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<h1>Austria 1988</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="report.htm">Austria 1988</a> expedition report</li>
<li><a href="cavegd.htm">161 Description</a> to date (ie. 1988)</li>
<li><a href="164.htm">1623/164</a> exploration</li>
<li><a href="rover.htm">A Rover's return</a></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="to1989.htm">And so to 1989</a> work for 1989 expo to date</li>
<li><a href="bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves & Caving Report</a></li>
</ul>

<p>The first part of the log is traditionally taken up by the journey
out.<br>If this is of no interest, here is a link <a href="#start">to the
caving</a>!</p>

<hr />
<a id="id1988-Journey-1">1988-08-15 | journey - Team Rover | Chris Densham, Becka Lawson, Mark Fearon, Penny Reeves</a>

<p>[Written up Fri 19th]
<p>Team Rover (Chris Densham, Becka Lawson, Mark Fearon & Penny Reeves)</p>

<p>Set off from Cambridge at 6.30pm on Monday 15th August. Despite Rover
losing incredible amounts of oil on the way, the 11.59pm ferry from Dover to
Calais was reached on time. Once off the ferry it took 26 hours to reach
Hilder's, where Rover arrived at 5am on Wednesday morning, to find that Hugh
had arrived from Greece the night before.</p>

<p>Team Rover Amendment</p>

<p>Animal had unfortunately only screwed up the rocker cover bolts finger
tight so they <u>poured</u> out oil. Eventually sussed out what it was and
arrived at Dover. I wrote 8 letters on the ferry, then they refused to
<u>take</u> the berluddy things. Then off to Hilda's. 4 of us in Rover, ie. 3
in the front, then this mangled dwarf had to squat in the back, in a cubby
hole. Chris made it comfy enough, by dint of shoving all the gear onto the
front seat, so we were all perched at 45&deg;, lifting the windscreen...
Later, Chris got so overheated, he stripped off to his luscious pink Y-fronts
- unfortunately, he didn't get any more decent when he set off driving - got
out at a petrol station and asked the shocked attendant 'Normal?'.
Stuffed Chris back to Rover to get him decent and filled up. Various problems
with windscreen wiper, ie. had to be operated manually. Some sod overtook
Chris, then braked, so Chris managed to actually skid Rover... We overheated
quite badly on the final pass (110&deg; engine), so I walked it, as Rover
cooled off. There'd been an enormous storm last night and lots of soil had
washed down onto the road. Eventually arrived about dawn, dead.</p>



<p>Team Hugh arrived from Greece after an eventful two weeks there -
including the exploration of <u>Bekiris Cave</u> on Spetsai (survey on
request!), a rather nice sea cave. A few days in Athens were followed by the
amazingly slow train to Belgrade, where life was sharpened by running after a
rapidly accelerating train (containing (a) luggage, (b) passport, (c) the
only way to get to Austria !) which decided that it wanted to go to
M&uuml;nchen rather more rapidly than I did. After eventually catching up
with my possessions, I went to Salzburg with Karin (an amazingly dumb
American girl) [Tautology - Ed.] and thence to Hilda's, where I was allowed
to kip in her sin-bin type place (rather confusingly called the
'lager' which has visions of sleeping lots of beer!)</p>



Fri 19th <u>Team Sharman arrival</u>

<p>Chris, Sue, Jared, Adam.</p>

<p>Left Calais ~12 o'clock<br>
Eventless<br>
Got lost nr. Luxembourg; Nearly running out of petrol due to Jared falling
asleep (maybe).<br>
Autobahn became rather busy, full of maniacs pulling out at 60 when everyone
else was doing ~100.<br>
By ~10am getting very hot in the car. Drove a lot. Got mildly lost going
into Saltzburg, although fairly quickly got through the traffic jams.
Arrived at Hilder's at ~1.30 & went up to the lake to find those already
walking back. Pissed around in the lake with Ian's blow up boat, tried to
sink a buoy & punctured the boat.<br>
Had tea, drank beer, sacked out.<br>
Something exciting may have happened but I was probably asleep at the time.

<p></p>
Team Millars.<br>
Arrived &frac12; hour after Sharmans after leaving Calais at the same time.<br>
Passed 2 times by Sharmans. Didn't get lost on route.</p>
<hr />
<a name="start">1988-08-18 | surface - Thurs 18th Recce trip| Chris D, Rebecca, Mark F, Penny, Hugh</a>

<p>All up to the col where the following holes were assessed:- (Hopefully
Becka still has the piece of paper with the bearings on !)</p>

<p><a href="recce0.png">
<img src="recce2.png" width=370 height=403 alt="Sketch map of recce"></a>

<p>These holes may be the initial targets for bashing... Chris D, Rebecca,
Mark 'call me Fief' F, Penny, Hugh.</p>

<p>The area looked at is about 1%-5% of the available area ! Only hopeful
entrances are marked.</p>

<a name="start19">1988-08-18 | surface - Friday 19th| Chris D, Becka, Ian, Keith, Penny, Chris S, Sue, Jared, Adam</a>

<p></p>
Friday 19th

<p>Bright and early start to &lt;???&gt; of Expo88, noone had need to stoop
as low as moaning at Rebecca with their cuppa.</p>

<p>Down to Bad Aussee (on foot as Rover was poorly) to miss bus to Loser by 5
mins. Chris D and RL head off to hitch up intending to investigate a little
into the previous day's finds.</p>

<p>Team Sloth head on foot, via bier vendor, to Hilda's for a swim, sunbath
and a few beers to the accompaniment of Mozart. This being all too much, we
took the dinghy up to Grundlsee for another arduous bout of swim, sun etc.</p>

<p>Penny comments that the chances of a passing (yucky) orange Fiesta with UK
plates not being the Millar brothers are rather remote. She was right -
enter C & S S, I & K M, JW, AC. Of course, this brings on a relapse
and, armed with a second dinghy, more swim, sun etc.</p>

<p>Back to camp - food, beer, latern, beer, chat, beer.</p>

<p>A highly successful day's caving !</p>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-B10-1">1988-08-19 | B10 - surface and stuff Fri 19th | Chris D, Becka</a>

<p>Rover was kaputt, so, feeling unhealthily enthusiastic, we decided to
hitch up to the plateau. V. fast ride up, & good hitches, plateau by
eleven. Trogged up to Thurs recce trip, looked at the long shaft (no draft)
by the top path, we saw yesterday. Stuck in 2 bolts over lunch and sunbathing
(ie. 1 hr per bolt). Down - needed another rig, Chris bored, me cold &
feeble, so out. Ambled round <u>very</u> ineffectively looking for other
shaft, Chris down, all on natural belays (of which he was inordinately
proud!) Unfortunately I saw 'B10' over the shaft, & it blocked
anyway. Chris, fired with non-infectious keenness, wanted to finish the first
shaft. Bottomed it - mebbe 40m about vertical down, then another 20m straight
down in the boulder choke at the bottom - v. big chamber. Found a nice
skeleton here and an old colander ! Out 10.30 ish walked back. Lift home
(well, poor guy all but hijacked by us) by Karl Gaisberger, who we met on
Thurs - he took us all the way home, after showing us his 5 houses, 3 car
garage etc. On top of the plateau, at the Bergrestaurant, there were 3 blokes
watching moths, with lights and a white sheet.</p>

<p>T/U (3 hours or so !)
<hr />
<a>1988-08-20 | surface - prospecting Sat 20th | Becka, Keith, Adam</a>

<p>Nothing significant found in searching on the far side of the obvious coll
looking from the initial place thought for a campsite - not much of a
description I know but I haven't got a map. loads of promising looking holes
but none draughting & most filled with snow plugs or infill. Nuf zed.</p>

