99 - near 106
Andy Waddington
Höhle 99
Having been informed of the existence of 99 - about 100 yards away from
106 and draughting strongly, reached the plateau at about midday and
promptly disappeared - both of us - into the clints for a grande burundi -
followed at intervals by other offerings throughout the afternoon.
After a superficial examination, rigged the first 25' or so with a
ladder, or two, Andy W descended and examined the draughting lead through an
icy orifice, followed by Tony who bolted the pitch head and froze up his
[???] ! Andy W [???]ed the pitch with 50m of IA then descended down a snow
slope for about 40', whence the shaft turned slightly - a convenient rebelay
at a later date. Continued to the bottom - on first glance choked with
boulders and not producing any draught. The draught roared out of a vertical
fissure just above the apparent bottom of the pitch - impossible to get
through unless you [ four illegible words ]. Emerged into the bright light
of day after about ¾ hour. Tony then descended, between clint walking
activities, checked the impossibility of penetrating the draughting slot
(through which could be seen a 10° slope down from right to left, ice
covered) and went down to examine the choke below; dropped a pebble which
suggested depth below so removed loose small boulders until only one large
block was left perched above what appears to be about 20 ft down to a ledge
and a further 20-30 ft beyond. This boulder will be moved, when 106 is empty
just in case a connection is possible, in order to pursue this dry old route
which may be considered to be draughting.