caving in cyprus

[racingsnake]

Just got last minute permit from swmbo to take caving helmet and lamp to cyprus
Going this weekend and need to know what caves I can do without much if any gear.
Never really looked speleologicaly at cyprus so any info greatly recieved.

D

[Ship-badger]

I think you might be disappointed. According to some army journals that are online, the only caving they have found on Cyprus are some deep rifts up in the mountains, that you do admittedly need SRT gear to descend.

There ought to be loads of caves given the amount of limestone, but I haven't found out about anything else; and I have tried as I have a mate who lives there, so have free accommodation if I visit.

Hopefully someone is going to put me right now.

[Slug]

 I was stationed there for nearly 3 Years, and found bugger all, theres just so little to be had. though, there is a small hand typed book on the subject in the B.E.C. Library ( by a past member who was in the Navy in the early 60's). The only caves found of any use were up in the Kyrenia mountain range, small, squalid, and needing some rope. If thats not bad enough, the Kyrenia range is in the Turkish controlled North, access is unlikely,  and bound to be full of problems if you do get it. As for the Trodos range, not a lot, except loose nasty fragmented rock.
 My advice, don't bother, lie on the beach and catch some rays   

[rhychydwr1]

There us a website [there is also a bl**** website] on the Mines and Caves of Cyprus:


http://shropshiremines.org.uk/cyprus/cyprus.htm

[racingsnake]

Thanks everyone but I had already left by the time you replied. I agree with you all though I found little evidence of serious caving or caves which is amazing seeing as there is a shed load of limestone about.

[mrodoc]

I'll add to that. Went to the north and found lots of limestone and no obvious caves.  the coastal ridge is high but very narrow which might explain things.