Participants
John Sweeney
Adam De Eyto
Jess Buckley
Cate King
Phillip Delamere
Colin Bunce
Claire Woods
Carmel Broderick
Seamus Breathnach
Outline
Following a gap of several years since the last YCR expedition and some changes in the leadership the expedition aims this year were to put together a new leadership team and to investigate a new area. Several young members of previous YCR expeditions were now qualified and became involved as leaders.
Our base this year was IcPonor a tiny hamlet 50km from Huedin in north west Romania. This base was much more remote than Closani with no electricity or running water.
Local Caves visited
Pestera Onceasa | Huge passage to cave bear cemetery |
Poarta Alunului | Short cave with some good formations |
Pestera Rece | 2 pitches at entrance lead to large passage and good popcorn |
Humpleu Cave | Massive passage and huge chambers |
Pestera Pepii | Short easy resurgence cave |
Cetatile Radesci | Large through cave popular with tourists |
Somesul Gorge | Spectacular gorge be prepared to get wet |
Pestera Wassa | Short muddy cave with beautiful shape |
Pestera Coltului | One pitch near entrance leads to large beautiful streamway |
Caves visited in Padis Region
Avenul Bortig | Vertical pot, large open pothole 50m to ice, 2nd pitch of 30m |
Cetatile Ponorlui | Spectacular entrance 80m in height, need boat/buoyancy aid |
Pestera Negra | Vertical cave, series of pitches in canyon lead to larger passage |
Ghetarul de Focal Viu | Ice cave with large daylight chamber |
Ghetarul de la Barsa | Four short pitches and some climbing |
Avenul Fata Rachitii | Three pitches to a muddy sump |
Other Caves visited
Avenul din Sesuri | Vertical cave, series of pitches in large open cave leads to lake |
Scarisoara Ice Cave | Show cave, descent to huge ice lake |
Avenul Sohodol | Vertical pot, many large open pitches |
Pestera Batramuli | Beius area, muddy cave with short entrance pitch |
Pestera Ursilor | Spectacular show cave, many stalagmites and bear skeleton |