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1979: Logbook
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<h1>Expedition 1979</h1>
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<p>The first part of the log is traditionally taken up by the journey out.<br/>
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If this is of no interest, here is a link <a href="#id1979-76-1">to the caving</a>!</p>
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-07-27A">Friday 27th July</div></p>
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<blockquote>"I drove and I drove<br>
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Oh how I drove, etc."</blockquote>
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<p>Down to Somerset to collect food and A N Other item. Met Accountant on
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the way to the pub - confirmed Hovercraft tickets - ate food, drank wine,
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had last (almost) pint for several weeks - lapsed into fitfully sweaty
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sleep. Yours sincerely <div class="trippeople">Tony M.</div></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-07-28A">Saturday 28th July</div></p>
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<p>6.00 am sees <div class="trippeople">Andy</div> setting off on the great trek south (incorporating
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second breakdown of Austin Maxi). Hit Chez Ben before 10 & then towards
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Tony's where we got lost because his map was crappy. Repacked cars - unfair
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amounts heaped into the Crab while Julian kept his roof-rack hidden. After
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driving round a roundabout 37 times, Nick eventually found the way to the
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Hoverport where we arrived after a brief interlude for beer. From the
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Hoverport we went to ... the ferry ... The super-smooth Griffiths hovercraft
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booking scheme got us on an enormous hovercraft with a funnel ?! The drive
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from Calais was smooth until midnight and then ...</p>
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<p>Sunday 29th July</p>
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<p>Stopped for a brew near Aachen, all five of us, then since the
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"Crab" needed more petrol we arranged to meet Nick and Julian down
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somewhere near Mannheim. But nasty noises started coming from the L.H.S.
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rear wheel and when these developed into heavy clunks and bangs we pulled
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into a parking place to inspect. Not really understanding what was wrong we
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drove the car up and down the parking area, peering under the rear to see
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what was happening. Unfortunately there then appeared a cloud of smoke from
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the dashboard and the bonnet. This was discovered to be the whole of the
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electrics shorting and burning the insulation from the dynamo via the
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regulator and ignition switch to the solenoid. Flames were put out and the
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battery disconnected. Luckily we managed to borrow a bit of wire and
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insulating tape and botched it up. This enabled the car to start but did
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nothing for the rear axle bearing. Left the motorway and arrived in
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Rheinböllen. Being a Sunday, all the garages were shut. Went to a
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café and drank lots of beer, ate a meal and saw the two most
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delicious pair of blonde twins. Such pert little buttocks and nicely
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developed bumps under sexy white teeshirts, and only about 13 or 14. Managed
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not to get chucked out of the café for ogling by their father and he
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found out Fritz's telephone number for us. Slept off the beer next to a
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stream and decided to move on slowly to Bingen.</p>
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<p>Here we asked for a Ford garage at the cop shop, drank some more beer and
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then set up camp by the Rhein in an orchard. Watched the most superb
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thunderstorm and drifted off to bed, knackered. Also rang Fritz for the
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first time.</p>
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<p>However, Nick and Julian managed to get safely to Altaussee. They
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discovered Karl Gaisberger is in Yugoslavia till August 12th.</p>
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<p>Ben.</p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-07-30A">Monday 30th July</div></p>
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<p>Nick and Julian plus a German dictionary negotiated free access to the
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plateau. Walked over to 106 and laid a guide line back to the col. Went to
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Fischers early, spent a while leering at the new waitress and then got
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pissed.</p>
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<p>TEAM TRIALS (+ TRIBULATIONS) left Bingen, hobbled to Mainz to see a man
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about a rear ... wheel axle bearing. Confused lady in bank with Midland
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cheque card; drank some beer standing at the bar ! Collected super efficient
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car, drove towards Altaussee until the battery packed up at Bad Ischl. Tried
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to telephone the boys at camp - but the jolly rotten fellows failed to find
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the note. Had some beer, fell asleep in the car. [SEE TUESDAY FOR CONTINUING
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SAGA] ---></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-07-31A">Tuesday 31st July</div></p>
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<p>Woke up in the car (several times) - woke Ben up, who was on the ground
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outside ?! Daylight (04:40) so we set off to drive to Altaussee. All going
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well ... up to Potschen ... down again ... into Luppitsch but miss the short
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cut turning, stall and the Crab is out - no push start this time ! So - walk
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to Altaussee & welly Nick & Julian out of bed at ten to six. Well,
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we had brekkers and rescued the car and made a mess in the campsite, then
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someone mentioned caving and all the parties changed.</p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-07-31B"><!-- same day --></div><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-1">Eislufthöhle</a> 1623/106</div> <div class="trippeople">Nick & Tony</div></p>
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<p>I got the short straw and ended up in the caving team. (Andy asked me to
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mention that he carried the Bluewater up to the cave.) I'm writing this in
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Bar Fischer, looking across at this bird wearing tight white jeans ...
