Bulletin of the National Speleological Society - ISSN 0146-9517
Number 18: 2-8 - December 1956

A publication of the National Speleological Society

The Hell Hole in the Muota Valley
Alred W.H. Bögli

Abstract

Here is the first authoritative report published in this country about a cave system whose surveyed length now exceeds that of any known cave. Its significance lies partly in the fact that it is the world's largest, but more rightfully, that it is a grand monument to the perseverance of speleologists. Working in a bitter cold 43°F maze, for continuous periods up to 224 hours in length, the Swiss group has surveyed nearly 38 miles of passageways. Even more remarkable is the fact that the period for safe exploration is limited to the few weeks between December 15 and March 1; before or after those times explorers risk being trapped by high water. The account contains information of real value for those who attempt to study large cave networks.

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