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10 Awe-Inspiring Caves Around the World


If you weren’t aware, we’re pretty into caves! We know, dark, dirty caves don’t appeal to everyone (even though we think they should), but we’re willing to bet there’s at least one cave on this planet that would have you in awe. Check out this remarkable, awe-inspiring round up of some of the world’s caves and TRY and tell us that caves aren’t cool when you’re done. Here it goes!

  • #1: Son Doong Cave
    Vietnam

    Located near the border between Laos and Vietnam, this is the largest cave in the world (as of now). This utterly stunning cave is home to stalactites measuring up to 70 m in height and cave pearls that are the size of basketballs. If you’re unsure, that is huge! In addition, this cave is home to an internal fast-flowing subterranean river. Its name is a loose translation for the English words “cave of the mountain river.”

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  • #2: Benagil Sea Cave
    Algarve, Portugal

    A number of remarkably gorgeous caves line the coast of the Algarve. Begagil is one of these caves and has earned an iconic reputation worldwide for its sheer beauty. This cave is reachable only by sea, though it is close to a beach. It is best accessed by boat as the tides are strong and the currents change rapidly. Only smaller boats can enter the cave. In addition to being known for its beauty, the cave has also earned the title of one of the most romantic places in the Algarve.

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  • #3: Crystal Cave
    Iceland

    This miraculous cave was formed from rainwater, melting glaciers, and heat from the volcanic fault line. Want to know the craziest part? When you’re in this cave (one of the Iceland Ice Caves), you’re literally standing on the inside of a glacier. Sometimes you can even hear the ice cracking. Don’t be scared, glaciers are a moving piece of mother nature.

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  • #4: Devetashka Cave
    Bulgaria

    This incredible cave site has been occupied by humans for tens of thousands of years. It is located roughly 2kms from the village of Devetashka and has now become part of a public park in the area. The site includes a waterfall, sinkholes, and an underground river. The earlier human traces found in this cave date back to around 70 thousand years ago.

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  • #5: Cenote Ik Kil
    Mexico

    Ik Kil is park of the Ik Kil Archeological Park near Chichen Itza. The beautiful open cave is open to the public for swimming and is often accessible by bus tours. The cave lies about 26 meters below ground with a wide opening at the top towards the sky. The cenote is about 60 meters in diameter and 40 meters deep. This site is sacred to the Mayans and is used by the for both relaxation and ritual.

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  • #6: Chinhoyi Caves
    Zimbabwe

    This site consists of a group of limestone and dolomite caves in Zimbabwe. They are a designated national park located in north central Zimbabwe. The main cave of the group is home to a pool of electric blue water. In fact, cave divers have uncovered a submarine passage within. This site is commonly visited by divers as it allows what is referred to as “ultra-deep diving.”

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  • #7: Majlis Al Jinn
    Oman

    Here we have what is presumed to be the deepest cave in the world. It is also known as the second-largest known cave chamber in the world by surface area. The volume of the chamber is about 4,000,000 cubic meters. The base of the cave is 624,000 square feet (almost 11 football fields). The only way to enter the cave is through one of three (very small) openings at the top. Therefore, repelling into the cave is necessary.

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  • #8: Mermaids Cave
    Ireland

    The picturesque Mermaid’s Cave is located beneath Dunluce Castle, one of the finest medieval castles in Ireland. The castle was abandoned after 1939 when part of the castle crumbled into the sea. The cave itself is hidden. Even as you get close it’s hard to spot with only a small opening at the entrance. With the sounds of crashing waves, outstanding views, and a unique atmosphere, you’ve got to see it!

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  • #9: Lascaux Cave
    France

    A series of complex caves near the village of Montignac, this cave is home to 600 parietal wall paintings on the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. The paintings depict predominately animals that correspond with the upper Palaeolithic time. A combined effort of many generations over the years.

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  • #10: The Cave Of Three Bridges
    Lebanon

    Known as The Cave of Three Bridges, this cave is also referred to as Balaa Gorge Sinkhole/Waterfall. The waterfall drops down about 255 meters into a cave of limestone located on the Lebanon Mountain Trail. The “Three Bridges” title comes from three natural bridges which one passes in the valley.

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  • BONUS #11: Rats Nest Cave
    Canmore, Canada

    We had to. Just a friendly reminder that there you simply haven’t experienced the Rockies until you’ve been IN the Rockies. Rat’s Nest Cave resides beneath grotto mountain and is an absolute must-see for visitors and locals alike. If you haven’t had the chance to check it out, get in touch. We want to take you!

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The Yorkshire Pot Expedition - Q&A With Project Lead Brent Arnold

Photo: Matt Kennedy

Exploring Yorkshire Pot: Insights from the Caving Expedition

A Pre-Trip Q&A with Project Lead Brent Arnold


Embarking on a journey into the depths of Canada's third-longest cave, Yorkshire Pot, is no small feat. Brent Arnold, Guide Manager at Canmore Cave Tours and Vice President of the Alberta Speleological Society, leads this ambitious expedition. With over a decade of caving experience, Brent's passion for subterranean exploration has driven him to spearhead the first organized expedition to Yorkshire Pot in the 21st century.

