• Komisija za speleologiju

Speleological Committee of the Croatian Mountaineering Association

Speleological Committee of the Croatian Mountaineering Association was founded in 1956. Today, the Committee has 16 members - speleological sections of mountaineering club and speleological societies that are members of Croatian Mountaineering Association. Until today, members of the Committee have explored several thousands of speleological objects. Explorations on expeditions in Croatia and abroad are very important activity. Results of explorations of deep caves are recognised on world level. One of basic tasks of the Committee is education of cavers, which is currently done through speleological schools, seminars, exams for title caver and seminars for instructors. First speleological course was organised in 1957 in Ogulin, followed by course in Donja Cerovačka cave in 1958 and course in Tounj in 1960. Organisation of speleological schools according to program developed by the Committee started in 1966. Since the start of Zagreb speleological school in 1971, the schools are organised annually in Zagreb, Split, Karlovac, Šibenik and other cities. In order to improve knowledge in certain areas the seminars are regularly organised. Members of the Committee participate in meetings and seminars abroad. Publication of several publications and textbooks for speleological education was supported by the Committee. Until today, under the Committee’s authority 40 people acquired title of instructor of speleology and 157 title of caver. About 80 trainees of speleology are educated in speleological schools each year.

Speleological Committee cooperates with Croatian speleological federation, Croatian biospeleology society, national and natural parks, as well as with scientific and professional institutions. Certain numbers of cavers are active in Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, especially in its Speleo-rescue commission.

In period 1979-1999 Speleological Committee was responsible for Veternica cave near Zagreb, for maintaining of tourist part of the cave and organisation of guided tours. After 1999 the cave went under responsibility of Nature park Medvednica.

MEMBERS OF SPELEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE

(SO – speleological section)

1. SO HPD Biokovo, Makarska

2. SO PD Dubovac, Karlovac

3. SO HPD Dubrovnik

4. SAK Ekstrem, Makarska

5. SO HPD Imber-Mosor, Omiš

6. SO HPD Japetić, Samobor

7. SO HPD Kamenar, Šibenik

8. SO PD Klen, Vodice

9. SO "Liburnija" PD Paklenica, Zadar

10. SD Lika, Gospić

11. SO HPD Malačka, Kaštel Stari

12. SO HPD Mosor, Split

13. SO PD Profunda, Brač

14. SO PD Promina, Drniš

15. SO PK Split

16. SO HPK Sveti Mihovil, Šibenik

17. SO PD Sveučilišta Velebit, Zagreb

18. SO HPD Željezničar, Zagreb

SPELEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS

Explorations of deep pits started in 1957 when pit Čudinka (depth 203 m) was explored. In 1961 on South Velebit a speleo camp was organised and 195 m deep pit Vrtlina was explored. In 1975 on cave expedition in pit Puhaljka the depth of 318 m was reached. In pit Ponor Bunovac in 1977 the depth of 534 m was reached making it first pit deeper than 500 m in Croatia. In 80s several deep pits had been explored on Biokovo.

Expeditions to pit Lukina jama in National park North Velebit were organised in period 1993-1995. The pit was named after Ozren Lukić-Luka, the caver that got killed on Velebit as Croatian solider in homeland war. Cave system Lukina jama—Trojama is explored to the depth of 1392 m which made it 9th deepest pit in the world at that time, and is still the deepest cave in Croatia. In 1994 on the depth of 1349 m Zoran Stipetić-Patak and Teo Barišić dived through 57 m long and 6 m deep siphon in at that time the cave dive on biggest depth in the world.

In Slovačka jama, 1320 m deep pit on North Velebit, it was explored in period 1995-2002. In Amfora located on Biokovo the exploration lasted in period 1998-2002. In 2003 pit Velebita was discovered in National park North Velebit, where during two last year the depth of 941 m was reached and the exploration still lasts. Velebita is today 3rd deepest Croatian cave. In Velebita, the world’s longest vertical was found with the length of 513 m. Until today, more than 14 pits deeper than 500 m were explored in Croatia.

First expedition abroad was organised in 1982 to 1160 m deep pit Berger in France. It was followed by expeditions to Morocco in 1983, to Turkey in 1985, to Picos de Europa, Spain in 1986, to Austria in 1990, to South America in 1995, to Mexico in 1997, 1999, 2004, to Madagascar in 2001, to Laos in 2002, to pit Jean Bernard in France in 2002 and 2003, and to Cuba in 2004/2005.

During expedition to pit Lukina Jama in 1994 Ana Bakšić found new animal specie, endemic leech Erpobdella mestrovi. The leech was later found only in few deepest pits on Velebit.

Croatian speleological server

ENDANGERED KARST PHENOMENA

The longest Croatian cave, more than 16 km long cave system Đulin ponor-Medvedica situated under town Ogulin and 8.5 km long cave Špilja u kamenolomu Tounj are among the most endangered karst phenomena in Croatia. One of the activities of Speleological Committee is stimulation of protection of speleological objects and karst underground as well as informing about it.

CURRENT EXPLORATIONS

About the current explorations and about Croatian pits and caves you can find out at Croatian speleological server.