Currently viewing the tag: "Caves"
We took the short 1.1 mile hike up to Big Four in hopes of doing some snowshoeing around the top.. Lack of snow right now is sad, to say the least. More information can be found at www.wta.org
Filmed December 12, 2008, at the Chipmunk caves in SW British Columbia on a cool winters day…enjoy…
Caving into large holes and sliding through tight spots should be done safely and with a guide; learn to cave safely in this free video on caving (spelunking) and recreation. Expert: Laszlo Turi Bio: Laszlo Turi is a caving expert who resides in Budapest, Hungary and has explored a variety of caves for many years. Filmmaker: Paul (Leopold) Volniansky
This is a video I took of me and some of my friends going to some of the Caves that are on University of California Santa Cruz campus. We went to three caves along the creek and then went to College 8 for some Lunch. This is second time we’ve visited the caves. We met some people who were also spelunking along the way with a couple kids.
Cuernos de Negros Mountaineers and Friends Road Trip to Mabinay with Fishing, Rock Climbing, River Trekking and Spelunking in the itinerary. It was a great weekend..what a blast.
tripwow.tripadvisor.com – Created at TripWow by TravelPod Attractions Skocjan Caves Slovenia Read more at: www.travelpod.com Travel blogs from Skocjan Caves: – “… This region is full of cave systems, the largest of which are the Skocjan Caves …” – “… The Skocjan caves are the centerpiece of a national park that was given the protection of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site …” – “… From Bled we went to the Skocjan caves, a UNESCO world heritage site and took an hour long tour of the underground gorge with amazing stalagmites, stalactites and limestone …” – “… There was a helpful guy there who was able to give me a map showing the way to the Skocjan Caves, which are about 4 km away …” Read these blogs and more at: www.travelpod.com Photos from: – Ljubljana, Slovenia Photos in this video: – “Funicular railway after Skocjan Caves” by Dig_swashb from a blog titled “Spelunking and driving in Slovenia” – “The view at the Skocjan caves” by Tiddlywink from a blog titled “Falling in Slove” – “Entrance to the Skocjan Caves” by Dig_swashb from a blog titled “Spelunking and driving in Slovenia” – “Hike up from Skocjan Caves 1″ by Dig_swashb from a blog titled “Spelunking and driving in Slovenia” – “Hike up from Skocjan Caves 5″ by Dig_swashb from a blog titled “Spelunking and driving in Slovenia” – “Hike up from Skocjan Caves 4″ by Dig_swashb from a blog titled “Spelunking and driving in Slovenia” – “Hike up from Skocjan Caves 3″ by Dig_swashb from a blog titled …
Where To Find Light Sources In Caves
Spelunkers won’t get very far into a cave if they can’t see where they’re going. Even if they could have reached their underground objective, it would be nearly impossible finding the way out. There is a total absence of light within a cave and this is why lights are essential caving equipment. Serious cavers choose a good, reliable unit and complements this with at least two backups.
Most societies and organizations recommend that each person must have at least three independent sources of light. The three light source system doesn’t mean you will necessarily use all at the same time or one after another but rather for you to have two backups if the main one fails. Not having a light deep inside a cave could be a matter of life and death so you must choose reliable light sources. These must be water proof and be durable enough to withstand rough use.
There used to be a time when carbide lamps were widely used outdoors and by miners and cavers. Battery powered electric lights have since taken over now that these have become more reliable and economical. LED lamps are particularly getting more popular because of the amount of light it can deliver not to mention its being lightweight and energy efficient.
The main light source must be mounted on the helmet so you can see wherever you turn your head and both hands are free for climbing or crawling.
The second source of light is typically a flashlight though another helmet mountable light is even better. The third source of light is usually another flashlight. Maglites are recommended by most cavers.
There are other sources of light but with LED lamps and flashlights being small, light and inexpensive, these should be considered better than all the others. However, in a real emergency, these alternatives can be life savers.
Candles give out light but are unreliable. Together with matches, these are quite vulnerable to getting wet. While these can be used in a pinch, and can be a heat source, candles shouldn’t be considered among the three light sources.
Glow sticks are another source of light but again, these should only be considered as a backup to your three light source system.
In a really tight situation, don’t forget other items you may have with you that can give out light such as your cellular phone, or the LCD screen of a GPS Device.
Learn about types of bats and gray bat at the About Animals site.
