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History of SCL  >  1960-1969

1960
- Topographic surveying of the first 2000m within Jiita (on behalf of the Beirut Water Office).

- Water flow measured at 14 points of the river between the entrance and the terminal siphon (for the Beirut Water Office).
- Double colouring of the Jiita river, the first at 2700m, the second at 6200m, in order to detect any water loss from the underground river.
- Colouring of the underwater river at Naba’a el Mghara in order to detect any water loss.

1961
- Surveying of Jeita cave up to 4600m (on behalf of the Beirut Water Office).

1962
- Surveying completed, until the terminal siphon in Jiita (on behalf of the Beirut Water Office).

- Exploration of the Fouar Dara sinkhole (-622 m).

- Study of the “Upper Galeries” in order to dig a tunnel for touristic development purposes.

1963
- SCL is state-approved as a club for public use (Decree Nr 14262 on 28/11/63).

- Detailed survey until the terminal siphon in Jiita on behalf of the Beirut Water Office. This operation studied a tunnel which leads to the terminal siphon to eventually develop a way to harness the water (14 consecutive days underground).

1965
- Coloring with 50 kg of fluorescein at the depth of –622 m of the minor Faouar Dara water course on behalf of the United Nations Development Program.
- SCL becomes one of the founding members of the International Caving Union founded during the 4th International Caving Congress. The unanimously designated Secretary General was Albert Anavy, an SCL member.

1966
- Joint Lebanese-French expedition into Jiita by the SCL and Spéléo-Club Languedocien de Montpellier. First underground diving operation with the collaboration of the Lyon divers. The reached depth within the siphon was –24 m.
- Exploration of the Houet el Badaouie Chasm (first long vertical descent of –164 m).

1968
- Beginning of the tunnel piercing process at the Jiita “Upper Galleries” and development works for the same area under the surveillance of an SCL member.
- Colouring with 50kg of fluorescein of the water in Fouar Dara in May and exploration to its bottom with the British "Yorkshire Rambler's Club" in August.

1969
- February: discovery and exploration of Mgharet el Kassarat (Antelias).

- Follow up on the exploration of Mgharet el Kassarat and discovery of an underground water source with the Yorkshire Rambler's Club in August.
- Official opening of the Jiita “Upper Galleries” for tourists under the patronage of President Charles Helou. An electro-acoustic concert is organized by the National Tourism Council and presented within the grotto under the direction of the conductor Francois Bayle. On that occasion Mr. Bayle composed a special piece he dedicated to the Jiita grotto, which he called “Jiita: the whispering waters”. Thus, for the first time in musical and caving history, music is composed to honor the sound resonance in a cave’s space. A CD with the music was marketed in international music outlets.
- SCL is awarded the Cedar Medal (Nr 512 on the 24/2/69).