With Christi taking position as Doctor at the medical centre in Garda de Sus … this was to be our base for this, and future, expeditions.

The Crew

Reading : Brian West, Lisa Bates (Methven), Mark Horswill, Andy Boyd, James Thatcher, Mark Boyd, Shell Spurr, Judith Waters

Romania : Christ Ciubutarescu, Dan Popescu, Bebe Ciubutarescu, Roxanna Ciubutarescu, Dana Diaconu, Vadim Bondar (Sphinx Caving Club, Garda de Sus). Plus members of Focal Viu (Bucaresti), Cluj Polytecnica, Oradia, and a French group.

Transport

Still the trustworthy Landrover.

Re-Visited

Coiba Mare, Ghetarul de la Virtop. Piatra Altarului, and Dirnini.

Newly Visited

Hoanca Apei, Pojarul Politei

New Exploration

Zgurasti. The exploration of Zgurasti, alongside the other Romanian and French teams, was the highlight of the expedition, and the goal of future expeditions. Lisa's account of the trip is available here (A4 jpg, 180kb, opens in a new window). A bigger version of the photograph below is available here.

Zgurasti entrance - the lake here is very year / season dependent

The first (or occasionally second) lake and by far the largest. Roxanna, pictured in the boat was still in her early teens, and was bravely on her own, holding flash bulbs under the water. She was particularly brave as the very same boat did sink on us on another occasion!