DZRJL History: 1961 – 1974

The rise of new technique

1961
An inter-society expedition “Action bottom” to the abyss Triglavsko brezno (- 260 m) was carried out, led by Ivan Gams. The first exploration in Sežana area – survey of the inner parts of teh cave Škamprlova jama, assistance to the Sežana cavers in exploration and survey of new parts of Vilenica cave. Detailed exploration of caves in the vicinity of Golo Brdo near Ljubljana.

1962
The society was renamed the Jamarski klub Ljubljana [Ljubljana Caving Club], to which Matica was added in 1966. The society branches became independent and registered in their home municipalities as independent cave exploration societies.

1963
In the spring, young members of the association break the passage into the inner parts of the cave Najdena jama, organize training of rescue service in Logarček and the gathering in Pivka jama. In the autumn, they begin a systematic investigation of the caves in Lanski vrh. Cavers also start climbing chimneys.

1964
There are many great discoveries in the Najdena jama: Putik Hall, tunnels Piparski and Borisov rov. Exploration begins in Kanin and Krim mountains. At the end of December, the first New Year Eve’s caving celebration takes place in Logatec, which later grows into the traditional Putikovanje.

1965
Detailed exploration and survey of Najdena jama. Members are scouting the area of ​​Lanski vrh and continue their exploration on Kanin and Krim. At Kanin, in the abyss Primoževo brezno, the new society’s depth record (175 m) in a completely independent action (without outside cavers) was reached. After the organization of 4th International Speleological Congress in Ljubljana, there is a change of generations in the society. The new generation is inspired by the best foreign cavers, which brings them to the undisputed first place among the caving societies in the former Yugoslavia.

1966
The society has 127 members, of which almost a quarter are active. Detailed research of Najdena jama, Lanski vrh and Gorjanska jama continues. Several over 100 m deep shafts have been discovered and explored on Kanin. A new society’s depth record was achieved in Primoževo brezno – 197 m. A new large exploration area is opening up in Suha Krajina, which also includes exploration of Tentera and Griška jama. A strong team takes part in the inter-club expedition to Pološka jama, where our members discover the main continuation. Milan Orožen and the Rijeka caver Ugo Fonda dive through the siphon between Črna and Pivka jama, which is the beginning of modern diving in Slovenian caves.

1967
Theodolite survey of Najdena jama was carried out, and exploration of Lanski vrh and Kanin continues. The Ljubljana Cave under Kogel was discovered.

1968
The abyss Lipiška jama, with its 210 m of clear vertical shaft, and several large shafts on Kanin were explored. Jazben was surveyed and further explored to – 334 m. A three-member team reaches a depth of 300 m in Pološka jama. Successful expedition to Poland, to Jaskinia Sniežna and Jaskinie Psie.

1969
The discovery of new tunnels in Žankana jama in Istria corrects a Yugoslavian depth record, an achievement of our own – 361 m. Nearby Gotovž cave was surveyed up to the Gas Siphon – 320 m, exploration in Lanski vrh and caves south of Sežana continues. Members survey and photograph the cave Kačja jama. Society’s section was established in Laze. Under the leadership of Anton Praprotnik – Toto, systematic cave diving begins. The first issue of the society newsletter Glas podzemlja [Voice of the Underground] is published. Society members are participating in the largest international expedition to date in Gouffre Berger, France.

1970
Systematic exploration in Primorska, the Slovenian Littoral Karst, continues, especially between Divača and Sežana. In the Ljubljana Cave, the society’s depth record in a completely independent exploration of a Slovenian cave was exceeded several times in a row to – 279 m. In Pološka jama, the depth of 500 m was exceeded for the first time in Yugoslavia, and with this, after twenty years, on the world depth scale, a Slovenian cave appeared again. Divers go to Divje jezero, Žerovnica, Postojna Cave, Tkalca Cave and Planinska Cave. Our members are participating in the discovery of new areas of the Piaggia Bella web at the French-Italian border.

1971
Exploration is continuing in Pološka jama, where the Biological Tunnel has been discovered. This set a longtime Yugoslavian cave depth record – 685 m. For a short time, this cave is among the twenty deepest in the world.

1972
Jamarski klub Ljubljana Matica returns to the traditional name of Društvo za raziskovanje jam Ljubljana [DZRJL – the Ljubljana Cave Exploration Society]. Members explore Brezno pri Oglenicah, Brezno na Sušjaku and Brezno pri Jurjevi cesti, all about 200 m deep. Members accurately survey the Brezno pri gamsovi glavici – 444 m deep – and discover a continuation into a new section. At that time, divers achieved a resounding success in the springs of the Ljubljanica river at Vrhnika – 270 m in length and 27 m in depth. Jože Pirnat writes the book Caving Technique, and Matic Maležič makes the first 16-millimeter color cave film in Pološka jama.

1973
The society is exploring the Sežana karst again. Many new caves have been discovered on Kanin. Bratinov brezen near Predmeja – 150 m deep – was explored with the single rope technique. The drain siphon in Pivka jama is dived. Rado Smerdu completes an 8-millimeter caving film V svetu brez sonca [In a World Without the Sun].

1974
The 3D survey of the Skednena jama was made – for a later 3D computer model which yielded a volume of 6,500 m³ . In Tkalca Cave, divers swim through a 150 m long siphon and discover a 2 km long tunnel.

The most active members of the society: Jurij Andjelić – Yeti, Metod Di Batista, Polona Bitenc, Marjeta Horvat – Tačka, Janez Ileršič, Primož Jakopin – Klok, Marjan Juvan – Manč, Jožko Jurečič – Koko, Janez Kanoni – Žan, Primož Krivic, Bogdan Kovač, Jurij Kunaver, Matjaž Kunaver, Janez Modrijan – Modrc, France Osole, Staško Otorepec, Jože Pirnat – Jozl, Tomaž Planina, Anton Praprotnik – Toto, Matjaž Puc, Rado Radešček, Daniel Rojšek, Rado Smerdu, Borut Smodiš, Anton Sulc – Suwa, France Šušteršič, Alenka Terlep, Jure Trenz, Lado Velikanje – Velikani, Renato Verbovšek – Rene and Marko Vogrič Laze branch: Metod Abrahamsberg, Franci Facja, Andrej Kermaunar, Jure Hrovatin, Polde Kranjc, Jože Poženel, Stane Puppis, Roman Šušmelj and Lado Urbas.