Hidden Earth 2025

Dachstein Caving Expedition 2025

45 minute Lecture|Andrew Mcleod

Abstract

The Dachstein caving expedition has been exploring the high Alpine plateau of the Dachstein in Austria for over 50 years. It is an international expedition mostly led by cavers from the UK, Germany and Ireland but with cavers from other countries such as Poland, the Netherlands, Czechia etc. We focus on training for new cavers, offering discounts for young cavers and training new-to-expedition cavers before and during the expedition. The Dachstein has a theoretical depth potential, supported by the hydrology, of more than 2500m. The plateau contains many significant caves; under our area is the mighty Hirlatzhöhle which is 119km long and 1560m deep after the expedition connected one of our high entrances (WUG Pot) to the system in 2018. Most of our shallow caves are cold vertical Alpine caves, but at depth our section of the Hirlatzhöhle is primarily massive muddy phreatic passages safe from flooding.

Last year, a second camp was established close to the connection point with the rest of the Hirlatzhöhle. In the other direction, a bolt climb reached what we hope is the main upstream continuation of our section of the cave, but ended in a (potentially penetrable) boulder choke. Both of these are targets in 2025, along with our usual extensive prospecting for new cave entrances.

Our expedition ends only a few weeks before Hidden Earth, so whatever this talk contains will be hot off the press. I can only assume there will be many exciting discoveries, new caves, new links and lots of wonderful stories!