Idaho Caving

[@benjaminpowell9758]

The crazy thing to me is that someone had to be the first...who was the first guy to go down that dark cave...insane

[@JeffWurst]

No mystery there. I know the pair who found it and dug it open. They were cavers, looking for a cave. Any caver would've been thrilled to be first into a new discovery. I've done it myself on many occasions. There are many who would claim cavers are a bit insane.

[@CR-ou4hl]

@@JeffWurst Maybe not insane, but completely lacking an amygdala. (Is there a surgeon who does that for spelunkers on the DL?)

[@krzysztofparadowski624]

Yeah like imagine the cave ends abtruptly and you are in there having to crawl backwards...

[@yamabushi170]

@@krzysztofparadowski624 do a search for 'John Jones nutty putty cave'. Your worst caving nightmare.

[@thegrandnil764]

@@krzysztofparadowski624 Yes, thats why your smart about it, if you don't know a hole, you go in feet first, and have someone ready too help you out.

[@PhotoYo]

0:08 yeah I’ll go overground and see you the other side. The entrance is enough to put me off. I can only imagine getting stuck and waiting days to die

[@knoxgaming5926]

If u get stuck upside down then your heart will pump double time to keep blood in your legs and eventually u will have a heart attack and u might survive it but ur gonna keep gettin them until u die, they sealed a huge cave 15 away from my house bc a guy got stuck in a new area and no one could get him out so they made the cave his grave and sealed it

[@tommasotedde6145]

@@knoxgaming5926 nutty putty?

[@sKy_The_GOAT]

@@tommasotedde6145 yup

[@Mysterio1500]

sKy not gonna lie nutty putty sounds like a peanut butter flavoured candy bar

[@brayan0742]

@@knoxgaming5926 yeah, there's actually a movie about it.

[@cre8_ur_f8]

"Huh, this seems like more water than last time". Exactly what you want to hear deep underground!!!

[@santoscarrillo2996]

Yeah I'll enjoy that from this screen so awesome and terrifying

[@christianb8228]

I agree

[@susannewilliams]

Just fantastic! Thanks for filming! You are fast and smooth. Great!

[@gregerfulgerman7802]

I wanna cry just watching this. The anxiety I would get from just the entrance alone...

[@Cats.4479]

Same lmao

[@would_you_kindly]

Places like this just exist. Doesn't even matter if there's somebody checking on it every once in a while, it'll always be the same. Wild.

[@B34STIFIED]

Think about how long that water had to flow on those rocks for the stream to be that deep and strong flowing

[@anakinskymonke3670]

When humans didn't even exist.

[@ALLGAMERQG]

This video needs more views! You are brave !

[@XSProgression]

I never even know people were doing shit like this. That is so crazy how right it is and then opens up. Who the hell finds these holes and decides “hm I think I’m gonna squeeze into this and see how far it goes”. You guys are nuts haha. Really cool videos though 👍👍

[@rickbenes9343]

6k likes on extreme Facebook page. And here only 70 views 😨

[@2faroffroad]

Throw a comment over on extreme with a link. please. help jeff out.

[@danielwest2154]

@@2faroffroad 13 mill views now

[@ThicMilkyGbs]

That just bought me here but I had to google his name

[@lorddaquanofhouserastafari4177]

Stealing content

[@joshmulraney7088]

26k now

[@jamesf6391]

I've seen The Descent so hard pass on my ass ever going in like that but awesome video.

[@bopbo8157]

I dont wanna watch this. My brain: yeah you are!

[@GoIdaho]

This is so cool. Thank you for this video.

[@foff2246]

Best pro caver I've seen

[@Quiksilversurf311]

How can you be so positively sure you guys were the first to explore the “virgin” part of the cave?

[@JeffWurst]

Because when the cave is not in use we leave the entrance in its original natural state, invisible beneath a large rock deep in a forest with no other reasonable destinations. The cave was dug open by his discoverers, whom I know, not too many years ago. That eliminates any possibility of past exploration. Since then it has been systematically explored by a limited number of people and we know where we've been and where we haven't. No one else could've found the cave. If they did--anyone bold enough, skilled enough, and outfitted well enough to pass the seals, pits, and streams, would be a real caver who is connected to the caving community, which would necessarily put them in touch with me. Plus, in passages with soil floors you can just tell...

