zimeon - McFails beyond the Asia Dome

A few snaps from our 2003-08-23 breakthrough from the Asia Dome in McFails cave to new passage beyond. See also return trips on 2003-09-13 and 2004-10-09 to survey further. These were long and cold trips.

2003-08-23 trip

Jim before the lie back

Jim just before the construction in the “lie back”.

Jim makes progress through the "lie back"

Jim makes progress through the “lie back” having made it past the constriction.

Jim through "lie back"

Jim relaxes on the gravel back having made it through the “lie back” connection from Asia dome to the new discoveries in McFails. The second person ever to lay on that gravel bank.

Peter's first attempt at the "lie back"

Peter’s first attempt at the “lie back” connection from Asia dome to the new discoveries in McFails.

Peter's second attempt at the "lie back"

Peter’s second attempt at the “lie back”.

Jim in "N Korea"

Jim in “N Korea” – somewhere past the Asia dome and somewhat unstable. The is a breakdown chamber up W of the main streamway (at station 5Y), estimated size 30’ by 50’.

Jim surveying

Jim sights azimuth from station 5Y (PY5), the last station of the day.

Jim and helictities

A rather foggy picture of Jim next to a wall of helictites (E wall just past station 5Y).

2003-09-13 trip

Jim and David at NW dome

Jim and David (shirtless, whooa!) take a break, eat and change into extra wetsuit tops in the NW dome before tackling the way on to the Asia dome. The tent in the background was left as a rewarming tent from the 1990 survey to the Asai dome.

Helictites near "N Korea"

Close-up of helictites near “N Korea” (E wall just N of station 5Y).

Wall of helictites near "N Korea"

Wall of helictites near “N Korea” (E wall just N of station 5Y).

Helictites near "N Korea"

David admires helictites near “N Korea” (E wall just N of station 5Y).

Jim warming

Jim warms one hand over the sterno while drinking a hot orange drink. Warming up after a couple of hours surveying and a few thorough soakings (in the bering sea, the baffin ear dip and the lie back connection). Near “N Korea” (station 5Y).

Stomping passage

David (closer) and Jim heading back along the “stomping” passage after. (Taken from around station YC26, station YC25 is on the wall obscured by David.)

Mud formations

Mud formations.

Hornets nest formation

The “hornets nest” formation (W side of passage; station YC23 on mud bank below the formation).

2004-10-09 trip

David surveying

David surveying in the extensions past the Asia dome in McFail’s cave (station YE1).

Jim surveying

Jim surveying in the extensions past the Asia dome in McFail’s cave (station YE2).

All photographs by and copyright of Simeon Warner unless otherwise noted. Page orginally created 2006-10-05