Welcome to my blog. I document my adventures, thoughts, and lessons. Hope you have a nice stay!
All in Caving Expeditions
In order to survey a cave you must first find them. This involves surface field work that can involve examining satellite imagery, topographical and/or geological maps, then systematic examination of the terrain... or, going for a hike and asking locals.
I began caving with very few books available to read on the subject, four to be exact. The first two were stories that involved Bill Stone, the third was Caves of the Canadian Rockies, and the fourth was the Rats Nest book (Under Grotto Mountain by Chas Yonge). Bill had a bit of a reputation that I have heard about on an expedition or two, as well as through other cavers etc. I figured I should try to cave with him or on one of his expeditions one day
"I can see you" Christian's text woke me slightly after 6 am MST.
He opened his garage door and moved his jeep out. Signaling me to park my jeep inside. Once parked we shuttled my mess of gear into his jeep and we're on our way to the boarder.
Gladly Christian was at the wheel as we exited Calgary heading south.
After some small talk I drifted to sleep.
Around November of last year (2012) I received an email from Chris Jewel asking if I was interested in going to Huautla to recce and help rig the cave (San Augustin - Fools Day extension to the 620 depot). The trip was in preparation for a 2013 trip, in which Jason Malison and Chris Jewell would dive sump 9 "the mother of all sumps".
I traveled from Nanaimo to Calgary, got the sat phone, organized gear, and began my obsessive cutting of weight, knowing I had been "volun-told" to be a bottle carrier. In the end a 45-liter bag held all of my gear. Well, on big trips I go light and fast and understand the commitment. If I get cold, I must move faster. If I carry in a jacket, I sleep in it so I can use a lighter sleeping bag etc.
I arrived through customs at 01:30 after a marathon of airline movies. Met my ride and raced another cab through the streets of Lima (speeds exceeding 150km/hr!), to the hostel we would be using as a base. Andy McKenzie and Adam Haar, arrived the day before, were waiting with beer! We downed a few while catching up until 04:15. So began my Peruvian adventures!
This trip began as far away as one can get from Mexico, in the frozen cave we call Castleguard. It is here that I met Christian Chenier, and Gael Herve. They had decided to come out and experience this amazing cave as there was a “year off” in the Mexpe expeditions. As cavers do, we all shared caving stories and Christian mentioned what the SQS was doing in Mexico, I was hooked.
During Mexpe 2011 I was strongly encouraged to go to China for a caving expedition. Once back in Canada, and having dealt with being robbed of most of my possessions (in Canada), I contacted the expedition leader, Imogen Furlong to see if I could join in on the fun.
During the Tian Xing expedition (a month long expedition which I was in China for) I made it known that I had time at the end of the expedition for another caving trip. So the seed was planted..
Plans were made. Duncan Collis, and I would travel to San Wang Dong (a 60+km long system), rig to camp and beyond, push some leads, and leave camp set up for an upcoming expedition
