Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-02-02
ECLIPSE FAMOUS
MAMMOTH CAVE
Vast Chambers In Ross Peak-ExpIoration
Difficult on Account Of Ice.

BY a recent discovery by G. H
Deutschman in Ross Peak, which rears
Its summit above the clouds over
hanging the Selkirk range of the Cana
dian Rockies, the famous Mammoth
Cave of Kentucky may be entirely
eclipsed. Although the investigation
SO far has been entirely superficial,
ecough has been discovered to give rise
TO be belief that the series of caverns
is the most extensive in the world. In
many respects they resemble in natural
from the catacombs of the Romans.
There are known to be four entrances
to these wonderful caves. bnt it has not
yet been ascertained whether or not
they are connected. Thus far only the
entrances have been explored to a dis
ance of 800 or 400 feet Some of the
| chambers appear to be from 100 to $50
feet high and from 6 to ~ feet in
width.
A man from Revelstoke who visited
the caves says that the vast entrances
lead in different directions, but owing
to the formation of ice 1t was irnpOssi-
BILE to proceed along these entrances to
any distance without proper equip
ment.
MARvELs OF ONE CAVERN.
He and his companions succeeded,
however. in exploring an entrance far
ther up the valley into which they
proceeded about a quarter Of mile,
when once again they were stopped oy
the ice. The floor of the cave declines
from the entrance about fifteen feet in
every 100. The ceiling seems to be OF
polished marble and the walls glistern
from the light OF the torches, reflect |
ing many fantastic shades and colors. |
In describing his journey in the cave
the explorer says:
From the entrance, which is some
what narrow at first, to the end OF our !
research we picked our way carefully
along the limestone floor, avoiding the
immense buttresses which project at
almost regular intervals. These ma
tural buttresses stand out in bold relief
like the pylons of an ancient Egyptian
temple, forming with the wall sue
;ession of smaller caves, resembling a
great cathedral with it's supporting
cluster of pillars. The second cavern
which We visited was fully 100 feet
vide and about 200 feet long and SEEM
ID to be connected with at least two
'ther caves.
DESCRIBES THE STALACTITES
I'VE advanced only short distance
ntO the entrance, from the walls Of {,
which we found carbonate of lime t
like a beautiful and delicate
rapery and from the roof were sus- 1
'ended smaller stalactites. At differ d
Mt points there were entrances into Y
ther caves, none of which has as yet
'een explored" v
These caves are situated five and t
all miles west of the great glacier.
NE cave is about two miles in a north
westerly direction from Ross peak. I
ne ascent is not difficult one. the r
ltitude being about 2 900 feet above 3
be railway tracks and an hours walk |,
rom the station. From the basin to
he surrounding peak is all easy cliInb 4
nd when the summit is attained it is A
aid that the grandeur Of the scene is q
unsurpassed. The Selkirks. being in 4
egiOn of heavy precipitation are cloth q
d in a magnificent forest growth. Il
here are tum bling cascades on every
and, while snow capped peaks dot the
.ndscape thIckiy. =.