The golden brown grass ecstatically dances as
the wind gently rushes over the field. Four vehicles parked on the rim of the
gaping sinkhole and casual chatter started the next adventure. After all the
rigging was done, Steven had his second breakfast while we joined him with an
array of other snacks. Laughter echoed through the usually quiet place as we
exchanged a few jokes. We were ready for our descent into the infamous
Armageddon.
Pedro went down first with Herman
following. I was next and Steven trailed. This time around I followed Steven
down the slope far left. Muddy clay had us sliding down on our bums. Sometimes
at uncontrolled speed, but this added to the fun. Armageddon might be a lot of
things, but it has never ceased to amaze me. After a few visits to this
magnificent cave system, I remain in the stance that the only easy thing about
this is the ‘SRT’ part. The rest demands respect and wrong footing or over
eager movements will have you in some pain.
The plan was pretty straight forward. We
were in the company of 2 geologists, Pedro and Herman, who needed some sampling
done. This was needed to confirm dating and some more academic stuff. It turned
out to be a very informative trip. We climbed up a much less travelled slope
and yet again, seeing the small dot of light from Steven’s headlight on the
other side highlighted the vastness of this chamber.
The thrust lines were inspected and small
samples of rock were taken from the top, middle and bottom part. This was
placed in small plastic bags and marked clearly. Rough sketches were made in a
little black book and added to this some info like depth and gradients at which
the lines were sloping. It was like watching a tennis match with the
conversations that took place on that small ledge accommodating the group. Lots
of really big words and small talk about the Vredefort incident and also the
bushveld influence. The rock in these fracture lines were referred to as
Fubarite, but it is really just an informal name in geology for any rock that
has been severely brecciated and metamorphosed to the point that it is
difficult or impossible to determine its origin. There is also an acronym for
it, but that will remain unwritten for various reasons.
We packed everything up and were moving to
another important area, fondly known in my mind as the bubbly area. Steven and
I were climbing up huge boulders and standing on the top of one which had me in
awe of the rock formations. When you look up, you become quite dizzy. The wall
on the far side looked like it was painted white and lines within this rock
seemed to be broken up. Almost like Braille dots and seemingly waiting for
someone to decipher the message. It was a real privilege to be in this place
with people who were obviously incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about
rocks and structures. We would stop and a whole lecture would be given which
were absolutely pleasing to the soul.
Aragonite also featured among the long list
of rock and crystal types discussed. This crystal is the high pressure
polymorph of calcium carbonate. As such, it occurs in high pressure metamorphic
rocks such as those formed at subduction zones. We also found the same
cauliflower formations than in Serunecjar although they were much smaller in
Armageddon.
It was time for another detour, compliments
of Steven. Peek-a-boo was just above and we had the privilege of learning his
secret on how to get up there. A slope awaited us and the scenery at the top
was breath-taking. The floor, walls and roof was covered in glittering
abundance. It looked like a fairyland. Corridors at the top led to a variety of
look out posts high on the cave wall, in particular Peek-A-Boo. This was
Armageddon undone. A part of a treacherous cave’s true soul.
While climbing up I had a bit of a slip and
sprained my ankle. Not too bad though, but I decided to turn back. I had some
ice packs in my car and wanted to treat it as soon as possible before it became
a problem. After all, there is always a next chance. Steven joined me. Pedro
and Herman needed more samples and moved on.
Steven and I were sitting at the edge after
climbing out, chatting about general stuff when we saw movement on the rope. We
got up to assist Herman and Pedro when they got to the top. Herman was talking
loudly to convey the message that Pedro had fallen and hurt his shoulder. We
decided to rig a 5:1 hauling system in order to get Pedro to the top. Herman
assisted him to get onto the rope and we started hauling. We did not get very
far because Pedro was in too much pain. In that moment Steven and I looked at
one another and the quiet realisation of a full rescue attempt in motion made
our minds scurry in all directions.
We had the trailer with us and all rescue
equipment was within reach. We decided that I would go down and prepare the
SKED for the big haul up. While Steven was on the phone getting some man power
to assist, I grabbed more water from my car and stuffed it with a few energy
snacks into my caving bag. Steven gave me a space blanket and that also went
into the bag. We got the SKED from the trailer and I took it out just for a
final check to make sure everything is in there that would be needed.
The blue rope was a real mind-changer. I
held it in my hand, staring at it. I screened my mind for some recollection of
where it should go on the SKED. I started explaining to Steven how I think I
should do it. A few “this should go here and that should be there” and I was
set to go. The SKED and utility bag were clipped on my safety and after I got
on the rope, I asked Steven again about rigging the SKED. I had to make a
decision. This was 50m down. I won’t have someone to check my rigging. What if
I make a mistake and the SKED falls or Pedro falls out on his way up? I
informed Steven that I’m not completely confident in rigging the SKED. The risk
was too high to go down and rely on sketchy ideas of how it should be done. So
Steven needed to go down with the SKED.
A few cavers were contacted and also
Mountain Search and Rescue. Steven disappeared from view as he neared Pedro at
the bottom of the shaft. It became quiet, almost too quiet. I started undoing the rigging that was
initially done. The dust road became alive as a cloud happily tracked John’s
Landy on the horizon. I phoned Steven to inform him. John and Selena arrived
and actions started falling into place. We de-rigged all ropes in order to get
the winching system up. Steven’s car was moved and we scurried around getting
the rigging done.
Dust clouds speckled the horizon as more
and more vehicles arrived. Adam, from
MSAR, arrived after John and they had a quick discussion on the proposed manner
to get Pedro safely out of Armageddon. It became dusk. Soon no dust clouds
could be seen, but lights followed the snaky road in cosmic brilliance. The rest
became lost in translation between what we did, said and thought. The bright
orange SKED safely made it to the rim and between the original two anchor
points manoeuvred closer to the edge. An extra belay line was attached by Adam
and the SKED was pulled a safe distance from the hole. Paramedics zoomed in and
Pedro was taken care of.
The rope was let down in Armageddon twice
more to get Steven and Herman to safety. We started de-rigging and packing gear
away. I remember watching the bright red flashing lights of the ambulance as it
found its way to the main road until it disappeared from sight. Ropes were
bagged, other rescue gear was checked to a list and also packed away. It was
time for all of us to meet at the main road for a debriefing of what had
happened to Pedro and what followed.
Just as quickly as this situation evolved,
it ended just as abruptly. The freezing, gentle breeze was a stark reminder
that we were still here, out in the middle of nowhere in winter time. A few
groups gathered around as I drove passed them. My foot was throbbing, I misplaced
most of my clothes searching for some gear in my car and two hours from home
did not seem fair at that moment. A person can’t help to think that we were all
part of something great tonight. Grateful that all turned out well, I turn up
the volume. Armageddon still remains an infinitely amazing cave system.
Karin Human
PS – For those who are interested in cave
rescue send an email to sjtucker135@gmail.com
to get invited on the next practise session.
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