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Q&A With Brent: September 11, 2024

3 Days Until the Expedition Begins

Can you tell us a bit about Yorkshire Pot?
The Yorkshire Pot Cave System was discovered in 1969 and is located down in the Crownest Pass, on the Andy Good Plateau. As of right now, it is Canada’s 9th deepest cave and 3rd longest. It is just over the 14km long range now, with 395 meters depth. Right now, there are 9 known entrances to the cave system
How do you get to the cave and how long does it take?

The cave is situated almost directly on the Alberta/British Columbia border. There are two main ways to access the cave; one from the Alberta side and one from the BC side. The Alberta side, with a camping bag takes around 4 to 4.5 hours to hike. From the BC side, it takes maybe 2-3 hours to hike. Both routes have close to 1000 meters elevation gain.

We will be helicoptering most our gear up to the main camp site this time, so we will most likely just have a day bag with food, water and essentials with us on the hike up.

What makes it interesting from an exploration perspective?
The cave was orignially explored in the 1960's by a group from McMaster University, and has seen multiple efforts since then with many other caves in the area ultimately connected to Yorkshire Pot. Despite all of this work there are still lots of unexplored passageways within this cave and it is already an exceptionally long system. Not only do we have the opportunity to extend what is already a long and deep cave, but there potential to find new formations, entrances and even life in the cave.
How long have you been planning and preparing for this trip?
I have been thinking about this project now for about 6 years. I organized the inital trip in September, 2022 with support from members of the Alberta Speleological Society. For the 2024 expedition, I started planning back in February.
What are the main objectives of the expedition?
The first and foremost is just to allow people to explore a beautiful cave system. The actual objectives of the expedition are to survey and map as much as possible. The primary focus being on an area called the Horror Show, as well as the lower reaches of the section of cave below the Horror Show, going down into Alberta Avenue where there are a few low passages that seem to be avoided and haven’t really been mapped. Another big focus is also to connect a cave called Little Moscow to the main Cave System. Little Moscow would then become the highest entrance way into the Yorkshire Pots Cave System. Depending on how and where it connects, it could potentially add between 50 and 75 meters of depth to the cave.

Discovering the Yorkshire Pot

Situated on the Alberta/British Columbia border in the Crowsnest Pass, the Yorkshire Pot Cave System was discovered in 1969. It boasts over 14 kilometers of passages and a depth of 395 meters, making it Canada's ninth deepest and third longest cave. The system features nine known entrances, offering a labyrinth of unexplored passageways that intrigue cavers and speleologists alike.


  • Accessing the Cave

    Reaching Yorkshire Pot is a challenging endeavor. From the Alberta side, cavers face a 4 to 4.5-hour hike with a significant elevation gain of approximately 1,000 meters. The British Columbia approach is slightly shorter, requiring a 2 to 3-hour ascent. For this expedition, the team plans to utilize helicopter support to transport essential gear to the main campsite, allowing them to focus on the exploration ahead.

    View Image

  • Hiking to the Cave

    The approach to Yorkshire Pot is not particularly far, but there is a lot of elevation to gain and a lot of heavy equipment to bring.

    Photo Credit: The 2022 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

  • Caving Expedition Equipment Preparation

    Yorkshire Pot is a long, deep cave that requires serious techincal skills to navigate. Even a day trip requires thorough planning and preparation, but planning to spend a week in the cave is trip prep at another level. Where will you sleep? What will you eat? How will you stay warm and dry in a cave that is wet and around 3°C year-round? Now multiply this by 14 people and your equipment pile gets really big!

    Photo Credit: The 2024 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

  • Food Preparation For Yorkshire Pot

    You get hungry when caving. Really hungry. The Yorkshire Pot team will need to carry camp and equipment bags through the cave that will average 15-20kgs each. That might not seem like much on the surface, but imagine climbing a 300m ladder with 20kgs hanging beneath you, or squeezing under your bed dragging a heavy bag. They're going to need every calorie they can find to keep their energy up, so meal planning is a big part of the expedition process. The challenge is finding calorie-desnse food that is light, durable and easy to pack, so much of what they bring will be dehydrated foods. Water is relatively availabe in the cave so meal time will generally consist of adding water and heating over a stove. This style of food has the added benefit of keeping the cavers warm as well.

    Photo Credit: The 2024 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

  • Yorkshire Pot Maps For Expedition Team

    When planning an expeidtion like this there are a lot of tiny details to consider. For example, a team leader needs to make sure that everyone on the team has the ability to safely navigate through the cave. The team will likely be broken into smaller survey teams to be the most efficient with their time so they will need to make sure every has and can properly read a map of the cave. The last thing they will want to do is have to go looking for a lost caver!

