Active and extreme tourism. A unique phenomenon of a nature.

The Cave "Optimistic" - the gypsum giant.

Photo: Going out from the cave after expedition. Near entrance in the cave.

In April, 1965 group of the Lvov cave explorers: M.Savchin, V.Vasil'ev, I.Kachkovsky, I.Maljavina have expedition in the cave "Vetrovaja"("Windy").There is near-by outskirts of village Korolivka of Borshiv district of the Ternopol region (Ukraine). Rather powerful water stream, which left under the big monolithic block of gypsum in one of numerous karstic emptiness, was found out.

One year later, May, 8, 1966 M.Savchin and A.Soljar having dug out a channel of a stream, have got in a 100-meter narrow manhole which passed in a labyrinth. The same year the first kilometers of a cave which in January, 1967 reached 9,9 kms were finished mark on the map. It so-called "Vhodnoy"("Entrance") area. At the same expedition, the area of "Globes" has added to the map of the cave of 10,6 more kms, was discovery. In 1968, by the ninth expedition it was found extremely unique pass which has connected area of "Globes" to area, which have named "New". According to 1984 it is the greatest area of the cave by the length of labyrinth (48,3 kms). In the western part of a labyrinth water for the first time was found. It has enabled found the first underground base camp for simplification of the further research of the cave.

In 1971 the 18 expedition has discovery area "Distant" (22,151êì.) which lasts on northwest. On west the area "Distant" connect to area "Lake", which has discovery by 26 expedition in 1973. Have named it so because on north the area small lakes with a constant water level are found out. In 1977 on north area "Distant" discovery area, which have named "Zaozerniy"("Beyond Lake") because the second connection of this area with a cave passes through a hall with lakes. In same time in the south of area "New" it is dug out and pass 380 meter passage which has resulted in a new labyrinth. This small area have named "Anaconda".

In 1978 on north area of "Globes" the area " Fresh water " is discovery.

In 1989 The Lvov cave explorers simultaneously have left for perimeter to the east and the west "Anaconda" where have finished mark on the map two big areas. Research of the cave now actively proceeds. Everyone expedition allows to plot on a map from 100 m up to several kilometers.

Briefly, the history of discovery can bepresented inthe following table:

Process of research of thecave proceeds long years. By a condition on the end of 2001 mark on the map 212 kms of passages. And how much some more the areas not mark on the map beyohd the perimeter, how much areas in which did not go yet a leg of a man? According to experts mark on the map only 30-40 % passades of the labyrinth!

Researches of the cave are proceeds...

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