Wielka Sniezna cave, ph. M. Tomaszek

The farther exploration, except for small series close to the main series, became a serious challange. Pushing the cave down was only possible by diving, while the upward going ramps and chimneys required climbing. Nevertheless not all the attempts were successful. In the 70s and 80s several difficult sumps at the bottom were passed, increasing the depth, and the climbing parties discovered steep upward series; Biala Woda, Krakowskie Kominy, Partie Wroclawskie, Warszawskie Kaskady, Partie Za Kolankiem, Syfony Krakowskie, Galeria Krokodyla and others, with a total length of more than 6 km. An effect of this typically climbing activity of cavers was the idea of getting out of deep caves by climbing, which culminating in establishing in Sniezna the world record in underground climbing (780 m). The idea of extending the system horizontally to the northwest, towards the insufficiently explored massifs of Krzesanica and Ciemniak was born in the 90s. The prospective leads existed in the series Galeria Krokodyla and Syfon Krakowski with a permanent flow of water greater than that in the main series of Sniezna. Both upward going leads are located near the bottom of the cave at the depth of about 700 m. Because of the necessity of diving Syfon Krakowski was set aside and the main effort was concentrated on the exploration of Galeria Krokodyla. This series developed in the desired direction in a series of slippery meanders, ramps and avens. It soon penetrated on the other side of the overlying lateral crest of the Malolaczniak and passed on the side of another valley. This fact cherished the hopes of the original idea becoming a reality. The difficulties encountered in Galeria Krokodyla and the great distance from the cave entrance have slowed the progress of exploration, and stimulated attempts at pushing from Galeria Krokodyla straight upwards in hope of finding another, more conveniently situated entrance. In consequence, the main goal was temporarily set aside and Partie Za 4 Zaciskami have been found. This hopeless fragment of the cave terminated after many efforts in a tight fissure with draught and water flow.

Computer compilation of cave surveys and topographic data for the area indicated that the termination of Partie Za 4 Zaciskami corresponds approximately to the final point at the bottom of another big cave - Jaskinia Wielka Litworowa. Also the azimuths, dips and characteristics of the final fissures on both sides matched perfectly. As a result an attempt was made at connecting the two caves, from the side of Wielka Litworowa. Water dying, smoke and acoustic tests all confirmed the connection. Before 1996 Jaskinia Wielka Litworowa, discovered in 1962, was a separate cave, bottoming at about - 350 m. Multiple attempts at passing Szczelina Magla (Squeezer Fissure) at the bottom invariably failed. No bypass was found despite exploring various branching series. The possibility of creating a system surpassing all other Polish caves became the decisive stimulus. In 1996, after hammering through more than ten metres of the fissure cavers from Wroclaw passed from Jaskinia wielka Litworowa to Partie Za 4 Zaciskami in Jaskinia Wielka Sniezna. This connection created the biggest and deepest cave system in Poland, the first eight hundred. Galeria Krokodyla connecting the two caves is extremely difficult. Not a single sports traverse of the whole vertical distance of the system have been done yet. The connection did not terminate the work in Galeria Krokodyla, but only a certain stage of it. The main lead - the voluminous horizontal phreatic series is still being explored and farther interesting discoveries are very likely. A parallel effort is the work in Przemkowe Partie, another bifurcation of the main series in Sniezna. Starting in am inconspicuous passage in Biala Woda, they have hitherto brought 1300 m in length and 160 m of vertical difference. Unfortunately, its exploration, as usual in Sniezna, consists mainly of climbing up, hence it is strenuous and progresses slowly. Jaskinia Wielka Sniezna still offer a great potential for further exploration. This is a challange for those like and know to climb. Many invisible leads in the roofs are still waiting for their discoverers.

Wielka Sniezna cave, ph. M. Tomaszek