    Photo Credit: The 2024 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

How big is your team and what do you look for in team members in terms of personalities, skill sets, etc?
Altogether there are going to be 14 people up at the cave, at different periods of time. There are 9 people that we can call the core team, that will be up there most of the time. As far as things that I am looking for, they need to be a competent caver, with experience in surveying and mapping. It is also helpful if these people understand how to put bolts into walls and how to rig ropes. I am also looking for people who can meld together in a group.
How long is the expedition?
The current plan is for an expedition that is about a week in length. There will be a day of travel on either end, so that gives us about 6 days at and in the cave. This is of course subject to weather. At this time of the year the Andy Goode plateau can get snow, although we are expecting that to be a big concern. But once possible challenge will be if the helicopter can't fly for some reason. There is a lot of equipment to move up to the cave so we will have to decide whether we haul it ourselves or wait out the weather and hope the helicopter can fly.
Can you tell us a bit about the camping set up for the trip? And what about access to water?

We will have two camps set up. Base camp will be located just outside of Mendips Cave, which is one of the main entrance ways into the Yorkshire Pot Cave System. In 2022 we created a camping area up there, so there will be tarps set up and we will be flying up gear and a big five-person tent as well as other tents. For those staying in basecamp, there is water in Mendips Cave but it requires about 150-175 meters of caving to get there. They will then have to fill up their empty water jugs and haul them back out of the cave to the surface.

For inside of the cave, it is either going to be just one major camping area in the Chocolate Chamber or possibly a second area down in a chamber called the Horror Show. It will just depend on how many people we can get together in the Chocolate Chamber. We have around 9 camping set ups to bring down. A few set ups will be sleeping bags and Therma Rests while 6 of them consist of hammocks. We will either use bolts or pitons to hang those on the walls. The water inside the cave is all dripping from the walls and we will have collapsible buckets that we will put underneath the drips. Those will act like a reservoir, and we will use those to fill up bottles which will then be carried in a backpack back to the camp. The water source is not right next to the camp, so we will have to repel down to the water and climb back up to camp.

Ok, you said that you have to bring the camping set-ups DOWN into the cave. How far down are we talking? Do you have to repel to get there?

Yeah. The Chocolate Chamber is just around the 200-meter mark below the entrance of the cave. And yes, you have to repel many pitches of rope work. The biggest repel is a 40 meter repel, but there is also a 28, 17, 15, 10, 7 meter repel and a few little down climbs in between some of these. The entrance down is basically just repelling mixed with a little bit of horizontal passageway. Then everything after the chocolate chamber becomes a bit more horizontal.

And how long would it take to get down there?

For me, with an average weighted pack, it would take me about an hour to get down from the entrance to the Chocolate Chamber. Of course, everyone’s skills and comfort levels on the ropes are different, so it will be different for everyone coming down.

The Yorkshire Pot Map

Below you will see the approximate location of the passages of the Yorkshire System caves. There are currently 9 entrances into the cave system, but the level of survey for many of the maps includes a lot of error, making an exact layout of the cave map difficult. From here you can get any idea of the caving expedition objectives, camp locations, and more.

  • The Chocolate Chamber

    This is likely where the team will establish their in-cave camp.
  • Mendips Entrance

    In 2022 the team established a surface camp here. Team members will rotate from here, into the cave, and back as the project progresses.
  • The Horror Show

    This is one of the main areas of focus for this trip. The Horror Show area contains many unexplored passages meaning lots of potential for new discoveries.
  • Main Cave Entrance

    This is the original, and most common entrance to the system. From here, cavers will need to descend ~200m to reach the Chocolate Chamber where they will establish camp. This includes a lot of vertical caving - descending vertical shafts on rope, often free-hanging, with cave bags hanging below them.
What are you most looking forward to on this expedition?
I genuinely just love going into places that aren’t very understood or documented, or environments that are new and challenging. I’m really drawn towards those. So, I think I am most excited for the challenge of finding some of these new locations and trying to create a usable survey and map for other people to be able to go into these places in the future.
Given your objectives, what does success look like for you this week?
Well, everyone coming out of the cave safe, and being able to go home safe, that is first and foremost. I would also love, over the course of the time, if we could have 500 meters to a 1km of the cave mapped. I would be ecstatic about that. And maybe… a connection to Little Moscow. That would be the cherry on top!

At the time of publishing, Brent and his team should be well into the depths of Yorkshire Pot.

It’s clear that this trip holds a lot of potential for exciting discoveries, from exploring new sections of the cave to the challenge of connecting Little Moscow. What stood out most to us, though, is Brent’s calm confidence and passion for the unknown. It’s not just about the adventure but also about the process of exploring, documenting, and sharing these experiences with others.

We're really looking forward to catching up with him after the expedition to hear how things went — what they found, what surprised them, and how the trip measured up to their goals. Brent has already agreed to a live follow-up interview, so as long as we can coax him out of the cave, we'll post that interview right here. Stay tuned!

Join the Adventure

For those inspired by Brent's journey and eager to delve into the subterranean wonders of the Canadian Rockies, Canmore Cave Tours offers a range of experiences. The Adventure Tour is a 6-hour excursion that includes rappelling and navigating through passages like the Laundry Chute, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience for thrill-seekers. Alternatively, the Explorer Tour offers a 4.5-hour journey suitable for beginners, featuring climbs, crawls, and squeezes through the remarkable Rat's Nest Cave.

