Climbers explore the 'Underground Everest' known as Dark Star

[Judi Lynn]

By Amanda Ellis
March 30, 2017

National Geographic recently followed a team into one of the earth’s deepest high-altitude cave networks, known as Dark Star, providing an alluring glimpse into the remote underworld.

The expedition takes place in Uzbekistan and plunges nearly 3,000 feet beneath the earth’s surface through a yawning maze of caverns currently spanning eleven miles. Although not the deepest cave, much of Dark Star is yet to be explored. The system was first discovered in 1984, with seven entrances surveyed thus far, but the remoteness of its location makes for difficult exploration.

National Geographic writer Mark Synnott joined a 31-member team of experienced cave climbers and enthusiast scientists on an unforgettable journey into the Boysuntov mountain range. The expedition launched out of the capital of Uzbekistan hundreds of miles by bus and off-road vehicle, following the ancient Silk Road to Samarkand, and then on to Boysun.

Dark Star is situated near the Afghan border and required a grueling hike, accompanied by fifteen donkeys, and two days on foot to reach base camp. The real journey began nearly 12,000 feet above sea level at Xo‘ja Gurgur Ota, a limestone cliff that houses the entrances into Dark Star.











More:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoors/dark-star-exploration/

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Thanks, JL. ❤ nt

[mr_lebowski]

2. I've always loved caves!

This one looks REALLY cool.

But way, way too much work to get to. And there's no steps, and lights and stuff inside lol ...

'Show Caves' are definitely more my speed.