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Craters and caves in Mt. Suswa, Kenya
Only 50 km from Nairobi, it is described by many as the best day trip from Kenya’s capital, this little known yet massive double cratered volcano is located very close to it’s well known sister, Mt. Longonot. Though unimpressive from the outside or main Narok road Mt. Suswa is one of the most spectacular mountains of the Rift Valley as it comprises a 12 km across double crater system, a vast network of obsidian caves and a variety of wild animals and plants.
The caves comprise of lava tube systems, formed in a period of recent volcanic activity. They are totally different from limestone caves. Lava tubes are relatively rare, and are believed to have been formed when molten lava, of the correct type and viscosity (pahoehoe lava), flowed down a slope of an ideal angle. The outer layers cool and solidify, but the core continues to flow, and in some cases, evacuates itself completely to leave behind an empty tube. Numerous unusual features can be found and include lava ropes, benches, lava stalactites and stalagmites and a variety of secondary formations. The latter are produced by the deposition of minerals dissolved in the ground waters. The secondary formations are exceptionally fine in cave 35A on Suswa where very unusual and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites are found. Many of these formations are quite fragile and great care must be taken not to touch them.
These spectacular caves some 10 m high and wide in many places are a favourite for spelunking enthusiasts. Bring a good torch and lots of batteries. Do not go alone, children must accompany adults, there are dangerous drop offs (over 10 m) in places. The caves are extraordinary, their walls have a bizarre texture like stretched dough from the retreating lava.
Hiking
After driving across the vast outer crater floor on a good road, the inner crater drops off a few hundred feet. It is a massive crater about 5 km wide and in the center is a massive central plug. The entire area can be hiked, including the inner crater rim and you can hike to the bottom of the inner crater to hot springs – there are tracks but you may need a guide. The summit of the inner crater is called Ol Doinyo Nyokie (the red mountain) at 7,222 ft. Just park at the road head and follow the paths sticking as close as possible to the crater rim. You do not need a guide for this.
The walk up to the main summit starts from the viewpoint. A steep section leads to grassy ridges with occasional trees. Where convenient keep to the ridge and reach the first summit (2250m) in about 1h. The ridge leading to the main top from here is rough and the going is slow (1h). It is best to return the same way as the complete circumnavigation takes about half a day and involves some very tedious blocky lava crossings in the south-east section of the crater.
Camping
The area is now managed as the Suswa Conservancy and camping is permitted – there are a number of sensational points to camp where one feels totally isolated. Bring all your own water and some to share with the Masai visitors. We took our dogs and camped at the entrance to a massive cave called Lorang’amboli. Our dogs slept in the car due to the hyenas and leopards. You can also camp at a spectacular point amongst tall acacias at the road head overlooking the Inner crater. At Ksh 500 per head for citizens/residents and 500 for camping, and 500 per vehicle this is more expensive than other conservation areas. But the reward is that there is nobody else out there and with no evidence of lights on the entire horizon, the night sky was out of this world. Small animals might raid your camp at night if you leave food out.
Wildlife and plants
We saw a few large mammals; giraffe, thomsons gazelle, zebra, klipspringer. At night we did hear hyenas and we saw a genet. There are rumours of leopard. The caves are full of bats, and you can also see baboons and rock hyraxes. This is a great site for birding. Some plants here are extraordinary, especially around the cave mouths, other wise it’s mostly whistling thorn country with Leleshwa on the lava flows. We arrived after a long drought when the rains had recently started, the wild flowers were wonderful.
Alphaxad is Tours and Travel Consultant with LetsGokenya, an online reservations company that allows guests to book and pay for accommodation in kenya online and in real time. Find us on www.letsgokenya.com
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THUMBS UP the video if you have eyes! It only takes a second, thanks 
Here’s a little change up in the series that will definitely make it more enjoyable. Link to Quandary Texture Package: www.retributiongames.com Enjoy!
Best Caves in the United States
Cave exploring has become a favorite adventure activity for many Americans. When it comes to spelunking, you don’t need to go far because the United States is home to some of the world’s well-formed caves. No wonder caves all over the country have been transformed into mesmerizing tourist spots.
If you are just starting out with your spelunking pursuit, the central region of the country is the best place to explore caves. Of the top ten caves in the United States, four are located in this region. Exploring these caves is indeed well worth the journey.
You can start from up north in Minnesota. The Niagara Cave found here has a ceiling that is over a hundred feet in height. It is characterized with deep walls and ravines below. It is believed that the cavern has been carved out by subterranean streams; with some still active to this day. The cave is one of the region’s biggest limestone caves.