<hr />
<a>1988-08-20 | journey - TEAM MARLBOROUGH (MONTEGO, ACTUALLY)| Jeremy, Del, Mark D, Wookey</a>
<u>TEAM MARLBOROUGH (MONTEGO, ACTUALLY)</u>

<p>:- J.J.Rodgers, Del Boy Robinson, M Dougherty & Wookey</p>

<p>Left Cambs at 7.30 ish having completely filled estate with 9 rucksacks
for 4 people. Trogged down to Dover all complaining about clutch. Sat
watching slowest info display in the universe for about 5 hours. Our boat
(00.01) left at 03.00. The car now has 3 doors cos Jeremy is so butch he
ripped the handle off trying to get in. Next drove through France (Wookey
alseep), Luxembourg (Del asleep), Germany (All asleep) with terminal rain.
(It's really hard to drive at 100mph when you can't see) & then got lost
a lot in Austria (due to navigation by blind people). Arrived 8.30 (16 hours
driving).</p>

<hr />
<a>1988-08-20 | plateau - More exploration in the rain | Hugh, Penny, Mark R, Mark F</a>

<p>Met at the 'campsite' to be told it was the wrong one ! So all
up to the col between the low + high Schwarzmoochkogelllll, where it started
to rain, low viz etc so a retreat (rather than a force onto the path back
[stogerweg]) was mooted. On the way back a complex of caves (near 81, 82 etc.
etc.) was investigated - Mark R will provide a description of his shaft, I
and mark F investigated a railway tunnel sized cave, unfortunately no way
down ! There are others........ Dumped gear at the Brauning wall coll, then
back to sit at the Bergrestaurant in the rain until the whiskey ran out, then
walked down the hill until Chris S appeared. Also, located the entrance to
old caves 81, 82, 85 (of unknown explorers and vintage !) and 147 (CUCC
1984).</p>

<p>Forced self-confession - I botched up rigging a shaft. Tied to bunder I
went down to a ledge ~5m down to bolt-in. Woops there goes my helmet. Down to
bottom - nothing save helmet (15m pitch, 10m crawl choking off). Draft at top
- no draft at choke, must have been caused by through draft from other</p>
entrances clearly visible.

<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-1">1988-08-21 | surface - 21st August 1988 | Mark D, Becka, Jeremy, Wookey, Adam, Del</a>

<p>Carried stacks of gear over to the 'far' campsite (near 136). Becka &
Adam went for a recce, while Jeremy, Wookey, Del & me (Mark) looked at a
hole found by Jeremy. Bolted the top, but ran out of time, as at least 1
& probably 2 rebelays needed to reach bottom. Depth estimated as 50
metres.</p>

<p><a href="#id1988-161-2">Next trip</a>
<hr />
<a>1988-08-22 | basecamp - fester | Chris D, Juliette, Roddick, Mark F, Jared</a>
<p>22nd ?
<p></p>&nbsp;&nbsp;----------&gt; Enthusiasm at a low ebb on
this intended 'fester' day. Found some green splodges beyond end
of Brauning Nase & a big boomy rift (that probably blocks). Bored so
took 'short cut' back through gap in Brauning wall. Chris D.</p>

<p>Carried gas cylinder up to camp site. Set off with Chris after some
festering to look for caves along the upper limit of the limestone where it
meets with the Brauning wall. Chris went for a crap & while wandering
around waiting for him to finish his business I could help but notice an
amazing fault streaking across the limestone. Displacement appeared to be
small &lt;1m, but there seemed to be many shafts along the fault & a
stream was sinking into the upper end of it. After descending several open
shafts finding them blocked I noticed a small square of black - a horizontal
entrance. It wasn't drafting but hopefully lopping stones down caused
booming for several seconds. After finding Roddick, Juliette & Mark F I
borrowing Roddick's gear and went down. Roddick nosed around while I changed
& noticed the first bit was free climbable. After this put in three
bolts and ended up on a ledge overlooking a 60 foot pitch in a chamber which
appears to have several exits. Ran out of rope ! Jared</p>

<p>[map with comment: Becka - (WONDROUS MAP, NO LANDMARKS !)]</p>

<p>NB 136 is large shaft, has CUCC 1983 on, a ring of red, in small valley,
uphill & over from 135. (Fairly obvious)</p>


<p></p>
<u>Joe</u> Cheap'n'easy flight, train, bus, hitch Manchester -&gt; Bad
Aussee 7 hours

<p></p>
Mike M, Gwyneth, Jane, Chris s, Sue

<p>Walked up to the camp site. Mike gave a lecture on the surrounding area
pointing out the locations of several 'old' holes. Walked over to Marilyn
Monroe h&ouml;hle surprise, surprise, no draught. Chris made a short
exploration (ruining his jacket in the process). Made our way over to 82
where MM assured us there would be a draught - however there wasn't ! Spied
on the Millars who were clearly audiable but at least &frac12; mile away.
Went back to the car park and made tea until the rest of the animals turned
up.</p>

<p></p>
Monday 22nd

<p><u>Mike + Tina</u></p>

<p>HELLO !! We've arrived in little min !!</p>
<hr />
<a>1988-08-22 | surface - Mon 22.8.88 The keenies | Jeremy, Mark D, Becka, Chris D, Wookey, Del & Joe</a>
<p>[Which Mark ? Assuming Doherty...]
<p>[Which Chris ? Assuming Densham...]
<p>We all set off up the hill at about 2.00 pm, 7 in car (Wookey farting in
back). Trogged uphill in cloud, got damp & squidgy. J&M continued to
camp 2. B&C stayed at Camp 1 with W,D&J's gear & tent !?
W,D&J returned to camp for a pyromania discussion & a nice, dry
night. Wookey
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-2">1988-08-23 | 160 - J hole | Mark D and Jeremy</a>
<p>[Which Mark ? Assuming Doherty...]
<p>Mark & jeremy went up the previous evening and camped on the col. Went
down 'mark & Jeremy's' hole at 8 a.m. Situation resolved as
follows:

<p>[crappy sketch]

<p>Time underground 5 Hrs.

<p>V.V.V. <u>COLD</u>
<p><a href="#id1988-161-3">Next trip</a>/<a href="#id1988-161-1">Discovery</a>


<p></p>
<u>Tuesday 23rd</u>

<p>Walked up, dumped gear, gave up on cooking some soup, and then gave up
(totally) and went to Bad Aussee to go shopping.

<p><u>Hugh</u>, Penny, Chris & Sue S, Ian M
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-3">1988-08-23 | 161 - Same hole [arrow points at description for 'Mark and Jeremy's' hole]| Chris D, Becka</a>
<p>[Which Chris ? Assuming Densham...]
<p>(Chris, Becka)
<p>23rd ?
<p>'183' [this is really 161 - don't let the logbook confuse you,
Ed.]

<p>[and another crappy sketch, recognisable as an elevation]

<p>[a plan on next page]

<p>Descended straight after Mark D & Jeremy had exited, for 2nd pushing
trip. Lobbed in 2 deviations which promptly fell off as I descended. Down
the first 45m pitch, Chris started rigging 2nd 30m pitch while I ambled
around. I found [arrow to '30m pitch'] above 'Rabbit Warren Series' (rabbit
skeleton halfway down the crawl). I returned, descended 30m, as Chris
getting hypothermic from bolting in the drips. I went to chamber choke at
the bottom, then crawled through an obvious eyehole. Put a bolt in then down
~15ft to boulder slope. Found small stream passage (2m pitch?) to the left,
looking out from the eyehole, and to the right, under a crawly few loose
boulders, a shaft/steep loose sloping passage, down q a way. Meanwhile Chris
put a bolt in at top of 20m pitch, down Rabbit Warren series, and also a
bolt at top of parallel shaft to 30m pitch, so two ways ready to be rigged
tomorrow. Out late, 8 pm, v dusky, <u>difficult</u> walk back to camp 1, back
there with relief, got to car park, set off & found others in Loser Hut,
talking to French & German cavers so good lift home, tea cooked for us
too !