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phew ! God, I must concentrate. Got underground, rigged the snow slope with a
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ladder, and belayed the B/W at the top of Plugged Shaft, using last year's
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bolts. Then unfortunately, the rest of the shaft had totally altered from
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last year. Despite less snow than ever seen before, it was arranged very
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differently. The snow platform had disappeared. At least the first two
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rebelays of last year are buried in about 4' of snow. More rebolting will be
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needed, and we had no driver or anchors, hence lack of complete penetration
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(LCP).</p>
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<p>Walked off the plateau after a <div class="timeug">1 hour</div> trip. Whilst walking off, Tony
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noticed the huge phreatic entrance passed on the walk in. Small passage led
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off from back of above, possible draught, but semi-blocked by boulder -
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should yield to a hammer and needs looking at.</p>
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<p>Nick</p>
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<p><a href="../1978/log.htm">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-2">Next trip</a>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-07-31C"><!-- same day --></div>
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After carrying B/W up for above abortion, <div class="trippeople">Andy</div> walked uphill to the right
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of the col and found a large rift cave/phreatic tube affair which gave an
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exciting 50m through trip. Altitude about 1750+m, 200m NE of col ?</p>
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<p>[ sketch section ]</p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-01A">Wednesday 1st August</div></p>
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<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-2">Eislufthöhle</a></div>
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<div class="trippeople">Andy, Tony and Ben</div></p>
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<p>Underground by 11.15 Andy descended to a small hole in the ice where 1978
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rebelay was wholly buried, descended to 1977 "Snow Platform" which wasn't,
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and then back up to place a bolt. This was a pretty nasty job but eventually
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was done and next rebelay was the obvious next stage - a brief Mars bar gonk
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to inform Ben and Tony and off - next rebelay easy and good freehang but
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then... Why does Plugged Shaft insist on comprehensively redesigning itself
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every year ? Vast amounts of extra snow, and contact made with the opposite
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wall of the shaft. Soon the next rebelay was needed but god knows where
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Doug's bolt is hidden - ice everywhere ! At about -30m from the last bolt,
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large, freehanging crumbling ice-stals adorn the far wall. These will have
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to be shifted somehow as they look lethal - similar formations on the near
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wall fall at a touch. A started looking for a good place to put another bolt
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but all the right places were covered in ice or looked manky rock or both.
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Other possibilities would cause rubbing further down so the explorer slowly
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ascended looking for more places to rebelay but found nothing but snow and
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ice - some of it descending rapidly. Vocal contact with T & B suggested that
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they exit while A bolted - then lighting failure, an inability to find a
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good bolt placement, a powerful desire for a crap, a severe pain in the sit
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harness, low flying ice from Tony's boot and great demoralisation determined
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A to follow out - More Mars bars - Much Discussion - No Progress - Tony
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heads for col, Andy for a grike and Ben to have a look at the underground
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scenery.</p>
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<p>"Underground scenery" - I'll see nicer scenery when they put me
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just 6 feet under in a wooden box ! Went down, took ages passing the first
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rebelay, got to the second which was a bit taut since Andy had left his
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tockle bog on the bottom of the rope so I came back out, First impressions
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pretty bad.</p>
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<p>Summary so far: Progress minimal, motivation negligible. A</p>
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<p>even Less Coital Penetration</p>
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<p><a href="#id1979-76-1">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-3">Next trip</a></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-02A">Thursday 2nd August</div></p>
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<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-3">Eislufthöhle</a></div> <div class="trippeople">Nick Julian</div></p>
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<p>Having camped the previous evening at the col we were underground by 7.00
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am. Got about 15m below the last rebelay in Plugged Shaft and placed an airy
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bolt on the left hand wall - no ledges in sight.</p>
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<p>15-20m below this we found one of last year's bolts and so rigged the
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final section of Plugged Shaft. Thrashed on down, rigging as we went until
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we reached the top of the 55m pitch. As we wanted to put a bolt in at the
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bottom, Julian decided that this was a job for someone with a wetsuit, so
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Nick descended to do the necessary. He rigged the final section of the pitch
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from the bolt but then couldn't find the natural belay for the Balcony Pitch
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so he left it. Prusiked out in just under <div class="timeug">2 hours</div> arriving at the surface
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around about 2.00 pm.</p>
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<p><a href="#id1979-76-2">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-4">Next trip</a></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-03A">Friday 3rd August</div></p>
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<p><div class="trippeople">Nick and Julian</div> walked into the advance camp with some more supplies
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after a morning's festering. Had a scenic walk back via Kratzer valley.