Embark on your own caving adventure and uncover the hidden gems beneath the surface. Visit Canmore Cave Tours to book your experience today.

VLOG: Yorkshire Pot Post-Expedition Interview


In September 2024, a team of cavers embarked on an ambitious 10-day expedition to further explore Yorkshire Pot, one of Canada’s longest and most challenging cave systems. Nestled in Alberta’s Andy Goode Plateau, this cave has captivated explorers for decades with its vertical drops, tight passageways, and vast unexplored potential.

Leading the charge was Brent Arnold, a seasoned guide at Canmore Cave Tours, Vice President of the Alberta Speleological Society, and the expedition’s leader. In this blog, we delve into the details of the trip through an engaging interview with Brent, hosted by Adam Walker, owner of Canmore Cave Tours. Together, they discuss the team’s goals, the challenges faced underground, and the discoveries that continue to push the boundaries of caving in Canada. Whether you’re a seasoned caver or simply curious about the hidden wonders beneath our feet, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of cave exploration.

Watch the entire interview below, or read the interview transcript here.

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Interview Video Transcript

[00:00:00] Adam: In September of this year, a group of cavers from Alberta and British Columbia embarked on an expedition to explore and continue the exploration of one of Canada's longest caves. Today, we have the expedition leader, Brent Arnold, joining us to tell us a little bit about the expedition and what they achieved during those ten days in the cave. Thanks, Brent, for joining us. I really appreciate having you here.

[00:00:36] Brent: Thanks, Adam, for having me today. Yorkshire Pot is currently Canada's third-longest cave and ninth-deepest cave. It’s located in the Crowsnest Pass on the Andigood Plateau. Exploration began back in 1969, and we’re continuing that journey, finding new places within the cave. It's been a dream of mine to discover more in Yorkshire Pot.

[00:01:05] Adam: Right. That’s a long time for a cave to be explored. How is there still anything left to discover?

[00:01:10] Brent: Over time, many of the passageways—being either very vertical, tight, or otherwise challenging—have been partially explored. People have focused on the main passageways, often spotting side passageways but leaving them unexplored. These are marked as "unexplored leads," and currently, there are about 140 of them still left in Yorkshire Pot.

[00:01:37] Adam: Wow, that’s a lot of potential. So, you mentioned it’s the third-longest cave in Canada. How long is it?

[00:01:43] Brent: As of now, it's 15 kilometers and 100 meters, thanks to the new exploration.

[00:01:48] Adam: That’s impressive! And this was achieved during your recent expedition?

[00:01:49] Brent: Yes, that’s correct. It’s a big cave, and it’s getting bigger.

[00:01:53] Adam: Organizing an expedition like this must be a significant undertaking. This isn’t your first time, though—you were in the cave a couple of years ago, right?

[00:01:59] Brent: Yes, in 2022, I ran a similar expedition. This is the second one I’ve led personally.

[00:02:05] Adam: I imagine you learned a lot from that experience. What goes into planning an expedition like this?

[00:02:19] Brent: Planning involves many components, such as assembling the right team, organizing food and equipment, and deciding how to transport everything. We had to consider whether to carry gear up or helicopter it in. For multi-day caving, we also needed camping equipment, hammer drills, bolts, and ropes to access new areas. Logistically, it’s a challenge, but it’s rewarding.

[00:02:57] Adam: What’s your background, and how did it lead you to caving and running expeditions like this?

[00:03:03] Brent: My journey began at Thompson Rivers University, where I completed an adventure guide degree focusing on mountaineering and rock climbing. I then discovered caving while working at Horn Lake Caves. After moving to Canmore, I’ve been with Canmore Cave Tours for nearly ten years. My experience in climbing, mountaineering, and guiding has equipped me with the skills needed for these expeditions.

[00:03:41] Adam: This was the first expedition you led yourself, aside from the one in 2022, right?

[00:03:50] Brent: Yes, I’ve joined other expeditions before, but this is the second one I’ve personally led.

[00:03:56] Adam: Awesome. I want to talk about what happened on the expedition, but let’s start with the planning and execution. This cave is in the alpine and not easy to access, correct?

[00:04:15] Brent: That’s right. It’s above the treeline, up in the alpine, and fairly remote.

[00:04:18] Adam: How did you transport your equipment to the cave?

[00:04:24] Brent: Most of the equipment was flown in by helicopter. It was placed in a bag hanging from the helicopter, which was released remotely onto the plateau. We then drove up a logging road, hiked for about two to three hours to reach the plateau, and set up camp near the entrance of Mendip’s Cave, one of the systems leading into Yorkshire Pot.

[00:04:51] Adam: Interesting! So, this cave has multiple entrances?

[00:04:55] Brent: Yes, there are currently seven entrances—or exits, depending on how you count them—leading into Yorkshire Pot.