<p>T/U 6&frac12; hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-4">Next trip</a>/<a href="#id1988-161-2">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a>1988-08-24 | 164 - HughHole  Weds 24th | Hugh </a>

<p>The long awaited investigation of 'Hugh's' hole - actually a shaft
near a large depression type thing on a small fault about 100m downvalley
from B11 and therefore 3 min from camp 1.

<p>Anyway went down a 8-10m shaft, placing 2 bolts, one on surface, one rebelay
- v loose elsewhere to the remains of the snow plug. Passage off, very
shattered to a fifth pitch, est. depth 30-40m - as follows.

<p>[elevation sketch]

<p>Hugh U/G 1 hr (depends on whether hanging 6 ft down bolting counts)
<hr />
<a>1988-08-24 | unknown - Cave I | Wookey, Del & Adam</a>

<p>By lunchtime had got to a cave on 1760m contour due E of Gr. Gsollberg in
a snow-filled corrie type feature. Inside sloping rubble strewn ramp to left
~30-&gt;40m inside a hole down led to a chamber. Following the RH wall
(anticlockwise) led to a small slightly draughting slot into a ~10' drop. At
this point I returned to meet Del & Wookey to take a few photos of ice
formations. Outside we heard German speech. On exitting & conversing we
were given the impression that we were 'in their territory'
according to agreements made the night before in the Loser Hutte. So not
knowing the details we left. Unfortunately we had no red paint & so
intend to return to paint our mark. However other CUCC recommend that we were
perfectly at liberty to be there. On going back to camp I found another cave.

<p>Time underground ~30min.
<hr />
<a>1988-08-24 | 158 - Wed 24th Rerigged | Tina + Animal</a>

<p>Rerigged about 2/3 the way back down 158 for a push ...

<p>Underground 5&frac12; hours
<hr />
<a>1988-08-24 | unknown - Cave II | Wookey, Adam</a>

<p>After rushing back to the camp to get some paint to mark the cave before
the Germans got there, I had a poke to see if the cave went. Wide horizontal
draughting entrance into a pit. The cave seems (so far) to have mostly
horizontal development but the draught has been followed to a small gap
under a huge boulder needing a handline or ladder rig to get down due to
lack of footholds. This was left until tomorrow due to lack of time. Approx
posn. of cave: ~500m towards the coll between Vd. & Ht. Schwarzmooskogel
from the position of 135 at an altitude of ~100m lower.

<p>[plan which is mostly comments:

<p>crawl between bedrock & boulder slope (not too safe) which draughts
strongly.

<p>not too clear on details in this area but basically a high chamber (solution
formed) some climbs up reveal top of chamber regularly boulder choked (must
be higher blocked entrance) at the lowest part of this section (bottom of a
loose boulder slope) a draughting space beneath a large boulder was located.
this can be safely cleared and will be investigated. ]

<p>Time U/G Wookey 1&frac12; hrs<br>
 Adam 2 hrs

<p>Although this description is a bit vague hope to elaborate in a later
report.<br>
Adam.
<hr />
<a id="id161debacle">1988-08-24 | surface - not a callout - Wed 24th August 1988 | Mark D, Hugh, Adam & Joe, Wookey</a>

<p>11 pm Chris & Becka still not down from the plateau - no real call out
time (they said they might be back at the Bergrestaurant by 8 pm).
<u>Nobody</u> very pleased. Contingency plans for rescue made.

<p>11 pm Ian and Jenny set off in the Fiesta to sleep in the car at the
Loser Car Park in case they turn up there.

<p>THE PLAN:- 5 am - underground team - Mark D, Hugh, Adam & Joe
Wookey<br>
(camping on plateau as [nuuer ?]. Penny - driving Rover.

<p> 8 am - second team (in the Montego) - Jeremy, Keith, Jared,
Mark Roddick.

<p>11 pm - Chris S + Mark F go up, very valiantly in the pissing rain, fog,
dark etc. to camp 1 (and camp 2??), however the miscreants were located at
camp 1 (at 1.15), having exited at 11 pm. All back to Hildas, where much
relief etc.

<p>10 am, Thursday. Much stress administered re overrunning (non-existant) call
out times ! etc.
<p><a href="#id1988-161-5">trip write-up</a>

<hr />
<a>1988-08-24 | 147 - Wednesday 147 | Joe, Chris S, Mark R</a>

<p>
 |--- *Actually it was looked at by Mikes T + M in<br>
 v 1984 but no way on was found<br>


<p>This cave listed as 'not allocated' was found in '84, but lost
before first exploration. Re-found Sat by Mark R + Hugh. *--^

<p>Down ~ 3m entry pitch in rift going into bluff wall on camp 2 side of Vord
SchMK on cavers path.

<p>Pitch (10m) drops out of rift 10m into hill, draft comes over pitch from
phreatic tube.

<p>[small sketch plan]

<p> - Drafting tube leads (~10m horizontal, 5m down) into chamber/rift (3m
dia. 6m high).<br>

 - Draft rises from choke in floor of rift/chamber (continuation of entry
rift?)<br>
 - Draft rises <u>into</u> 2 avens in roof, one chokes, other leads back up
to phreatic level.<br>
 - 10m drafting tube chokes.<br>
 - All possibilities down the draft phreatic (in diagram) exhausted.<br>
 - down pitch to unstable boulder choke/slope. Opening in floor promises
another pitch ~20m - another trip needed.

<p>N.B. the tubes are seriously squalid.

<p>T/U 6 hrs

<p>Best example of a Yorkshire cave I've seen so far ! Joe<br>
Tight wet crawls. Mark
<hr />
<a>1988-08-23 | 160 - Tuesday, 'Jared's Hole' Part 2 | Jared, Juliette, Mark F, Mark R</a>

<p>Re-rigged Jared's bit with 70m rope & bolted down another 20m to choke
in shaft (draughting). Side rift 5m off choke goes 3m to choke.

<p>V.WET CAVE DEAD (provisional number 181) [160, Ed.]
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-5">1988-08-24 | 161 - Rabbithohle | Becka, Chris D</a>

<p>Rabbit Warren series.

<p>2nd pushing trip by above, running at same time as pushing trip by Mark D
& Jeremy down main shaft.

<p>Walk across to camp 2 on col spent building loads of cairns so route back
easier (lesson from nights before journey). Before going down at 3pm after
Jeremy & Mark, communicated to Jeremy that would be a good idea to come
out <u>late</u> which he apparently interpreted as <u>eight</u> (hence
debacle on <a href="#id161debacle">page before last</a>).

<p>Down to top of 2nd pitch, thro' rabbit warren series. While Chris put in a
bolt 3m down first main pitch in rabbit warren [see (1) on map], Becka did
some exploring on right hand branch after handline down ramp (Chris bolt on
pitch down l.h. branch). Becka's passage went for 15m, shaft in roof aven),
then small shaft down (4m?). Continuing past shaft, along passage to small
chamber, hole in floor, shaft (3m?) down to chamber's left.