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Several holes giving forth howling very cold draughts were noted. Most had
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been already numbered or else they quickly became too tight / choked. One
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particularly inviting one was marked 9  (circle with a dot in it) or
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something like that. The valley rejoined the conventional walk back on the
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near side of the 'huts'. Met Tone on the walk back, just fresh out of 106
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(see below) and back to the café at the top of the toll road for a beer...
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and a thunderstorm. Drove down to the campsite to find ... Andy C. waiting
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for us.</p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-03B"><!-- same day --></div>
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<div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-4">Meanwhile underground ...</a></div>
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<div class="trippeople">Ben, Tony, Andy</div></p>
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<p>After a wet sleepless night (the thunderstorm, I mean) three of us got
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underground about 8 am. Rerigged Follow-through Shaft. Tony went out when
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he'd got to the top of the 15/35m. Ben and Andy continued down. Rigged
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Balcony with a piece of Marlow. Ladder on Overhanging Boulder Pitch. After
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this we followed a small stream to the left, traversing above it on very dry
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muddy ledges. Reached a 15m pitch. Andy put a bolt in which resulted in a
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superb free hang, just clearing the wall all the way down. At the bottom the
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place enlarged to a flat floor with a stream cut into it. Upstream it soon
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became too thrutchy. Downstream we traversed above the stream to reach
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another pitch. This was Mars Bar paper tested, and thought to be directly
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above the Gents. Went back and tried to rig the 20m pitch. However, the rope
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only reached the second bolt so we came back out. Andrew lost his carbide
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and all his lights went out so I left him. <div class="timeug">Time 10½ hrs.</div></p>
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<p>Ben.</p>
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<p><a href="#id1979-76-3">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-5">Next trip</a></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-04A">Saturday 4th August</div></p>
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<p>Festered all day</p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-05A">Sunday 5th August</div></p>
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<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-5">Eislufthöhle</a></div> <div class="trippeople">Nick Julian</div></p>
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<p>Took the attractive route down to the Fiesta Run rigging the 10m pitch
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into the Gents off a bolt. Put another bolt at the head of the last pitch
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reached last year and descended a 3m pitch to an obvious traverse level. A
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15m traverse led to the head of a broken 15m pitch. A free climb down
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brought us to the base of an aven with a vadose canyon leading off at the
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far side. After 30m of traversing. another bolting job was called for. A 5m
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drop landed on a large ledge. Yet another bolt was placed and we descended
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15m to the floor. A very small vadose canyon (2m high, 0.5m wide) was
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followed for approximately 30m till it broke out in the side of a large
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aven, about 15m off the floor. The stream, which had been left at the last
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pitch reached last year, could be heard entering down the aven. Most of the
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draught went with the stream. <div class="timeug">Time taken 9 hrs.</div> Depth reached approx 400m.</p>
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<p>To prevent too many club members blowing neurons in attempting to
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describe which pitch they have descended, it has been decided by the cretins
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that be to number the pitches.</p>
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<dl>
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<dt>Plugged Shaft<dd>1
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<dt>Saved Shaft<dd>2
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<dt>Follow-through Shaft<dd>3
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<dt>P15 & P35<dd>4
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<dt>P10<dd>5
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<dt>P55 & P5<dd>6
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<dt>Balcony Pitch<dd>7
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<dt>P7<dd>8
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<dt>P15<dd>9
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<dt>P10 (Gents' pitch)<dd>10
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<dt>Fiesta Run<dd>11
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<dt>P35 & P30<dd>12
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<dt>P25 & P20<dd>13
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<dt>P25<dd>14
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<dt>P20<dd>15
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<dt>P5<dd>16
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</dl>
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<p><a href="#id1979-76-4">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-6">Next trip</a></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-05B">Sunday 5th August</div></p>
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<p><div class="triptitle">Prospecting on the Plateau</div> - <div class="trippeople">Tony + Andy C</div></p>
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<p>Ben drove us up the Toll Road before going off to collect Simon + Simon.