[00:05:03] Adam: And so Mendip's is one of the entrances, right? Was it chosen for easier access to the cave, or was there another reason?

[00:05:09] Brent: It’s the flattest area we could find on the plateau, and it’s right outside the entrance. The main Yorkshire Pot entrance is only about 50 meters above it, so it’s pretty close to all the action.

[00:05:22] Adam: How big was your team for this year’s trip?

[00:05:25] Brent: Altogether, there were 15 people on the plateau at various times. We typically had seven or eight people there at a time, with others coming and going during the expedition.

[00:05:37] Adam: Right. I’ve been in the cave, and it’s not exactly spacious. It’s not a flat walking cave by any means—it’s very technical. Can you describe it a bit for those unfamiliar? And then let’s talk about what skills the group needs to participate in something like this.

[00:05:58] Brent: Yeah, you actually brought me into the cave for the first time! Yorkshire Pot is very vertical. From the main entrance, the first 200 meters are almost entirely vertical. It features tall, narrow rift passageways where you climb up and rappel down ropes, which are either pre-rigged or set up by us. The middle section involves crawling through keyhole-shaped passages, where the water has carved cylindrical spaces with deep chasms underneath. Finally, the lower section has seven more rappels before exiting through Heave Ho, a connected cave. The exit involves crawling through a hole reinforced with a garbage can to prevent it from collapsing.

[00:07:11] Adam: There’s probably a whole other story behind that garbage can! But it’s clearly a technical cave with a lot of ups and downs. As the expedition leader, what skills and traits were you looking for in your team?

[00:07:27] Brent: Personality is a big one. We needed people who could stay calm and collected under pressure and work well together. Caving can be very challenging. Beyond that, everyone had to be experienced cavers familiar with vertical caving techniques, specifically single rope technique (SRT). They also needed to know how to map and survey caves, using both traditional methods and advanced tools. If they were going to camp underground, they needed prior experience or at least comfort with the idea. Overall, we looked for people with the technical skills and willingness to face challenges head-on.

[00:08:29] Adam: So it’s not just about navigating the cave; there’s also the added layer of doing the work—surveying and exploring—on top of that. It sounds like a lot of effort.

[00:08:41] Brent: Absolutely. Surveying and exploring can be slow and arduous, but it’s an enjoyable process. The team needed diverse skills to handle everything involved.

[00:08:55] Adam: You mentioned camping in the cave. We’ve talked before about whether it’s more efficient to camp inside or make daily trips in and out. Building a camp inside a cave must be a huge undertaking. Why did you decide to camp, and what went into preparing for it?

[00:09:14] Brent: The decision depended on where we wanted to explore. We focused on areas like the Horror Show and the Rat Route, which are about 200 to 240 meters down. While descending can take just 45 minutes to an hour and a half for experienced cavers, adding gear like hammer drills, ropes, survey equipment, food, and warm layers significantly slows things down. Then, after finishing work at the bottom, you still have to climb out—a full trip could take 10 to 12 hours. Doing that back-to-back wasn’t feasible, so we chose to camp at the Chocolate Chamber. It’s at the bottom of the first entrance series, about 200 meters below the surface.

[00:10:35] Adam: Right. So camping saves you from having to repeatedly tackle the vertical sections of the cave, especially the climb back up after a long day of caving. That must be exhausting.

[00:10:44] Brent: Absolutely. You think you’re done, but then you have to climb back up all those ropes to the entrance. It’s a challenge.

[00:10:49] Adam: Walk us through how you plan for camping inside a cave. Most people can imagine camping on the surface, but what does a cave camp look like, and how do you prepare for it?

[00:11:00] Brent: The big differences with camping in a cave are that you never see sunlight, so you need to plan for light sources. We made sure to have plenty of batteries for headlamps and brought extra fairy lights to create some ambient light. The ground is uneven, so tents aren’t practical—they’re too big and bulky. Instead, we cleared flat spots by moving rocks aside to create three camping areas. We put a tarp down, followed by a Therm-a-Rest, a sleeping bag, and another tarp on top to protect against dripping water. Additionally, two people used hammocks set up with removable anchors. It’s all about adapting to the conditions underground.

[00:11:58] Adam: It sounds like an interesting, though maybe not entirely pleasant, sleeping experience. Hammocks can be divisive—some people love them, and some don’t.

[00:12:06] Brent: Exactly. Some people absolutely love sleeping in hammocks. Thankfully, the people who came on this expedition opted for the hammocks, leaving me happy to sleep on the ground. I’m not a hammock fan myself!

[00:12:22] Adam: Is there a difference in how you plan food for a surface camp versus a cave camp?

[00:12:28] Brent: For this expedition, the food was the same for both surface and cave camps. We used three-liter protein jugs filled with a mix of vermicelli noodles, potato flakes, beans, vegetable flakes, and spices. It was a sort of “Thai-ish” concoction. We also included oil with vitamin D and E for those camping inside the cave. Normally, on a backpacking trip, you’d use dehydrated meals, but since all the garbage has to be carried out of the cave, I opted for simpler meal prep this time.

