Caves are mesmerizing indeed! My experience is limited to Mexico and the exquisitely decorated chambers. Kicking down into those inviting cave mouths is like slipping into a dream world, a still, tranquil meditation. Thoughts, emotions, and the clutter of life fall away as we glide into the ancient geologic sanctuary; entering a completely different realm. Unfathomable beauty, tranquility, adventure and a sense of wonder await.
Beyond the obvious water and rock – I’ll share some favorite places and unique moments: gliding in 30 minutes, then descending down into this small pit to find a huge unidentified ancient animal skeleton, watching small fresh water fish plunge down through the salty halocline layer to hunt salt water shrimp, translucent crystalline stalagmites deep in caves which glow a beautiful orange/yellow when illuminated by our lights, an other-worldly Halocline “waterfall” which is hard to describe. But imagine the visible boundary when oil pools on vinegar , an upside down gushing waterfall pooling in a mirror like pond on the ceiling.
Caves are not devoid of life, it is common to see many troglobites (cave dwelling critters), from blind fish & eels to isopods and crayfish. We also find focalized shells, sea urchins, and remnants of ancient civilizations (such as pottery, bits of charcoal, and hearths dating back 700- 10,000+ years).
Of course we pursue the sense of wonder: where does that tunnel lead, what’s beyond that next restriction or bend in the passage? How did that geologic feature form? And pursue adventure: Ok, do you think we can fit through that little hole? Do you want to peek into that little silty passage?
There is much adventure, many hikes in the jungle, jumps into cenotes in full equipment, moments where we ascend at the end of a line to find a remote cenote entrance filled with bats, or peer up into air domes to find beautiful underground rooms filled with delicate stalactites, etc.
There is so much natural exquisite beauty: Watching light refract off the halocline, floating in awe of the natural sunlight playing down through 200? ft of visibility in the cavern zone. And of course, all the delicate and intricate stalactite/stalagmite formations are stunningly beautiful - beyond description.
The cave environment, focus and training necessary to safely dive caves is not for everyone. But I'm certainly hooked.
Beyond the obvious water and rock – I’ll share some favorite places and unique moments: gliding in 30 minutes, then descending down into this small pit to find a huge unidentified ancient animal skeleton, watching small fresh water fish plunge down through the salty halocline layer to hunt salt water shrimp, translucent crystalline stalagmites deep in caves which glow a beautiful orange/yellow when illuminated by our lights, an other-worldly Halocline “waterfall” which is hard to describe. But imagine the visible boundary when oil pools on vinegar , an upside down gushing waterfall pooling in a mirror like pond on the ceiling.
Caves are not devoid of life, it is common to see many troglobites (cave dwelling critters), from blind fish & eels to isopods and crayfish. We also find focalized shells, sea urchins, and remnants of ancient civilizations (such as pottery, bits of charcoal, and hearths dating back 700- 10,000+ years).
Of course we pursue the sense of wonder: where does that tunnel lead, what’s beyond that next restriction or bend in the passage? How did that geologic feature form? And pursue adventure: Ok, do you think we can fit through that little hole? Do you want to peek into that little silty passage?
There is much adventure, many hikes in the jungle, jumps into cenotes in full equipment, moments where we ascend at the end of a line to find a remote cenote entrance filled with bats, or peer up into air domes to find beautiful underground rooms filled with delicate stalactites, etc.
There is so much natural exquisite beauty: Watching light refract off the halocline, floating in awe of the natural sunlight playing down through 200? ft of visibility in the cavern zone. And of course, all the delicate and intricate stalactite/stalagmite formations are stunningly beautiful - beyond description.
The cave environment, focus and training necessary to safely dive caves is not for everyone. But I'm certainly hooked.
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