Well known cave Krivi vir offers nice polygon for exercise and its proximity to the road makes it frequently visited. The cave was explored in the past by numerous divers, but there were no surveying till 2017. by polish team (video below).
End of the cave is moderate chamber filled with collapsed blocks. Way further was not found still, but we strongly believe it is there any possible for humans. Prepared for 2 hour dive in cold water and sidemount equipment for narrow passages we started this journey with high hopes. Disappointed came right away upon arriving at the dive location. Water levels were extremely high, so entering into the cave was impossible. Just to approach it was dangerous.
Attention was switched to the smaller source in the immediate proximity of the main one. The belief was that this is just a smaller channel of the same system. To our surprise, the water coming out of the cave was crystal clear. We knew this small source was divided in the past, but except the dry part sketch there was no information. Since we were already there, our plan was updated.
The dimension of the channel is extremely small, having problem even with using only 2×7 liter steel tank. Pushing reel in front, wishing that rope was thicker, slowly progressing mostly lying on the side and negotiating every passed meter with the rock. After approximately 20 meters with max depth of -5 meters, we reached the smaller chamber. By “chamber” we mean a place where it’s possible to turn around. Some time is spent to find way further. Final squeeze from the chamber was fatal for the high pressure manometer house. Not a nice place for that to happen… actually that is not pleasant on the surface, let alone here. Luckily 1st sump ends here.
Coming out of sump to explore a dry passage was made difficult by roaring waterfall we needed to climb. This part of the channel is developed by vertical cracks. After cca 50 m it is ending at 2nd sump with vertical shaft. Faint light was detected on top of the shaft, indicating a connection to the surface. After several unsuccessful attempts to climb it followed more attempts to locate it on the surface. We were badly needed this connection for transporting equipment throughout 1st sump and dry part is time consuming and physically demanding. Large search parties were organised but in vail. Even we knew its location with an error of 50 m there was no sight of it. In the end we gave up from this idea confused with ours fail. Several failed attempts of pushing 2nd sump also followed. This was due a need of more thanks, transportation of a 3 large tanks was like playing the highest level of Tetris at max speed. One fail attempt, spending too much time on some part of the underwater cave and pushing further was limited or canceled. Our lucky charm for the future exploration came as Dejan need to “make a phone call” in the forest during which he stumbled on the connection. After this pushing went much smoother.
Due to the channel dimensions, length and depth, its complexity surveying was not performed and it is planned in 2022.
We are tremendously thankful to the Petar Pavlovic, Vladimir Saso and all who have helped us with equipping dry part of the cave and with transportation of the equipment.