• CCT

  Q: What were your initial feelings when you booked the tour?

• TIM

  I was extremely excited when Whit told me she’d booked the tour for us! I found out about the cave in March on Facebook and immediately texted her, telling her I wanted to do it.

• Whitney

  I was really excited, and I was even more excited to tell Tim. Tim works away for long periods of time, so having him back home and being able to spend the day adventuring was the perfect surprise. Plus, I knew he’d calm me down if I was being irrational at any point, or if the cave got the better of me.

• CCT

  Q: What were your expectations before starting the tour?

• TIM

  I expected to get dirty, but I had this image in my head that the cave would be really open and that I would be able to stand for most of it. I also didn’t expect to get a lesson in archeology and geology. I’m a geologist, so it was awesome nerding out on the hike and inside the cave!

• Whitney

  I expected to be cool and chill about the entire experience. I was even on record saying that I thought climbing a mountain was more intimidating than caving, and I was wrong. I was forewarned that the cave is wild, which means, no guardrails, no large walkways etc. But I wasn’t expecting my fear of heights to meet my fear of small spaces - all in the dark. If I’m making this sound extreme, it was surely more so for me than it was for other people in our group.

• CCT

  Q: Had you been caving before?

• TIM

  I’ve been caving in Guatemala and Belize. But there is so much more rainfall in there, so the caves are really open. One essentially had a river running through it. Safety wasn’t as much of a factor, we literally swam through rivers holding our only light, a candle, above our heads. No harnesses, no coveralls, no helmets. Just a candle and some water shoes.

• Whitney

  I’d explored some “caves” when I was a kid, but in comparison they were more just like holes in the ground. This was totally new to me, but as someone who has been working hard to continually push their comfort zone I was keen to test my limits.

• CCT

  Q: What was the most challenging part of the day?

• TIM

  The squeezes were the most challenging part of the day. I didn’t know I could contort my body like that! It was the only time I was actually uncomfortable. I wasn’t aware that I, too, could get a little claustrophobic, but I still had a huge smile on my face the whole time.

• Whitney

  The most challenging part of the day for me was the rappel. I’ve done some outdoor climbing before (and when I say some, I mean once or twice) and had to rappel. I thought that would prepare me for doing it in a cave. Tim being the more experienced caver than I (again once or twice), he went first. When Sarah, our guide, turned to me and asked if I was ready, I must have been as white as a ghost and replied: “not at all.” But I wasn’t about to be the one holding up the entire group, so I mustered my courage and went on my way.

  I’ve recently learned that if you give me something to focus on while I’m internally (and probably externally) freaking out, I get distracted. And that’s what happened, I was so focused on keeping my rope lined up that I was at the bottom before I knew it and Tim was there to unclip me. Much less scary than I thought. Sarah also reassured me that I was on a backup line, so if I happened so slip or lose my footing, she’d catch me.

  By this time, another caver, Michelle and I had bonded over our fear. From that point on, we ended up leading the group right behind our guide Sarah. Cheering each other on through the laundry chute and our group-voted, all-lights-out crawl, we made it through and were laughing at ourselves by the end.

• CCT

  Q: Was there anything that surprised you about the cave or your ability to cave?

• TIM

  I was surprised about how tight some of the passages were! The squeeze into “The Closet” tested my comfort zone, but it was worth it just to say I did a squeeze within a fault. That’s when a rock fractures into two units and they slip past each other, sometimes causing a gap between them. So, for a rock nerd like me, it was well worth it to test my limits and squeeze myself into one.

• Whitney

  I was most surprised by my ability to trust the system. If you ask anyone I know, I’m always the first person to ask “why,” but the guides are so confident and passionate about what they do, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in it with them. Sarah always asked what we were comfortable with and for the most part there was an alternate route if you felt like you’d pushed your boundaries too far. To my surprise, I almost always took the more difficult route. After all, I also don’t like to feel like I can’t do something.

• CCT

  Q: What was your favourite part of the tour and why?

• TIM

  The rappel was my favourite part! I went first, so I had no lights below me to help guide the way. It was just a really cool feeling falling into the dark abyss.

• Whitney

  My favourite part of the tour was when we all decided to turn our headlamps out. The lamps are bright enough to light up that area of the cave you’re in, but when the entire group turns them out, you’re in complete darkness.

  Following Sarah’s instruction, we followed one-by-one, calling out protruding rocks, slight turns, and even when to flip from your knees to your bum to descend. When we turned our lamps back on, I couldn’t believe the distance we had travelled and where we ended up - I won’t tell you where and ruin the surprise though.

  It was also neat to see my partner in his element. As a geologist, he and Sarah, who also just happens to be a geo, were geeking out over rock formations and fossil finds. I signed up for an adventure and didn’t realize that I’d be learning so much about how the Rocky Mountains, and the cave specifically, were formed. It was pretty neat!

