This is a re-edit of a video from two years ago to fix a couple concerns and replace the copyrighted music.

I missed out on a lech trip in the early days because sleeping underground is so mentally difficult. I couldn’t commit to a three day trip fearing a panic attack might happen. When I see these videos it just amazed me the mental and physical fortitude you all have. I have anxiety disorder. It limits me to day trips only and nothing tight and long. Constrictions are ok if short.

Great video man!👍

What is the purpose of the pulley system seen in the end of the video?

@OffSurfaceAdventures

5 жыл бұрын

I think this is for transportation of their equipment. I just can guess that they might have drilled a hole into the cave system and this is a shortcut for equipment?

@DerekBristol

5 жыл бұрын

The tripod and pulley system is used to lower 5-inch diameter aluminum tubes down a well-hole into Hells Half Acre. We are usually able to put about 80% of our camp supplies into the cave this way; however, they are only about an hour into a 10-hour journey, but this helps reduce the potential for impact in that first section of the cave.

So how far is it to the camp? Looks like there is some actual caving involved but presumably mostly it's just a really long way? Looks from the dust like it's still windy even there near the end, so I guess there is still more cave to find. Looks like a fine trip, and so warm judging by your gear.

@DerekBristol

5 жыл бұрын

It’s roughly 8 km to Deep Camp and 11 km to the new Camp Holey Hell near the edge of exploration. These take roughly 8 and 12 hours to reach. It’s 9C, but dry so it feels warmer than you’d expect from a muddy cave of the same temperature. Lots of cave left to explore out there for those who can make the trip.

@xxwookey

5 жыл бұрын

@@DerekBristol If I was in the right bit of the US I'd be up for that - looks well worth doing at least once, although 12 hrs is a _long_ way. Don't think any of our stuff is more than 8 or 9 hours actual caving if already rigged. Plenty of much closer cave left to explore though so no need for 4 tonnes of emissions to the western US and back, sadly.

8:10 Why the Turn Off Lights sign?

@DerekBristol

5 жыл бұрын

Just a little humor from Herb and Jan Conn.

What elbow pads do you recommend?

@DerekBristol

5 жыл бұрын

Depends on the cave. For easier walking caves I often don't use elbow pads at all. For Jewel Cave, which is very crawl intensive, I'm using Salamander elbow pads from On Rope 1. These aren't the most durable, but they are comfortable and stay in place. There are also Salamander knee pads, which I don't recommend.

What is that tube at the end for?

@OffSurfaceAdventures

5 жыл бұрын

Hmm they stuff their things into it and pull it out of the borehole in the end.

@DerekBristol

5 жыл бұрын

See the comment above. We're using these to lower and raise personal camp supplies into the cave to reduce the potential for impact.