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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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. [...]

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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 [...]

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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. [...]

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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 [...]

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