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From there we strode manfully up to the col camp before dumping some gear at
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the large cave entrance visible on the return from 106 about halfway back to
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the col. Collected some bits of Tony's gear from 106 and on the return
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stumbled across a deep sounding shaft just off the marked route about 100
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yds from 106. We returned to the large entrance and Tony set to at a rock
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blocking the previously located passage beyond. After a couple of minutes we
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broke through and Tony thrutched through in his shorts, T-shirt and carrying
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his emergency electric light - found chamois skeleton in stooping height
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phreatic tube which ended in a small cosy chamber after 50 feet. Andy then
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attacked another entrance further along the cliff face, which was draughting
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intermittently; dug through some loose rubble to enter a phreatic passage
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similar to the previous one - but about 3m wide, flat floored and minus the
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chamois remains. After about 40 feet a boulder fall split the passage. The
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left hand dropped 3 feet to a boulder-choked depression then led up through
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a boulder pile in the [looks like 'rough']. which Andy ascended as far as he
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dared - about 15 feet - some ice in the roof. The R H lead at the boulder
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fall led to the same boulder pile into the roof, which choked similarly.
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Emerged with chilly hands after around ten minutes poking around. Tony
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wisely decided not to enter, either because the entrance was awkward or more
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probably because it was bloody cold and he wasn't wearing a wetsuit.</p>
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<p>We then packed up the gear and trundled off to the promising looking
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shaft found earlier on near 106. Sun by now blazing down. Andy spent the
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first 10 minutes bolting the entrance while Tony fiddled around with his
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chest harness and other bits of ironmongery. Rigged the pitch with a 50m
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length of Interalp - Tony descended in T-shite and shorts, kicked away some
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snow about 20 feet down, decided it was a wetsuit job and prusiked out,
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lacerating knees en route !</p>
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<p>Andy then descended to a ledge about 45-50' down, then returned to the
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surface. Tony, having donned the necessary protective gear abseiled down
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beyond the ledge through a narrower slit down to the bottom, which had no
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exit. Prussicked back to above the ledge where a short traverse to the right
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led to a 25 ft pitch with a possible continuation along the rift. Returned
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to surface for reappraisal. Andy then descended to the bottom (of what was
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about a 75 ft shaft) came back up to look at the side passage and returned,
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considering it not worth pursuing. We thrutched around amongst surface holes
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for a while before encountering Nick and Julian on their return from 410m of
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106.</p>
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<p>What an entertaining and pleasant day.</p>
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<p>Tony.</p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-06A"><!-- next day --></div>
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<div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-6">Eislufthöhle</a> 1623/106</div> <div class="trippeople">Ben + Andy</div></p>
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<p>Due to Julian's late arrival to tell us that there was no tackle at 106,
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we aborted the evening walk up and chopped the 110m rope in two. 5 am start
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saw us underground by 8.30 (ugh !). Fairly quick even with 3 tackle bags
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down to HotGK, then slower as the traversing progressed. Traversing seemed
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easier than last year to Fiesta Run (very horrible). Then N & J's 3m pitch -
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obvious that new bolt needed - Ben feeling cool after a few minutes so him
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to bolt. Andy set off to look for more protectors, bolts etc. on yesterday's
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route. Down the 5/10 to a large chamber, free climb down to ante-chamber,
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interesting hole up in left wall. Descending traverse to another pitch -
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still no tackle in sight so down 5m - aha ! a can and a tackle bag - quick
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nip down the next 15m for a brief look - uninspiring and then out - very
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much more strenuous and horrific ascender slip of the top 5m pitch back to
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Ben - bolt finished - just waiting for hanger. Replaced Marlow by 45m
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Interalp - rebelay and Ben abseils into the unknown. One small rub, then
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thrutchy - then - FREE ! 30m in an expanding shaft to a ledge, a few more
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metres to a second ledge with a cross rift descending for a further 30m ?
