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Such an enticing mystery begged to be
further explored, so we ventured into the dripping
darkness, carefully navigating the slippery rocks. Not well-prepared,
our only source of illumination a single flickering cigarette
lighter.
Inside the cavernous ice a profound sense of
stillness permeated, despite the reverberating chuckle of
water streaming over rocks and the echoing crunch of our boots
on gravel.
It became a test of wills:
how much farther would we go into the icy unknown? How long
would the flame of the lighter last? How stable was the melting
icefield above our heads? Too many questions without good
answers... we turned back, toward daylight and relative safety,
enough thrills for one day.
Next: A Source of Surprise... |
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From the vantage point of the cave,
the icefield below the waterfall looked rather insignificant.
Once we were upon it, it became truly magnificent, the roof
of its gaping maw towering over our heads, and revealing
a system of ice tunnels disappearing into darkness.
  
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