Inside Niagara Cave you can come across subterranean spectacles like Paul Bunyan’s Bed, an echo hall, a wishing well and the famous Niagara Cave Wedding Chapel in which hundreds of ceremonies have already been held. In a gigantic chamber located in the bottom chambers, a stalactite displays rock formations as if they came straight out of fantasy novels.
Next, go down south to South Dakota where you can find the Jewel Cave. This cave is number three on the list of longest caves in the world! Much of the cave remains unexplored today. But tours inside the cave offer breathtaking walks and intense caving adventure. Aside from stalactites and stalagmites, several varieties of bats reside inside the cave especially during winter.
Further south will lead you to the Meramec Caverns of Missouri. Although Missouri is home to 6,000 caves, Meramec Caverns is the most popular because it is like a theme park with its restaurant, gift shop, and ice cream parlor. Its Stage Curtain is the world’s single biggest cave structure.
Rumor has it that the caverns served as a hideout for Jesse James and that a subterranean railroad was built inside.
On the southernmost tip of your journey, you will find the Caverns Of Sonora in Texas. This cave formation has a complicated combination of passages which are lined with sparkling crystals. Up to this day, the caverns continue to churn out crystals.
With these caves, the central region is truly the best place to explore caves in the United States, if not the whole world. Inside these caverns, you will experience the greatest show on or below earth.
Information on gray bat can be found at the About Animals site.
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Branson Caves and Caverns
The perfect destination for those who enjoy spelunking, the recreational sport of exploring caves, or just generally enjoy nature and the outdoors, Branson Missouri has plenty of caves for you to choose from. There are several different ways that you can explore these different caves and caverns in and around Missouri, from guided tours to self exploration, visitors of any age will enjoy experiencing something new.
Caves in and Around Branson
Nearby caves give visitors a chance to explore something new without having to use an entire day of their vacation. For those who are interested in exploring, but don’t want to turn it into an all day event, a stop by the local caves may be just what you are looking for.
• Crystal Cave
Crystal Cave offers low cost walk through tours each day, giving you a glimpse of everything this beautiful cave has to offer. This unique cave has natural waterfalls, multi-colored flowstone formations, Native American cave markings, and other formations that are seldom found anywhere else.
• Marvel Cave
Known as the deepest cave in Missouri, Marvel Cave is located right outside of Silver Dollar City and is included in the admission to the park. This makes it a great choice for those who want to go exploring, but still want time left in the day for other activities. Taking you almost 500 feet down under the Earth’s surface, be prepared for quite a trek back up the nearly 600 steps. Once believed to have treasures of marble and gold, now visitors seek out this cave for its natural beauty.
Caverns in and Around Branson
For those who desire a more in-depth all day excursion, the local caverns in and around Branson Missouri can provide you with an entire day of spelunking fun. Visitors of any age will enjoy exploring these vast caverns and learning exactly what this beautiful vacation destination has to offer.
• Fantastic Caverns
For those who want to experience the local caves and caverns, but have no interest in or can’t exert themselves, then Fantastic Caverns should be your first choice. This highly commercialized location is the nation’s only drive through cavern. Open seven days per week, the guided vehicle tour will take you along a one mile stretch of the cavern for a 50 minute tour to experience the beauty of this location.
• Talking Rocks Cavern
Not just a cave exploration event, Talking Rock Cavern offers so much more. The guided 50 minute tours down into the cave provide a look at early mineral formations and how they form, as well as a look at deeper formations that make strange noises sporadically and give the cavern its name. Once above ground, you can enjoy traversing the 400 acre natural preserve nearby, or activities such as mining for gemstones with your family.
• Cosmic Caverns
Known as one of the top ten must see caverns in the United States, cosmic caverns is a short drive from Branson and offers some truly amazing sites. The underground bottomless lakes that were discovered in 1845 are home to several species of water animals including trout, and are a site to see underground. There are also a wide variety of activities located outside the cavern that the whole family can enjoy.
Branson Missouri’s local caves and caverns offer a unique experience that visitors of any age can enjoy. Whether you are visiting on a family vacation or just a business trip, a day of exploring the local caverns will be sure to impress and captivate you.
Mark Ruda resides in Branson, Missouri. He has very knowledgeable about the tourism industry, thanks to his experience marketing cabins in Missouri. He is currently a marketing director for Thousand Hills Golf Resort, one of the more popular Branson hotels and golf spots offering vacation packages and tickets to Branson shows.
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