Notes From the Underground

The caves of Vancouver Island rank among the most significant and spectacular systems in the world.   They have some of the deepest and longest passages found on this continent.  There are about 1000 caves, 239 of which have been thoroughly explored and mapped.  Most are active caves which means that they are still being formed.  They are subject to flash floods and mud slides.  There are vertical shafts within the caves that drop 40 -50 feet into the earth.  Their atmosphere   is damp and cold and the person planning to explore is cautioned to wear warm clothing even on the hottest summer days. These caves have not been developed for tourists.  We are anxious to have them remain natural and unspoiled.  There is no lighting and the floors are slippery and uneven even in those which are deemed to be appropriate for family exploration.  Visitors are warned to wear appropriate foot wear and to bring two sources of light.  You are strongly advised to use the services of some of those guides who offer tours.  They will usually be able to provide you with helmet lights and other equipment that you will require.  A waterproof coverall and rubber boots are what the fashionable North Island spelunker wears in the deeps.

There are caves here that will challenge the experts.   To explore these caves, the visitor must be accomplished as a rock climber.  If you aren't an expert but aspire to become one,   Island Pacific Adventures  offers  lessons in rock climbing and rappelling.   They will then take you into a cave where you can try your skills.  They operate during the summer months out of Horne Lake Provincial Park which is situated just north of Parksville.  The exit is clearly marked on the highway. Island Pacific Adventures offers a full package of tours there.  The other major karst formations mid-island are situated in the Cowichan Valley .  See the Hour Glass Cave  and others like it there.

  The largest area of Karst formations are in the North Island.  The Upana Cave Recreation Site is west of Gold River. (About a two hour drive from Campbell River.)  The caves here are carved through marble and include single room caves as well as mazes of branching passages. The passage lengths are short and the cave entrances ar large. A tour takes about an hour. This is a friendly introduction to caves for the novice or the family with children. These caves were those used to film the underground sequences in the T.V. version of Huckleberry Finn and His Friends. You can do a self guided tour in about an hour. For an organized tour call Cave Treks at (250)283-7144

The Artlish Caves Provincial Park which covers about 283 hectares in the north island was formed in February of 1995. The "park" has been created to protect the fragile ecosystems of the limestone caves in the area. There are no amenities for people. The caves are accessed by following logging roads west from Port McNeil. To reach the Black Hole and the Artlish Cave, you then follow elk trails through one of the few remaining patches of old growth forest in the area.

The Rear Entrance of the Black Hole

The Artlish River Cave is an active cave with a river running through it. This cave has a very large entrance and is easier to explore. For guided tours of these caves contact Mountain Line Tours at (250)956-4827

For more information on cave tours and guides, contact:

Some Caving Links

An all purpose page on Canadian caving. This page includes recommended equipment and a full description of the perils and joys. Be sure to check their photo album.
Canadian Underground is an organization that gives tours and lessons. Their page contains a lot of useful information whether or not you decide to take them up on any of their offers.
This is my neighbours REAL caving page.


 

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