[@sidneygreen1575]

Wow thats insanely cool. Love this video!

[@MrThenry1988]

I don't understand how you can be climbing up the stream and then down it in another part unless your filming going back and forth. Thanks.

[@gunner2225]

Makes me wonder how long someone could live down here if they had something like this on their land, and shuttled food down a few times beforehand

[@crocmister1232]

How are caves like this found? It is so interesting that there are probably many out there yet unexplored.

[@JeffWurst]

There are certain types of geology that allow cave formation, so that gets you into the right area. Sometimes there are clues about the immediate area. In this case there is a stream sinking into bedrock (the one we see underground). It had been known for 30 years that a cave ought to exist here, but it took that long to find a way in. In other cases there isn't much in the way of clues on the surface. Yes, there are surely many caves yet to be discovered. We have a fair number of holes in this area that might lead to new discoveries. We just haven't got around to taking a closer look because this one still has many unexplored passages.

[@crocmister1232]

Jeff Wurst Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks for the reply.

[@fadinho89]

when surveying and exploring new caves and tight spaces like this, do you all bring and gas detection devices? just to check atmospheric levels. i dont know, something about unexplored stuff triggers my mind. like for caves, eroded limestones, the cold air as seen in your video, streams of gushing water. It seems dangerous not knowing the conditions. physically you all may control. but atmospheric, how?

[@fadinho89]

sorry if i sound stupid.

[@JeffWurst]

No. Bad air in caves is rare. If present it only tends to occur in isolated low and dry dead-end areas with no air movement. If there is moving water then the air is reliably excellent, as the water carries air through the cave. Thus from an atmospheric standpoint the risk is minimal and much less an issue than topside. The weather is extremely predictable.

[@AllaboutTheWoodrows]

Jeff Wurst how many diamonds ect have you found

[@zenertia]

I read the title too fast and thought it said "Idaho Crying" I mean, _seeing how cramped these places can get, I wouldn't put it past ya_

[@ilinaeternity]

When you explore caves with streams, especially caves you're not as familiar with, how do you prepare for the dangers of flooding? I was reading about the Mossdale caving tragedy and seeing people spelunk in caves with running water makes my stomach drop.

[@JeffWurst]

I suppose there's always an element of risk, but understanding the current conditions can go a long way. For example, if the soil is dry it would take no small amount of rain to produce a flood. If the soil is wet or there isn't much of it, then there's a higher risk and the forecast becomes more important. There's also underground considerations. There are places where you can see that a small rise in water will produce entrapment. And there are places where the stream has cut downward to produce deep canyons and the only risk high water brings is having to move higher in the passage. In this particular cave, there are vast areas we can visit in any condition, and there are a few places we can only go when the water conditions are right.

[@jeanlouisFlandin]

Hello it is a nice cave, a beautiful black limestone et stream.. Do you know the geologic and age formation? In central Idaho? near Boise? I am french caver from the alps..

[@manuelpaulino8057]

does this cave have a name?

[@JeffWurst]

Of course, but its a secret for now :-). When I type it into Google it thinks I spelled it wrong and it gives me nothing about a cave. This is a relatively new discovery and not fully explored. That's what these trips are--survey, mapping, exploration. If you're interested in doing caving like this then definitely connect with a local caving club. In the USA there's a list on caves.org: caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

[@jettstorm2253]

Find this video through a Facebook vid, they didn’t give a link so I had to search your name myself. The video currently has 150k+ likes. You deserve all of that

[@DanielGeaslen]

That was incredible.

[@brentmiller3951]

I always think of the guy that died in the nutty putty cave when I see people squeezing through this stuff

[@Skeetmgeett]

Makes it look like a walk in the park there Jeff. See you underground

[@YeoLja2XO1]

This looks really cool 😱. I want to try that when I grow up 💛

[@quietalex2086]

Would u panic if all ur flashlights stopped working

[@JeffWurst]

Not likely.

[@bawlsdeep9599]

There could be a billion $ at the end and I’d still not go through the first hole

[@FamilyFirstVlog]

I just have one question... why??

