This morning we were up early for a 6:45 leave to head for
the ice cave. These are only safe to
visit during the winter months and our guide told us on the way that there are
only 5 more days where the trip will run for definite, after that the cave is
checked daily before allowing any visitors as the ice has started to melt and
the structure will become unsafe. New
caves are formed each year.
The threatened snow hadn’t really done much where we were
staying, but back at Jokuslarlon where were meeting, it was quite thick. I am so glad we got to see the place
yesterday in the sunshine, the glorious blue of the ice now has a layering of
snow and looks completely different.
Jo, suitable attired as always
Our guide had the most amazing 4x4 truck, which looked like a Tonka
toy and climbing up into it was challenging to say the least. The ride was most definitely off road and
extremely bumpy in places. One of the
best things about these vehicles is that they can inflate/deflate the tyres at
the press of a button in the cab and therefore can cope with all conditions.
We had hoped that we’d be the only ones at this particular
cave but unfortunately when we arrived there were already two other groups of
photographers. The cave was quite under
whelming initially; I’d imaged a huge cavern with probably stalactites and
stalagmites but it was just a cave about 6-8ft tall and the ceiling/walls were
made of ice. With so many people in
there photography was quite challenging, also the light levels were very low so
focussing was an issue and then you needed an exposures of more than 1 minute
to get anything. Once again these are
straight from camera so are pretty poor.
Conditions outside the cave were pretty extreme with the wind whipping the snow all around.
Our guide for the trip was, I think, Snoddy and he was very
obliging and happy to let us stay as long as we wanted and eventually we had
the cave to ourselves for a few minutes before he suggested we move on. By that time he had found out about Dirk’s wilderness
guide credentials and the pair got on like a house on fire. On the drive to the cave we’d spotted a
likely photo opportunity and whilst the rest of us were braving the elements at
another frozen lagoon, Dirk was allowed to take the truck for a spin.