<p>[tiny diagram with comments:<br>
boulder choke<br>
crawl, go on, chokes, turn right, stream ~2m below in rift<br>
shaft down, q. deep, 5m? (loose cruddy rock, q. small entry)<br>
passage]

<p>Chris descended main pitch down, 8m to floor, 2 round shafts in floor.
Descended one shaft (other joins up) 15m down to choked rift (18in-3ft wide,
10 ft long).(see sketch). Back up 15m shaft, along to chamber with 2 ways on
across chamber, pitch in rift down. Becka came down, then 2 bolts for pitch
in rift. Fine free hang down superb rift approx 40m. Gorgeous base of shaft,
choked ramp and <u>huge</u> pitch beyond. Back out so as to use Boris (long
rope) to rerig it. Out 11pm, expected to have heard from <u>Mark &
Jeremy</u> (realised were out) (We realised they'd got out, as a new bolted
deviation in, on the 1st pitch) Fog came down with rain, followed cairns in
'minimal visibility' back to camp 1. Met Chris S & Mark F coming to
rescue us since their call out for us was somehow 8pm (was now 12.30 pm [1.15
am, Chris]). Walked back to park, apologies & thanks, as to Jenny &
Ian asleep in car waiting for us. Drive down in fog bad, Hildes by 2am.[3 am]

<p>T/U (8 hours)

<p>[extensive plan of 'Rabbit Warren' series]

<p>[full page elevation of pitches]
<p><a href="#id1988-161-6">Next trip</a> /
<a href="#id1988-161-3">Previous trip</a> to Rabbit Warren & Adrian's<br>
<a href="#id1988-161-4">Main way trip</a> on same day
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-4">1988-08-24 | 161 - Rabbit Hole | Mark D, Jeremy</a>

<p>Pushing trip below 2nd pitch. 3rd pitch through eye hole at bottom of 2nd,
about 10m to boulder strewn floor. Ways on to left & right.

<p><u>Left Way</u>

<p>Rigged short (12m) pitch with one bolt & one natural. Boulder slope
down <u>onto</u> pitch head, v.dodgy. Not free hanging so Mark held rope
(human deviation) while Jeremy descended to bottom past v. unstable boulders
into small sharp chamber well choked at bottom. No ways on so detackled out.

<p><u>Right way</u>

<p>Through small hole under huge car sized boulder resting on loose boulder
slope (Help!). Boulder slope on other side, V. unstable descending
(30&deg;) to pitch, about 10m from drop tests.

<p>Attached lifeline to large boulders to look down pitch but getting late so
left unrigged.

<p>Prussiked out & Mark put in a bolt deviation at top of 1st pitch.

<p>T/U 4 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-10">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-3">Previous trip</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-5">Rabbit Warren trip</a> on same day.
<hr />
<a id="id1988-basecamp">1988-08-25 | basecamp - toboganning + salt mining | Wookey, Becka</a>

<u>Thursday</u>

<p>No one did anything

<p>(except toboganning + salt mining)

<p>Wookey camped Wed night camp 1, noticed major storm with lots of
lightning, wind, [illegible] & a v. bendy tent at about midnight. Chris
& Becka passed by at about 1 am ?? Sat around Thur morn from 9 am
wondering where everyone was. Climbed Br&auml;uning Nase, looked for some
holes, got rained on at 2.30 & eventually decided to go down to get a
book. Rescued by Jez & Del part way down road.

<p>Wookey

<hr />
<a id="id1988-rover">1988-08-26 | 162 - horribly early | Del, Adam, Wookey</a>
<u>Fri</u>

<p>Team Rover got up horribly early (7.00 ish) & eventually left about
8.15. Looked at weather & went back to Loser H&uuml;tte for drinks.
Eventually Wook (me), Del & Adam went caving & everyone else
festered (again). Went to push 162. Bolted & laddered hole found on last
trips, but only led to 20' high boulder choked bit. Could see through
5' holes to rift so dug hole in floor to get to rift but it choked at
38'. Descended 60' wet pitch on ladders (50'). Discrepancy made for some
interesting athletic moves until 2nd ladder was re-rigged further down. Cave
still going come time to go home.

<p>A draughting crawl was located.

<p>[sketch plan]

<p>T/U 5 hrs

<hr />
<a>1988-08-26 | 158 - Fri Team 158 'push' | Tina, Mike</a>

<p>Finished rigging 158. Mike went to the eyehole that we thought might be
worth hitting with a hammer. It wasn't worth hitting with the hammer. He
says it was very small and after 10 mins hitting vigourously it was around
&frac12;&nbsp;inch bigger. However we did recover a bolting hammer left from
last year. We derigged most of the cave and left the rope at the bottom of
the short climb after the squeeze. The walk back was disgusting - cold wet
misty dark ughh and ~4 am.

<p>Time underground ~8 hours

<u>NB</u>

<p>(provisional) number assignments so far

<p>159 - 'The one Chris + Becka found that isn't B10'<br>
160 - Jared's Hole<br>
161 - Rabbit Hole<br>
163 - Adam's Hole (1)<br>
162 - Adam's Hole (2)<br>
164 - Hugh's hole

Friday - everyone else did:

<p>Hugh + Penny - walked along the Stogerweg<br>
Jo, Jane, Mark F, Mark R - portered loads in and out of camp 1<br>
-Ian - <strike>slept</strike> - [crossed out]
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-7">1988-08-26 | 161 - 'Survey' team 2 | Chris D, Becka, Jared</a>
<p>[Which Chris ? Assuming Densham...]
<p>After wimping out at the car park Friday morning, we resolved to go up
Friday evening whatever the weather that evening to do an overnight trip.
Weather turned out OK & walked up with survey team 1 (Jenny, Jeremy,
Mark D) & the push team (Roddick & Keith) & <b>Adrian the Anaconda</b>
for use on the big pitches after rabbit warren series. Arrived at camp 2 at
nightfall, followed Roddick & Keith down cave. Whilst Chris when to
advise the push team on how to re-rig the first part of the pitch, Becka
& I started to survey from the start of rabbit warren. Much whining
& cursing about the plastic pad & pen for survey notes - they only
worked intermittently. Becka managed much better than the other team though
- their pen broke in half ! Chris came back & we soon surveyed to the
top of the big pitch. Now the problem was how to measure a 40+m pitch with a
30m tape measure. Chris went down halfway with me holding the tape &
then intended to measure to the bottom. Unfortunately the author let go
whilst Chris was still abseiling so this plan was a total failure. Giving up
for the time we went to see how Roddick & Keith were getting on at the
push front. Measured pitch on the way up by ingenious use of rope protector
- 40.2m. Unfortunately it still wasn't light outside so we had a few hours
to kill. Chris & Becka got v. cold whilst I rigged the '5m' pit by the
rabbit skeleton & handline. Turned out to ~15m deep v. loose &
choked. Fell asleep at bottom of entrance pitch to be woken by Keith. Out
about 7 a.m. -&gt; camp 2. Weather pissing on us ! Jared

<p>~8.30pm -&gt; 6.30 am probably T/U (10 hours)
<p><a href="#id1988-161-9">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-5">Previous trip</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-6">Push trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-8">Other survey trip</a> on same day.
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-6">1988-08-26 | 161 - Pushing Team | Keith, Mark R</a>

<p>Down with that lot [arrow to previous page] just as rain starts. Down thru
C+B's 'crawl' & rig Adrian down a couple of pitches - one a
v.g. rig down - down to where C+B lobbed rocks down 8 seconds. We found a
similar fall.