[@mrk896]

Hi Jeff, I only have admiration and respect for cavers. I could never do what you guys do. Here's a silly question: is there an opening at the other end or do you normally turn around and head back the same way you went in?

[@JeffWurst]

Some caves have multiple entrances and through-trips, but this one only has the one entrance.

[@mikespidle3360]

How did you get into caving? I sky dive and do other things.. but something about little to no space in a closed environment gets me anxious.

[@JeffWurst]

I visited a cave in Colorado when I was 16 or 17. I really like finding surreal, other-worldly places so it resonated with me. I eventually connected with a caving club. If you think you might like it then try it! I bet you find that the occasional tight space isn't that big a deal. In the USA this is the best way to get started: caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

[@severalbraindamages]

Is this for fun or it's for scientific purposes?

[@JeffWurst]

There are geological, biological, and hydrological interests in cave exploration. Our data is available for those purposes if needed, but in general this is just for fun.

[@humanfirst11]

@ 0:56 "The Maelstrom" is there any underground waterfall down there? What's the sudden noise of gushing water?

[@JeffWurst]

Yes, a big one. I have video that shows it somewhere, but I guess it's not posted (I looked). The waterfall spills out in a couple of places on the left wall, probably in frame but hidden in blackness. The highest part of the falls must be about 15 meters/50 feet. It's possible to reach the lowest levels of the cave by following the water, but its wet. We often come out that way but only go in that way if we're expecting to get wet right away anyway...such as if we're pushing the stream passages. See my most recent few videos for that!

[@humanfirst11]

@@JeffWurst wow so awesome! I would love to see the lowest levels of the cave if you guys have any videos of that, it would be be so cool to witness something so extraordinary! Underground waterfall!

[@JeffWurst]

@@humanfirst11 You'd want to look at my 2nd and 3rd most recent videos, particular 3rd most recent from 6 months ago. They don't have the Maelstrom's waterfall, but there are a couple of others included as well as some other water related insanity. Not much is more fun than being in a cave on a rope on a waterfall.

[@therealgriffmon]

This is actually kinda cool with the stream

[@m4b957]

Have you ever found something intresting in a cave?

[@plastiqmanb]

How the hell did you get out?

[@JeffWurst]

There's only one entrance so always out the same way. After passing through the entrance series countless times, it's become routine, muscle memory.

[@rale1995]

@@JeffWurst but how did you climb up? From where you came down

[@JeffWurst]

@@rale1995 You mean the ropes? We go back up the ropes. Google "Frog Ascending System"

[@giovannibertottilli3661]

Why???

[@ian_bruh1]

I’d be down without the first two parts

[@Tyrant369]

seeing this makes me think two things; how easy it would be to trap someone in there by putting a bigger boulder over the entrance and is that water drinkable?

[@riverjames8252]

Wtf 😂

[@JohnDoe-wi8sx]

Where did you guys buy the blue suit protective clothing? I like the tight fit and abrasion resistance, I've had trouble finding something that's not loose to get caught on things.

[@JeffWurst]

That's my friend Steve in the blue. I have a blue suit too, but I prefer the PVC suit for this cave. The blue suit is a Aventure Verticale. You can typically get them here: www.innermountainoutfitters.com/categories/coveralls/ but strangly there only seems to be the Lady versions available at the moment. Maybe call them and see what's going on.

[@y.l.2465]

I admire and hate you all at the same time. My throat gets tight watching.

[@emmashields7318]

Wait. I need to see how you get out. Is it the same way you go in? This is incredible.

[@JeffWurst]

Yes, we spend an average of about 10 hours underground and then go back out the same way. When my friend, Steve, says "see you on the other side," he just means the other side of the entrance squeeze. There is another entrance but its usually flooded (been dry twice in 18 years) and its too tight for me and all but the very smallest of cavers.

[@jessm4829]

Jeff Wurst wow that is pretty freakin cool. Props to you man

[@naynaylyons]

Can you please post coming out? It seems impossible in my mind... And how do these places get discovered?

