Midnight Mike
2008-11-14, 05:09 PM
Amazing, the cave is 1000s of feet underground, conditions are not comfortable as they are wearing breathing gear.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/ ... hotography (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/crystals-photography)
With temperatures in the Cave of Crystals spiking above 110°F, a researcher rappels down into it wearing an ice-cooled suit. Cavers first don a vest containing ice packs, then an insulated jacket to slow melting. Finally, they pull on a full jumpsuit. Breathing packs worn like backpacks pump ice-cooled air to a respirator mask, allowing the wearer to be cooled from within.
Outside the Cave of Crystals, documentary filmmakers and members of La Venta, an Italian exploration team, check their equipment before heading inside. La Venta designed the blaze-orange, ice-cooled suits to allow explorers and scientists to work longer and more comfortably in the cave's severe heat. Most trips into the cave last 20 minutes or fewer, but fully suited explorers sometimes push the limit to 80 minutes—staying well after the ice has melted.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/ ... hotography (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/crystals-photography)
With temperatures in the Cave of Crystals spiking above 110°F, a researcher rappels down into it wearing an ice-cooled suit. Cavers first don a vest containing ice packs, then an insulated jacket to slow melting. Finally, they pull on a full jumpsuit. Breathing packs worn like backpacks pump ice-cooled air to a respirator mask, allowing the wearer to be cooled from within.
Outside the Cave of Crystals, documentary filmmakers and members of La Venta, an Italian exploration team, check their equipment before heading inside. La Venta designed the blaze-orange, ice-cooled suits to allow explorers and scientists to work longer and more comfortably in the cave's severe heat. Most trips into the cave last 20 minutes or fewer, but fully suited explorers sometimes push the limit to 80 minutes—staying well after the ice has melted.