[00:13:27] Adam: Speaking of logistics, one of the most common questions we get on tours is, "How do you go to the bathroom in a cave?" What does that process look like?

[00:13:36] Brent: It’s an awkward process, but it’s part of the planning. When designing a camping area in a cave, there are three main considerations: the sleeping area, a water source, and a waste management area. For urination, we aim to pee directly into flowing water to flush it out of the cave system quickly. If you just go in a corner, it builds up over time and becomes a problem. For solid waste, we use large Ziploc bags. You fold the edges, do your business, squeeze out the air (which is crucial), and seal it. The bags are then stored in a drum to be carried out of the cave. It’s not glamorous, but it works.

[00:14:37] Adam: It’s funny how talking about bathroom logistics underground feels so normal compared to the taboo above ground.

[00:14:46] Brent: Absolutely. It actually came up in almost every daily conversation during the expedition!

[00:14:52] Adam: So, you’ve got the camp set up, food prepared, and sleeping arrangements sorted. Let’s talk about the objectives. I’ve been fascinated by this cave for years, and with over 140 leads, there’s so much potential. But before we dive into this year’s expedition, tell us about what you accomplished in 2022.

[00:15:11] Brent: So in 2022, we were up there for 10 days. One of the main objectives was bolting the entire entrance series down to the Chocolate Chamber for SRT (single rope technique). Before that, the cave had been rigged and bolted for a through trip—from the top entrance to the Heave Ho exit. However, the ropes often touched rock edges, risking cuts and damage. Bolting made the system safer and more efficient for both access and egress, especially in the entrance sections.

[00:16:00] Brent: Another goal was to connect Little Moscow to the Yorkshire Pot system. It’s potentially the cave's highest entranceway and could add 50 to 80 meters of depth to the system if connected. Although we didn’t achieve this connection in 2022, it remains a key objective. We also aimed to resurvey and conduct new surveys in the Back Door, another entrance to the Yorkshire Pot system accessed through Mendip's Cave.

[00:16:52] Brent: Unexpectedly, we ended up collecting seven garbage bags of trash from the main entrance, Mendip's, and other small cave entrances on the plateau. Additionally, we discovered two troglobytic species—tiny cave-adapted animals living in the pools of water in the Horror Show section of the cave.

[00:17:08] Adam: These are cave-adapted animals?

[00:17:10] Brent: Yes, about the size of a speck of dust. One resembled a spider, and the other looked a bit like the Michelin Man. They were incredibly small, almost tardigrade-like. Matt Kennedy and Lewis noticed them while having a snack near a pool of water.

[00:17:39] Adam: And you also did some surveying?

[00:17:40] Brent: Yes, we added to the survey of the Back Door and rebolted the entrance series of Yorkshire Pot. We also discovered new entrances on the plateau and created a more accurate survey of the connection between Mendip's and the Back Door. However, much of the effort focused on bolting and surveying in the Horror Show. That’s when we realized how challenging it would be to do back-to-back trips in that section.

[00:18:19] Adam: What were the objectives for the 2024 expedition?

[00:18:23] Brent: In 2024, we aimed to connect the Little Moscow system, which we didn’t achieve in 2022. We also planned to establish a camp in the Chocolate Chamber to support ongoing surveys of the Horror Show and the Rat Route. Additionally, we focused on creating more accurate surveys of Mendip's and the Yorkshire main entrance.

[00:18:59] Adam: How did it go?

[00:19:00] Brent: Overall, it went well. We surveyed another 850 meters of cave—thanks to the entire team. We rebolted new sections at the bottom of the Chocolate Chamber and established a station to support future surveys. While we didn’t survey as much as anticipated in some areas, we set up infrastructure for continued exploration.

[00:19:34] Adam: Let’s talk about the surveying process. Walk us through, in simple terms, how cave surveys are conducted so people can visualize it.

[00:19:46] Brent: Sure. A cave survey essentially creates a line plot of the cave. We start by identifying a point on the wall, floor, or ceiling and marking it with something visible, like nail polish. Then, we move to a point further along the path that’s visible from the first point and mark that. We measure the distance between these two points and the azimuth—the direction in degrees, such as 120 or 130 degrees, indicating the north-south-east-west orientation.

[00:20:26] Adam: The compass bearing, basically?

[00:20:27] Brent: The compass bearing, yeah, and also the slope using a clinometer. Nowadays, we use a DISTO X, which is a laser pointer that gives us all these measurements. Essentially, we’re creating a line plot from point to point. We also measure the distance from the left wall to the right wall, the ceiling, and the floor to determine the passage size around each point. Then we repeat that process thousands of times until we’ve mapped the cave.

[00:20:56] Adam: That’s a lot of work. But there’s also someone sketching the details as you go, right?

[00:21:01] Brent: Yes, while one person collects measurements, another is sketching—either on paper or a device. They’ll document details like cave formations, floor composition, and the distances between walls. They also create both a top-down plan view and a side profile of the cave map.