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Rift getting wider to left under a rock bridge and remarkable pinnacle of
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limestone, Obvious rebelay needed - less obvious best place to put it: far
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wall to the left best - and most difficult ! Ben ascends, Andy descends for
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a look ferrying tackle bag / bolting gear down. A couple of stones lobbed
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suggest a landing in a pool with rift continuing to left - possibly a
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further drop. A belayed gear and then Tempus Fugit forced exit. Long slog
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out with lots of ascender slippage including a certain amount of free fall
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by Andy despite very frequent toothbrush stops. Up to HotGK OK and not too
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long to get out - <div class="timeug">total 11 hr trip</div> to -385m. Rather dim walk back to col -
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and quite dark back to café - finally hit Bar Fischer at 10pm in time for
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four beers.</p>
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<p>Andy</p>
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<p><a href="#id1979-76-5">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-7">Next trip</a></p>
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<hr />
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<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-7">Eislufthöhle</a></div> <div class="trippeople">Two Simons</div> <div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-07A">7 August</div></p>
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<p>What was to be a showabout trip for SK rapidly turned into a minor
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derigging operation from the very bottom after a few beers.</p>
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<p>Up by 6:30 underground 10 O'Clock after not much breakfast. Down to
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Fiesta Run. Tried to find J&N's pitches but failed, instead following
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A&B's pitch to the ledge - very impressive. (Forgetting to mention
|
|
rerigging the Gents' pitch with new IA).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Slow exit with near fatal [no bullshit] ascender slippage on pitch before
|
|
the Gents.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Experienced total ascender failure of CMI on way out. Had to continue on
|
|
botched up Petzl system. Eventually exitted at 9.45 followed by SK one hour
|
|
later.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Began to shiver and feel nauseous (not nauseating). Managed to crawl back
|
|
to col and was promptly violently sick after drinking some water. Staggered
|
|
into tent and fell into a fitful sleep.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Not a very useful trip but slow exit can be justifiably blamed on
|
|
apallingly slippy ropes and pathological ascenders.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>S F---></p>
|
|
|
|
<div class="timeug"><!-- SF 11¾ hrs; SK 12¾ hrs --></div>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-76-6">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-8">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
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<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-99-1">Höhle 99</a></div> <div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-07B">August 7th</div> <div class="triptitle">Tony and Andy</div></p>
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|
|
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<p>Having been informed of the existence of 99 - about 100 yards away from
|
|
106 and draughting strongly, reached the plateau at about midday and
|
|
promptly disappeared - both of us - into the clints for a grande burundi -
|
|
followed at intervals by other offerings throughout the afternoon.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>After a superficial examination, rigged the first 25' or so with a
|
|
ladder, or two, Andy descended and examined the draughting lead through an
|
|
icy orifice, followed by Tony who bolted the pitch head and froze up his
|
|
[???] ! Andy [???]ed the pitch with 50m of IA then descended down a snow
|
|
slope for about 40', whence the shaft turned slightly - a convenient rebelay
|
|
at a later date. Continued to the bottom - on first glance choked with
|
|
boulders and not producing any draught. The draught roared out of a vertical
|
|
fissure just above the apparent bottom of the pitch - impossible to get
|
|
through unless you [ four illegible words ]. Emerged into the bright light
|
|
of day after about ¾ hour. Tony then descended, between clint walking
|
|
activities, checked the impossibility of penetrating the draughting slot
|
|
(through which could be seen a 10° slope down from right to left, ice
|
|
covered) and went down to examine the choke below; dropped a pebble which
|
|
suggested depth below so removed loose small boulders until only one large
|
|
block was left perched above what appears to be about 20 ft down to a ledge
|
|
and a further 20-30 ft beyond. This boulder will be moved, when 106 is empty
|
|
just in case a connection is possible, in order to pursue this dry old route
|
|
which may be considered to be draughting.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="../1978/log.htm">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-99-2">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-8">Eislufthöhle</a></div> <div class="trippeople">Nick + Julian</div> <div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-08A">8th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Plodded down to last pitch of last year. Julian then went off and
|
|
derigged the dry route whilst I bolted the rebelay for the twelfth.
