First-Ever Images of Er Wang Dong Cave, A Cave With Its Own Weather System

A team of 15 expert cavers and photographers had been exploring caves in the Chongquing province of China, reported the Daily Mail.

They found the entrance to the hidden Er Wang Dong cave system and were stunned to see a space so large it contains a cloud.

In Cloud Ladder Hall, which measures about 12½ acres, or about 12 football fields, fog conceals the roof 820 feet above.

"I had never seen anything quite like the inside cloud ladder before," said Manchester photographer and caver Robbie Shone, one of the team members. "Thick cloud and fogs hangs in the upper half of the cave, where it gets trapped and unable to escape through the small passage in the roof."

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"Most caves either are accessed by large walking entrance, some require a long deep swim, other may be very vertical in nature where you need ropes to abseil (rappel) down the walls deep into the caves," Shone said.

"We had to be aware of high water levels inside the caves, especially when it rained heavily on the surface. The drainage catchment to these caves is massive and soon the caves can be extremely dangerous and impassable."

Shone explained that a few of the caves had previously been used by nitrate miners, at the areas close to the entrance, "but had never been properly explored before. All the major passageways were deep underground and had never seen light before."The experience left its mark on the team.

"It is always very special, knowing that you are the first to step foot into a cave or somewhere where nobody had previously seen, not knowing what you might find and discover," Shone said. "Where else on Earth can still hold secrets and mysteries of discovery? That's what I love so much about exploring."

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