[00:21:28] Adam: That’s a lot of effort. I think there’s a misconception that we just use some advanced technology to map the cave instantly, but every detail on a cave map is created by someone physically being there, right?

[00:21:41] Brent: Exactly. Here in the Rockies, if you can survey 300 meters in a day, that’s considered a very productive day. The vertical nature of the caves makes the process even more challenging.

[00:21:48] Adam: The verticality definitely adds complexity to the process.

[00:21:52] Brent: It does. But modern tools like the DISTO X2 and BRICS, which are essentially laser pointers, have revolutionized our work. Pairing these with a phone via Bluetooth creates incredibly accurate maps. We can now measure things like the height of a roof in a passageway, which previously had to be estimated. This reduces errors significantly.

[00:22:26] Adam: That’s a huge improvement. You mentioned you had around ten people at a time on this expedition. Did you break into smaller teams to tackle different objectives?

[00:22:39] Brent: Absolutely. We typically worked in teams of two to four. At most, six people were in the cave at one time. We’d often split into two groups—one group would survey in one area, while the other surveyed or bolted in another. On the surface, teams also had their own objectives, such as exploring or surveying cave entrances. The group needed to be self-driven and adaptable.

[00:23:27] Adam: Did you find anything exciting this year? In 2022, you discovered those troglophiles.

[00:23:36] Brent: The most interesting find this year was a camera at the bottom of the cave. We found squishy light bulbs, camera pieces, and an ammo canister in a section below the Chocolate Chamber. It was neat to link that to survey files referring to the area as the "camera section." On the surface, a few team members cleaned nine garbage bags of trash from a cave now nicknamed "Garbage Cave." They found everything from baby bottles to diapers, food bags, and even an old aluminum helmet, which was pretty cool.

[00:24:42] Adam: That’s incredible, especially considering how remote these caves are—it’s at least a three-hour hike just to get there!

[00:24:45] Brent: Exactly. It’s quite a hike. But as for new discoveries, there wasn’t as much in 2024. The new survey of Mendip’s Cave, however, was fascinating. According to previous maps, the cave was roughly 316 meters long, but Christian, Matt Kennedy, and Cynthia surveyed close to 800 meters in a section thought to be only 50 to 75 meters. That’s a significant find and suggests there may be even more unexplored passages than the 140 leads we already know about.

[00:25:33] Adam: Yeah, I mean, a big takeaway from our earlier conversations is that you went in with 140 leads, and you came out with more than 140.

[00:25:41] Brent: So many more. Every time we took measurements, we found discrepancies compared to previous surveys. For example, one rappel was previously measured at 15 meters, but we found it to be closer to 18 meters. If these kinds of adjustments continue throughout the cave, it could ultimately make the cave longer and deeper than currently documented.

[00:26:07] Adam: So you did some surveying but didn’t manage to connect Little Moscow this year?

[00:26:11] Brent: No, Little Moscow is still eluding us. I’m not even sure if we’re looking in the right place, or if the cavers of yesteryear were better at squeezing through tight spots, or if the cave has changed due to collapses or other factors. We’ll need to go back and keep trying to locate and connect it.

[00:26:26] Adam: That’s an interesting point. The plateau has changed significantly in the last decade with snow and ice loss. You’ve already discovered new passages and entrances, and I imagine that could lead to even more significant discoveries in the coming years.

[00:26:47] Brent: Absolutely. On future expeditions, one of our goals will be to mark the entranceways of the caves with metal tags and their names. We’d like to create a database of the Andigood Plateau caves—it’s essentially Swiss cheese up there with so many holes to document.

[00:27:11] Adam: That sounds like a productive trip. But the big question is, why do you do it? What’s the point?

[00:27:19] Brent: That’s a great question. For me, it’s about exploration—pushing myself physically and mentally to see new places. But beyond personal reasons, these expeditions also contribute to better knowledge and safety for future cavers by providing more accurate maps and information. This enables safer access to these environments. On a broader scale, it helps us understand geological processes, such as how glaciers interacted with the plateaus, eroding the rock to create these caves. It’s about exploring the unknown and contributing to our understanding of the natural world.

[00:28:34] Adam: Right, it’s fun and challenging, but it also has scientific and environmental benefits. Discovering new species and understanding these caves—which are essentially natural plumbing systems—are critical for protecting groundwater and learning how these systems function.

[00:28:53] Brent: Exactly. Understanding these caves helps us figure out how to protect them and the resources they’re connected to. It also helps us piece together the story of how they were formed.

[00:29:00] Adam: So, what’s next? You’ve mentioned another expedition. Are you planning to head back?

[00:29:06] Brent: Yes, likely. We left much of our camping gear inside the cave—stored in 20-liter olive drums—including sleeping bags, Therm-a-Rests, first aid supplies, and extra food. I’d love to return to the Horror Show and continue mapping there. One of my long-term goals is to resurvey the entire through trip of this cave. It’s a classic route and arguably the best through trip in Canada. Resurveying it would give us a solid baseline for future explorations. Additionally, marking the cave entrances on the plateau and updating the database will be significant objectives. Combining old survey data with new data can be challenging, especially when the old data is less accurate, but it’s important work.