|
|
Descended 30m in damp rift to an 'under over' (go over; the under's wet).
|
|
Almost immediately occurs a 50m pitch, split once. At the bottom is a 5m
|
|
free climb as the shaft levels out. Next is a pitch of about 20-25m. The
|
|
belays are both natural, but the backup is a little near the lip of the
|
|
pitch (be warned). From the bottom a large platform is the takeoff to a
|
|
pitch of about 20m. These pitches are a little damp, especially after rain.
|
|
Total depth ~500m at least. <div class="timeug">Time ~ 8 hrs.</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Nick</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-76-7">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-9">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-9">Eislufthöhle</a></div>
|
|
<div class="trippeople">Andy and Tony</div> <div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-08B">8th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Departed from the surface at about 11.00, starting to rain, with the
|
|
intention of continuing the survey to grade V (sic) standard, below the bolt
|
|
in Follow-through shaft, which we reached after about 2 hours, including
|
|
farting around on rebelays, farting around trying to use the compass - clino
|
|
- measuring tape, and sundry stinky gonks.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Eventually commenced surveying - measured the drop from the bolt to the
|
|
false floor at the bottom of Follow-through -10.8 metres, and surveyed the
|
|
small chamber at the bottom. Clino then packed up, as did enthusiasm and a
|
|
swift exit was made, J and N pursuing us on the way.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="timeug">Time ~ 5 hours</div> - Andy</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-76-8">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-10">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-09A">Thursday 9th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle">Altaussee GösserHöhle</div> <div class="trippeople">Ben Andy (till 6.00 pm) Simon K Simon F Nick Tony
|
|
Andy C Julian</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Entered just after midday and steadily downed the pot. Some jacking
|
|
noises were made around 2.00 pm after we had finished two, but the
|
|
motivation of the more experienced members of the party saw the team through
|
|
a bad spell. Pausing only to leer at the pretties, the 4th, 5th and 6th were
|
|
soon finished and at 6.00 pm Andy W and Ben had to exit because of other
|
|
commitments. The rest of the team forged on down the 7th but had to stop
|
|
shortly afterwards for a food gonk. Heckling a harassed Austrian waiter
|
|
produced the necessary results: egg mayonaise, Wiener Schnitzel, ice cream
|
|
and another beer. By 9.30pm it was clear that some members of the team were
|
|
feeling the effects of a particularly long and tiring trip: clumsiness,
|
|
difficulty in focusing and the need to shout to make oneself heard all
|
|
pointed towards this. The meet leader therefore, wisely decided to exit
|
|
before terminal symptoms set in: vomiting, inability to raise oneself from a
|
|
prone position etc. Nearly fell into another pot on the way back. Time taken
|
|
10 hours. Depth reached 30 litres. A damn fine trip.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Beats any Reininghaushöhle for pretties.</p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-10A">10th August</div> <div class="trippeople">Ben + Andy</div> - <div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-10">106</a></div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>After retreating after the 6th, Ben and Andy got up to the col as night
|
|
fell, staggering slightly on the way. It all looked set for a brilliant star
|
|
studded night. At 1 am, both were awoken by gales and lashing rain. The tent
|
|
leaked, tried to take off etc. etc. producing a particularly uncomfortable
|
|
night. Were due to get up at 5 but jacked due to the wind. Eventually got
|
|
underground at 9 am intending to hit the 600m level. Unfortunately it was a
|
|
bit wet underground and after reaching the free 15m pitch it was decided the
|
|
new pitches would be too wet so we jacked. Washed the 15m rope, took out a
|
|
piece of Marlow and a piece of hawserlaid.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="timeug">Time 6 hrs</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-76-9">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-11">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-10B">10th August</div> <div class="trippeople">Tony, Andy C and Simon K</div> - <div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-99-2">99</a></div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>What a stinking day ! Enthusiasm unfortunately overtook common sense and
|
|
