Post by Sharon Faulkner on Sept 14, 2005 9:07:14 GMT -5
Update on the Ozernaya-Optimistcheskaya Connection Project
Date: August 9, 2005
Ever since Optimistcheskaya cave (146 + miles) was opened in the early 60's cavers of Western Ukraine have dreamed of one day connecting it to nearby Ozernaya cave (77 + miles) to bring about a system that might even surpass Mammoth in length (360 + miles). Well, this dream may soon become a reality.
At their closest point these two "Gypsum Giants" are about 600
meters apart. However, years of exploration have lead many to conclude that because of the local watershed a connection below the valley separating the caves is not possible, even though a lower level was found several years ago in Ozernaya. Thus, attention was turned towards the area encompassing the highest point on the surface as a way to connect these two caves. In short efforts were directed towards surveying in a horizontal rather than vertical direction. But these efforts meet with limited success, and proved frustrating over time.
It was with the investigation, testing (inc. that of Sergey Lavashev in Chrystalnia in 2000), and refinement over the last five years of a new Ground Penetrating Radar device that Kiev cavers V. Prokhorenko and V. Ivaschuk found promising passage behind a wall adjacent to the "Koma" campsite in Ozernaya. This is just one of the areas (another void area was also found) which will serve as the focus this month of a joint team of Ukrainian and American cavers during the 12th annual expedition of UAYCEF, an NSS Project, which recently awarded a $1000 grant to support the efforts of connecting the caves. In addition, UAYCEF also secured sponsorship from the New York City-based Explorers Club.
Progress reports of the OOCP, which has Sergey Yepifanov (NSS #50001) as its Project Coordinator, will be forthcoming over the next few months. In the interim, credit and recognition needs to be given to the following for their ongoing work on this project:
Ozernaya Expedition Members: Ternopil Podoliye Club - T. Yermakova (NSS # 54891), S. Yepifanov, Shestopalov, V. Dmitrienko,
Chernovtsy Troglodyte club - Markovish B., Palaguta A., Oneschuk M.
Borchev Club- Zhitukhin V., Kosianchik S., Dunaevsky V.
Kiev Cavers- V. Prokhorenko, V. Ivanschuk, I. Stefanishyn
Optimisticheskaya Expediton Members: Lvov Caving Club Cyclops (head Yudina N.)
Note: (1) the above information came from a report from T. Yermakova, which was translated by Anatoliy Kantor, and edited by Chris Nicola (NSS# 37847), (2) the Lvov club plans to work on future Ozernaya expeditions.
-----------------
Regards,
Chris Nicola
Director of UAYCEF
makeURL.com/nicola
(permission given to recirculate)
Date: August 9, 2005
Ever since Optimistcheskaya cave (146 + miles) was opened in the early 60's cavers of Western Ukraine have dreamed of one day connecting it to nearby Ozernaya cave (77 + miles) to bring about a system that might even surpass Mammoth in length (360 + miles). Well, this dream may soon become a reality.
At their closest point these two "Gypsum Giants" are about 600
meters apart. However, years of exploration have lead many to conclude that because of the local watershed a connection below the valley separating the caves is not possible, even though a lower level was found several years ago in Ozernaya. Thus, attention was turned towards the area encompassing the highest point on the surface as a way to connect these two caves. In short efforts were directed towards surveying in a horizontal rather than vertical direction. But these efforts meet with limited success, and proved frustrating over time.
It was with the investigation, testing (inc. that of Sergey Lavashev in Chrystalnia in 2000), and refinement over the last five years of a new Ground Penetrating Radar device that Kiev cavers V. Prokhorenko and V. Ivaschuk found promising passage behind a wall adjacent to the "Koma" campsite in Ozernaya. This is just one of the areas (another void area was also found) which will serve as the focus this month of a joint team of Ukrainian and American cavers during the 12th annual expedition of UAYCEF, an NSS Project, which recently awarded a $1000 grant to support the efforts of connecting the caves. In addition, UAYCEF also secured sponsorship from the New York City-based Explorers Club.
Progress reports of the OOCP, which has Sergey Yepifanov (NSS #50001) as its Project Coordinator, will be forthcoming over the next few months. In the interim, credit and recognition needs to be given to the following for their ongoing work on this project:
Ozernaya Expedition Members: Ternopil Podoliye Club - T. Yermakova (NSS # 54891), S. Yepifanov, Shestopalov, V. Dmitrienko,
Chernovtsy Troglodyte club - Markovish B., Palaguta A., Oneschuk M.
Borchev Club- Zhitukhin V., Kosianchik S., Dunaevsky V.
Kiev Cavers- V. Prokhorenko, V. Ivanschuk, I. Stefanishyn
Optimisticheskaya Expediton Members: Lvov Caving Club Cyclops (head Yudina N.)
Note: (1) the above information came from a report from T. Yermakova, which was translated by Anatoliy Kantor, and edited by Chris Nicola (NSS# 37847), (2) the Lvov club plans to work on future Ozernaya expeditions.
-----------------
Regards,
Chris Nicola
Director of UAYCEF
makeURL.com/nicola
(permission given to recirculate)