Expedition has set off

The four Greek cavers who will be taking part in the international expedition to the world's deepest cave, Krubera-Voronya (-2,080), set off on Saturday for the Caucasus, with the kind support of TNT sponsorship. The four taking part are the members of SELAS caving club, Greece:

Kostas Adamopoulos
Elias Kazais
Nikos Mitsakis
and Methodios Psomas (member of SPOK caving club of Crete)

At the airport, the four were bid a good voyage and successful return by the gathered friends and fellow cavers, the President of the Hellenic Federation of Speleology, Mr. Kostas Zoupis, and the members of SELAS caving club: Kostas Iatrou, Olympia Anagnostopoulou, Niki Hatzilia and myself. Before setting off, Kostas Adamopoulos, leader of the Greek participation in the expedition, received a well-wishing message from Yiannis Zenas.

So - the expedition's set off then. In a few hours the feeling of deja-vu will strengthen as the boys are met by their friend Ilias in Moscow before setting off for the Caucasus.

There are some pictures of the departure at the SELAS photo gallery, but the text is in Greek.



Elias weighs his rucksack - the team has an allowance for only 20 Kg each, not a great amount for both personal and team equipment. At least there is no need for winter gear this time round.



Elias, Methodios and Kostas at the club, making the last adjustments to their gear before setting off for the airport.



Packing… each sack is wrapped in industrial strength cling film so nothing important manages to slip out en-route. Elias is wrapping here.



Here Nikos is packing with the help of Kostas Zoupis, President of the Hellenic Federation of Speleology.

Four for the mountain…



Back lit by a huge window - but nevertheless, the four boys look ready to go with the club flag and sponsorship gear. From left to right, Elias Kazais, Methodios Psomas, Nikos Mitsakis and Kostas Adamopoulos.



There go the bags! We'll see them again in Moscow...



Kostas and Nikos a little while before passport control.