INTO DARKNESS
Title: Into Darkness
Running Time: 15 minutes
Director of photography: John Waller
An Uncage the Soul Production
Even for the most experienced of cavers, each descent into darkness brings with it the fear and excitement of the unknown. Fighting apprehension and leaving the open air behind them, this film tracks a group of young cavers as they push and pull themselves through a claustrophobic underground maze.
A complex network of naturally formed tunnels, the cavers must negotiate their way through tiny gaps with the rock pressing against every surface of their bodies. With the possibility of becoming trapped always playing on the mind, their increasing heart rate beating against the rock serves as an early warning system to fight the inevitable panic. However, after hours of crawling, scraping and hauling, the caves open up to reveal the spectacular, glistening wonders that lie below.
For these cavers, the caves are not just routes to be explored; they are living, breathing creatures. It is almost impossible to tame them. As the boys explain, one man’s mapped out description of a cave could be entirely different to the one you discover. The cavers must wriggle themselves through seemingly impossible gaps – sometimes having to admit defeat and turn back – with each tunnel more difficult for some than others. Contorting and twisting their bodies, you’ll be holding your breath as they inch their way through.
Secrecy is essential for the preservation of these time-old formations. Suddenly, as the tiny tunnels open up to reveal vast spaces filled with intricate rocky formations, it’s easy to see why many are so passionate about the caves’ protection. The sweaty, muddy hardship of scrambling through the rock brings a breath-taking reward – and this film is a beautiful reminder not to spoil the wonders we discover.
Harrowing stories of past fatalities never leave these men, but their love for their sport spurs them on. The caves might keep pulling them back, but they still enjoy the relief that comes with each return above ground.
Did you know?
It takes around 100,000 years of water dripping and flowing through a crack in the rock for the gap to widen enough to hold a human – it takes millions of years for a complete cave to form.
The deepest known cave is the Krubera cave in Abkhazia, Georgia – it is 2,080m deep, just under a quarter of the height of Mount Everest!
Records:
In October 2004, an international team of cavers reached the record-breaking depth of 2,080m exploring the Krubera cave. Although this is deepest any caver has been, South African gold miners regularly reach depths of 3,400m!
A complex network of naturally formed tunnels, the cavers must negotiate their way through tiny gaps with the rock pressing against every surface of their bodies. With the possibility of becoming trapped always playing on the mind, their increasing heart rate beating against the rock serves as an early warning system to fight the inevitable panic. However, after hours of crawling, scraping and hauling, the caves open up to reveal the spectacular, glistening wonders that lie below.
For these cavers, the caves are not just routes to be explored; they are living, breathing creatures. It is almost impossible to tame them. As the boys explain, one man’s mapped out description of a cave could be entirely different to the one you discover. The cavers must wriggle themselves through seemingly impossible gaps – sometimes having to admit defeat and turn back – with each tunnel more difficult for some than others. Contorting and twisting their bodies, you’ll be holding your breath as they inch their way through.
Secrecy is essential for the preservation of these time-old formations. Suddenly, as the tiny tunnels open up to reveal vast spaces filled with intricate rocky formations, it’s easy to see why many are so passionate about the caves’ protection. The sweaty, muddy hardship of scrambling through the rock brings a breath-taking reward – and this film is a beautiful reminder not to spoil the wonders we discover.
Harrowing stories of past fatalities never leave these men, but their love for their sport spurs them on. The caves might keep pulling them back, but they still enjoy the relief that comes with each return above ground.
Did you know?
It takes around 100,000 years of water dripping and flowing through a crack in the rock for the gap to widen enough to hold a human – it takes millions of years for a complete cave to form.
The deepest known cave is the Krubera cave in Abkhazia, Georgia – it is 2,080m deep, just under a quarter of the height of Mount Everest!
Records:
In October 2004, an international team of cavers reached the record-breaking depth of 2,080m exploring the Krubera cave. Although this is deepest any caver has been, South African gold miners regularly reach depths of 3,400m!
