The Austrian Speleological Association (Verband Österreichischer Höhlenforschung, VÖH) is a national caving organization was founded as an umbrella organization of Austrian caving clubs and show caves in 1949.[1]
"Verband Österreichischer Höhlenforschung" | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | (VÖH) |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1949 |
| Type | INGO |
| Purpose | Coordination of Austrian caving clubs |
| Headquarters | Obere Donaustr. 97/1/61 A-1020 Vienna |
Region | Austria |
Membership (2022) | 2,000 |
Official language | German |
President | Christoph Spötl |
Vice-President | Ernest Geyer |
Vice-President | Barbara Wielander |
| Publication | DIE HÖHLE (THE CAVE) |
| Affiliations | International Union of Speleology; European Speleological Federation (FSE) |
| Website | hoehle |
Activities edit
The Association coordinates the activities of 25 speleological associations; 24 in Austria and one in Germany.[2] Membership in these associations automatically grants membership in the umbrella organization. Individual memberships are not accepted. The Association maintains:
- a website featuring the 32 show caves found throughout the country.
- a list of Austria's longest and deepest caves.
- a library of 2,800 books and other materials (in the Karst and Speleology Working Group Library, Natural History Museum in Vienna).
Awards edit
- The Golden Cave Bear is "a badge of honor for special services to Austrian caving." It was first awarded in 2014.
- The Poldi Fuhrich Award, named in honor of the Austrian woman who was a caving and karst pioneer[3] Leopoldine Fuhrich (1898-1926), is presented to young speleologists for "outstanding work in the field of caving, cave documentation and public relations." It was first awarded in 2010.
Publications edit
- Caves and Karst in Austria (Book)
- Die Höhle - Journal of Karst and Speleology (magazine produced jointly with the Association of German Cave and Karst Researchers)
- Association newsletters
- SPELDOK series
- Karst range and Karst vulnerability maps
Collaborations edit
The Association works with
- the Karst and Speleology Working Group of the National History Museum to manage SPELDOK, a database containing data on over 15,500 caves.[4]
- international karst and speleological organizations on research projects.
Associations edit
The Association is a member of these international organizations:
- International Union of Speleology (UIS)
- European Speleological Federation (FSE)
- Environmental Umbrella Organization (formerly UWD)
- Association of Austrian Academic Societies (VWGÖ)
- Association of Alpine Associations of Austria (VAVÖ)*, which includes the Austrian Alpine Club, Friends of Nature Austria, Austrian Tourist Club, and the Austrian Mountaineering Association.
Notable members edit
- Alfred Koppenwallner (1921–2016), jeweler, discovered the Cave of Tantalus (Tantalhöhle)[5] mountaineer, pilot, motorcyclist who participated in the Oldtimer Grand Prix (Salzburgring) and skier in the Österreichische Alpenfahrt.[6]
- Sabine Zimmerebner (1970-2015) Quoted in the July 3, 2018 New York Times article,[7] Ms. Zimmerebner was one of 728 rescuers who collaborated to free an injured spelunker in the history-making 2014 Riesending cave rescue.
References edit
- ^ "Welcome - Austrian Speleological Association (in English)".
- ^ "Member Associations page". Austrian Speleological Association (in English). Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Shaw, Trevor (2006). "Poldi Fuhrich (1898-1926): Female Pioneer of Severe Cave Exploring". Cave and Karst Science. 33 (3): 119–130. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ SPELDOK Verband Österreichischer Höhlenforscher, n.d., retrieved 1 August 2018
- ^ Nachrufe Verband Österreichischer Höhlenforscher, n.d., retrieved 1 August 2018
- ^ Chronik, Menschen, 9./10. August Salzburger Nachrichten, 8. August 2014, retrieved 1 August 2018
- ^ Ives, Mike (July 3, 2018). "5 Cave Rescues That Worked: Thailand Can Find Hope in Past Success". New York Times. Retrieved 1 November 2018.