Caves of the World

Z

zomjon

Member
Well bang goes my excuse - though I don't think the wife would be too understanding! As for books, Tony Waltham's, Great Caves of the World, lists some enticing places.
 
Alex

Alex

Well-known member
Not tied down in the slightest here except by work and a medical treatment that is going to take another year (Im not ill in anyway, though.)

Very tempted and now no beer is to blame. I have "The underground atlas" and as for trip ideas I can certainly recommend it.
As for caves, well the caves of Matienzo were brilliant when I went. There is an expedition that goes on all year round and many large and beautiful caves to go at some horizontal and some not.

BTW have you considered getting this publised this might be something the BBC is interested in, doubt many have done a round the world caving trip like what I think you have in mind before.
 
droid

droid

Active member
Mark said:
Dear me do I have to explain everything, try adding the magic word "CAVING"
Click to expand...

I did just that.

Got about half a dozen refs written by Ewan himself :clap: :clap: ;)
 
droid

droid

Active member
Yes, Ewan.

That's what I got too.

Now don't get me wrong, having dreams is all well and good, but if, as a self professed 'Caving Expert', you come on here asking a rather basic question like 'What are the best caves ibn the world' then I think people will get a little cynical. If you're that much of an expert you'll know the people to contact for the information you need.

If a beginner comes on here asking for reccommendations they'd get them. But you aren't a beginner....

Looks to me like an attempt to big up a planned trip.
 
droid

droid

Active member
:clap: :clap: :clap:

That's because I haven't written owt up!

Presence on Google is no indicator of the worth of someone's done, just how much they've written about it.
 
EwanCameron

EwanCameron

New member
So I have not done any overseas caving I am on that site as a caving expert as it's the only outdoors job it has I also teach climbing and mountain skill as well and running 2 outdoor companies
 
Ouan

Ouan

Member
Ewan

Don't know if you are thinking of visiting SE Asia, but for caving in Laos, Vietnam and Sarawak you will need official permission and this can take months to obtain. Sometimes these permits can be obtained by local tour companies. Also avoid May to November (rainy season).

Some suggestions for good sport trips in Thailand and Laos are
Thailand:-
Tham Mae Lana, Mae Hong Son - 9 km river passage - through trip
Tham Nam Lang, Mae Hong Son - 8 km river passage
Tham Phra Wang Daeng, Phitsanulok - 10 km river passage.
Tham Pha Phueng, Nan - deepest cave in Thailand with a 127m pitch
Doi Ang Khang area, Chiang Mai - several caves explored to 250-300m deep

Laos:-
Tham Xe Bang Fai, Khammouane - huge river passage, through trip, BIG spiders
Tham Nam Xang Nua-Tham Houey Leng, Vientiane - 300m deep, 3.5 km long through trip

The 'Atlas of Great Caves and Karst of Southeast Asia' by Laumanns and Price, published by Berliner Hohlenkundliche in 2010, is the best source of information on caves in this region.

Martin
 
M

Muddy Funkster

New member
Hi Ewan, your trip sounds awesome! I have only done a little caving abroad but here's what I know.
If you end up in Indonesia there were some extensive and largely unexplored caves that are located in Southern Sulawesi, in an area called the Maros Hills. Close to Ujung Pandang. We only had a look in the entrance series of a couple of caves there and there were some big drops heading off to god knows where. The karst at the Maros Hills is fairly extensive from memory.
I have also done a little caving in the far north of Thailand around Chang Rai. Tham Luang (Queen Cave?) was massive inside and a very long system too.

If you end up anywhere near western Eurasia and the Caucasus mountains, the worlds deepest cave is located there in a tiny breakaway country called Abkhazia, used to be part of Georgia. The Krubera cave currently just over 2k deep. I have read some reports of trips in there and it sounds great but to get to the bottom requires a large team and up to 2 weeks expedition caving and a tonne of kit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronya_Cave

The United States has several of the worlds longest caves including the longest by far which is Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, nearly 400 miles of passages. Tennasee, Alabama and Georgia in the South have a huge abundance of caves. In New Mexico near the Carlsbad Caverns is what is often regarded as the most beautiful cave in the world but also the hardest to get into (near impossible) called Lechaguilla, it has some pretty damn stunning formations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lechaguilla_cave

Anyway as people have said answering this question could easily turn into a long running essay. Good luck with your trip.
Matt
 
mrodoc

mrodoc

Well-known member
I suppose a traverse of the longest cave in the world should be on your list. We did it a couple of years ago whilst on a field trip from the international congress in Texas. I refer of course to Mammoth Cave to Flint Ridge which takes up about 8 miles of caving. No tackle required but you would need a leader and if you think a visit would be one to put on the list then an early approach directly to  http://caveandkarst.wku.edu/ would probably be your best bet. You are then not far from major systems in the TAG region (Tennessee Alabama and Georgia).
 
scurve

scurve

Member
Of the exotic places I've been caving, I would suggest that Slovenia and Mulu are unmissable. Getting to Mulu in your van might be a struggle of course.
 
A

amoses

New member
Ewan,

I don't know if I would recommend the American west right now because of white nose.  Many of the caves are closed and to visit the ones that aren't, you'll have to arrange to borrow "clean" gear.

In the east, it's pretty much everywhere it's going to go, so concerns have died down for the most part.  Personally, I consider VA/WV to be the best project caving in the country now and tag to be the best sport caving.  Shoot me a message if you'd like any info, help with arrangements, or potentially a guide on a weekend or two.

If you like the big caver parties,  our national convention will be in WV next July, old timers reunion(worlds biggest caver party) will be in WV the first weekend of sept, and the tag cave in will be in GA the 2nd weekend of Oct.

Aaron :halo:
 
saigontrails

saigontrails

New member
Hi Ewan,
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National park of Vietnam is the world's largest Karst area. More than 300 caves were been found, Son Doong is the world's largest cave but currently closed for special groups only. Tu Lan caves system is awesome, there are more than 5 caves in on area and just open for adventure caving tours
See more here: http://oxalis.com.vn/GL/en/galleries/51/
Ceehrs
 
Joe90

Joe90

Member
There are some great caves and sinkholes out in Oman (North and south), Some you would need to seek ministry permissions for but lots you wouldn't. Also loads of potential for pushing new stuff here! And the weather is great, Caving in shorts and T-shirts can be a nice change.
 
pete_the_caver

pete_the_caver

New member
I know I'm biased but by this time next year Story Pot and Nettlebed should be connected (they're only 20m apart).  this will make a through trip about 1.2km deep
 
A

Amy

New member
Where did you decide to go? :D

You should come here to TAG (TN-AL-GA)...we'll teach you a wholeeeeeee new aspect of vertical....LOOONG rope! Who needs rebelays 'n shit?  :D and you aren't far from Kentucky, where Mammoth Cave resides. Plus you have a contact - ME!
 
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