Dachstein Caving Exped 2012

By Alpkit

Dachstein caving exped 2012, spelunking in Austria's underground world.

Chris Jones swaps the openess he enjoyed on the Patagonia Expedition Race last February for the Austrian depths.

This month 35 cavers from 8 countries will descend upon the Austrian Alps for the Dachstein Caving Expedition 2012. A stalwart of the cave exploration scene it is as renowned for its deep, tourtous and hard alpine cave systems as the Austrians are for lederhousen and beer. The high point of the area is 2995m giving us a possible depth of 2500m to the water table below and in its 43rd year were getting very close to that potential.

Passage bottom of WOT U GOT

For the fit & keen there will be the opportunity to take part in the exploration of the mighty Wot-U-Got Pot (800m+ deep and 6km long) which requires camping underground for 4 days at a time. This is a dangerous, cold, flood-prone pothole that demands skill, ability, bloody-mindedness & a twisted sense of humour. It is this cave which gives us hope of breaking into the massive Hirlatzahohle mastercave (100km+) beneath us, over the past three years we have shortened the distance between these to under 500m. If the connection is made the journey from top to bottom could well be the ultimate adventure sports challenge involving winter mountaineering, abseiling, caving and cave diving taking several days to complete!

Big Pitch

We're also going to begin the re-investigation of PL2, a 600m deep cave that was explored by the Polish many years ago that ends very close to Wot-U-Got Pot having the potential to add significant depth to our own cave. We don't know a much about this but it terminates in the largest chamber under the mountains which is likely to be the upstream end of Wot-U-Got. This would initially be suitable for all levels of ability until the deeper parts are reached & would potentially be an ideal training ground for aspiring riggers & explorers.

Typical Dachstein Passage

Finally 'rest days' will be spent roaming the mountains and prospecting for new caves. Or sampling the local scnapps.

So by the time you read this I will be out in our cushty wee camp 800m below the surface, with a very big bag and a real sense of adventure.

Before that though, I've got to pack!

Chris will be setting up camp decked out with some lovely lightweight alpkit camping equipment Airo 180 sleeping mat, titanium MytiPo and PipeDream sleeping bags.

Camp in WOT U GOT

Books & Magazines

  • Save 10%

Oat To Joy Oat To Joy

Oat To Joy

Emma Pooleys oat-based recipes
€29,99
  • Email when available

Where There’s A Will: Hope, Grief And Endurance In A Cycle Race Across A Continent Where There’s A Will: Hope, Grief And Endurance In A Cycle Race Across A Continent

Where There’s A Will: Hope, Grief And Endurance In A Cycle Race Across A Continent

Emily Chappell's story of pushing the limits of her endurance
€0,00
  • Email when available

Epic Rides Epic Rides

Epic Rides

Packed full of our favourite stories, photos and articles and every bike in our range.
€0,00
  • Save 10%

Coffee First, Then The World Coffee First, Then The World

Coffee First, Then The World

In 2018, over the course of 18,000 miles, Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham smashed the round-the-world...
€19,99
  • Save 10%

BOMS-1001CT-01-1001_climbing_tips BOMS-1001CT-01-1001_climbing_tips

1001 Climbing Tips

An irregular instruction manual for anyone who hangs off stuff or just hangs around in the mountains
€29,99
  • Email when available

BOMS-GBBR-01-great_british_bike_rides BOMS-GBBR-01-great_british_bike_rides

Great British Bike Rides

40 of the best road rides in England, Scotland and Wales
€29,99

Landscape Treks

Photo location guidebook that takes us through various walks, comprising of some of the wildest and most photogenic scenery the UK has to offer
€0,00
  • Email when available

Lake District Mountain Landscape Lake District Mountain Landscape

Lake District Mountain Landscape

A spectacular photographic perspective of the Lake District
€29,99

Avon Gorge

A Climbers’ Club Guide to the Avon Gorge
€0,00
  • Email when available

Structured Chaos Structured Chaos

Structured Chaos

The unusual life of a climber by Victor Saunders
€22,49

The Isle of Skye

Graded walks and scrambles throughout Skye, including the Cuillin
€0,00

Dark Peak Walks

40 walks exploring the Peak District gritstone and moorland landscapes
€0,00

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

=