• CCT

  Q: Would you describe each other as adventurous?

• TIM

  I’d say we are both quite adventurous. Whit might be a little hesitant to start, but it doesn’t take much to have her jump right in and laugh her way through each challenge. I, on the other hand, might be a little overconfident in my abilities. We balance each other out.

• Whitney

  For sure! Tim and I spent our first date hiking Grotto, which actually happens to be the mountain that the cave is in. It was serendipitous that we got to share this experience together as well.

  Tim spends his summers prospecting uncharted territory in the north, so hiking mountains with me doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Me on the other hand, I’m pushing myself more and more every day. From a woman who had never hiked a day in her life to completing backcountry trips and now the cave, I’m proud of myself for continually looking for new ways to grow and challenge myself.

• CCT

  Q: Would you cave with each other again? Be honest.

• TIM

  I’d cave with Whit again in a heartbeat! She did great and came out with a huge smile on her face. Also, it’s pretty great to have my own personal photographer to adventure with. Halloween in Rat’s Nest with her is on my bucket list now!

• Whitney

  Absolutely! I can’t be sure that Tim will have the same answer though…

  It was such a cool experience to share together. It has definitely taught us more about each other when we’re (but really me) pushed to face our fears. I didn’t realize going in how I’d react to things like the rappel and having someone supportive and patient by your side certainly helped.

• CCT

  Q: Any other thoughts?

• Whitney

  Of course, I need to have the last word.

  As someone who was so confident going in, it was refreshing to be checked by my emotions. I was so sure that I would whip through the cave without pause but learning that not everything goes to plan and sometimes we are surprised by our fears was all a part of the process. Coming out the exit, which just also happens to be the entrance, felt full circle. Literally and metaphorically. I forgot all of my moments of doubt and felt so accomplished. I can’t wait for our next adventure together!

The Science Behind the Scenes

Record-Holders and Marvels Worldwide

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  World's Longest Stalactite: Gruta do Janelão, Brazil

  Gruta do Janelão, located within the sprawling limestone landscape of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is famed for its extensive network of chambers and tunnels, part of the Peruaçu River Caves complex. This cave system is celebrated not only for its biodiversity and archaeological significance but also for housing the world's longest stalactite, measuring an extraordinary 28 meters.
• 

  Son Doong Cave's Stalagmites

  The Son Doong Cave in Vietnam, known as the largest cave passage in the world, houses an equally impressive collection of stalagmites. Some of these towering structures reach heights of over 70 meters, making them some of the tallest known stalagmites on Earth. The cave's unique climate and the sheer volume of calcite-rich water flowing through it have contributed to the growth of these monumental formations.
• 

  Cave Pearls: Gruta de las Canicas, Mexico

  Gruta de las Canicas, located in Tabasco, Mexico, is renowned for its extraordinary accumulation of cave pearls. These unique geological formations, found in one of the cave's many chambers, number in the millions, creating a surreal landscape that resembles a star-studded sky resting on the cave floor. Cave pearls form when dripping water, rich in minerals, continuously rotates small particles or grains of sand within a pool, gradually coating them in layers of calcite. Over time, these rotations polish the pearls to a smooth, lustrous finish. The sheer quantity and density of cave pearls in Gruta de las Canicas are unparalleled, making it a significant site for both geologists and speleologists.

Unique Formations

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  Helictites

  Helictites are an enigmatic variety of speleothem that defy gravity by growing in curving, twisting forms that can appear to go in any direction. Unlike stalactites that hang due to the force of gravity, helictites are believed to grow due to a combination of capillary action, air currents, and the slight variation in mineral saturation, creating delicate and often bizarre shapes that seem to sprout whimsically from cave walls and ceilings. The Jenolan Caves in Australia and the Timpanogos Cave in the United States are famous for their stunning displays of helictites.
• 

  Flowstones

  Flowstones are formed by the slow movement of water over broad areas of the cave floor or walls, depositing sheets of calcite that resemble frozen waterfalls or draperies. These formations come in a range of colors, depending on the minerals present in the water, creating a spectacular natural tapestry. The vibrant red and yellow flowstones of Spain’s Cueva de los Verdes are particularly breathtaking, showcasing the vivid palette that nature can produce underground.
• 

  Rimstone Pools

  Also known as gours, rimstone pools are created by dam-like structures of calcite that form around small pools of water, often in a terraced arrangement. These pools can create stunning visual effects, with clear, tranquil water trapped in a series of natural basins. The Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area in China features some of the world’s most picturesque examples of rimstone pools, their bright blue waters contrasting beautifully against the creamy calcite dams.
• 

