Friday, August 1, 2008

Barra Honda Cave Ladder

This cave entrance is made accessible by a metal ladder that leads from a hole in the roof straight down 52 m. (175 ft.). (To see it, you may need to click on the photo to enlarge it. Another view is below.)
In observance of the worldwide Daily Photo August 1 Theme Day of "metal," I am showing the metal ladder that the Costa Rican park service has constructed to enable visitors to climb in and out of this cave in Barra Honda National Park. Visitors may climb down and explore the cave while escorted by a guide. Another park employee stays above ground with a rope (visible in the above photo) and pulleys that are attached to a harness that visitors must wear while climbing up or down the ladder to prevent a fall if someone slips.

Half of the 40 caves in Barra Honda National Park are still unexplored. What is it like to climb down the ladder and what is there to see inside the cave? You will need to check the photos that I will post during the next several days.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in the Daily Photo theme day
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9 comments:

  1. JillyAugust 1, 2008 at 4:03 AM

    My goodness, that's original. Nice choice and be fun to clamber down there. Look forward to posts over the next days to show us the joys of the caves.

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  2. IsadoraAugust 1, 2008 at 10:10 AM

    Would love to visit Costa Rica - BUT, you would never catch me in a cave. :) The photo is very good and clever idea getting people informed of the offerings.

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  3. USelaineAugust 1, 2008 at 10:26 AM

    I'm getting to the age where I like seeing the pictures other people show of places like this. In this case, what goes down, must come up! A very creative idea for the theme.

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  4. glendaAugust 1, 2008 at 11:03 AM

    You've got to be kidding. I will have to take your word for what sights and sounds you experienced in this cave. But I'm looking forward to see whats inside.

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  5. slimAugust 1, 2008 at 12:31 PM

    I have done some spelunking in the Mammoth Caves of Kentucky but it was the easy tourist climbing type of tour. I would be happy to have a harness on here. Great choice for theme day in your part of the world.

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  6. Janet KincaidAugust 1, 2008 at 1:24 PM

    Great photo! I think I'll stay up top, though, and belay rope.

    Happy Theme Day!

    Janet

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  7. Steve BuserAugust 1, 2008 at 3:19 PM

    Wow. I can't wait to see more. Seems a pretty primitive cave exploration, unlike the US commercialized ones.

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  8. Jane Hards PhotographyAugust 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM

    Better to view form this side of the pc. Great choice though.


    I will send you a link of a wildlife and conservation area in the UK that may interest you. You will certainly be able to exchange ideas.

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  9. rcAugust 1, 2008 at 8:25 PM

    nice pictures

    the theme day became a great excuse to explore the caves..

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