+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 These are pics from 2014, most notably from Hang Son Doong which is the world's largest cave just recently explored in 2009 but found in 1990. We were blessed to be the first group of tourists to enter the cave after NGC, NHK etc.. 7 days 6 nights in a Cave. Only 225 licenses granted for 2014/2015. This is way deep within Vietnam far from any cities, from Danang it was an 8 hour drive, then a 6 hour walk to camp 1 then we went to bed and walked another 10 hours to get to the cave, by the time we get to the cave it was already the most physically demanding thing we have done and this is after 4 months of training and preparation for it. This area outside of the cave was so rural there were still unexploded ordinance left over from the vietnam war including mines and cluster bombs. 8 travellers, 3 from USA, 2 from sweeden, 3 from Australia. It took 4 days to reach the end of the cave and 3 days to get back with multiple camps we had to setup. Almost died a dozen times. No bath in 7 days, nothing dry in a wet cave... nothing. the biggest threats include falling to your death, poisonous centipedes, foot rot and crotch rot. It took 20 porters to carry our stuff, these men are something else, 90lb sacks on each mans back, these guys weighed no more than 130lbs soaking wet, no climbing gear and wearing slippers over wet surfaces they scaled walls like nothing with a cigarette in their mouth. The very first day driving we had 2 vans, one with 10 the other with 18 porters, the porters van crashed into a giant truck and everyone got hurt, broken bones, cuts, etc.. what a way to start a journey, so the company that has exclusive rights to the adventure travel into this cave went back into town and got another 18 porters in less than 6 hours, these 18 porters made up 10 hours of walking time and caught up to us in a day. I was wondering how they get locals to do such extreme things, well for 7 days work they earn the equivalent of 30 days work, many were young men who would do this once a month and go to school. Our sacks were only 15lbs and we had all the best gear money could buy still struggling, falling, and needing help/breaks the whole way, I can't give enough praise and appreciation to our porters, the next time I think of giving up on anything, I will think of them. shooting photos and video in a cave is not easy, my canon MKIII and lenses took a beating, constantly having to clean it every few hours. the low light was a pain and as you can see the photos look grainy even after editing. I can write for days about this experience, I'll post a video here sometime in the future, these pictures can't describe what it was like, in fact I don't have pictures of the best parts of the caves because one would not want to hold a camera while climbing such sharp rocks. If you need a wild adventure, contact me and I will put you in touch with someone in Vietnam... 5 months later and my toe nails are still falling off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLL33 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Wow, Chris, you're amazing! Again, gorgeous photos -- the place looks like Shangri La. (Unfortunately I've never been able to get over my feelings about 'Nam formed in the '60's...) You're a brave man -- and you must be in incredible shape! Thanks for posting. Will show these pics to some film folk friends of mine. --Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potuna Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Incredible photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted July 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Wow, Chris, you're amazing! Again, gorgeous photos -- the place looks like Shangri La. (Unfortunately I've never been able to get over my feelings about 'Nam formed in the '60's...) You're a brave man -- and you must be in incredible shape! Thanks for posting. Will show these pics to some film folk friends of mine. --Richard Thanks Richard, appreciate it. trying to do all I can while I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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