+1, -1 & 0. Risk assessment for outdoor enthusiasts

For anyone who is involved in decision making in mountain conditions and for the  members of different rescue teams.

These people are very often mountain guides, instructors, expedition leaders, rescue team members and others, who are in the position to take the leading role in a group and are expected or forced to make decisions with a high level of responsibility.

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W Le Donne (-1316m), Italy 19-28.03

The Cave

W Le Donne (“Viva Le Donne”, lit. “long live the women”) is a -1316м deep cave, entrance is at 2170м situated in the Bergamasque Alps (Alpi Orobie) in Italy. The approach during this time of the year (march) is snowy, so crampons are a must, also pick and snowshoes depending on weather conditions. It is the second deepest cave in Italy, with a potential for over 2000m. The deepest cave in Italy is “Paolo Roversi”, which us 1360м, but currently has no potential for further depths. The cave system stretches under a ridge starting from peak Grigna toward peak Pilastro (Monte Pilastro) and is estimated to go down towards Como lake (Lago di Como). It has 18 entrances, most of which are high on the northern side of the ridge. There are more than 400 caves in the area, many of which are suggested to be connected with the cave system. So far 30km in length have been explored and the cave goes on.

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Hirlatzhöhle, Austria(113km, -1560m) – two expeditions in January and February

Our Austrian friend Paul invited us to join for e trip in help of a diving expeditions in Hirlatz. This is the third longest and second deepest cave in Austria (113km and -1560m). The ave is located in the Dachstein massif with several entrances. The highest entrance is behind a siphon in a spectacular big room called “Sahara”. Our club participated in the exploration of the top entrance in 2018 so the cave and the region weren’t unknown for us and we wanted to see it from the other side.

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Brezno Speceg Dinozavra, -1083м, Kanin, Slovenia

In early February, a member of our club, Tsvetan Kosturkov, joined the “Slovenian Društvo za raziskovanje jam Ljubljana” team for a short exploration trip in Brezno Speceg Dinozavra at Kanin. More about DZRJL and Kanin explorations can be found in the interview with Spela Borko here

A group of four speleologists entered the cave for three days in total. 

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Kita in July 2022

In the period 03.07.2022 to 07.07.2022 14 cavers from “Pod RB” caving club carried out the annual expedition to the Crnopac cave system in Croatia, specifically to Kita Gaceisina cave. The goal was to continue last year’s exploration at Stone Age and Pincher Ninja. We spent 1 day to reach the Imberlani camp and 1 day to get out. We worked for 2 days and took one day off, to rest before setting off to the surface.

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Kita, Crnopac, Croatia – 2021

In the period 24-28.10.2021 a group of four speleologists participated in our traditional exploration of the furthest and deepest parts of the system Crnopac, through its Kita entrance. We used 1 day for entering and reaching the Imberlani bivouac, 3 days were dedicated to exploration and 1 day for making our way out. More on our endeavours in this region you can find here

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Kolkina dupka, Ponor, Bulgaria – 24.03-27.03

In the period 24th – 27th March 2021, team of two, explored Kolkina beyond its 2nd camp. As a result we have:

  • new 200m surveyed parts
  • rigged new 15m shaft
  • re-rigged 65m climb 

Overall, there is a new region with lots of potential for further progress. The new region starts at the top of a 65m climb, which was last climbed by a group of 3 speleologists.