I’ve been doing housework and research for my novel today, so I’m sharing a video I found about lava caves. For a bonus, we have a glimpse into the work life of a cave explorer, which appears to be one of the most terrifying jobs in existence. I don’t consider myself claustrophobic, and I’ve been in a few caves – including some that got pretty tight.
But those caves had had people go through them many, many times before, and there was no way I would have been in them had they not been safe. Exploring unknown caves, and wedging myself through a passage that could just keep getting smaller? No thank you. It would terrify me even if I hadn’t read Junji Ito’s horror comic The Enigma of Amigara Fault. Personal discomfort aside, I’m glad that professional cavers like Ken can show us these places I’m too afraid to explore, and get fulfilment from doing it.
that’s funny how enigma of amigara fault became so massive through memes. just a little one-off mini-comic gone viral.
i’ve been in some shallow caves in oregon before, nothing too cramped or unwalkable, don’t know geology enough to say what kind. fun to see bats a little closer. my geology homies hate me.
I think all the caves I’ve been in have been water-carved in limestone (plus one hand-dug mine). The bats were generally my favorite part.
Caving is one of the most dangerous sports you can do on land. I’ve know several cavers and they have all had a certain level of almost insouciance about their pastime, they all also knew at least one person who had died caving. I’ve done well explored easy caves in th past, even a couple with short sumps, but I’m with you Abe, I couldn’t do cave exploring.