with Andy lugging 82 metres (yes 82 !) of Interalp we raced up to the
|
|
plateau to change rather unhappily in low cloud and drizzle. The wetsuits,
|
|
previously left at 106 to freshen themselves, lived up to their name and
|
|
caused some discomfort which was accentuated by hanging around in a very
|
|
cold pot. Tony went down first, happy to get below the draught and snow
|
|
(into which the end of the rope had frozen pretty solidly) in the hope of
|
|
moving the obstructive boulder whilst Andy put in another bolt half way down
|
|
the shaft. Needing a lifeline to be protected against a head first lob Tony
|
|
sat around waiting for Andy so that we were both frozen by the time progress
|
|
could be made. The boulder eventually had to be pushed creating a wonderful
|
|
noise as it dropped 12 feet to a boulder strewn ledge. Tony then free
|
|
climbed down and eventually calling for Andy's assistance the boulder was
|
|
pulled back from its position on the top of a longer pitch. Extreme cold led
|
|
to a return to the surface after the next pitch had been observed to
|
|
corkscrew cleanly away for at least 30-40 feet. Everybody was feeling
|
|
miserable though progress looked hopeful and we jacked through more dismal
|
|
rain.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>PS. Simon K festered coldly on the surface throughout and sensibly
|
|
resisted the tempting offer of a tourist trip.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-99-1">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-99-3">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-11A">Saturday 11th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle">Rained</div></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-12A">Sunday 12th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle">Rained</div></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-13A"><a id="id1979-76-11">Monday 13th August</a></div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Didn't rain, therefore:</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle">Eislufthöhle</div> <div class="trippeople">Julian, Andy W (taking photos),
|
|
Ben, Simon F, Nick (pushing team)</div> with all five of us derigging. Yes,
|
|
derigging, initially because we thought we were running out of time, and
|
|
could only afford one more push and, as it turned out, because the pot ended
|
|
of its own accord.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>An early start saw the pushing trio soon reaching the 15th pitch, whilst
|
|
the other two plodded on down taking piccies at various places. The short
|
|
rope on the 15th was changed for one that reached, and Nick descended.
|
|
Trooped off down a very high and wide rift, well supplied with boulders,
|
|
including some 'deads' in the roof, if you see what I mean.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>The floor sloped down gently, with the stream flowing just under the
|
|
boulder floor. Ominous black mud started to cover the rock. The head of a
|
|
short pitch was soon reached and the drop tests confirmed with a loud
|
|
booming splash that a sump was in the offing. Bolted and descended the pitch
|
|
(5m) to ankle deep mud covering boulders, and a large, long, deep lake of a
|
|
sump pool - an interesting moment for all concerned. Andy and Julian arrived
|
|
and photographed the place to pieces (I hope).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>All five of us then started to derig. Then as the cold water pounded down
|
|
the pitches, tackle hauls got tangled, tempers got frayed and the weight of
|
|
equipment increased, we all began to realise what a shag the derig was going
|
|
to be.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>With each of us earning hero points of doubtful validity, we eventually
|
|
got all the gear above the Hall of the Greene King, spat over our shoulders
|
|
and left the place. <div class="timeug">Trip times varied between 14 and 16 hours.</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Thank god its over. The exhaustion at the time outdid the sense of
|
|
achievement, but we'll grow to appreciate it.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Nick.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-76-10">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-12">Next trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-14A">Tuesday 14th</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-12">Eislufthöhle</a> Derig.</div> <div class="trippeople">Tony Baroni, Andy C, SKellet</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Blatted down to top of HotGK with wierd fantasies about derigging whole
|
|
lot. Discovered that the tackle bags are f...ing heavy, esp Andy who was
|
|
dumb enough to carry the huge yellow TB. SK got jammed in over Keg Series
|
|
and swore mightily, also leaving his knee pads and most of his knees here.
