Hidden Earth 2023

Totes Gebirge (CUCC) expedition 2023

45 minute Lecture|Nadia Raeburn Cherradi, Sarah Parker

Abstract

This year, cavers from all over the UK returned to the Totes Gebirge region of Austria to continue exploring the caves of the Loser Augst-Eck plateau, building on decades of exploration by the Cambridge University Caving Club (and friends). Over 6 weeks this summer, a record-breaking 51 people joined the expedition - many students and over a third also joining for their first expedition. We focused our efforts on 2 caves: Fischgesichthöhle (Fish Face), which in 2022 came tantalisingly close to connecting into the 136 km-long Schwarzmooskogel Höhlensystem (SMK) system, and Heimkommenhöhle (Homecoming). Exploration in Homecoming was facilitated by establishing a new (luxury) satellite camp - Garlic Cave - complete with natural air conditioning, nearby herb garden etc.
Over the 6 weeks, over 4 km of cave was discovered and mapped. Discoveries included impressive rift passage, canyons, pleasant phreas and some surprisingly (for the area) nice speleothems. We extended Homecoming and Fishface in numerous directions - all building towards our overall aims of connecting them into the SMK system and pushing our exploration westwards.