Klassischer Karst (Slowenien)

The Classical Karst, that is: the region giving its name to that geologically form! Of course, Slovenia and the Triest region is a must for every serious caver. Like so many did before, we made the trip over the alps in the Land of caves. To prerecord: We add Triest to the Karst area, because -hoiw so often - the borderline is not given by nature. An indeed Triest (the Slovenians call it Trst) was former part of Slovnia.

First thing we observed: Slovenia is a very beautiful and various country. In the north, some kind of familiar looking Austria-Bavarian culture (indeed it belonged to Austria for a long time) mixed with balcan traditions. In the south one can "smell" mediterran / italian influences (obviously Triest belongs to Italy). Particularly the capital Lublijana is really recommended. And: everywhere forest, forest, forest and sinkholes, sinkholes, sinkholes! Under the surface of Slovenia (europes country with the highest % of forest) are qat least 9600 caves! Among them the "MOther of all public caves": the caves of Postojna. Typically, most caves in the Karst artea (outside of the Julian alps) are t-shaped: deep entrance pits up to 300m, which leads into big galleries with enormous halls. Most of these caves are rich in formations and often also mud! Once in a while, the caver is pleased to find an animal species in cave waters, which lives only in the Slovenian Karst: the proteus anguinus (olm)!