“The statistics of caving accidents show that death is most common as a result of being crushed by falling boulders, becoming inexorably stuck in a narrow place, succumbing to exposure, and from drowning. Severe injury is frequent after a fall, and the result of long periods trapped underground seems to be a marked deterioration in the general condition of the party, but no lasting harm.”
The house | The dinner | Thermal pool | Expedition One | Expedition Two | Charades etc | Movies
Chapter 5: Yarrangobilly Expedition Two
The second expedition was to a cave without the normal lighting and handrails, etc. With our trusty guide, Neil, we embarked on an expedition to Castle Cave, demanding the deployment of specialist caving gear, such as ski gloves, parkas, padded polar fleece helmets, and colour-coordinated accessories.
We began just before dusk, and headed off on a trek along the Yarrangobilly River. What struck many of us was the sense of déjà vu in seeing a recreation of Arthur Streeton's
Fire's on (a magnificent oil painting of a mining accident in the Blue Mountains, painted in 1891).
[click for larger images/more detail]
 The briefing takes place at the ticket hut |
 Preparations for the deep dive ramp up |
 Our official photographer in action |
 Brian's polarfleece crash helmet is colour-matched |
 Pauline also goes for the colour-coordinated look (matching gloves) |
 Ivan opts for a helmet for extra warmth |
 Mike also goes for the colour co-ordinated look |
 Jim runs through the pre-dive checklist |
 A picture of intent concentration: very serious! |
 On the other hand, Necia and Gregg get the joke |
 It was so much brighter above ground |
 But the lighting was magnificent |
 Jim sprinting ahead as the sun sets |
 The trek in takes its toll |
 Neil explaining that the sign is made from wood |
 Again, the lighting was quite magical |
 Does this remind you of a certain painting? |
 Another view (action shot) |
 Nearly there... |
 One final briefing from Neil |
 And we're finally in Castle Cave! |
 100-year old railing against very old rock |
 Spectacular ceiling |
 Could be a painting |
 The lighting was a ... highlight |
 Thank goodness there was room for all of us |
 Craned neck syndrome |
 It's the right way up |
 Not to be named 'wedding cake' |
 The ushers took us to our seats |
 Mango ice cream |
 What happens when you leave the ice cream out of the fridge for too long |
 Incredible crystalline structure |
 From a science fiction movie set, probably |
 Dripping wet (action shot) |
 Ancient chicken wire being slowly absorbed |
The house | The dinner | Thermal pool | Expedition One | Expedition Two | Charades etc | Movies | itrundle.com © May 2009