<p>Tried to rig a bolt but v.v.v.v bad & won't go in anywhere (rock
disintegration on touch). Natural to big boulder, via 2 natural deviations
to good hang to ledge (20m) then walk down rift (~5-10&deg;) to a bridge
(20m) off dodgy bolt & down to floor (5m)

<p>[elevation]

<p>T/U 10 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-9">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-5">Previous trip</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-7">Survey trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-8">Other survey trip</a> on same day.
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-8">1988-08-26 | 161 - Survey (!!) Team 1 | Mark D, Jeremy, Jenny</a>

<p>Friday evening was amazingly fine ie. we could actually see the Burger hut
before we almost crashed into it. Because we had decided to survey down, we
were to wait until the others had all gone down. This meant we had to wait
while the elements got worse + worse getting colder and colder. Nevermind we
thought, Sepp Steinberger had said the next day would be lovely so it would
be worth it. On arrival at the pitch head both Jeremy's + Mark's lights
failed to work so I descended first. By the time Jeremy reached the bottom
[illegible] & his hands was completely numb and we were all fairly cold.
We managed the grand total of about 6 survey legs. I then went down the 2nd
pitch while the other two tried to survey the top. Unfortunately we found
out the 2nd law of spirit pens, the first being they don't work when rain is
on the pad, the second being that when the tip is pressed with force exerted
from the arm of a muddy caver they retreat in fright making the recording of
survey data impossible. I fumbled up the 2nd pitch and we went to find Becka
in case they had a spare pen. As they hadn't we decided to wimp out and
Jenny started to prusick out while Mark explored down the cave a bit. I have
omitted to say my light decided to light the cave a bit better, not content
to burn carbide it started on its own pipe and lifeline - v. silly. By the
time we reached the tent (camp 2) via fog + rain we were extremely cold and
things did not improve during the night, until about 6.00 when Chris woke us
up and we were evicted to walk and stumble home.

<p>Time Un.gd. 4&frac12; hrs

<p>Jenny
<p><a href="#id1988-161-9">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-5">Previous trip</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-6">Push trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-7">Other survey trip</a> on same day.
<hr />
<a id="id1988-rain1">1988-08-27 | basecamp - pissed down again. No caving | all</a>
Saturday <strike>28ish</strike> [crossed out and replaced with] 27
<br>Everybody

<p>It pissed down again. No caving (except to avoid caves)

<p>Time underground - <u>None</u>

<p>P.S. many crates of beer consumed
<hr />
<a id="id1988-rain2">1988-08-28 | basecamp - SUNSHINE | Becka, Chris D, Mark D, Jeremy, Jared + Mark R</a>

<p>Sunday a.m.

<p>Many hangovers. Jeremy puked in his tent.

<p>PM - but, wait for it SUNSHINE

<p>Team fester - Bekka, Chris D, Mark D, Jeremy, Jared + Mark R

<p>Jeneral tidy up around camp & off to grundlsee with 2 dinghys + a
crate of beer. Hand dinghys on to team stogerweg & return to camp ~ 6.
Rotate tent 90&deg; clockwise to avoid squallor of past weeks deludge. (PS.
hope this doesn't anger the rain god).

<p>Quote from Jeremy -

<p>'I don't like them in trousers!'
<hr />
<a>1988-08-28 | 164 - Hugh&quot;s hole | Hugh and Penny</a>

<p>Hugh & Penny
<p>Sunday 28th August Hole 164 (Hugh's hole)
<p>Down 2.30pm-ish. A nice hot day so the cave was draughting well (far too
cold for my liking!). Some time spent looking for the only part of the cave
wall solid enough to put a bolt in! Every bit of wall you touch at the head
of the 2nd pitch comes away in your hand. Hugh finally put in enough bolts
to reach the solid bit of the cave reasonably safely and descended an
approx. 15m pitch to a ledge. From there the following is visible

<p>[sketch elevation]

<p>Time U/G 3 hr
<hr />
<a>1988-08-28 | surface - Team Sunbath - SURFACE SURVEY from Q1 to Q2 | Mike M, Chris S, Sue, Gwyneth</a>
<p>Sunday 28th Team <strike>Sunbath</strike> SURFACE SURVEY
<p>Ambled up around lunchtime, stopped for sarnies around Windloch (32)
strolled on round to the path to 113. Couldn't find it - walked up + down
the Stogerweg a while, then decided it was too nice a day to not go
swimming, so we did a token survey from Q1 to Q2 (about 100m). In Grundlsee
by 6. Oops, forgot: snow plug in 152 has gone - potential way down, had a
dig, got muddy, will take a rope in the next few days to hoist the rocks
out. Chris
<hr />
<a>1988-08-29 | 164 - Monday 29th August | Hugh + Penny</a>

<p><u>Hole</u> <u>164</u> - still no sign of previous exploration

<p>Down to do the second half of the 2nd pitch - turned out not to need
bolting, only a deviation (a bit of a close-to-the-rock/ prussick very
gently one !) off a natural belay (the first solid feature found in the cave
so far!). Pitch drops into a lowish cahmber, sloping downwards and full of
choss (most of which seems to have come from the ceiling). This goes to a
short bit of steeply sloping passage and ends in an undescended c 5m pitch
into a chamber. A way on appears to go straight on, following the fault
line. Another possible lead appears to go off on the right hand side of the
chamber.

<p>Time U/G 1&frac12; hrs

<p>[another elevation]
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-ss">1988-08-29 | surface - P0 (Austria point) to 161 | Mike Martin, Jane & Jeremy</a>

<p>Surface survey. From P0 (Austria point) to 161 - passed camp II to 147 -
then rain stopped play.
<hr />
<a>1988-08-29 | 147 - HOLE 147 | Joe and Mark</a>

<p>[elevation]

<p>Joe + Mark, after camping last night at camp 1 (loverly moonlit night
after a gorgeous hot sunny day) pushed final pitch in 147 - involved bolting
horrid cheesy rock, so carefully backed-up to a boulder in the chamber.
Gardening by trundling some nice lumps to create some big bangs left us a
nice pitch to ledge 15' down. Chamber off opposite has drafting bedding plane
(dug but no go). Pitch continues down slanting shaft to sudden end (small
drafting hole only couple of inches high).

<p>* THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACES in 147 where there is definitely an enormous
stretch of cave beyond a frustrating choke - this cave HAS <u>POTENTIAL</u> *
<hr />
<a>1988-08-28 | 163 - More idiots going caving 162, 163 | Del, Wookey & Adam </a>

<p>Checked out various holes/draught in 162 & 163. In 162 found draughts
all disappeared up phreatic tubes in roof. Also found bottom of snow plug in
bottom chamber. In 163 draught went down 3-4' rift. Nice ice formations
& frozen streamway. Formations there last time had nearly all melted.
Camped at camp 1.

<p>162 & 163 are dead. Derigged. 5 hrs U/G
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-11">1988-08-30 | 161 - 30.8.88 (as above) | Del, Wookey , Adam, Jared & Mark D</a>

<p>Really impressed to see Jared, Mark D, Chris & Becka walking past at
about 7.00 am ! Eventually went down 161 about 12.00. Surveyed 1st pitch.
Met Jared & Mark D who sent us down Adrian [pitch] to survey. Fucking cold &
clino was illegible & ran out of time so left. 2 hrs to get out with
major downpour outside causing mega-rain on 1st pitch.

