Deeper in the Tunnels become more More Fantastic

IMG_4977, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

With the appearance of a moon shining down on some alien planet the LED light of one of my fellow cavers illuminates a shelf of rimstone dams.

Low bedding plane cavitites stretch out from the main channel in which we stoop. The decorations get more extravagant deeper into those spaces. I can see an extensive shallow pool surrounded by soda straws. Seeping flowstone blocks an adjacent tunnel. We carefully negotiate our way along the trench; watching for features that are camoflauged on the walls.

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2006 Caving Team

IMG_4993, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Here we are preparing to enter the tunnels below the escarpment. Not far from here these beautiful straight joints disappear off into darkness. There are five of us in total, Myself (photographing), Jeff Mirza (about to put on his helmet), Dale Holtze (red helmet), Carol Anne Munn and Danni(silhouette).

We were all surprised by Jeff’s insistence on caving barefoot. The ground water was freezing and the boulders – jagged – but Jeff is a purist and had savoured the experience in his own special way.

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“Pure as the Driven Snow”

IMG_4975, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Stunning-white, calcite rimstone dams. They terraced the shelves to either side – like frothy ripples at the ocean’s edge. The tunnels were a cool respite from the sweltering heat above.

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Cave Police

IMG_2646, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Cave Dog and I collectively form the Ontario chapter of the “Cave Police K-9 unit”.

Remember;

1) Dont litter.
2) Dont bother the wildlife.
3) Dont touch the formations.
4) Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
5) Have a minimum of three light sources per person.

We are watching you – Be safe!

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Winter Cave Decorations

IMG_2592, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

The ice in all its many spectacular forms has accumulated in the tunnels. It is course and milky at my feet, like an ice cream river, and yet hanging like crystal from above. The stability of the formative environment determines something of the shape and clarity.

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Winter Caving in Ontario – Marmora

DSCF0048, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Winter caving needs to be quite selectively undertaken by those who might consider it as certain caves are used as hibernaculums by the province’s bats. Disturbing a bat from its winter sleep could kill it. The water passages in Marmora have in my experience been free of any bats. I suspect there is to much air movement and also the rushing water can vary quite drasticallly in height. Bats could be scoured from their roosts in a heavy spring thaw.

In the photo I am dressed in my winter caving outfit. Warmth is essential and though wool precludes the explorer from tight jagged squeezes, of which there are many in Marmora, it maintains its warmth, even when wet. As for the legs, neoprene is fine, but I must admit, stripping off in the snow, my feet felt like they were on fire, it was very painful.

Here I am following in along a channel in the ice. This is a section of passage where the water leaves the surface and disappears for a short time under a landscape of juniper and cedar. Numerous side passages lead off to other passages and who knows where. I had wanted to see how the tunnel felt during winter high-flow. The situation soon improved and the water became quite shallow. It is an environment of sparkling ice formations – very beautiful but sadly melting with the warmer weather.

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A freezing Belly Crawl – underground ice river

IMG_2565, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Marmora is a pretty unique area as far as Ontario caving goes, there are so many possibilities and few have been pushed to their “doable extent”. I have long suspected that there must be some deeper trunk passages beneath the sinking channel around where most of my investigations have taken place. I also suspect the existance of undiscovered tunnels deeper inland; underneath a high forested ridge.

Looking up this tunnel, the prospect is a daunting belly crawl across the slushy ice. Eventually the explorer finds their way blocked by frozen pillars that have oozed from the roof. There is a maze of interconnecting passages around here and it was a somewhat challenging exploration under these conditions.

For further information on the caving and hiking possibilities in Marmora, check out my book, “Rockwatching; Adventures Above and Below Ontario”. You should find a copy in your local bookstore.

NOTE: Some might recognize this picture from an earlier post but unfortunatly, I had deleted it, I was not clear about how Flickr worked at the time.

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Emerging From the Blackened Tunnel – Canadian cavers go underground

IMG_4381, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Yes, this is it! Whereas we had all gropped through the icy water on our backs, desparately clinging to the scant sliver of airspace, Marc-Andre just plunged right in and wriggled through face first. Corneille had just barely struggled past me when Marc -Andre emerged from the water – flashlight in hand. The caver should never venture below the surface with less than three light sources. Your primary and secondary light sources should be on your helmet, a backup packed away somewhere else. as you can see Marc – Andre has a Petzyl headlamp, and carbide light on his helmet. In his hand he carries a flashlight.

We are now entombed within the rock, our journey back to the surface dependant upon our negotiating this obstructing pool. What followed was possibly one of the most inspirational caving experiences that I have ever had – pristine tunnels and untouched formations – kept that way by the appearingly inaccessible nature of the tunnels.

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Marmora Maze Caves – Ontario travel and cave explorations

IMG_2633, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Sorry to not show what followed Corneille through the water filled tunnel but I have just received an e – mail from Danni. Danni is a new caver and would like to know what the Marmora maze caves are like. Apparently after Dewdney’s Cave last weekend, Danni has a sore back. I can fully sympathize, I am also suffering with back issues but for different reasons.

There are a wide variety of different tunnels in the Marmora Karst. Most passages are small and crawly but conversely in what I call the resurgence tunnels (though the water flows into them not out) the passags are quite high and amazing for a mid-winter wander. There are frequent skylights up to the surface and long straight channels leading off in different directions.

This weekend I will be leading a caving trip to the area and new cavers are especially welcome as there are a wide variety of easy crawls and generally virgin passages. I am especially interested in following up the “Pilgrims Crawl” to see where it leads. A strong stream flows out of a limestone tube at the river’s edge and though I had wriggled along it two summer’s ago, I had stopped some distance in, out of physical and mental discomfort. I feel ready to give it another try sometime soon, just have to be sure the back is up to it.

TCG members who are interested in joining us for a day of swimming, caving and enjoyment of the terrain should contact me via e-mail to arrange a meeting point.

I WILL FINISH CORNEILLE’S STORY SOON.

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Caver Emerges From the Freezing Pool

IMG_4377, originally uploaded by Mic2006.

Here Corneille emerges from the freezing pool. She handled the “duck” with far greater ease than I had. It is a good thing that the Petzyl caving gear is quite waterproof. Your battery powered light illuminates the passage even when you are under water. Caving is a filthy environment and your equipment takes a hell of a beating.

WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE HAD FOLLOWED CORNEILLE THROUGH THE TUNNEL?

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