From 13 to 19 September 2009 in the region of the upper flow of the river
Arda , Rhodope Mt., Central part of South Bulgaria took place the serial
cave diving expedition in this area – ”Goluboitza-2009”. The event was
organized by Bulgarian Federation of Speleology and hosted by Speleo club
“Mursalitza” – Smolyan. 13 September the leader of the expedition
Trifon Daaliev gather 15 cave divers from the speleo clubs
“Stdenetz”-Pleven, “Puldin”-Plovdiv, NEPIAST – Burgas ,
“Mursalitza”-Smolyan and “Lucifer” The main aim of the expedition
was to continue the exploration of the famous cave system Goluboitza
(Golubovitza). Last year the cave was surveyed to the second sump located
at 1666 m form the cave entrance and the explored length of the system
rised to 1896 m – 3 rd longest in Rhodope Mt. At 14 September the cave
divers passed the first sump located at climbed 20 m in the unexplored
chimney upstream. The next day was more successful. Orlin Kolov supported
by M.Ivanov, A.Inev and N.Agov passed the 2 sump of the cave (length 40 m,
depth – 7 m). On the opposite site of the sump Orlin was stopped by
vertical passage, which need safety climbing so get back! One day later 7
cave divers went to the second sump transporting the heavy cave diving
gear. Two of them K.Kolevski and M.Ivanov passed the second sump and climb
the vertical passage +3 m. The further passage was 50 long and led to the
third sump. The divers noticed that the half of the river water falls from
gallery located 10 m above – but they don’t have climbing gear to
reach it. M.Ivanov dived 45 m in the 3rd sump but because of some
technical problems get back. The actual length of Goluboitza Cave System
is 2031 m.
During the expedition was continued the exploration of the Borikovos’
karst spring. Its exploration started at 2008 when N.Tomov and L.Mironov
from SC “Puldin”-Plovdiv the first sump 50 m long in depth 4 m. and
entered in dry passage. The spring is used for water supply of the village
so the time of exploration was limited. That’s why now the explorers in
the face of N.Tomov, G.Nedev and K.Kolevski haven’t enough time for
exploration and surveying. The explored dry passage after the first sump
was 90 m followed by second one 50 m long and 10 m deep. Then the cavers
entered a gallery in length of 50 m and was stopped by new sump. Its
length was only 20 m. after which the team reached well-decorated passage
consist of a big room. The exploration was stopped in front the 4-th sump
where the approximate explored length of the cave is 360 m. The
exploration of the both caves will continued next year.
Reported by Alexey Zhalov