Castleguard Cave 2005 First ascent of the 200-foot aven Text by Marek Vokáˇc Photos by Christian Rushfeldt, Bjørn Myrvold, Jørn Halvorsen, Marek Vokáˇc First edition October 27, 2006 Copyright notice: Overall copyright © 2006 Marek Vokáˇc. Photographers retain their copy- right © to individual images as specified in photo credits/captions. Permission is generally granted for individual, non-commercial use of this report, provided due credit is given. Parks Canada is additionally granted permission for other non-commercial use and distribution. Author contact: Marek Vokáˇc Thorleifs Allé 5c 0489 Oslo Norway email:
[email protected] Telephone: +47 934 92 857 Cover photo: Marek Vokáˇcclimbing the aven, by Christian Rushfeldt (CC05-064) Dedicated to all whose generous support made this trip possible, and a success: my wife and children; the team; their families; and our colleagues and employers Introduction Castleguard Cave lies in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, close to the Saskatchewan Glacier. To get to the cave from Calgary, one drives the beautiful Icefields Parkway, past Lake Louise and Banff, preferably staying at the Saksatchewan Crossing hotel. Getting to the cave entrance is a full-day ski trip. The cave itself was known early in the 1900’s, and was visited by tourists with horses and mules. The biggest attraction were the sudden floods coming out of the entrance, where the dry opening would change into a roaring river in a few seconds. Modern cave exploration started in 1967, during the summer. The explorers were caught by a sudden rise in the water and trapped inside the first drop. After 18 hours the water level dropped enough for them to get out; soon after that, the waters rose again and ran for weeks.