17 OCTOBER 2006

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A big coach turned up at the hotel to take us to the showcave entrance of Teng Long Dong. We got only as far as the town's cigarette factory before it became apparent that a rope would be needed to negotiate our intended destination in the cave. The bus about-turned to the hotel and we hastily grabbed our SRT (Single Rope Technique) equipment, ropes and slings. Today, we had a full compliment of cavers including several members of the adventure club and cameramen. As usual, some of these were wearing their best shoes and jackets or were carrying clean looking camera bags and equipment at first!


The group cross the suspension bridge from the coach car park at the showcave

We caught the electric carts to the far end of the lit showcave complex and Mr. Hou led us into a left-hand side passage that runs above a tributary and eventually finds the main river passage after about 2km. We had learnt belatedly that a pitch would drop us down into the lower passage we were seeking to follow. The upper fossil passage took a very small stream which closed down after a short way. Bruce climbed up the most obvious way on which in fact was the only way on possible and after a quick look beyond, the chaotic party that followed were encouraged to do the same. This ended at a pitch head with several other possible descents nearby. A suitable spot was chosen and a bolt hole was drilled by hand. We had not yet fully unpacked all our equipment into the hotel store and the surprise pitch had meant that our drill had not been charged beforehand.The rock seemed very hard and the old 'rockpecker' struggled to make progress. Finally after about 35 minutes and after Bruce, Ged and Mr. Hou had each had a turn the required depth for the bolt was reached. Ged descended, re-belaying using a sling thread part way down. The pitch was staggered and this allowed the Chinese cavers to climb down hand over hand. Everyone made the bottom, including all the cameramen.


Ged descends short pitch down to streamway passages

Below, the passage was larger and a stream flowed from an upstream sump pool continuing into the cave along a succession of bedrock pools. There were several nested oxbow passages alongside the river which were compared to our simple map of the cave. No significant new leads were found. Ged and Bruce continued as far as a large continuous canal which may be the 500m swim mentioned by the Belgians. They returned along the passage to collect Eddie who was not too well that day. We somehow walked right past him and were a little worried when we did not find him at our start point. Ged returned to find him.

On our return to the pitch, a translucent fish resembling a very large tadpole was spotted and fished out using Bruce's glove. The Belgians had talked about see these and we were not certain of its true origins.


Sillhouette against lights of the showcave

The whole crew ascended the pitch and returned to the main passage. Some minor rifts were checked out nearby in a passage named "Fairy Passage" as inscribed on a black plaque on the wall. This was still part of the modern showcave. These muddy passages were narrow with the odd junction and did not continue very far. Another tadpole fish was seen but evaded capture in the clouded water.

We travelled back in the electric carts and noticed some fishermen returning from a side passage beside the bridge over the river sink entrance. The passage had been blasted to widen it, and steps led through the twilight down to the river level beyond the rapids. Here we noticed a giant toad swimming against the current. Ged flipped it onto the bank and it sat motionless whilst we photographed it. It must have been six inches in length (unstretched)

We had another meal in the restaurant before returning to the hotel.


Duanrong He - Party Chief, Lichuan Travelling & Exploration Association


Harvey and Tony P had a rest day.