[@JeffWurst]

@@naynaylyons Expand this to see everything... I don't have any video of coming out. Somehow I'm more motivated to play with the camera on the way in. Too bad, I was just there a few days ago. We spent 13 hours underground and came out to darkness and snow on the ground. That's a wrap for the season. No more trips until May. I played around with a helmet mount for my camera and shot some rappelling footage. I thought later that I should have shot some ascending. I'm not sure if you're interested in the rope part or the squeeze part. If the rope part then you might be interested in Derek Bristol's excellent videos on the topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqi5aH2hlLyKask Most of the squeezes are not difficult to come out of. The Otter Slide, being steep, is a bit of a pain until you realize there are steps for your feet on the ceiling. That makes it much easier. The 2nd Seal can be a problem at its bottom end if you do it wrong. You see, its inner end (not shown in the video) opens out to a pit. We dive in headfirst so that we can see what we're doing when we get there. You span across the pit and then pull your feet out and climb down. On the way up, if you try to enter the lower right side of the hole then you end up struggling to find a place to use feet to push yourself in. The upper half of the 2nd Seal require some exertion but is not especially difficult. The entrance itself, despite looking intimidating, is very easy. You basically just put your feet down and stand up through it. There is a certain counterclockwise rotation that I do as I come through. It allows me to easily fit. There are certain geological formations that support caves. Limestone is a big indicator. Presence of sink holes is another. In this particular case there is a stream that sinks into the ground. Cavers began looking for this cave in the 1970's but an entrance wasn't found until 2000, when a small hole that was blowing cold cave air was dug open by my friends and former caving partners, Sam and Charlie. I started caving here in 2004. This cave is still not fully explored. This past Saturday my team and I discovered a new passage and room that are now hands-down the prettiest in the cave. Sorry, no video or photos. I had a camera in my pack but my pack was three climbs back at the time.

[@naynaylyons]

@@JeffWurst Thanks for all the details... I don't think I could to blindly into the unknown, but I'm so glad there's people like you that do. Wish you could've taken some shots in the new spot .. Until May, I guess 😁

[@marklamberton541]

Was there deposits of pyrite i see in the walls sparkling back at the light?

[@JeffWurst]

No. This isn't the right type of rock for that. I'm not sure what you saw, but it was probably just reflections from water droplets.

[@jenb.6440]

Amazing!!

[@joshwright2379]

how cold is it down there?

[@JeffWurst]

36F/2C year round.

[@bartman898]

"No, I thought you were going to turn the water off!"

[@dearbornerik]

More vid plz I enjoy them

[@space59_]

why people do this...I dont get it.

[@chriss.2978]

5 seconds in and already FUCK THAT

[@playingfor4]

My 2 fears. Getting stuck! Someone trapping the hole u get in from.

[@Ranger_k16]

everytime I watch these I always get scared if the ground were to move even an inch it would crush them instantly

[@hubertserafin3432]

lmao if it moved an inch it would close the gap

[@Ranger_k16]

@@hubertserafin3432 we must have vastly differing definitions of the length of an inch

[@TylerHemmings]

Why...

[@hondaguyrr5132]

Wonder where all that water is going

[@JeffWurst]

Ultimately it will emerge as a spring somewhere down the mountain, but we currently don't know where. I have two subsequent videos from stream push trips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKOlnJRtf9yXkNk&t= kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKS9i4aBl7-eaZI

[@ciaranmac646]

What happens if a an earthquake hits while pinched between two sides of bedrock???

[@JeffWurst]

I'm more likely to die in a car crash on the way to the cave. We actually had a rare significant earthquake here in Idaho since I last visited this cave. It'll be interesting to see if anything shifted when the caving season restarts this summer. I'd be surprised if anything shown in this video has moved, but there is one place--the TSA Squeeze, AKA 5th Seal--that is mildly unstable and could've settled a bit.

