Blind Descent

[cfmwh]

Anyone got / read a copy of this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blind-Descent-Quest-Discover-Deepest/dp/1400067677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279990506&sr=1-1


If so, is it any good?

Cheers.

 

[rhychydwr1]

A review will appear in the issues of Speleology.  The book is crap.

 

[cfmwh]

A review will appear in the issues of Speleology.  The book is crap.

Cheers Tony.
Kind of got that impression from Amazon reviews, but you never know if they're written by cavers or Joe Public.
Wanted a confirmed expert opinion.

 

[Les W]

I can't see any reviews on Amazon 

 

[Smithers]

[quote author=Blind Descent]
But cave explorers like Vesely and Farr could not see the route and so could not anticipate the dangers, a partial list of which includes drowning, fatal falls, premature burial, asphyxiation, hypothermia, hurricane-force winds, electrocution, earth-quake induced collapses, poison gases, and walls dripping sulfuric [sic] or hydrochloric acid.  There are also rabid bats, snakes, troglodytic scorpions, and spiders, radon, and microbes that cause horrific diseases like histoplasmosis and leishmaniasis.
[/quote]

I think the above quote would show that the book is purely sensationalist rather than a serious piece of caving literature. 

When was the last time anyone ever encountered "hurricane-force winds" down a cave, except at someone's dig where there's a hell of a draught!  And electrocution?!?  Well I suppose you could electrocute yourself on a large battery at basecamp, but you'd have to be pretty stupid to go around licking terminals to see if the batteries were charged.  As for the "walls dripping with sulfuric or hydrochloric acid", I think someone might be exaggerating!  Yes there are acid caves, but they're not exactly common.  And as for the suggestion of "leishmaniasis" its transmitted through the bite of certain types of sandfly, which aren't indigenous to caves.

 

[stevejw]

For info on less common Hydrogen Sulphide systems there is a nice piece on Cueva de Villa Luz in: Eliot, J.L. (2001), Deadly Haven: Mexico's Poisonous Cave, National Geographic, May, pp. 79-85.

 

[Smithers]

Is that the same cave that they shot in for Planet Earth?  They mentioned hydrogen sulphide caves in that and there were clips of people wearing respirators whist caving (if I recall correctly?).

 

[stevejw]

Yes. Lots of other stuff about this cave and its unique ecosystem on the web.

 

[Aubrey]

And electrocution?!?

We used to bring up the underwater lamps which showed the arch in Wookey 3 for cleaning and bulb changes. It was easier to find them and untangle the cables if they were switched on.

 

[Les W]

When was the last time anyone ever encountered "hurricane-force winds" down a cave,

At Hurricane, in the Goufre Berger (OK I know they are not true hurricane strength but describing the wind as a hurricane certainly gives the right impression to those who haven't experienced it). 

And electrocution?!? 

You need to read some of the accounts of the Dachstein expos.
From: http://www.bec-cave.org.uk/publications-mainmenu-32/belfry-bulletin-mainmenu-33/429-belfry-bulletin-no-379-november-1979.html?start=4

Stu was the first of the expedition to reach the surface, just as a big thunderstorm was brewing.  J-Rat 'phoned Chris at the entrance at the same moment as the lightning struck.  Stu thought there was an avalanche off the big overhang of Grunberg and flattened himself against the cliff.  There was a flash and an instantaneous explosion. Chris and J-Rat, the latter deep underground, were both knocked unconscious.  Thros and I, fettling my carbide at the top of Platzlschacht, saw and heard an explosion beneath our feet (the wire was above our heads) and assumed it to have been a carbide explosion.  We were somewhat surprised at the echoing rumbles from the passages below. Throstle's hand was scorched. Dave, halfway up the rope on Dorisschacht, saw an enormous flash below him but heard no explosion.  Merv at the bottom saw and heard nothing.  Trev, on the ladder below J-Rat and Jim, a little further into the cave, saw and heard nothing but reached the top to find J-Rat in a heap asking what happened and saying, ?I know you but I don't know your names.?  Chris and J-Rat's telephone hands were numb for several days afterwards and their ears stung for a long time.  Exit was made successfully, the un-named pitch was christened Blitzschaeht, and Chris was thereafter known as Herr Blitz at the Weisbergerhaus.

 

[Elaine]

We've had an electric current running through the ladders at Templeton before. This was ok for most of us in rubber gloves and wellies, but one of us had wet cotton gloves on!

 

[AndyF]

"walls dripping sulfuric acid"

Damn , I hate it when that happens 

 

[Smithers]

Ok, so I was a little out about a couple of things, but electrocution is hardly an inherent risk in caving, not like rock fall, troglodytic scorpions or flesh eating bacteria!

 

[Duncan Price]

A review will appear in the issues of Speleology.  The book is crap.

I've just finished reading it.  Your opinion is crap  8).  I enjoyed reading it.  I admit that I didn't have high expectations of it, but having known some of the participants I found it a good yarn - just take it in the context of mass market caving literature and no way in the league of a book for the serious caver

 

[cfmwh]

I can't see any reviews on Amazon 

If you look for it on the US version, Amazon.com, there are loads of reviews, but a lot seem to be from 'above ground' types who read it on Kindle, hence the comments about the lack of photos.

 

[Duncan Price]

I can't see any reviews on Amazon 

If you look for it on the US version, Amazon.com, there are loads of reviews, but a lot seem to be from 'above ground' types who read it on Kindle, hence the comments about the lack of photos.

There are 16 pages of colour photos in a central section.  I'm afraid that the quality of printing detracts from the content of the photos.  If you are a caver then you could probably get by without them as they don't add much. The author has done his research as the "Notes" section at the end shows.

It is a light, easy read which tries to take you inside the minds of the cavers.  It deals with personal subjects surrounding the events told - family break-ups, deaths etc. - quite frankly.

 

[Ralph]

An excellent read, I couldn't put it down. If you read it you'll find out where to find hurricane force winds AND how to electrocute yourself should you so wish!
Never judge a book by it's cover!

 

[MadPierre]

[quote author=Blind Descent]
But cave explorers like Vesely and Farr could not see the route and so could not anticipate the dangers, a partial list of which includes drowning, fatal falls, premature burial, asphyxiation, hypothermia, hurricane-force winds, electrocution, earth-quake induced collapses, poison gases, and walls dripping sulfuric [sic] or hydrochloric acid.  There are also rabid bats, snakes, troglodytic scorpions, and spiders, radon, and microbes that cause horrific diseases like histoplasmosis and leishmaniasis.

When was the last time anyone ever encountered "hurricane-force winds" down a cave,
[/quote]

Alum Pot, new years day 1989, after a rather heavy session on Old Peculiar in the Hill Inn the previous night and the extra beans I had with my breakfast at Bernies prior to the descent.

 

[robjones]

"walls dripping sulfuric acid"

Damn , I hate it when that happens 

Perfectly plausible in some mines however - e.g. Cae Coch Sulphur Mine, Trefriw, Gwynedd; Level 9, Cwmrheidol Lead-Zinc Mine, Ceredigion. I measured the the latter to be pH 4 !

 

[Hammy]

I have the book and I am enjoying it immensely - as I do almost all literature regarding caving