|
|
Everyone took ages on Plugged, with many slipped ascenders and more
|
|
swearing. Eventually removed 3 TBs + ammo cans. Got charged by cattle on way
|
|
back - bravely repelled [???]</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="timeug">Time ~~ 6 hrs</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Simon K</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-76-11">Previous trip</a>/<a href="#id1979-76-13">Final trip</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-15A">Wednesday 15th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-76-13">Eislufthöhle</a></div> <div class="trippeople">Nick, Simon F, Ben, Julian, Andy C, Tony</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>More derigging. Simon F, Ben, Nock straight (?) out with vast amounts of
|
|
tackle, Julian following derigging. Ben's CMI and light met their respective
|
|
makers half way up Plugged Shaft accompanied by some very unchristian
|
|
language and Julian met Tony and Andy C at the second rebelay to help tackle
|
|
hauling. All over in 6½ hours, then to the serious business of carrying
|
|
the gear back to the Bergrestaurant. All back by 6.00 pm amd so to the Kitzer
|
|
Hotel for food and Fischer's for fizzy wine and beer.</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-15B"><!-- same day --></div>
|
|
<div class="triptitle"><a id="id1979-99-3">99</a></div> <div class="trippeople">Simon K</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Only problem, I hear, was removing the rock anchors from the wall. (Who
|
|
is this man ?)</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><a href="#id1979-99-1">Previous trip</a>/<a href="../../1623/99/99.html">Guidebook description</a></p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p><div class="tripdate" id="t1979-08-16A">Thursday 16th August</div></p>
|
|
|
|
<p><div class="triptitle">The end !</div> Nick, Andy C and Julian to col to pick up the remaining gear.
|
|
Rest of day spent swimming, packing, sunbathing and driving home.</p>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<p>L.C.P.</p>
|
|
|
|
<dl>
|
|
<dt>28th<dd>Julian Hovercraft
|
|
<dt>29th<dd>Ben Breakdown
|
|
<dt>30th<dd>Ben Breakdown
|
|
<dt>31st<dd>Nick Lack of Penetration
|
|
<dt>1st<dd>Andrew Lack of Penetration
|
|
<dt>2nd<dd>Not awarded
|
|
<dt>3rd<dd>Not awarded
|
|
<dt>4th<dd>Not awarded
|
|
<dt>5th<dd>Not awarded
|
|
<dt>6th<dd>Simon K Rice chef
|
|
<dt>7th<dd>Simon F (w)Retched performance
|
|
<dt>8th<dd>Simon K Ticket
|
|
<dt>9th<dd>Simon K Travellers cheques
|
|
<dt>10th<dd>Ben Irresponsive
|
|
<dt>11th<dd>Not awarded
|
|
<dt>12th<dd>Not awarded
|
|
<dt>13th<dd>Simon F (w)Retched performance
|
|
<dt>14th<dd>Simon K Unbedded, Baa ! look at that Chamois + assorted
|
|
cock-ups (Primus stove, map, getting stuck, 'sprained' ankle etc. etc.)
|
|
<dt>15th<dd>Not awarded
|
|
</dl>
|
|
|
|
<p>At an informal meeting of an ad hoc LCP committee the overall expedition
|
|
LCP was unanimously awarded to Simon K. Glowing references were made to the
|
|
high degree of incompetance maintained by this individual and he was
|
|
presented with a packet of rubbers to ensure his line continues no further.
|
|
League tables were as follows</p>
|
|
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>Simon K 4
|
|
<li>Ben 3
|
|
<li>Simon F 2
|
|
<li>Julian 1
|
|
<li>Nick 1
|
|
<li>Andy W 1
|
|
<li>Tony 0 \
|
|
<li>Andy C 0 } relegated
|
|
</ul>
|
|
<hr />
|
|
<!-- LINKS -->
|
|
<ul id="links">
|
|
<li>1979 Expedition info:
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li><a href="report.htm">Expo report, Cambridge Underground 1980</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="bcracc.htm">BCRA Caves & Caving Report</a></li>
|
|
<li>Eislufthöhle - <a href="descnt.htm">from Descent 44</a></li>
|
|
<li>Nick Thorne's write-up in <a href="792026.htm">Belfry Bulletin 378</a></li>
|
|
<li>Odkrycie i eksploracja Eislufthöhle - <a href="811412.htm">original
|
|
english article</a> (published in Polish in 1980)</li>
|
|
</ul></li>
|
|
<li><a href="../../pubs.htm#pubs1979">Index</a> to all publications</li>
|
|
<li><a href="../../index.htm">Back to Expeditions intro page</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="../../../index.htm">CUCC Home Page</a></li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
</body>
|
|
</html>
|