[@ciaranmac646]

@@JeffWurst just checked, you guys had an 4.4 magnitude earthquake today lol

[@ciaranmac646]

Enjoy your hobby lad but it ain't for me...I'm too big lol. I enjoy watching the videos of cavers though. Thanks for replying, best of luck 👍

[@daytona2924]

Imagine getting lost down there and not knowing the route to exit and u keep trying different routes and all fail . Then ur torch light battery goes out . Stuck in darkness . Yea no thanks

[@MudMotorsMax]

Who was the first person to dare to go in this thing and tell everybody that it was okay? Kind of makes me hyperventilate just watching

[@JeffWurst]

I know the pair who found it and dug it open, 20 years ago in 2000. They were cavers, looking for a cave. Any caver would've been thrilled to be first into a new discovery. I've done it myself, many times within this very cave as the extent of exploration continues to grow. Last winter we bypassed a sump (flooded passage) and we now have a significant lead at the deepest point in the cave. Cavers are unusual people :-)

[@amruddinsaifi2331]

so exciting.

[@jesus.portilla]

What happened next? You guys be careful!

[@JeffWurst]

I simply stopped playing with the new camera so we could get to work. I've been into this cave countless times. This was a survey trip. We're systematically exploring this cave and building a map of it. Survey is slow and boring, not much to see there. At the end of the day we go out the way we came.

[@northidahonightmoves2479]

Where in Idaho? I'm in CDA.

[@JeffWurst]

Access is currently exclusively for survey/exploration trips. If you're interested in caving here or elsewhere in the northwestern region then get in touch with the Gem State Grotto. gemstategrotto.caves.org

[@northidahonightmoves2479]

@@JeffWurst Thanks buddy.

[@BoardnAK]

Why

[@jeffbecker8716]

The Seven Seals - This is the Gates of Hell.

[@PootyTangGaming]

*constructs pipe system below to bring water to the surface* CASES OF WATER STONKS

[@ritzcheeze7641]

My brain: U WILL NEVER DO THAT IF U GET STUCK UR DEAD. Me: ....

[@shashashack77]

Papoose?

[@JeffWurst]

Nope.

[@Bunny-tq2mk]

I wouldn’t go down in those caves if I were you....wouldn’t want the crawlers to get you now would we.

[@dwellerinblack7816]

Not a caver, but this looks fun.

[@marcelobarbosa8697]

I just wonder why people do this, WHY??????

[@razzyyy]

I wanna do that

[@CR-ou4hl]

N. F. W. would I EVER do this.

[@basicweeb4272]

Dude I'm genuinely claustrophobic and I've been watching caving videos like this sorta like they're horror movies lately. This one tho, fuck that cave.

[@basicweeb4272]

Like I'd probably go into that cave because it is really dope and I'm skinny I know I'd fit but still fuck that

[@Kris_at_WhiteOaksFarm]

Well damn, that looks like a sweet, sporting cave. This 68 year old fart would love to do a tourist trip, but I doubt I'll get out to Idaho. Sigh.

[@jessm4829]

This is so cool. I want to see how the exploration ends though

[@JeffWurst]

But it hasn't ended. It's ongoing with no end in sight. I'll be back in there this weekend.

[@dottiedottie9115]

More videos please. Keep us updated

[@WhiteLocust]

I didn't have claustrophobia till I saw this

[@noyourmushrooms22]

Hahahaha yup, basically...

[@kinny1561]

This should be olympic sport

[@DCRACKA]

That's a big NOPE from me! But talk about balls of steel!

[@tomwilson3969]

Yeah that’s a whole lot of why the F**k would you even think to go down there. Good on ya I guess. Wouldn’t catch me trying to squeeze into there.

[@pathwayoutdoors3492]

What boots are you wearing?

[@JeffWurst]

I'm the one in the yellow pvc caving suit. I'm wearning 5.10 Canyoneers (2nd edition). Best caving and canyoneering shoe ever, and now no longer made. My partner (blue suit) is wearing Xtratufs, I believe.

[@pathwayoutdoors3492]

Thanks! I like the narrow look of those Extratufs. I will have to check them out. I am relatively new to alpine caving (I am a SE NM desert rat caver) so I am picking brains when I can on what gear cavers are using.

[@JeffWurst]

Cold wet alpine caving is basically all I do. Rubber boots like Xtratufs or Wellies are great for keeping your feet dry as long as you don't get in too deep. Once you do though then they become buckets. You have to keep dumping them out. You definitely need neoprene socks unless you're really sure you can stay shallow. I would really love to get down to your area. I have a connection now for Lech. I may be able to get in on an survey in the next few years.