[00:30:25] Adam: Right. So when you start getting loops, you have to close them, and any potential error can throw everything off.

[00:30:30] Brent: Exactly, and there are a lot of loops in Yorkshire Pot. Closing them accurately is crucial, which is why redoing the survey is important. Another priority is bolting the Seven Steps, a series of rappels at the bottom of the cave. The Super Dip Way has already been bolted, but the Seven Steps hasn’t. On an earlier trip, ropes were wrapped around rocks there, and now they’re slightly calcified in place.

[00:31:02] Adam: A bit of a seat-of-our-pants approach on that one.

[00:31:03] Brent: Yeah, definitely. I’d love to rebuild that section. It’s a beautiful part of the cave, and having a safer access point would encourage more people to explore it without feeling like they’re taking unnecessary risks. There’s still so much to explore, particularly near Heave Ho’s exit, where the map shows a lot of dotted lines indicating unexplored areas. I feel like I could spend a lifetime in Yorkshire Pot and still not see all of it.

[00:31:35] Adam: So why hasn’t this incredible cave been fully explored?

[00:31:40] Brent: It’s hard to say. One joke in the caving community is that creating a through trip is the death of exploration. When Heave Ho was connected to Yorkshire Pot—making it a through trip—it became more appealing for cavers to simply do the trip rather than spend time surveying and mapping. It shifted from adding to the cave’s knowledge to just enjoying the caving experience, like the difference between bolting a rock climb versus climbing it.

[00:32:27] Adam: And once the "easy" parts are done, the remaining work is often more challenging. Plus, new expeditions and objectives pop up that might be more exciting or accessible, drawing attention away from caves like Yorkshire Pot.

[00:32:45] Brent: Exactly. For example, we have the deepest cave in Canada, Bisaro Anima, just a few hours away. It’s understandable why resources and attention get redirected. Yorkshire Pot deserves more focus, but there are only so many cavers with the necessary skills.

[00:33:00] Adam: And there’s also a distinct shortage of experienced cavers.

[00:33:04] Brent: Absolutely. During COVID, our club’s membership increased by over 100%, but even now, we have maybe just over 200 members. That’s not a lot of people to pull from, especially for expeditions requiring specific skills. It’s still a challenge to build a strong caving community in Canada.

[00:33:35] Adam: How can people get involved in caving and work toward joining expeditions like this?

[00:33:38] Brent: The best way is to join your local caving club, whether you’re in Alberta, BC, or elsewhere. Most provinces and territories have at least a small group of cavers. Joining a club lets you connect with experienced cavers who can mentor you. You’ll start with small horizontal caves, then progress to learning rope skills, like SRT (single rope technique), for vertical caving. If you’re interested in expeditions, you’ll need to learn surveying, sketching, and mapping. And don’t underestimate the importance of physical fitness—hauling 30 to 40-pound bags through tight spaces is a big part of caving expeditions.

[00:34:39] Adam: That’s a big part of it—dragging heavy bags through very small spaces.

[00:34:45] Brent: Exactly. Sometimes you’re pulling gear behind you, clipped to your harness, through mud and water. Then there are the vertical pitches, which can be stunningly beautiful. If you have a climbing background or are willing to start learning SRT through online resources or courses, it’s a great way to get started. Joining a club and beginning the mentorship process is the best first step.

[00:35:22] Adam: But as you mentioned, mentorship is really important, right? Every cave is different, and you need judgment and experience to navigate them safely.

[00:35:30] Brent: Absolutely. Finding those mentors is a critical step. They’ll guide you through the skills and knowledge you need to cave safely and effectively.

[00:35:36] Adam: Awesome. And through the caving clubs, that’s how you access expeditions like this, right?

[00:35:41] Brent: Exactly. That’s where we post information about upcoming expeditions, how many people we’re looking for, and the details on how to get involved. Just keep asking and staying connected with the community, and eventually, you’ll have the chance to join an expedition and see some truly beautiful places.

[00:35:57] Adam: That’s awesome. It sounds like this was a really productive and effective expedition. Congratulations.

[00:36:02] Brent: Thank you very much.

[00:36:03] Adam: Thanks for all the effort you put into this. Congratulations again. I know there were a lot of people and organizations involved in supporting this expedition. Would you like to give a shoutout to anyone in particular?

[00:36:14] Brent: Absolutely. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society was a huge help—they provided significant monetary support. I’d also like to thank all the cavers who joined, not just for the 2024 expedition, but also for the 2022 one. They’re the ones who make this possible; I just try to rally the group together. You’ve also been a wealth of knowledge, so thank you for that. There are many people I’d like to thank, and most of them know who they are, but the financial backing from organizations like the RCGS is particularly invaluable. Logistically, these expeditions are tough to fund, and their support was crucial for the 2024 expedition.

[00:37:02] Adam: Great. I wish you the best of luck with your next expedition, and I look forward to hearing about it. Thanks again for joining us.

[00:37:09] Brent: Thank you.