Such beautiful pure calcite in the ceiling and floor. And cut so exact, as if by man... but it is the works of chemistry and water.
Full story
Alternate link
August 2020, Hiidenkellari, Vihti, Finland; Kololuolanen 1, Isonniitunmäki, Vihti, Finland; Kololuolanen 2, Isonniitunmäki, Vihti, Finland; Hylätty kellari, Isonniitunmäki, Vihti, Finland
Caving (Rock, Basic, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst); Caving (Rock, Basic, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders); Urban-Exploration (Buildings, Ruins)
Inspired by Ralf's observation of cave-like names in the countryside, I searched for more caves from the Finnish map databases, and came up with some more placed called "Luolamäki" or cave hill. This time near Nummi-Pusula, Lohja, and Vihti. Jarmo, Ralf, and me set out to explore... with no prior knowledge of any caves in this area reported anywhere. Not in the book of Finnish caves, not in Retkipaikka, nowhere.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Kyynärjärven Luolamäen lippaluolanen, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Kyynärjärven Luolamäen pieni lippaluolanen, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Kyynärjärven Luolamäen lohkareen alusluolanen, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Huopinmäen Luolamäen lippaluolanen 1, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Huopinmäen Luolamäen lippa 2, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Huopinmäen Luolamäen lippaluolanen 3, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Huopinmäen Luolamäen lippa 4, Nummi-Pusula, Finland; Huopinmäen Luolamäen kolonen, Nummi-Pusula, Finland
Caving (Rock, Basic, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack, Surveying); Caving (Rock, Basic, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders, Surveying); Hiking
While walking to Vuohilampi for a swim (and eating blueberries), I found a small cave in the woods.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Vuohilammen luolanen, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack, Basic)
The new Grottan magazine came in mail. Grottan is the magazine for Sweden's Caver's Association, published I think four times a year.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None, Media)
So, as reported earlier, our caving association went to Rokokallio. Very nice to see people in the middle of the pandemic :-) and be in the nature. We ended up exploring most of the caves in the area. Here are some pictures of them.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Pääluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Hiotun kiven luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Päällysluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Päänuotiopaikan luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Syvä halkeamaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Lippaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack, Morphology-Boulders, Basic)
There are a lot of interesting data sources for searching for new caves. There are databases at the national geology research institute [1, 2, 3]. There are reports and books of boulder fields [4,5]. There are websites [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. Old newspaper keyword searches [11]. And regular maps [12]. But in addition, there are also names of places. Ralf had found the names Luolaniittu (cave field, on a small hill) and Luolassuo (cave swamp, an actual swamp) in Paimio. I have to say we felt pretty silly standing in the swamp with all our caving gear.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Kukonharjanmäen kivenalusluolanen 1, Kukonharjanmäki, Paimio, Finland; Kukonharjanmäen kivenalusluolanen 2, Kukonharjanmäki, Paimio, Finland; Kukonharjanmäen kivenalusluolanen 3, Kukonharjanmäki, Paimio, Finland; Kukonharjanmäen lippaluolanen, Kukonharjanmäki, Paimio, Finland; Kukonharjanmäen kallionalusluolanen, Kukonharjanmäki, Paimio, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders, Basic, Surveying, Researching)
On my way to swimming in Myllyjärvi, I noticed a bouldering cliff, with an overhang. Quite a spectacular roof cave, maybe 35 meters long and 4-5 meters deep.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Myllyjärven lippaluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Basic)
My swim at the Träskbyträsket yielded an unexpected benefit: a boulder cave. A huge piece of rock standing on four other rocks, as if by design.
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Träskbyträsketin lohkareluola, Långvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders)
Tomorrow I'm going for a caver's association meeting in Rokokallio, Vihti. I've been there before. Actually several times, and I have an unfinished mapping project to complete...
Full story
Alternate link
July 2020, Pääluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Hiotun kiven luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Päällysluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Päänuotiopaikan luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kallionkololuola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kivenalusluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Syvä halkeamaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Toinen nuotiopaikan luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kivenalusluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Halkeamaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kahden kolon luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Lippaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack, Morphology-Boulders, Basic)
As I was driving back from Ylläs, I came across an odd sign about Pakasaivo, which translates roughly to "Frozen Brain". What was it? I had to stop and look it up. Soon I was driving the tiny 11-kilometer road to go see it.
Full story
Alternate link
June 2020, Pakasaivon pieni kivenkolo, Pakasaivo, Muonio, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders, Basic); Hiking
Onkalonperä means "the backside of a hole". Fortunately, not "hole in the backside"! I saw this as I was driving towards Ylläs. I don't know anything about it, but are there are any holes or caves in that village? Maybe worth investigating...
Full story
Alternate link
June 2020, Onkalonperän risteys, Simo, Finland
Caving (None)
Yay, a delivery! I got the third book in the series of cave, canyon, and boulder books from Tuomo Kesäläinen and Aimo Kejonen! Very excited to read this as well!
Full story
Alternate link
June 2020, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None, Media, Research)
My earlier post was about data sources for finding new caves. I've now been reading the Suomen Lohkareet (the book of boulders in Finland) book, and it is great.
Full story
Alternate link
June 2020, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None, Research)
I'm looking for caves... not for bears. But heard some growling and saw some big piles of sh*t, so decided to do a roundabout tour to return to the car.
Full story
Alternate link
May 2020, Ryömittävä lippaluola, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland; Kololuolanen, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland; Korkea lippaluola, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland; Pieni kulmalippaluolanen, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland; Pieni lippaluolanen 1, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland; Pieni lippaluolanen 2, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack, Basic); Hiking
Tiny cavelets on my evening walk again.
Full story
Alternate link
May 2020, Högabergetin siirtolohkare, Espoo, Finland; Högabergetin lohkareluolanen, Espoo, Finland; Högabergetin kalliolippaluolanen, Espoo, Finland
Hiking; Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders, Basic); Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Basic)
Today's exercise was an excursion to Kattilajärvi, which was reported to have interesting cliffs. There were a couple of small caves and two interesting roof caves.
Full story
Alternate link
May 2020, Kattilajärven iso lippaluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven kallion lippaluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven kalliokolo, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven pieni lippaluola 1, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven pieni lippaluola 2, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven pieni lippaluola 3, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Basic)