Far plateau to Grieß Kogel and Augst-Eck

Beyond the comparatively accessible area of plateau just over the Schwarzmoossattel, explored by CUCC, lies a vast area of limestone karren and dwarf spruce. Exploration is deterred by the lack of paths, almost complete absence of water supplies and possible places to camp and just general inaccessibility - there is still plenty of cave to find nearer to Top Camp.

CUCC have gone beyond their normal stomping ground on just one walk, approaching from the Schwarzmoossattel and finding the caves numbered 108 and 110. An area right at the far edge of the 1623 area, described as "SE face of Kleines Augst-Eck", may prove to mean the SE face of Nieder Augst-Eck, which should be included in the Schwarzmooskogel to Wildensee area, but this is sufficently uncertain that we treat it here.

Lancaster University Speleological Society held two expeditions (in 1987 and 1988) into an area on the very northern edge of 1623, and most caves they found were in the adjoining 1626 area. The approach to this area around Roßkogel was from the Wildenseehütte, after a long approach on foot from Grundlsee. LUSS produced good printed reports for each of their trips, and details are included of those finds which appear to be south of the rather ill-defined 1623/1626 "border".

The University of Bristol Speleological Society also held two small expeditions (in 1989 and 1990) into an area near the LUSS one. Unlike LUSS, they did not contact any member of CUCC (or, as far as we are aware, any of the Austrian cavers) for information, nor have we been able to obtain many details of their finds. However, Dan Harries sent a copy of their report on BS17, whose description is included here.