The 2024 Cambridge University Caving Club CUCC Loser Plateau expedition brought together 39 cavers from 7 different countries to continue the ambitious goal of expanding the Schwarzmooskogel-Höhlensystem (SMK) and working towards a potential connection with the Schönberg Höhlensystem, which could ulti-mately create one of the largest cave systems in the world.

This year’s efforts were concentrated on two primary cave systems: Homecoming (Heimkommenhöhle) and Balcony (Balkonhöhle). Both caves presented significant opportunities, as well as challenges. Homecoming, located on the western edge of the plateau, remains a promising lead in the effort to connect the SMK to Schönberg. Balcony, while already an extensive system, presented the team with technical challenges, particularly in navigating the 140-meter deep Mongol Rally chamber.

Despite these difficulties, the 2024 expedition made remarkable progress. The Homecoming Cave was extended from 3,442 meters to 4,653 meters in length and increased in depth from 373 meters to 450 meters. The Balcony Cave, already substantial in size, expanded from 18,265 meters to 19,277 meters in length, while maintaining its depth of 581 meters.

Deep within Balcony, the team discovered a large, previously unknown chamber, along with intriguing hydrological shifts in the cave’s geology. Furthermore, speleothem formations— rare for the region — were found in several sections, adding scientific interest to the expedition’s findings. The 2024 CUCC expedition marks a significant chapter in the ongoing exploration of the Loser Plateau. The progress made in both Homecoming and Balcony caves, combined with the logistical upgrades and technological innovations, has paved the way for even more exciting discoveries in the coming years.

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