Hidden Earth 2025

CUCC Loser Plateau Expedition

45 minute Lecture|Harry Kettle

Abstract

Exploration of the cave network underlying the Loser Plateau in the Totes-Gebirges mountains has been ongoing by CUCC (and friends) since 1976, and continued with a 5-week expedition this summer. The Schwarzmooskogel (SMK) system extends to over 150km long and 1,100m deep. We are keen to encourage opportunities for new cavers and our team of over 30 included 8 on their first expedition.

We set off with three main objectives for this year. First, to continue pushing in Balkonhöhle, which included an enticing 100m high draughting rift over 500m below the entrance. Underground camping at Pitstop camp enabled access to these deep leads. We also returned to Kaninchenhöhle, last visited ten years previously. Our goals here focussed on leads left at the far ends of the system, requiring long bounce trips to reach increasingly distant pushing fronts. Our final objective was prospecting for new entrances on the plateau. Two particularly exciting finds were made with excellent potential for connecting and extending the system further.