Aven Armond, French cave

[Old Crank]

Sorry not for wine. These are from the cave at Aven Armond. Quite spectacular. the first person to see the cave, and survive, was lowered in on a rope with the only light being hand carried. That must have been fun. Photos hand held, flash not allowed, and braced against what ever. Shows also the limitations of the cheap scanner.





hmm bacon

[Callalily]

1. Crazy as it sounds, I love exploring caves.

What a great experience to see this cave at Aven Armond.

[yellowdogintexas]

2. I loved it too! (when I was younger and in better shape)

My knees would start yelling at me if I tried it at my age!! Now I have to limit myself to tourist caves - I still love being underground! (Even tight spaces)

My husband and I met at a Cave Research Foundation Expedition at Mammoth Cave National Park. We were regular participants until we moved to Texas so it's a part of our history. (Fun fact: CRF (is the only group mapping the system there which is now 412 miles)

Whenever we are traveling, we will visit any tourist cave we find.

[Old Crank]

4. This is a tourist cave.

But very large. A few years later we did another bike tour and ended up at 4 different caves including Lascaux II.
Grand Roc, Le Roque St. Christophe, and Font de Gaume and Goufre de Padirac (this one is huge. Boat ride inside it to the major caves)

When we went on teh bike tour we didn't realize just how many caves we could see.

I've also been to the cave on Crete that is alleged to be the birthplace of Zeus.

[alfredo]

10. I loved Squire Boone Cave before it became a tourist cave.

It has a lot of good travertine. It's a pretty little cave.

[yellowdogintexas]

3. I would love to go to that cave too!! nt

[ShazzieB]

5. What do these look like to you?

When I look at this, I see strips of bacon!

Silliness aside, these are great shots of what looks like an amazing cave with some very unusual formations. I've visited quite a few caves (all in the U.S., fwiw) and never saw anything like this or the fascinating and intricate structures in the other photos.

[Old Crank]

6. Just above the photo

I wrote. Hmmm bacon.
I think the guides called it as such also but 15 years is a long time to remember that. I haven't made it into ant US caves. Would like to go but I think that i heard a while ago that there were problems with too many people at the cave in AZ. Disruption of the natural environment.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. depends on the cave you are thinking of. Karchner Caverns on I-10 east of Tucson

has not been over utilized. In fact, the two cavers who discovered it went straight to the landowner, told him what they found and the potential for development both good and bad. He decided to work with the state to create a state park. He and the state gov't along with the original guys who discovered it spent about 5 years getting it in the park system and preparing it for tourists. No One Knew about this cave outside of this tight group and believe me it is hard to keep secrets in the caving community.

So it has only been in operation about 15 years. The entrance is double walled with an air lock between. Also you have to disinfect your shoes going in to prevent spread of White Nose Fungus to the bats. It is beautifully lit, and well managed.

On the other hand, another cave not too far away (Colossal) is essentially dead due to high traffic and less than optimal care. It is still a pretty cave it just isn't going to grow any new stuff.

Mammoth Cave is of course heavily toured but with 400 miles of passage, most of it is quite pristine.

We were able to visit Altamira in Spain and it is fabulous! It had been so overtoured that an exact duplicate has been built and that is what you tour, unless you are part of a scientific group doing research. I think it was closed to the public the year after we visited. It was fabulous!!

[Old Crank]

12. That might have been the one I read about.

Good to know they are taking protective measures for the bats.

[yellowdogintexas]

14. Colassal is dry as a bone and very dead. Karchner is still very much a live cave

Pretty much all show caves are doing their utmost to fight white nose. Shoe dips, clean caving clothing and gear for exploration trips - the explorers can't wear anything into the cave that has been worn in another cave unless it has been washed and hosed down.

[yellowdogintexas]

7. very impressive cave bacon!! and it is lit exceptionally well.

One of the most beautiful caves anywhere is Caverns of Sonora in Sonora, Texas

[yellowdogintexas]

9. I wonder if the guides tell the same corny cave guide jokes in French?

I have probably toured 30 caves and I am convinced the guides have a corny joke book just for caves. I hear the exact same jokes everywhere.

[Old Crank]

11. THey may

But my french isn't good enough.
Many also like to turn off the lights to show you that it is really dark in a cave....
I wouldn't have guessed wtih out the demonstration.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. oh total darkness is absolutely a requirement on every cave tour!

I don't think I have ever been on a cave tour without the total darkness!!!