Speleological expedition to `Voronya-Cruber’ cave

`CAVEX’ association of caving and Moscow Federation of Sport Speleology present a new expedition to the deepest world cave called ` Voronya-Cruber’ (Arabica ridge, Republic of Abkhazia). Moscow caving team, leaded by a chief of `CAVEX’ Denis Provalov, started to the destination point on the 8th of July.

Today ` Voronya-Cruber’ cave (-1710 m) is the deepest place on the Earth surface. History of investigations of this cave knows not only victories, but tragedies as well. In 2001 a `CAVEX’ team broke a world record of depth there, while a tragedy of the last year made this cave known even to far from sport citizens. Nevertheless, it was claimed that investigations were to be continued there.

Kiev Caviung Club and `CAVEX’ team achieved a striking result in August of 2003: They had penetrated through a 1440-meters deep siphon and the following dry cavity leaded them to 1680-meters depth. But – the accident had occurred. Archangelsk athlete Alexander Karabikhin fell down at -500m level and was seriously injured. An extraordinary 63-hours life-saving operation accomplished by his friends together with Sochi Rescue Service salvaged Alexander, but he had to stay several more months in a hospital after it.

This time Alexander Karabikhin is among explorers of the cave again. About thirty speleologists of different countries are taking part on this stage of researches. Athletes and scientists are looking forward to study the deepest below-the-siphon part of ` Voronya-Cruber’. They are up for a new world record.

The expedition is equipped with KONG gear, supplied with BASK.

15.07.2004