<p>5 hrs U/G
<p><a href="#id1988-161-14">Next Adrian's Trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-6">Previous push trip</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-9">Jared/Mark's Adrian's trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-10">Chris/Becka's trip - new route</a> (on same day)
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-10">1988-08-29 | 161 - Cave 161 | Chris D, Becka</a><!-- 08.29 -->
<p>[Which Chris ? Assuming Densham...]
<p>Down entrance pitch, then down parallel shaft to original 2nd pitch shaft.
I descended & found you could get to this shaft through an eyehole in the
original 2nd pitch shaft, so we rerigged the 2nd pitch rope into our shaft
& chamber. Over the chamber (large, v. bouldery, q. few ways off) couple
of small pitches, all v. loose to a pitch at the end. ~10m. Down onto a
45&deg; boulder slope doubling under the chamber above. Small pitch probably
[?] ahead, but we descended one perpendicular, still loose ~20m. Down (small
carbide pool) a little rift off into streamway. Could chimney/clamber down
~8m vertically down, until sides a bit smooth to descend - needs a ladder
probably Q. tight, 18' ?

<p>T/U 8 hours

<p>[elevation labelled 'grade 0 NOT TO SCALE']
<p><a href="#id1988-161-12">Next Trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-6">Previous push trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-9">Jared/Mark's trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-11">Del/Wookey/Adam's trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-9">1988-08-29 | 161 - <u>Monday</u> 161 | Mark D, Jared</a>
<p>[Which Mark ? Assuming Doherty...]
<p>Went down Adrian's route to bottom to check out leads. Phreatic tube
doesn't go - choked with earth. Found another way through choke but this led
to v.v.v. small hole that we couldn't fit through. Climbed up boulder slope
in last chamber - doesn't go (I think).

<p>T/U 7 Hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-12">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-6">Previous push trip</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-10">Chris/Becka's trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-11">Del/Wookey/Adam's trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-12">1988-08-30 | 161 - Tuesday 30th 161 | Animal, Mark, Wookey</a>
<p>["Mike the Animal", or "Mike, Animal" ?]
<p>Set off down 161 to push the new route found, by swinging off the 2nd
pitch. Carried on down the pitches until we reached new territory - a free
climbable rift ending in a very tight pitch. Spent about an hour enlarging
this with a hammer before Wookey went down. This rift then enlarges and
merges with another rift into a HUGE phreatic passage. Followed this for
about 200m, with another short pitch, until another drop for which we had no
tackle. Did a quick grade 2 survey on the way out.

<p>T/U 8 hours
<p><a href="#id1988-161-13">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-10">Previous push trip</a><br>
<hr />
<a>1988-08-31 | 164 - Weds 31/8/88 164 | Hugh + Penny</a>

<p>Went down the pitch previously located (entries passim). This was a bit
longer than it looked, maybe 8m or so, freehang from a rockbridge. Lands in
a wide chamber that has three ways on. Ahead, continuing along the fault -
this gets small + maybe diggable - about 40m of passage. Right is a bedding
(!) up a climb, left a smaller tube on a shelf at the same level (ie. the
cave intersects a joint/another fault), both left + right choke. Will return
on the morrow to survey + explore the direct way on.

<p>Plan of chamber - grade 0

<p>[a plan rendered completely illegible by ink bleeding through from the
next page]

<p>We have lost the draught - it appears to rise from the chamber floor

<p>Penny has just said to me
'What do you mean 'freehang' ? It wasn't until you hammered all the rub
points off'<br>
This is only 90% true.
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-13">1988-08-31 | 161 - Push | Jeremy, Wookey, Mark R</a>

<p>161 Push (from Animals muddy slope)

<p>- handline down sandy slide (5m) to left of boulder-bridge/pile then line
down 3m free climb. Under boulders to right & back under slope a slot to
~ 5m wet drop (from line)

<p>- left and through boulder choke brings one into more rift, up & over
a pile of boulders brings to top of long (~100m) boulder slope in rift.

<p>- undescended pot (~5m) to left (coming in from aven indicating other cave
joining). Ditto stream way 4m down.

<p>- boulder floor turns into boulder bridge with holes dropping into rift
below.

<p>- traverse line bolted to chamber v.v.large 2.7 sec fall (free) to boulder
slope floor ?

<p>[sketch with annotation: draft noticeable in rift (~5m high, 3m wide)]

<p>T/U 8 hr

<p><a href="#id1988-161-18">Next RHR trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-12">Previous push trip</a><br>
<p>161 pitches 1-4 rigging guide<br>
Animal<br>
[full page sketch]
<hr />
<a>1988-09-02 | 164 - Attempted derig + survey trip | Penny and Hugh</a>

<p>Penny twisted her ankle on the walk so Hugh went down solo to do as much
surveying as possible and to derig (light rain on surface meanwhile turned
to heavier rain....)

<p>Went to the final chamber and identified where te main way on and the
draught are - about 15m up the far wall. Pottered about looking at holes up
climbs then realised that I could hear the second pitch - about 50m away so
derigged 3rd pitch, went up to the bottom of the wet pitch, which was um,
well, very wet. Decided to go for it, and got up, very wet, having been hit
by a couple of boulders washed down the water, one of which caused me to
lose my whistle. The interesting bit was passing a rebelay underwater. Then
I went up the first pitch to find a rather releived Penny on the surface.

<p>will return on a nice day to finish survey + derig.

<p>N.B. Rain start to flood pulse time - 10 min.
<hr />
<a>1988-08-30 | 147 - Rerigging for survey | Mark F & Jeremy</a>
<p> + Photographic record & check dead.

<p>Rigged without trouble. Checked possible ways on all dead.

<p>Took few photos - although had trouble with flashes. Met surveying &
detackling party on way out.

<p>T/U 4 hrs.
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-14">1988-09-01 | 161 - survey/Photo trip/Derig | <u>Ian</u>, Del, Adam</a>

<p>Intended to finish survey of Adrian's Route, look at the sand choked
phreatic tube with a possible view to digging. However, on getting there this
looked like too much hard work. Took a few photos & began to derig out of
this dangerous pitch (for which surveying felt quite risky). This took quite
a while due to difficulty in hauling. Detackling not completed due to fact
that rope too muddy to lift. Got to entrance shaft to find everyone was there
simultaneously. So had to tandem out & took ages.

<p>Got back to camp I in dark, many slips. T/U 8 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-16">Derig trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-11">Previous trip in Adrian's</a><br>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-15">1988-09-02 | 161 - Survey trip. | Becka, Chris D</a>

<p>Becka, Chris D (Chris S sequested to roomier passages, see other survey
trip)

<p>Keenies all up at 6am, down 161 by 9 a.m. Progressed to squeeze in stream
passage below 3rd pitch, & after a bit of ineffectual hammering, Chris S
joined the survey trip above the squeeze. Chris D & Becka then surveyed
onto bottom of sandy ramp reached by <a href="#id1988-161-12">2 pushing trips
before</a>. Halfway, realised battery in Petzl Zoom was having degenerate
effect on compass readings, so redid most of the readings on the way out.
Had been a reasonable morning, but suspiciously leaky avens on return
journey presaged yet another wet & misty stomp back to Bergrestaurant.
Nice cave. Nasty squeeze. Chris didn't notice it, but I had a healthy
wriggle. t/u 8&frac12; hrs

<p><a href="#id1988-161-17">Chris'/MarkD's trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-18">Push trip same day</a><br>
<a href="#id1988-161-20">LHR push same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-24">Next RHR push</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-16">1988-09-02 | 161 - Friday 2nd September 161 | Del, <u>Wookey</u> + Adrian</a>

<p>Had to get up early even tho' nice short trip to do. Answer - Breakfast at
Camp 1 for last remaining Alpen - Ha ! Arrived at entrance in time for grade
3 change ie. raining. Anyway, combinations of n jammers and n/2 bits of
string result in confusion and eventual detackling of Adrian - isn't he a
fat bastard ! Barely fits his clothes anymore. Out for grade 4/5 change if
you were hard enough - but I'm soft + cuddly so to car in Troll walking
suit; lovely + warm. T/U 3 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-14">Previous Adrian's trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-18">RHR push same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-19">LHR push same day</a>
<hr />
<a>1988-08-28 | 147 - Sunday 28th August - didn't get written up at the time. 147 | Joe, Mark F, Juliette</a>

