Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.
-Edgar Allan Poe
I revisit the adventure and possibility of different realities in my mind often, always desiring the surprise and awe of uncovering something you never thought possible in waking life.Early on in the descent of the tunnels, the sparkling walls and iced pathway brought me to that desired awe.Not expecting the level of magic of the alien trek we were on, all of us were giddy with each new turn.
One rappel in particular was quite surreal.Slowly lowering over an iced waterfall, not being able to see the ground below, my feet slid into nothingness.The open air below was overshadowed by what was at eye level; while lowering in the darkness, supported by the single rope in a free hanging rappel, the walls glistened and sparkled with shades of blue, white and brown contrasting the black.The rolling layers of water and mineral were frozen in place but did not seem to have any static character.40ft later my feet touched the cavern’s floor.
The constant trickle of water, initially dominating our ears, faded into our surroundings because of its relentlessness.Open caverns the size of a house lead to hobbit holes that forced us to push our packs and cameras ahead of us because of the tight spaces, walking upright would inevitably turn into 20-meter belly crawls.We were stemming above the underground stream as much as possible to avoid the water but other times were forced to wade through the biting cold water.
We ascended the final rope and squeezed through the last 20 minutes of the tunnel. At the exit cave, the air and daylight was revitalizing.The love and appreciation I carry for the mountains lifted my spirit, skiing and climbing in their lighted bounty throughout my life flashed into memory. We had been 6 hours underground, under the mountains whose beauty and enormity inspire so many people.We ran/walked down the trail back to the van, thrilled in body and mind with the special space we had been surrounded by on this surreal day.
Olaus Linn
September 24th, 2014
This is great man - the ice in that first shot is wild!
dirtmyth
September 26th, 2014
Awesome Olaus, I really appreciate your stoke for the story! Almost didn’t bring the camera and Im glad I did
Jonathan Desabris
September 24th, 2014
Amazing Pictures!
dirtmyth
September 26th, 2014
Thanks Jonathan, Ive enjoyed your work on the TGR site!
SSK
October 15th, 2014
TGR and Zeal Optics have chosen your photo to be featured in the first edition of “Exposure”. Swing over to the Exposure gallery to check out the your photo and the others that have been selected!
dirtmyth
October 15th, 2014
Hell Yes!! More to come gentleman, Dirt Myth is planning some shenanigans