Spelunking? What’s that and where do you go? I often get this question. It consists of exploring caves with a headlamp, helmet and sometimes even climbing accessories. When I first moved to Corner Brook on the West Coast of Newfoundland, I guided many local tourists who were unaware of this incredible universe. One should often take more time to visit their own backyard before heading to exotic destinations. I won’t lie I’m guilty as well.
The Corner Brook limestone caves are exceptional and offer hours of spelunking pleasure. I have been in them over a hundred times and every tour was different depending on everyone’s skills and comfort level. To make it all the more exciting, the Corner Brook stream rushes into them and brings this activity to a new level. Certain sections requires one to swim with an area that allows only your head to remain dry as you squeeze through.
On another note, I want to discourage anyone to go spelunking at times of heavy rain. Three Mile dam controls the level of water and the cave system is subject to sudden flooding. In fact, I happened to be inside once when the water level suddenly rose of about 2 feet. No harm done we walked out only more wet. However, some areas could be entirely flooded and precarious.
Corner Brook cave system has three main entrances to choose from. First of which, the most commonly used one is located along the wooden pipeline just off a narrow trail veering into the forest. Subsequently a smaller entrance can be found just a few meters before the main one. Alternatively, the so called “wet entrance” is closer to the TCH right next to the Corner Brook Stream trail. If choosing to go in that way I would highly recommend wearing a wetsuit. Otherwise, any thick clothing will do to explore the rest of the somewhat dry cave system. Just keep in mind that you will get dirty and might rip your clothes. And don’t forget your helmet, headlamp along with three points of contact at all times.
By the way this activity can be done at any time of the year. Although, summer makes it more attractive if you want to get wet and explore the depths of this subterranean world. On the other hand winter offers magical landscapes of ice stalactites and stalagmites also making spelunking more slippery.
Overall one of the things I love most about spelunking is that all your senses are enhanced. Especially if you turn off your headlamp as you will experience real pitch black darkness. There is a wide array of tunnels, ceilings, cascades and rooms to explore. With this is mind it puts spelunking at the top of my outdoor activity to do in Corner Brook.
Alex
Live Wildly Intrepid!
Carpe Diem
2 thoughts on “Spelunking into the dephts of Corner Brook”
Your header is spelt wrongly, that’s all!
which part?