Expedition Log

Day 24 Friday 3rd February 2006

Moose, Tom, Robbie, James, Jean-Paul, Stephen, Matt and Nancy went into the Ora Doline to investigate and survey the upstream and downstream Ora Rivers. Two traverse ropes gained them access to the upstream river which came out of a sump within view of the main upstream entrance. The entrance was impressive with large ceiling pendants hanging from the roof. In several places there were moderately large colonies of fruit bats screeching at their intrusion.

Light from the window leading to the steep sided smaller upstream doline led the way into a beautiful area rich with ferns and a small stream which eventually proved to be an overflow of the upstream main river. Following that stream to a stooping entrance led to the main Ora River above the first sump. The chamber was large with rapids leading down to the sump. The rapids were bypassed by traversing and swimming upstream on the left upstream wall to a point where a safe swim across was accomplished.

The limestone on the left wall was soft and friable and always unreliable. Evidently when first explored by the Australians the water was much lower and the first sump was climbed past to access the upper main stream.

A major annoyance was the thick cloud of small flies which congregated around their lights and got in their mouths when communicating, as well as their eyes, ears. They surveyed upstream to another sump which Moose swam into to make sure there was no bypass. James climbed to a high point in the centre of the large chamber and searched the walls for a high lead with his high beam but saw none. They then exited the chamber as they had entered, and lunched in the small doline before the start of the downstream survey of the insurgence of the main river.

They were now on river right and surveyed 80 – 100m into the cave where a steep wall on the right and rapids prevented further progress without a roped traverse. There were a few bats in this section of the cave and also some swiftlets with nests and eggs. Additionally there was a snake about 1m long and coiled which they had walked past at first without noticing. After passing the snake they saw a good sized skeleton (articulated) of what may have been tree kangaroo.

James went back to get Moose to take a picture of the roo and subsequently noticed the snake which was dark in colour and with a mottled pattern. Taking a close look with his high beam he saw it had the typical triangular head of a pit viper. Jean-Paul said there were no poisonous snakes hereabout in New Britain so James suggested if he was so sure he should give it a kiss on its nose but he just smiled and declined.

Near trips end they rigged a traverse rope just at the downstream entrance to the cave thus eliminating the two upstream ropes in order to save time and eliminate some of the slippery sections. Somewhere in the upstream section of the cave Moose took a fall and bruised his ribs. They then left ropes, PFD’s and some other equipment on the traverse line, bathed and headed up the doline to camp which was very short of water for supper and tea.