EuroSpeleo Forum 2018

Message from the Congress President

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are now rapidly approaching the EuroSpeleo Forum (ESF), Europe’s premier speleological event. For those still to register for the congress, we hope the information provided in this 3rd Circular (PDF) will encourage you to join us in Ebensee, Austria, 23rd-26th August 2018. We would like to remember that early bird registration on our website will be open only until the end of May.

Until now, about 250 participants from nearly 30 countries and 5 continents are already registered. Finally, we expect that an estimated number of 700 cavers will attend the congress. In about 125 presentations to the different branches of speleology, speakers will share the results of their latest exploration, research and techniques. The programme is completed by approx. 130 excursions and fieldtrips, where congress participants can either experience the region´s popularity as a tourist attraction or its remote wilderness.

The Salzkammergut is a resort area, stretching from the city of Salzburg eastwards along the Alpine Foreland and the Northern Limestone Alps to the peaks of the Dachstein Mountains. The Salzkammergut provides a safe destination. For cavers, it is definitely one of the world’s best places to visit, providing huge limestone cave systems, alpine and subalpine lakes, picturesque valleys, rolling hills and rugged, steep mountain ranges rising to almost 3000 m. The region has long been a favourite holiday destination for noblemen, mountaineers, scholars, and artists and early attempts to explore the caves of the Salzkammergut went back to the 19th century.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if some information is missing or you have additional questions. We are sure that it will be an unforgettable experience during your visit in Austria, and we hope to see you all there.

Johannes Mattes

(On behalf of the Conference Organisers)