<p>Can't remember much about it now. Went to push the vertical development of
147. Phreatic passage to first pitch approx 16m to small chamber. Boulder
choke slightly awkward move to second pitch, belayed by natural & Joe's
bolt, approx 18m, 

<p>[full page diagram and short spurious write up break up the flow here. The
write up is postponed until after the current one]

<p><u>WHAT</u> has happened to this paper ???? [rest of write up plagued by
crap pen]

<p>including ledge. Small chamber, bouldery rift to 3rd pitch. We spent happy
half hour plus gardening [???ing] big boulders, then Jule tried to bolt into
nice-looking but squidgy rock + we then decided to give up + go home + come
back tomorrow (only I didn't). T/U 5 hrs
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-17">1988-09-02 | 161 - Surveyed from the squeeze back to bottom of second pitch | Mark D., Chris S </a>

<p></p>(+Chris S, after he failed
(-Jenny from attack of upset stomach ETC) to get through the squeeze).
Surveyed from the squeeze back to bottom of second pitch. <u>Very</u> cold.
Chris forgot his cowstails - interesting change-overs ! Time U/G 7 hours.

<p><a href="#id1988-161-15">Trip Chris didn't fit on</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-18">1988-09-02 | 161 - Back to the <u>right</u> order 161 - R/H | Mark R, Juliette</a>

<p>Jolly exciting pushing trip, we thought. Got up 6.30 am (aagh!) & ate
continuously for an hour or so. Good march to camp 1, feeling very
enthusiastic, just as we got there a lovely big white cloud rolled over us
& goodbye nice sunshine & hello shit. Struggled up in the mist/rain
& changed in the same - yuck. Juliette first trip down Rabbithole. We
abbed down after a fairly small traffic jam on pitch one, very spectacular.
Fell thru the squeeze + stomped down a Great North Road-like rift but at an
angle & much looser. Didn't have enough time to do much at pushing face.
Put in second bolt to improve traverse-line over 'big' drop (which
we thought probably links up to chamber at bottom of pitch) & another
bolt at pitch-lip. Mark couldn't see anything over the pitch with his light -
only blackness so no idea of what lies beyond.

<p>Its getting to be a long way to the pushing faces, we're running out of
time (& energy !) at pushing faces. Long way out, especially as Juliette
tried to make the squeeze more sporting by squeezing through where the ladder
is, not the wide bit ! Got f---ing <u>soaked</u> to the skin on the way out,
all perfectly rigged in the new waterfalls ! Not too bad a change in camp 2
& then got down to camp 1 without too many problems but even with 2
people who were supposed to know it, it's a difficult route. Don't talk to me
about the night at camp 1 - either the winds were strong or an awful lot of
flying saucers landed on the Brauning Wall !

<p>'Pushing' T/U 8 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-20">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-13">Previous RH push trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-19">LH push trip same day</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-20">1988-09-03 | 161 - surveying | Jeremy, Adam + Del</a>

<p>Medium weather so easy trip to squeeze. A+D's first attempt at this
phenomenon, varied + vocal swearing in + out ! Went right at bottom of
ladder and followed main passage until end of Chris + Becka's survey at
bottom of sandy slope. Surveyed from here down to first 3 bolts of pitch
(ie. traverse line) Admired phreatic level, boldly stepped, and then ambled
merrily down 50&deg; sand + boulder slope. Not saying this section is very
worrying but don't fart too loud. 'cos of a slightly slack start + lack of
hangers, no pushing achieved. As usual surveying becomes cold + boring but
soon boiling as outside reached. Good-natured weather starts to rain on us
to cool us all down - how nice ! Bit of spectator sport as Mark F makes
first entrance exit - jammer 1, gets it right first time, aah. J plays party
trick with used carbide + closed container to give suitable finale.

<p>P.S. rub point on 3rd pitch ~10ft below rebelay ?

<p>Good times. T/U 7 hrs. see back for survey
<p><a href="#id1988-161-24">Next RHR trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-18">Previous RHR trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-22">LHR trips same day</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-19">1988-09-02 | 161 - pushing Left hand route | Joe, Jared</a>

<p>Got underground about 10 a.m. Down through squeeze where Chris S was
hammering away, no problems. 50m pitch 'Baker' was piss wet but got to bottom
fairly dry due to nifty abseiling. Joe asked me for the driver & I found
I hadn't got it in my SRT bag; I feel a right pillock and offer to go and
fetch one from someone at squeeze. After discussing the foolishness of going
back up alone I decidd to go because otherwise trip would be total failure.
Get driver from Animal at the bottom of squeeze - back to bottom. Joe rigs
traverse line & puts bolt in for 15m hang - then realises he has no hand
jammer - he has accidentally left it somewhere ! Not being able to go back we
decide to go on & descend 15m hang - the Oubliette ! Find ourselves in
rift with two pitches & a climb going down. Joe goes down climb on a
lifeline & finds it blocked. We decided pitch to right of rope landing is
best for rigging - boulders dropped lost in noise of water !

<p>Debate how to get Joe out. He ascends 15m hang using prussik loop, but
decides next pith is too long/wet/too many rebelays & I go up to find a
jammer for him. Find Animal at squeeze just about to exit squeeze &
persuade him to take jammer to Joe. He curses, not surprisingly, & goes
down.

<p>As if this were not enough, the jinx (or just lack of braincells ?)
continues. I tip out contents of SRT bag & almost don't notice. Joe gets
halfway through squeeze & I remembr I left my glasses at bottom - Joe
changes to descender in squeeze (is anyone else capable of this !) & goes
to fetch them.

<p>Finally exit about 7.30 into pissing rain & tackle path to camp 1 in
rapidly failing light.

<p>T/U 9&frac12; h Jared

<p>[sketch]
<p><a href="#id1988-161-21">Next LHR trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-18">RHR push same day</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-21">1988-09-04 | 161 - pushing trip 4th Sept | TINA + KEITH</a>

<p>A further pushing trip going underground at 11 ish in the morning. Put two
bolts at head of new pitch descended approx 30m to a very very deep shear
pitch. Estimated at 100m.

<p>Time underground 9 hours.

<p>[sketch]

<p>Proposed name for very deep pitch.

<p>NIFLHEIM - 'A realm of freezing mist and darkness under one root of
Yggdrasall (World Tree) Hell lies within it.'

<p>(Definition from Penny's book of Norse Myths!)
<p><a href="#id1988-161-23">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-22">LHR survey same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-19">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-22">1988-09-03 | 161 - survey left hand route | <u>Wookey</u> & Mark F</a>

<p>Surveying 'Left Hand' route from squeeze to [illegible] at top of 6th
pitch. Couldn't find pitch despite innumerable holes in the floor & tina
& keith's voices coming out of the floor. Eventually heard them returning
and crawled under rock to find pitch.

<p>T/U 7 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-23">Next trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-21">LHR push same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-19">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-23">1988-09-04 | 161 - Kaninchenh&ouml;le | Mike TA, <u>Mark D</u></a>

<p>Went down Left hand route to continue rigging Niflheim pitch. First
attempt not very successful, so put in a huge Y-belay right across the rift.
This hung free for 50m (approx) to a rock bridge over a cross rift (called
Bird's Eye). Further 3 second drop one side. 2 seconds + nothing the other.
WOW. Then went out, detackling Boris (some trouble at the squeeze!)

