CAVE ON MOUNT EGMONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 170, 8 April 1918, Page 8

CAVE ON MOUNT EGMONT

Mr. Burrell, of Stratford, according to the local paper, has discovered a large ice cave on the summit cf Mount Egmont. The cave opening, which is aboiit fifteen feet in diameter, lies on tho north-west side of tho crater ice, directly below the trig rtation. Tho rook on this side of the crater is.very soft and crumhling, and thus, as the cave has melted, has slid down through the opening, forming a talus. On entering the cave one is struck by the appearance of beautiful stratified ice, batches of deep blue ice indicating no doubt age-long pressure. The if of of the cave can be likoned to the underneath of a theatre dress-circle; though owing to the flow of melting ice it has almost the appearance of a fan-ribbed vault.

Some idea of the size of the cave can ho gained by thestf measurements actually taken by Mr. Burrell. At its widest point the cave measures 44ft.; the depth from back to edge of opening, 27ft., while the floor at its lowest is 20ft. below the crater ice. The talus of rock sliding into the cave unfortunately diminishes the apparent size of the cave.

It is interesting to recall that when Mr. Burrell made the ascent thirteen months ago, he saw the beginning of this cave, which since then has inci eased twenty fold. Now ro words can adequately describe tho beauty of the interior, with its glistening biue and white ico. Judging by the melting ice, the cave is still increasing in size, and will no doubt continue to c'.o so until winter lays her mantle over the summit. Owing to the position of the cave, it is reached practically by the morning sun only, whoso rays arc oirocted away from, not into, the cave. Owing to its being close to the summit and lying on the highest portion of the crater ice, there can be little or no soakage. What is causing the melting is hard to conceive, and Mr. Burrell can offer no positive explanation. In conclusion' it must be noted that great care should be exercised in approaching the caVe opening from the centre of the crater. The roof from the back to the opening rapidly thins out to a knifo edge, whichwould easily give way under the weight of any person capable of climbing the mountain.