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ESP 2025-04 Avenul de sub Vârful Grind Explo 2025, Romania
The international speleological exploration expedition Grind 2025 took place in the Piatra Craiului Massif over multiple stages, including a preparatory trip in September, a main 19–day expedition (26 September – 14 October), and a follow-up trip (12–17 November). During the expedition, exploration continued in Avenul de sub Vârful Grind, resulting in new discoveries beyond the 2024 terminus and further extending the Romanian national cave depth record, previously increased during previous expeditions in the same cave.
The objective of the project was the continued exploration of Avenul de sub Vârful Grind, a predominantly vertical alpine cave, with a focus on extending the cave in the terminal sector and improving logistical infrastructure for deep exploration.
From the 2024 terminus point at –801 m, teams extended exploration to an estimated depth of –807 m following rock removal and passage enlargement.
In parallel, exploration also continued from the level of the former sump at –775 m, where teams resumed the digging and passage enlargement of a horizontal passage. Beyond this section, a new parallel section was explored (100 m long), leading to a new sump at –815 m, which is the new terminus.
During 12–17 November 2025, a follow-up trip to Avenul de sub Vârful Grind resumed exploration in the terminal area. Survey of the newly discovered passages resulted in a depth of 815 m, confirming a new national depth record for Romania, with 100 m of new passages between the former sump at –775 m and the new sump at –815 m.
Beyond the discovery of new passages and the establishment of a new national depth record, the exploration of Avenul de sub Vârful Grind is also contributing valuable geological and hydrogeological information regarding the internal structure of the Piatra Craiului Massif.
Read the full report.