<p>P.S. Both Mike & I saluted this pitch in the customary manner of
pissing down it.

<p>T/U 8 hours.
<p><a href="#id1988-161-28">Next trip (derig)</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-24">RHR push same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-23">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-24">1988-09-04| 161 - chamber near foot of boulder slope| <u>Wookey</u> & Adam</a>

<p>After camping trogged over in rain to serious grade 3 change along with
keenies Mike, Mark D & Hugh who had come up night before. All U/G by
10.00 am. Hugh only managed 1st pitch as already really hypothermic due to
soggy gear, so retired gracefully to Loser Hutte & had to walk down as
festerers all buggered off.

<p>W & A down past squeeze v.quick (50 mins) went to push R.H. route.
Rigged pitch amongst much freezing in non-bolting half & dead legs in
bolting half. Pitch 35m, lovely freehang for 25m.

<p>Falls into <u>huge</u> chamber. near foot of boulder slope. Passages out
at low end, rift out in boulders on top right. Wandered around stream
passages for ages finding big (35+ pitch) & then got very lost trying to
find rope amongst boulders, despite having checked once !! Eventually
trogged out in 2 hours.

<p>T/U 7&frac12; hrs

<p>see map over

<p>[sketch map]
<p><a href="#id1988-161-25">Survey trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-26">Photo trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-27">Derigging</a>/
<a href="../1989/log.htm">Next push</a> (in 1989)/
<a href="#id1988-161-20">Previous trip</a>
<p>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;
[full page and half of LHR rigging guide]
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-25">1988-09-05 | 161 - Survey chamber at bottom of right hand route | Del & <u>Jeremy</u></a>

<p>Underground by 10.30 despite the weather.<br>
- v. quick trip down to bottom (1&frac12; hrs)<br>
Started survey from top of new 35m pitch & Del managed to drop our only
pencil down into the boulder slope from the rebelay. Thought we would have
to come back out but by some incredible stroke of luck Jeremy found the
pencil within reach in the choke.

<p>Chamber too big to get idea of size without much more light, so spent
~2&frac12; hrs surveying not really knowing where we were & eventually arrived
back at pitch, much to our surprise.

<p>Didn't have time for any detackling or proper surveying of side chamber
(also huge) so made speedy exit. Del had problems at squeeze & vowed
never to go through it again.

<p>Jeremy (mug) took Boris up climb & 4th pitch before rope started
exploding out of knackered tackle sack.

<p>Proceeded out without serious problem.

<p>T/U 7 hrs
<p><a href="#id1988-161-26">Photo trip same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-27">Derigging</a>/
<a href="../1989/log.htm">Next push</a> (in 1989)/
<a href="#id1988-161-24">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-26">1988-09-05 | 161 - Photo trip 161 | Mark F, Keith, Ian</a>

<p>Went in at around 6.30 pm in windy weather all the way down the right hand
route into the main chamber. Took about 6 photo in large chamber with about
20 flashes/bulbs per photo. Other photos were taken at 45&deg; boulder slope,
Phreatic tubes, ladder pitch.

<p>Exited to find first 2 pitches very wet. Arrived out of cave at about 4.30
am to very windy weather with rain. Slowly walked down to car in carpark to
return at campsite for 8 am.

<p>Time underground 10 hours
<p><a href="#id1988-161-25">Survey trip same day</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-27">Derigging</a>/
<a href="../1989/log.htm">Next push</a> (in 1989)/
<a href="#id1988-161-24">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-27">1988-09-06 | 161 - Detackling starts | Wookey, Animal, Adam</a>

<p>Serious rain all night & in morning, so all got up v.late. Wookey had
to borrow Hugh's furry (v.soggy) as he is v stupid. U/G by 11.00 when rain
eventually stopped. Pitches pretty soggy (esp. 3rd !). Zoomed down to bottom
& as no survey gear & time to spare wandered around trying to suss
geography of chambers (see diag). Derigged 'Bastard Getoff Pitch' + other
string as far as peephole pitch. Had hard time getting string back through
beer belly blues. Exited 7 pm.

<p>T/U 8 hrs

<p>Results of 'survey' of 'Tower Blocks': smaller chamber off below big one.
Used compass for passage dirns but everything else guesswork.

<p>[sketch]
<p><a href="#id1988-161-25">Survey trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-26">Photo trip</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-29">Derig to surface</a>/
<a href="../1989/log.htm">Next push</a> (in 1989)/
<a href="#id1988-161-24">Knossos discovery trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-28">1988-09-06 | 161 - survey/detackle trip down left hand route | Jared, Tina</a>

<p>Very wet overnight. Hugh came with Rover in the morning expecting to find
5 jackers but instead we all went caving. The rain sort of held off and we
went underground ~11.30 in semi-drizzle. I got very cold + wet at the 3rd
pitch but got persuaded to carry on by Jared. Survey'd from arrow chamber
(carbide mark on flake), to 'butcher' (ie. the pitch before Oubliette).
Derigged the left hand route and dumped the rope below the 1st pitch.

<p>T/U ~8 hours

<p>Clino 736380<br>
Comp. 543693 Tina
<p><a href="../1989/log.htm">Next LHR trip</a> (in 1989)/
<a href="#id1988-161-29">Derig to surface</a>/
<a href="#id1988-161-23">Previous trip</a>
<hr />
<a id="id1988-161-29">1988-09-07 | 161 - Detackle trip | MarkD, Juliette, Del, Jeremy</a>

<p>Jeremy wizzed off down to squeeze to detackle while Del descended 3rd to
pull out Boris & Grandfather Marlow.

<p>Mark D & Juliette stayed at 1st pitch to set up tackle hauling rig
from bottom of 1st pitch/2nd pitch eyehole to ledge in 1st pitch.

<p>All went v.smoothly & ended up with HUGE pile of tackle on ledge
which Mark & Del pulled out.

<p>Greased all bolts & finished detackling just as others arrived to
carry rope off plateau.

<p>T/U 4 hrs
<p><a href="../1989/log.htm#id1989-161-1">1989 trips</a>
<br>--------------------------
From the evening's drinking:

<p><u>Adam</u> 'It stays up forever when you're pissed'<br>
+ Judy's <u>involvement</u> & georges photos (which weren't published) or
developed !!!!!<br>
P.S. Adam left early. Someone was sick in the men's bogs ?? - probably me.
<br>[this last in a different handwriting - doesn't work in ascii :-( Ed.]
<hr />
<a>1988-09-04? | 164 - Detackling trip | Penny</a>

<p>Eventually (after much fear !) down to the bottom of 2nd pitch to
detackle, with Mark F on the surface with a whistle to inform me if any rain
fell (after Hugh's epic the other day !!!). Detackled messily, but fairly
quickly and without drowning !!! I am extremely relieved to finally get this
cave detackled - I was beginning to have nightmares about continuous rain
until the end of the week, and having to swim down the pitches !

<p>Time U/G ~ 1 hr
<hr />
<a>1988-08-30 | 147 - Survey trip was nice and efficient | Tina + Jenny</a>

<p>Sorry forgot to write it up in its proper place. Jenny and me hurried to
147 thinking the others (ie. the re-tackling trip) would be finished. But no
they hadn't gone underground when we got there. This was all to the good 'cos
that meant there was no way we could go wrong - just follow the voices.
Survey trip was nice and efficient. Detackling didn't take too long. Since
I'm writing this afterwards I can say its a pity there's a compass error on
all the figures 'cos I used a metal torch. This was the first female only
trip. It was a really good trip in spite of the cave being a shitty one and
coming out with everything brown.

<p>T/U ~ 7 hours I think !</p>
<hr />

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