  Soda Straws

  Soda straws are thin, tubular speleothems that hang from the ceiling, formed as water drips slowly through a calcite tube. Some of the longest soda straws can reach lengths of several meters, hanging delicately from cave ceilings like strands of spaghetti. The presence of these formations is often a sign of an active, healthy cave environment. Western Australia’s Lake Cave is renowned for its display of soda straws, some of which measure over 6 meters in length.
• 

  Boxwork

  Boxwork is a rare and peculiar formation consisting of thin blades of calcite that project from cave walls and ceilings, forming a honeycomb-like pattern. It is believed that boxwork forms from pre-existing cracks in the rock that are filled with calcite, which is then exposed as the surrounding limestone dissolves away. Wind Cave in South Dakota, USA, contains some of the most extensive and intricate boxwork formations known.

Human Interaction and Conservation

The Yorkshire Pot Expedition

A Pre-Trip Q&A with Project Lead Brent Arnold

Q&A With Brent: September 11, 2024

3 Days Until the Expedition Begins

	Can you tell us a bit about Yorkshire Pot?
	The Yorkshire Pot Cave System was discovered in 1969 and is located down in the Crownest Pass, on the Andy Good Plateau. As of right now, it is Canada’s 9th deepest cave and 3rd longest. It is just over the 14km long range now, with 395 meters depth. Right now, there are 9 known entrances to the cave system

How do you get to the cave and how long does it take?

The cave is situated almost directly on the Alberta/British Columbia border. There are two main ways to access the cave; one from the Alberta side and one from the BC side. The Alberta side, with a camping bag takes around 4 to 4.5 hours to hike. From the BC side, it takes maybe 2-3 hours to hike. Both routes have close to 1000 meters elevation gain. We will be helicoptering most our gear up to the main camp site this time, so we will most likely just have a day bag with food, water and essentials with us on the hike up.

What makes it interesting from an exploration perspective?

The cave was orignially explored in the 1960's by a group from McMaster University, and has seen multiple efforts since then with many other caves in the area ultimately connected to Yorkshire Pot. Despite all of this work there are still lots of unexplored passageways within this cave and it is already an exceptionally long system. Not only do we have the opportunity to extend what is already a long and deep cave, but there potential to find new formations, entrances and even life in the cave.

	How long have you been planning and preparing for this trip?
	I have been thinking about this project now for about 6 years. I organized the inital trip in September, 2022 with support from members of the Alberta Speleological Society. For the 2024 expedition, I started planning back in February.

What are the main objectives of the expedition?

The first and foremost is just to allow people to explore a beautiful cave system. The actual objectives of the expedition are to survey and map as much as possible. The primary focus being on an area called the Horror Show, as well as the lower reaches of the section of cave below the Horror Show, going down into Alberta Avenue where there are a few low passages that seem to be avoided and haven’t really been mapped. Another big focus is also to connect a cave called Little Moscow to the main Cave System. Little Moscow would then become the highest entrance way into the Yorkshire Pots Cave System. Depending on how and where it connects, it could potentially add between 50 and 75 meters of depth to the cave.

Planning the Yorkshire Pot Expedition

• 

  Yorkshire Pot Location

  Yorkshire Pot is located on the border between Alberta and British Columbia, just a few kilometers southwest of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. This area, known as the Andy Goode Plateau, is one of the premiere caving destinations in Canada, and is home to other large caves including the famous Gargantua.

  View Image

• 

  Expedition Members Hiking To Yorkshire Pot

  The approach to Yorkshire Pot is not particularly far, but there is a lot of elevation to gain and a lot of heavy equipment to bring. Luckily the 2024 expedition will have helicopter support to carry much of the heavier gear, but team members will still have to make the hike by foot.

  Photo Credit: The 2022 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

• 

  Equipment Preparation For Yorkshire Pot

  Yorkshire Pot is a long, deep cave that requires serious techincal skills to navigate. Even a day trip requires thorough planning and preparation, but planning to spend a week in the cave is trip prep at another level. Where will you sleep? What will you eat? How will you stay warm and dry in a cave that is wet and around 3°C year-round? Now multiply this by 14 people and your equipment pile gets really big!

  Photo Credit: The 2024 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

• 

  Food Preparation For Yorkshire Pot

  You get hungry when caving. Really hungry. The Yorkshire Pot team will need to carry camp and equipment bags through the cave that will average 15-20kgs each. That might not seem like much on the surface, but imagine climbing a 300m ladder with 20kgs hanging beneath you, or squeezing under your bed dragging a heavy bag. They're going to need every calorie they can find to keep their energy up, so meal planning is a big part of the expedition process. The challenge is finding calorie-desnse food that is light, durable and easy to pack, so much of what they bring will be dehydrated foods. Water is relatively availabe in the cave so meal time will generally consist of adding water and heating over a stove. This style of food has the added benefit of keeping the cavers warm as well.

