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Monday, July 2, 2012

Pictures and updated map of Hranická Propast

A few days ago we already reported about this expedition. See this blog post for the video of the dive.

Now Krzysztof Starnawski sent an update with a new map of the cave and some extra pictures and tells us firsthand how the expedition went:
"We just concluded another two day exploration of Hranicka Propast cave. This time i laid guide line from 196 m. to 217 m., passing on 200 meters restriction discovered during our January 2012 expedition.

This restriction is created by fallen rocks and waterlogged tree trunks. Newly discovered passage is huge and has potential to reach 400 meters. Cave is situated in calcium sediment rock which is 600 meters thick, water is warm with heavy mineral content which tells us that is coming from below limestone.
Outcome of our last expedition with terrain geology knowledge allows us to hope that Hranicka Propast can become the deepest submerged cave in the world and her depth can be over 400 meters. Reach to this type of depth is just a question of time since passage is already mapped and guide line is secured.
Restriction discovered in January ended up being way easier than I expected, not that narrow and as I was hoping leads to deeper parts of the cave. Only problem is large amount of waterlogged tree trunks and huge boulders. Thankfully, diver using CCR is not generating large amounts of gas bubbles which could destabilize this tight spot.



Total run time: 7.5 hours, water temperature: 15 C.

My dive support team from Czech Republic:
David Cani on 130 m.
Libor Čech, Petr Vaverka, Mirek Lukáą from 80 to 9 meters.
Topside support:
Honza Musil and Irena Stangierska
Equipment transport provided by Czech cavers and Vladan Mickerts i Jarda Suchoň
Because of water chemical composition all deep support divers used CCR’s (HH) so water will stay clear for next expedition (air bubbles are reacting with mineral water in such a way that it stays unclear for long period of time.

Biggest challenge during long dives in Hranicka Propast is high concentration of H2CO3 which has allergic effect on skin.
Currently we are raising funds for our next expedition there and making necessary modifications in dual rebreathes so they work better in range of 200 – 300 meters.We are planning to explore and map newly discover part of cave but not deeper than 300m."