Expedition to the heart of Russia’s deepest Palaeozoic cave

It is the largest scientific expedition organised by the Russian Geographic Society over the past 20 years by the number of participants.

Speleologists, geologists and bio-speleologists from all around Russia will go down the cave at the request of Sergei Shoigu, the head of Russian Geographic Society. He is also the Russian Defence Minister. 

The Kek-Tash cave, also known as Evening Promenade or Ecological - is 350 metres deep and 2,300m long. It is located in the east of north-western Altai, in Kamyshlinsky carst area of Seminsky mountain range. It was discovered in 1983 and was never thoroughly studied. The cave is made of a complex labyrinth of chambers, platforms and corridors. The largest 'room' is 200 square meters and is called Mrachnaya (‘Gloomy’).

Expedition to the heart of Russia's deepest Palaeozoic cave in Siberia. Pictures: SibNet

The entrance to the cave is only half a meter big and can hardly be seen from outside. 

There are numerous wells, lakes and waterfalls inside the cave. The scientific team will map the cave and study its climate, as well as its underwater world.  

The expedition will leave Novosibirsk end the end of June, and will aim to shoot a documentary to capture the secrets of the Altai carst caves.