  Photo Credit: The 2024 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

• 

  Yorkshire Pot Maps For Expedition Team

  When planning an expeidtion like this there are a lot of tiny details to consider. For example, a team leader needs to make sure that everyone on the team has the ability to safely navigate through the cave. The team will likely be broken into smaller survey teams to be the most efficient with their time so they will need to make sure every has and can properly read a map of the cave. The last thing they will want to do is have to go looking for a lost caver!

  Photo Credit: The 2024 Yorkshire Pot Expedition

How big is your team and what do you look for in team members in terms of personalities, skill sets, etc?

Altogether there are going to be 14 people up at the cave, at different periods of time. There are 9 people that we can call the core team, that will be up there most of the time. As far as things that I am looking for, they need to be a competent caver, with experience in surveying and mapping. It is also helpful if these people understand how to put bolts into walls and how to rig ropes. I am also looking for people who can meld together in a group.

How long is the expedition?

The current plan is for an expedition that is about a week in length. There will be a day of travel on either end, so that gives us about 6 days at and in the cave. This is of course subject to weather. At this time of the year the Andy Goode plateau can get snow, although we are expecting that to be a big concern. But once possible challenge will be if the helicopter can't fly for some reason. There is a lot of equipment to move up to the cave so we will have to decide whether we haul it ourselves or wait out the weather and hope the helicopter can fly.

Can you tell us a bit about the camping set up for the trip? And what about access to water?

We will have two camps set up. Base camp will be located just outside of Mendips Cave, which is one of the main entrance ways into the Yorkshire Pot Cave System. In 2022 we created a camping area up there, so there will be tarps set up and we will be flying up gear and a big five-person tent as well as other tents. For those staying in basecamp, there is water in Mendips Cave but it requires about 150-175 meters of caving to get there. They will then have to fill up their empty water jugs and haul them back out of the cave to the surface. For inside of the cave, it is either going to be just one major camping area in the Chocolate Chamber or possibly a second area down in a chamber called the Horror Show. It will just depend on how many people we can get together in the Chocolate Chamber. We have around 9 camping set ups to bring down. A few set ups will be sleeping bags and Therma Rests while 6 of them consist of hammocks. We will either use bolts or pitons to hang those on the walls. The water inside the cave is all dripping from the walls and we will have collapsible buckets that we will put underneath the drips. Those will act like a reservoir, and we will use those to fill up bottles which will then be carried in a backpack back to the camp. The water source is not right next to the camp, so we will have to repel down to the water and climb back up to camp.

Ok, you said that you have to bring the camping set-ups DOWN into the cave. How far down are we talking? Do you have to repel to get there?

Yeah. The Chocolate Chamber is just around the 200-meter mark below the entrance of the cave. And yes, you have to repel many pitches of rope work. The biggest repel is a 40 meter repel, but there is also a 28, 17, 15, 10, 7 meter repel and a few little down climbs in between some of these. The entrance down is basically just repelling mixed with a little bit of horizontal passageway. Then everything after the chocolate chamber becomes a bit more horizontal.

	And how long would it take to get down there?
	For me, with an average weighted pack, it would take me about an hour to get down from the entrance to the Chocolate Chamber. Of course, everyone’s skills and comfort levels on the ropes are different, so it will be different for everyone coming down.

The Yorkshire Pot Map

• The Chocolate Chamber

  This is likely where the team will establish their in-cave camp.

• Mendips Entrance

  In 2022 the team established a surface camp here. Team members will rotate from here, into the cave, and back as the project progresses.

• The Horror Show

  This is one of the main areas of focus for this trip. The Horror Show area contains many unexplored passages meaning lots of potential for new discoveries.

• Main Cave Entrance

  This is the original, and most common entrance to the system. From here, cavers will need to descend ~200m to reach the Chocolate Chamber where they will establish camp. This includes a lot of vertical caving - descending vertical shafts on rope, often free-hanging, with cave bags hanging below them.

	What are you most looking forward to on this expedition?
	I genuinely just love going into places that aren’t very understood or documented, or environments that are new and challenging. I’m really drawn towards those. So, I think I am most excited for the challenge of finding some of these new locations and trying to create a usable survey and map for other people to be able to go into these places in the future.

	Given your objectives, what does success look like for you this week?
	Well, everyone coming out of the cave safe, and being able to go home safe, that is first and foremost. I would also love, over the course of the time, if we could have 500 meters to a 1km of the cave mapped. I would be ecstatic about that. And maybe… a connection to Little Moscow. That would be the cherry on top!