expoweb/smkridge/41/offdp.htm

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1623/41 Stellerwegh&ouml;hle Guidebook
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<h2>Stellerwegh&ouml;hlensystem: deep side leads</h2>
<h3><a name="offdford">Dartford Tunnel</a></h3>
<p>There are several small tubes leading off both right and left near the
start of <a href="deepwy.htm#dartford">Dartford Tunnel</a> [<a name="C1982-41-00"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-00">C1982-41-00</a>], also downhill, but none of these
crawls/stoops have been pushed to a conclusion. There may also be high leads
to the left 40m [<a name="C1982-41-01" href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-01">C1982-41-01</a>] and 60m
[<a name="C1982-41-02" href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-02">C1982-41-02</a>] from the start.
<p>Where Dartford Tunnel turns abruptly right (NW) and changes into a high
rift, there is a possiblity of a passage to the left, about 6m up the wall,
continuing the line of the rift in the opposite direction [<a name="C1982-41-04"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-04">C1982-41-04</a>] to the SE. This NW-SE joint is parallel
with the Big Rift of Stellerweg, and seems to be a major influence in this
area.
<p>The joint-guided rift ends abruptly at a T-junction where the main way
is left in SW-trending vadose canyon. To the right is also big passage,
leading Northeast to an aven with an inlet [<a name="C1982-41-05"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-05">C1982-41-05</a>], but no way on. On the main way, at a 4m
climb down, a passage comes in from the right, also NE; this may be followed
to a low area of mud and boulders [<a name="C1982-41-06"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-06">C1982-41-06</a>] with no continuation.
<h3>Confluence Area (1982)</h3>
<p>Where the Purgatory Bypass finally intersects the canyon of the stream
entering at the Confluence, the main way is to the left on a ledge. No
attempt has apparently been made to follow the canyon to the right at high
level [<a name="C1982-41-12" href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-12">C1982-41-12</a>], perhaps because
of its angle and lack of friction.
<p>The main way crosses the canyon to a terrace, and drops down from here to
the Confluence from a corner. If, instead of dropping down here, the terrace
is followed round the corner to the right, it leads to a dry vadose trench in
the floor and then a traverse above the main streamway. <b>Rampant
Passage</b> starts near this corner and rises as a large dry passage, 7m high
and 2m wide. This climbs 30m in its 65m length to emerge at a huge chamber,
<b>Cologne Cathedral (K&ouml;ln Dom)</b> approximately 15m in diameter and
apparently 20m high. A dangerous climb, c10, c5m leads to 25m of passage
ending in the huge 30m high Echo Aven [<a name="C1982-41-14"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-14">C1982-41-14</a>]. It's not entirely clear whether there is
a way on [<a name="C1982-41-13" href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-13">C1982-41-13</a>] in the roof of
K&ouml;n Dom.
<p>Many of the passages in these levels contain dead bats, perhaps suggesting
a lower entrance, though this seems unlikely to be nearby. Some of the deeper
passages of <a href="../78.htm">Schwabenschacht (1623/78)</a> are near this
area, perhaps 200m above the Confluence. The top of Echo Aven is near to
halfway to bridging this gap, which suggests the possibility of a connection
in the next few years.
<p>The climb down from the Bypass lands at the junction of the Purgatory
water and an inlet [<a name="C1981-41-07" href="qmlist.htm#C1981-41-07">C1981-41-07</a>] which
can be followed upstream (ESE) in a passage similar to the Purgatory, until
soon after a 7m climb up, the streamway divides twice and becomes too small
to follow. This is thought to be the Stellerweg water, last seen in Junction
Chamber, but is likely also to include water from various inlets and floor
trenches seen in Dartford Tunnel, as there are no inlets in the Purgatory
itself.
<h3>Stream Inlets below the Confluence (1982)</h3>
<p>Downstream of the Confluence, just after the first (4m) wet climb is the
entry of a dry inlet on the right, which leads back towards the Confluence,
but was not pushed to a conclusion [<a name="C1982-41-15"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-15">C1982-41-15</a>]. Shortly downstream, below the 7m pitch,
the streamway feeding the cascade on the left [<a name="C1982-41-16"
href="qmlist.htm#C1982-41-16">C1982-41-16</a>] remains unexplored (this is shown on the
right on the survey, not the left).
<p>Where the sump bypass drops back to the main stream, the continuing way up
is unexplored [<a name="C1981-41-22" href="qmlist.htm#C1981-41-22">C1981-41-22</a>]. Halfway
between the next 3m pitch and the Twelve Foot Climb, (50m from each) another
inlet enters from high up, this time on the right [<a name="C1981-41-23"
href="qmlist.htm#C1981-41-23">C1981-41-23</a>]. Much further on, another unexplored inlet
up on the left [<a name="C1981-41-24" href="qmlist.htm#C1981-41-24">C1981-41-24</a>], shortly
precedes the Subtle Approach Pitch.
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