Pyat's Fabulous Cave Expedition
Nov. 17th, 2009 10:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pyatSo, as seen in the previously posted video, today I made a brief exploration into the Underdark. I visited three different cave entrances. I did not get very far, partly because I was confused as to the actual access point to the Nexus Cave. The Nexus Cave is a 335-meter-long cave system, and there are two spots large enough for a person to enter. It contains sizable deposits of glittering pyrite, chambers large enough for 10 people to stand up, and waterfalls. I didn't see any of that, alas.
The first is the Nexus Cave Window. This was the spot where I did my video intros. I assumed it was just a little self-contained cave, with a "window" to the larger Nexus Cave. There was indeed a little passage leading off the chamber, which I poked my flashlight into.
Looking up.
The chamber was big enough to hold 2 or 3 people of my general bulk comfortably. The ceiling was about 4 - 5 feet high. The floor was wet, and there was a powerful smell of damp earth and cold stone. It would have made a very good place for a unique picnic, with lots of little places to sit.
This is the start of the passage. In the previous photo, I'm leaning down to look at it.
Taken while lying on my side - it get very dark, but the passage continues for a ways.
Getting a little closer, this one was also taken lying down with my little flashlight. Next time, I'm bringing a much more powerful one. I could see the passage ran on for a fair way, but I assumed it was inaccessible. Apparently, this is the main entrance to the Nexus Cave, as opposed to the feature actually marked as the "Nexus Cave Entrance."
However, to enter the cave system, I have to wriggle through this opening. And keep wriggling for 25 meters. I think I might fit, but it'd be a very near thing. I don't fancy the idea of worming along underground for that distance in any case, especially since I'd have to turn back and do it again. I like burrowing into things, but... yeah. The idea of secret caves and tunnels is perhaps less daunting than the reality.
Happily, some "pro" cavers have ventured inside and taken photos. These are members of the Toronto Outdoor Club.
This is the feature marked on the trail as "Nexus Cave Entrance." I believe it is the start of the cave system. You can go in a fair ways, but the main part of the system only seems to be accessible to hardcore cavers. Casual visitors can't get in, nevermind a casual visitor who is also a Man of Substance.
Looking out. I was able to go about 10 or 15 feet underground quite easily, then the ceiling dropped dramatically, and I had to go on my stomach. However, it was mostly dry and there was a lot of space to my left and right, which prevented me from being worried that I'd get stuck.
Looking into the cave...
...and with a flashlight.
I crawled forward about 6 feet. You can see a pool or stream of water ahead in this shot.
Thinking about going on further, but realizing that the cave was getting too tight. I also didn't fancy fording the puddle on my stomach. As it happens, I would not have been able to get more than a few more meters, even if I had pushed ahead.
Emerging into the cold light of day!
Finally, I checked out the Potruff Cave. This looked very impressive, like a Troll's cave.
Until you got into it, and realized it was mostly just an overhang of rock. It seems there is a cave back there, but the entry hole is too small for a human.
The first is the Nexus Cave Window. This was the spot where I did my video intros. I assumed it was just a little self-contained cave, with a "window" to the larger Nexus Cave. There was indeed a little passage leading off the chamber, which I poked my flashlight into.
Looking up.
The chamber was big enough to hold 2 or 3 people of my general bulk comfortably. The ceiling was about 4 - 5 feet high. The floor was wet, and there was a powerful smell of damp earth and cold stone. It would have made a very good place for a unique picnic, with lots of little places to sit.
This is the start of the passage. In the previous photo, I'm leaning down to look at it.
Taken while lying on my side - it get very dark, but the passage continues for a ways.
Getting a little closer, this one was also taken lying down with my little flashlight. Next time, I'm bringing a much more powerful one. I could see the passage ran on for a fair way, but I assumed it was inaccessible. Apparently, this is the main entrance to the Nexus Cave, as opposed to the feature actually marked as the "Nexus Cave Entrance."
However, to enter the cave system, I have to wriggle through this opening. And keep wriggling for 25 meters. I think I might fit, but it'd be a very near thing. I don't fancy the idea of worming along underground for that distance in any case, especially since I'd have to turn back and do it again. I like burrowing into things, but... yeah. The idea of secret caves and tunnels is perhaps less daunting than the reality.
Happily, some "pro" cavers have ventured inside and taken photos. These are members of the Toronto Outdoor Club.
This is the feature marked on the trail as "Nexus Cave Entrance." I believe it is the start of the cave system. You can go in a fair ways, but the main part of the system only seems to be accessible to hardcore cavers. Casual visitors can't get in, nevermind a casual visitor who is also a Man of Substance.
Looking out. I was able to go about 10 or 15 feet underground quite easily, then the ceiling dropped dramatically, and I had to go on my stomach. However, it was mostly dry and there was a lot of space to my left and right, which prevented me from being worried that I'd get stuck.
Looking into the cave...
...and with a flashlight.
I crawled forward about 6 feet. You can see a pool or stream of water ahead in this shot.
Thinking about going on further, but realizing that the cave was getting too tight. I also didn't fancy fording the puddle on my stomach. As it happens, I would not have been able to get more than a few more meters, even if I had pushed ahead.
Emerging into the cold light of day!
Finally, I checked out the Potruff Cave. This looked very impressive, like a Troll's cave.
Until you got into it, and realized it was mostly just an overhang of rock. It seems there is a cave back there, but the entry hole is too small for a human.
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no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 03:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 03:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 03:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 04:58 am (UTC)Also, by sheer chance I was listening to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ttCJ6uQN_Q while reading this. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 05:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 06:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 08:40 am (UTC)I should try more excursions when the kids are in school. :-) If we lived in the same city, we'd be dangerous.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 01:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 01:21 pm (UTC)I think I like the cave openings the most - they're so NOT what you would stereotypically expect the mouth of a cave to look like. The Nexus Cave Entrance is my favourite - it looks like a set of crevices (or to get more silly, the places where someone sliced the top of the earth to let it vent before sticking it in the microwave) rather than the start of a cave system.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 01:33 pm (UTC)