[@pathwayoutdoors3492]

I am actually in SW Wyoming now. Moved here in 2017 from CO. I am from Carlsbad and moved to CO in 97, but make trips when I can down to NM. Love the Guads! Lech is such an awesome cave! I did 2 tours in there. A 2 day and a 6 day, maintenance trips. replacing ropes, rigging, and flagging trails.

[@JeffWurst]

You should definitely be in touch with Utah cavers about their deep caves in NE Utah. I got an invite to sherpa on a sump diving trip, but I couldn't go. I'm hoping to get down there sometime. You're probably 10 hours from our usual haunts. I'm with the Gem State Grotto out of Boise.

[@JeffersonSilvaEDITS]

Já dá agonia de ver, tá louco

[@IslandBlaze8]

I've got an idea let's go in this tiny hole in the ground and see how far down we can go. O yeah I forgot to mention there's water to so it could flood. NO SPANK YOU VERY MUCH.🤙😘

[@GangbossMok]

Ur dumb

[@IslandBlaze8]

@@GangbossMok thanks I've worked hard for people to think that😘

[@GangbossMok]

@@IslandBlaze8 bigcringe

[@terryfalwell6163]

I lost a pair of Maui Jims. did you grab them? call me

[@madsinner1737]

I don't understand the act of cave diving.

[@cpt.obvious212]

Hole + Big rock!

[@marcocurcetti9287]

Do they even pay you for doing this? lol

[@spoderman2886]

Marco Curcetti yeah in another video it says he gets 7 thousand per cave

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

Nope

[@MarkPemble]

+

[@thelegacyacademy]

Why... just why....

[@JeffWurst]

:-) I ask the same question about golf, baseball...can you believe curling is an Olympic sport!? Some people are just wired differently. Cavers are a unique breed. This cave is an active exploration project. There's a certain thrill to being the first to ever enter a place, to bring the light that is the first ever to fall on a new and delicate formation. Its a way that us ordinary people, who don't command a NASA budget, to actually explore. And no telescopes for us. If we want to know, we actually have to go. Do we need to know? At times there are some legitimate scientific purposes, but mostly the answer is 'no'. Like I said, we're a unique breed.

[@markcassara]

@@JeffWurst I love it!!! Planning to check out some beginners caves in Tennessee soon 😉

[@JeffWurst]

@@markcassara Nice! There's lots of good caving in TN. For the best access be sure to hook up with a local caving club. There's a link to find them on the NSS website at caves.org.

[@zalmute423]

R/Sweatypalms

[@BahnYahd]

Unless there’s money or something of value down there I don’t see how it’s worth it lol

[@SuperDanman2]

BahnYahd I wouldn't personally like to do it, but I like the idea of it & the footage. There are almost 50million millionaires in the world. I would bet that no more than 500 people have been inside & explored this cave.. Not everything has a materialistic value, some people live for the thrill & experience to know they have done such things. That is their value, the experience.

[@JeffWurst]

@@SuperDanman2 Not more than 50 people, I think. There are only four of us who have ever independently led trips to this cave and most trips have a small set of regulars as we continue to explore and map the unknown depths of this cave. The entrance was originally dug and when not in use it's left in approximately its original state...hidden under a large rock deep in a high mountain forest.

[@swagboss]

i hate the second seal SO MUCH OMG

[@JeffWurst]

Most people slide in pretty easy. The tricky part is that it opens out into a 10 ft deep it on the other end. Coming back out is a bit of work... :-)

[@howbout-it3520]

Why in the world would you want to do this... And thats coming from a commercial diver 🤠😵😬🤠

[@rmquez]

Absofreekinglutley not.......HARD PASS....nope nope no.......

[@Yakov916_]

Nope nope nopeity nope

[@heiretikal2204]

Yeah fuck no

[@vitoralpin]

Hahaha no thanks

[@braydencook4890]

YUCKY

[@hairyfrog429]

Great place to get stuck and starve to death

[@JeffWurst]

It's cold in there. Exposure will get us long before starvation :-)