Expedition Name (& Club): Crete White Mountains 2010 (SUSS)

Destination country: Greece
Region: White Mountains, Crete

Lat: 35.3140 Long: 24.0830 Elevation: m
MEF funding: none

Leader: Robert Middleton

Brief Expedition objectives:

List a short summary of the main Expedition objectives.

The expedition will explore a valley in the White Mountains of Crete partially explored by SUSS in the 80s. This will involve systematic surface exploration, together with potentially deep underground exploration. There are two ongoing leads at –195m and 225m deep, together with much further surface potential.

Detailed description of objectives:

Give a more detailed account of the purpose of the trip, including any particular known caves you intend to visit, specific areas where you will explore for new cave, and scientific experiments you will attempt.

An exploratory expedition is planned to the White Mountains of Crete. The aim is to complete a thorough search of a valley that was partially explored by suss in the 80’s, but never finished. There are two known ongoing leads at –195m and –225m within the target area. The area has limestone beds of a thickness of 2000m and therefore has the potential to discover caves well in excess of 1000m deep! There are no known resurgences in the area, suggesting water resurges in the sea 2000m below. Previous work in the surrounding area by SUSS and a number of Greek caving clubs has shown the potential of the mountains, culminating in SUSS exploring Colosuss to –554m in 2009, and the Greeks together with the French exploring Lyons cave to –1200m currently. The area has warm and settled weather although it is rather remote, making it a great site for students on their first forays into expedition caving. Previous trips by our club to the surrounding area over the last three years have resulted in over 350 entrances being logged, 8 different caves of depth over 100m metres and the discovery and exploration of Colosuss to “final destination” chamber at –554m depth and over 1km long. This cave is the 9th deepest in Greece, and over 200m deeper than any cave in the UK. Work will include detailed logging of entrances, including GPS and photos, descriptions etc., of all entrances located, together with underground exploration, survey, and photography of caves found. All caves above 50m in depth or length will be surveyed, as will any sites with scientific or archaeological interest. A key element of the expedition is its student focus with much of the aim being to introduce students and developing cavers to expeditions and expedition skills. These include bolting, rigging on naturals, surveying, wilderness living, active risk assessment in a dangerous environment and cave photography. As with previous years much help and support has been offered by members of Greek caving clubs SELAS and SPOK. Our contact Kostas Adamopoulos is planning to join us in the field for part of the trip, and both SELAS and SPOK members have been invited to join us in the field using their own logistics. We are currently unsure of the numbers wishing to join us but hope for large diverse gathering promoting Anglo Greek caving relations. Following the expedition, a detailed and accurate report will be produced, which will be available to all for reference (probably on www.lulu.com (see SUSS Crete 2006 report)). A copy will be sent to the BCRA library in Matlock, Derbyshire.

Previous work in this area:

Give details of any previous work in this area by your own and other teams. Include references to reports and articles published on the area, and the names of any local cavers or academics with whom you have discussed the Expedition.

SUSS Crete 2008 and Colosuss 2009 - combined report in progress SUSS Crete 2006 - report available here http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/crete-2006---sheffield-universityspeleological- society/2739648 SUSS Crete 1981,82,84 – reports very difficult to acquire