79 photos from trips underground and out at the caves, taken by the author and fellow cavers credited in each caption.
Left to right, Andy Higgins, Peter Freeman, Tom Aberdeen (Author), Doug Henry and Helen Higgins (who got changed quickly!) after a 6-hour trip into Elk River Cave. Photo by Doug HenryMeeting peopleLost cavers? Good to carry a map! Photo by Topaz AralWhat is CavingWhat is Caving: Cave Access & RestrictionsBats huddled in the roof of Dicksons A Cave. This cave is off limits in the colder months as the bats hibernate, and waking them up can kill them. A good reason for access guidelines. Photo by Naomi Dickinson.The entrance to Exponential Pot - Open only for surveying or other work. A rare occurance. Photo by Topaz AralCave Crickets - Access guidelines protect little critters such as these. They look scary, and will give you a nip if you mess with them, but they're not dangerous.Fossils in Devonian Limestone, in Murrindal (Near Buchan, East Victoria)More fossils in Devonian Limestone, Murrindal (Near Buchan), Eastern VictoriaAn unknown caver practicing SRT and Rope Work at Wilson's Cliff - A very historical site as the place most Victorian Cavers learn their first SRT. Photo by Helen Higgins.Amy Robertson (Ware at the time) who was a CCV Member, and taught me everything about horizontal caving , on rope at the top of the Honeycomb Daylight Pitch in Mole CreekDecoration in Fairy Cave, one of the three tourist caves. It really does have world class decoration, friendly and knowledgeable guides, and a generally unforgettable experience. Picture courtesy of Parks Victoria.Beautiful Scenery in Buchan on the road towards Murrindal. Photo by Topaz Aral.The gated entrance to Spring Creek Cave. A good but restricted cave for beginners. Photo by persons unknown.Signitures on the roof in Spring Creek Cave claiming to be from 1903 - do you believe it? The time frame is about right, as this was when good caves were being sought to use as tourist caves. Photo by Naomi DickinsonTom disappearing into Wilson's. Photo by Topaz AralTom (Author) on rope in Elk River CaveThe bizarre 'Elk Antler' formation, which has NO explanation and has baffled even the most knowledgeable speleo-scientists! Found in the Elk River stream passage. Photo by Doug HenryTom (Author) and Peter Freeman at the bottom of Junior Berger, using scaling poles to try and get to a hole halfway down the pitch. Photo by Doug HenryWhat's down there? :) Photo by Topaz AralDicksons A Entrance Chamber. Photo by Topaz AralDicksons B Main Chamber. Photo by Topaz AralDecoration in Exponential Pot. Photo by Topaz AralJust a few stalactites? Photo from Exponential Pot by Topaz AralHow the hell do we get out of this one?? Somewhere in Buchan. Photo by Seamus BreathnachDecoration in NG5 Cave, New Guinea Ridge, Near Buchan. Photo by Doug HenrySurvey of Wilson's CaveNot exactly trying to hide this particular cave. It is marked on many maps. Don't let that fool you - it still demands respect!Cavers gathering at the cliff top above Starlight Cave. The mission was to count bats in the cave but the weather was brutal, and abseiling down the exposed cliff was not an option. Photo by Topaz AralCaver in scalloped passage in Sheehans Cave, Limestone Creek. Photo by Garry Smith.Cave passage with volcanic decoration on the roof. Photo by Topaz AralHuge entrance to Volcanic Cave, Byaduk Western Victoria, Photo by Sil IannelloDiging in Bats Ridge. The soft limestone is a diggers paradise, but watch for unstable rock above you! Photo by Saeamus BreathnachDecoration in Davies Cave, Bats Ridge. Photograph by Topaz AralTom Aberdeen (author) running an official VSA Beginners Trip - giving a lecture as usual :). Photographer Naomi DickinsonWild Country 360 Helmet. A good all-round choice. Available at Bogong and Wilderness.Black Diamond Icon - Water proof, very bright, Good on batteries, very tough - one of the best lights for money you can get! Highly recommended. Wilderness and Bogong stock these.Decoration in Royal Cave - truly spectacular and worth the trip even if you don't do the wild caves! Photo courtesy of Parks Victoria.Petzl Cave Rescue StretcherA caver uses a wire caving ladder in the Armageddon Cave at Mt. Buffalo. Note the rungs are up against the rock, which makes getting your hands and feet in difficult.Illustration of bolt traverse, leading to Y hang down to rebelay, down to deviation, all done to keep cavers dry, and eliminate rub on the rocky bulge on the right wallAngy Higgins entering a sump dive in Elk River Cave. Note the side mounted tanks which are easier for underwater squeezing. Photo by Doug HenryJames Chitty (Son of David who runs AGA) abseiling into Dip Cave. Wee Jasper is generally a dry dusty caving area with only one wet cave. Note the amount of dust in the air. Photo by David Chitty.A very pretty entrance into the pitch head of Punchbowl Cave, requiring a 30m abseil (or for the masochistic a 30m ladder). Photo by David ChittyA very strange formation near the bottom of the entrance pitch in Punchbowl Cave. The author and someone I can't remember, from many years ago.Unknown diver snorkling in Piccinninie Ponds, Mt. Gambier. Photo by Topaz Aral.Tom (author) splashing around at the start of Sheathers Cave, near Mt. Gambier. It is one massive underground lake. Photo by Topaz AralAn ANCIENT drum used to contain the raw Carbide to light up the show cave. Baldocks Cave, Mole CreekThe Author on the final pitch of Midnight Hole, Ida Bay, TasmaniaPhoto of some typical amazing Tassie decoration (straws and stals). This one is in Exit Cave, Ida Bay, which is the second longest cave in Australia. Simply amazing. Photo by Doug Henry
