>
<a href="../piclinks/bw_pks.htm"><img alt="" src="../tinypix/bw_pks.jpg" /></a>
</td>
<td><a href="../piclinks/brw-b8.htm"><img alt="" src="../tinypix/brw-b8.jpg"
/></a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="caption">
<td>A view of the Br&auml;uning Wall (from far out on the plateau) showing
which peak is which.</td>
<td>A view showing how the Br&auml;uning Wall becomes foreshortened from
the "near" plateau and approach to Schwarzmooskogel ridge.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="../piclinks/wildkg.htm"><img alt="" src="../tinypix/wildkg.jpg" /></a></td>
<td><a href="../piclinks/9603vd.htm"><img alt="" src="../tinypix/9603vd.jpg" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="caption">
<td>A view identifying the peaks visible to the north of the plateau -
Sch&ouml;nberg, Gro&szlig;e and Kleine Wildkogel and Grieskogel.</td>
<td>A view of peaks seen south from the east side of the Hinterer
Schwarzmooskogel.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<a href="../piclinks/hskvsk.htm"><img alt="" src="../tinypix/hskvsk.jpg"
width="300" height="140" /></a>
</td></tr>
<tr class="caption">
<td colspan="2">A view south from Hinterer Schwarzmooskogel showing the Trisselberg
to the left and behind the serried ranks of false summits on the Vorderer
Schwarzmooskogel. On the far right, Br&auml;uning Nase can be seen.</td>
</tr></table>

<p>(More views to follow - however, there's no point until we have actually
identified the summits on the views with complete certainty :-)</p>

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