Hermann Hofer (cave explorer)

Hermann Hofer (born February 11, 1908 in Mautern , Styria , † September 9, 2003 in Weiz ) was an Austrian cave explorer .

Life

Before Hermann Hofer and his wife Regina settled in the Dürntal near Weiz in 1951, he worked in numerous professions such as confectioner, factory and miner, hut manager, mountain guide, ski instructor, librarian and estate manager.

The Hofers had modernized the guide way in the Grasslhöhle and installed the first electrical lighting, which was inaugurated on July 5, 1952. In parallel to the management until the early 1960s, both of them devoted themselves to their life's work, exploring the hangover hole . Later they gave up the Grasslhöhle operation and concentrated only on the cave that was more important to them.

In the years 1952 to 1955, both succeeded in expanding the entrance area, which had been known for centuries, and the Marteldom, which has been known since 1899, by numerous new discoveries. The halls could only be presented to the public after a sophisticated system of shafts and galleries had been created and subsequently electrified. Until then, tourists had to be roped down through the 45 meter deep shaft.

After 30 years of management in Katerloch, Hermann and Regina Hofer retired in the early 1980s and general management was discontinued. After extensive renovation work in 2004, the Katerloch stalactite cave is now open to the public again.

swell

• Fritz Geissler, Harald Polt: pioneer of Austrian cave research died. in: VÖH Association News . 54, issue 5/6, 2003.