CUCC Expeditions to Austria: 1976 - 2023

The Sump
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit !

As we entered, sun was beating down & promised to hold. This was the last pushing trip cos time was out - derigging would have to start tomorrow. We met Mike & Dobbers at inlet pitches and learnt to our dismay that they had been foiled by water in Orgasm Chasm. This meant that photo gear had to be abandoned at the camp for an all out push. As we entered the streamway the water seemed higher than usual. We pushed quickly on - I was thinking of the wet pitch found by Tim & Phil but knew we'd go on until bolts or rope ran out regardless of time. Duck was not too bad and onto Orgasm Chasm. On the big drop were two ropes - Chas went down the one with no knot on the end but spotted it in time (phew). The pitches became wetter and then the 100'. I vegetated while Chas placed one wet freehanging bolt then down into a cold spray lashed chamber. We rushed into a corner to fettle. Poking among enormous boulders we dropped into the stream again, through a canal and to a 20' pitch. No, it was a free climb and suddenly a sump. Just a rift with a very deep scummy pool. No great thrill, no cheers or handshakes, we traversed over to check for a bypass, but I think we knew this was it and we were getting cold so a slow return to camp was made. A good meal and a King Edward Cigar to celebrate, and a good nights sleep meant a speedy exit the next day. It's very hard to get out of bed when it's dark even at 1pm. We hitched back to camp and revealed all - I think they were all very pleased though cavers aren't prone to outbursts of emotion.

29½ hours