1972, The Year Of The Push

by J. R. Middleton

The past twelve months has perhaps seen more major discoveries and explorations throughout the caving world than during any equivalent period. There can be no doubt that the reason for this is the great advance in both caving equipment and techniques. By this I mean the move to smaller high powered teams of very competent cavers, the use of special clothing, lighter and stronger ropes, bolts, harnesses, better lighting, better foods, more practical camping and cooking gear and above all the development of abseiling and prusiking devices.

Listed below are a few of the most interesting discoveries and I am indebted to Paul Courbon of the “Abime Club Toulonnais” for the majority of this information. Paul is himself an exceptional caver, even by French standards and has contributed considerably to several of these discoveries.

Chourim Des Aiguilles

This cave is situated in the Hautes-Alpes of France and during August of last year the “Abime Club Toulonnais” extended a major inlet passage by climbing over 505 metres including one pitch of 40 metres. The entrance to this passage is over 200 metres below the cave entrance before the climb is commenced. The total depth of the system is now 980 metres and the end has still not been reached. This type of upward exploration is perhaps the largest which has ever been made. A further inlet was explored and a way to the surface eventually forced and this entrance gives a depth of 960 metres.

Gouffre Du Cambou De Liard

In the Hautes Pyrenees last August the S.S.P.P.O. of Pau and the S.G.CA.F. of Grenoble reached a terminal syphon at a depth of 908 metres.

Gouffre D’Aphanice

The unique part of this exploration in the Massif des Arbailles in the Pyrenees was that it was done by three individuals and the depth reached was 504 metres. At a depth of 155 metres there is a pitch of 328 metres and this was descended on a special 9 mm. French caving rope and Jumars used for the ascent. The expedition was made in September.

Scialet De Genieux

This cave situated in the Grande Chartreuse area of the French Alps was discovered last May and by the end of October the three man exploration team had managed to reach a terminal syphon at 675 metres.

Kef Toghobeit

A French expedition from the “Speleo Club de Blois” visited this Moroccan cave last summer and pushed it to a depth of 560 metres. They were stopped at the top of an estimated 80 metre deep pitch.

Stjmidero De Cellagua

On a visit to Spain during the summer the “Societe Speleologique de Bourgogne” discovered passageways leading to a depth of 853 metres. They were stopped at the top of an estimated 15 metre shaft. The cave is situated near Santauder.

Abisso Della Genzianella

In August the Gruppo Speleologico Monfalconese reached a depth of 513 metres.

Abisso Davanzo

An expedition to this cave in the Italian Julian Alps by the “Commissione Grotte Boegan” of Trieste was stopped by a large lake at a depth of 735 metres.

Buca Grande Di Monte Pelato

Situated not far from the well known “Corchia” in the Apennine Alps this cave was pushed to a depth of 522 metres by the “Gruppo Speleologico Bolognese”. They were stopped by an awkward meander passage.

Barenschacht

Over Christmas an interclub expedition of the Swiss S.S.S. reached the top of a large shaft at the depth of 565 metres.

Holloch

This Swiss giant has had its explored and surveyed length relisted this January as 115 kilometres.

Brezno Pod Gamsovo Glavico

Again in the Julian Alps but this time on the Yugoslavian side the “Club Zeleznicar” of Ljubljiana was stopped on their exploration by a tight meander at 615 metres deep. This depth seems to have been disputed by another club so it cannot at the moment be regarded as accurate until re-surveyed. The discovery was made in August.

El Sotano

In the Queretaro State of Mexico this impressive cave was bottomed at 455 metres. The uniqueness of the exploration is the discovery of the world’s largest free fall pitch of 410 metres. This was descended on half inch U.S.A. rope and ascended by rope walkers. Exploration was made by the “Association of Mexican Cave Studies”.

Flint Ridge/Mammoth Cave System

It has still to be officially confirmed but it has been reported that these two systems have now been connected thereby giving a total of over 212 kilometres of surveyed passage.

The above is just a brief list of what I feel are the most interesting discoveries and I have not included those made by British Expeditions during 1972. These ranged far afield and are worthy of a special report but most expeditions have published their own reports in their respective club journals. However it is worth mentioning a cave of 400 metres depth discovered in Peru, several kilometres of new cave found in Ethiopia, the finishing of Ghar Parau in Iran at 751 metres, considerable extensions to the Pierre Saint-Martin and other trips to Morocco, Italy, France, Spain, etc.