Cave Exploring Gone WRONG | The Veryovkina Cave Incidents

[@ScaryInteresting]

Previous video in the series - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3LKeaSAlNSYock Hey everyone! Thank you all so much for watching! As a quick FYI, the image at 15:58 is not a real image. Also, hello to all of the new subscribers! Glad to have you here and that you're enjoying the content! *Edit* According to RS Stewart of the Jamaican Caves Organisation who posted down in the comments, the decomposing bodies may not give off deadly gases after all. Here is the link to his channel - kzbin.info/door/W_O6s9ShR9lIFLJNSmRKOg - He's got some very cool videos of the caves in that area

[@anikajain571]

Thanks Sean, (hope I spelled that right) I'm a recently new sub, love your videos ❤ 👍 so well researched, written and narrated, great images and diagrams also, making these stories easily understood and imagined. Really appreciate your work 👍

[@JohnthemapguyADHDMe]

You should do the story of Canadian killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, killed 8 but confessed to 185(and sadly kittens and other weak creatures)

[@BrettonFerguson]

@2:12 "But then for reasons that are unclear there were no more expeditions until the year 2000". My guess: It's because the economy collapsed and the USSR collapsed. People were busy trying to survive, not go cave exploring. The economy in former soviet republics stabilized enough by 2000 for cave exploring to resume.

[@rogerioferreirajunior2060]

Let me make a suggestion, when you show the map of the cave, and is talking about what is happening, put an arrow or a dot, to show exactly where they are, it will help a lot.

[@getschwifty5271]

& Thank you Sean! for always putting out great content of lesser known stories

[@Mayhemzz]

How fascinating. I can't imagine finding a deep hole in a mountain range and thinking "You know what? I'm going down there."

[@gregparrott]

It dates me, but as a kid, I went down a newly found one many decades ago. But it likely didn't go more than 200-300 feet. Someone had strung a series of (incandescent) light bulbs every ~30 to 40 feet, so you could watch your step on a steeply descending shelf to the right of a vertical drop off where tossing rocks revealed it was much deeper than the shelf we traversed. We went as far as the string of lights. At one point where we stepped, the shelf was pocked with narrow, round waist deep 'pockets. I climbed into and hid in one. As the next person descended, I reached up, grabbed his ankle and growled. As an adult, I would never have done this.

[@jrsimeon02]

Lol, like drop a pebble first to hear how deep it is

[@griggboat3588]

I can imagine thinking that but executing that thought ? I’m good

[@BunniXx]

Cavers are truly built differently

[@tinadudley5318]

Ikr ok nope not me

[@gergovagyok4191]

13:18 "One team member was even carrying a stove and four sleeping bags attached to his harness." WHAT A LEGEND

[@thefisherking78]

"I paid thousand rubles for stove! Not leaving it!"

[@teldrah]

The definition of Gigachad.

[@bunny11111]

😭😭😭

[@anXiaryMusic]

@@bunny11111you’re obnoxious

[@jffry890]

Russia stronk 💪😤🇷🇺

[@mrpendent]

The biggest irony here is that to get into the cave, you have to go up a 7500 foot mountain--which means that even once you are at the deepest point of the cave, you are still higher up than when you started.

[@serujiphonx9070]

*At the deepest, yet known point.

[@tank1503]

@@serujiphonx9070 no it’s probably the deepest

[@ancatad]

@@tank1503 there could be passages under the flooded tunnels, making air bubbles. But of course it would require sub-gear

[@wll1500]

@@tank1503 this is a very recently discovered and mapped cave- it's entirely likely that new passages could be discovered

[@mikesrandomchannel]

A comforting thought - hey, we’re technically still above-ground!

[@KaiTheMemeKing]

I'm genuinely shocked no one died in that first story. Those people are incredibly strong. The guy with the stove deserves more props!

[@VomicaEmanio]

Almost anyone _would_ have died there. Even those three who went up first were clearly in excellent shape, and would not have made it if they had waited to go up with the others. That russian team were true experts who probably were in better shape than most professional athletes.

[@zerotwoisreal]

average russian

[@SilentHotdog28]

@@VomicaEmanio Freakin' Russians man, they're something else ey?

[@brandonmcgrew4367]

@@VomicaEmanioI’m a firm believer those guys are in better shape than pro athletes. Pro athletes couldn’t keep up with them.

[@MiloShaw9190]

​@brandonmcgrew4367 It's as much mental as it is physical, honestly. High-adrenaline, high-risk stuff tends to attract people who (while often being wonderful humans) have a few screws loose. Athletes are fit, but usually aren't faced with tricky situations that may kill you LOL

[@waynetendo1172]

i cannot even begin to fathom the mind of that man. he hiked up a mountain in the Caucuses in the winter to the worlds deepest cave, by himself, without telling anyone where he was going. then went down into the cave for days in total solitude and darkness. it's utterly brainless how he went about it but the sheer confidence and willpower he had is just incredible to me.

[@captainsoi]

Plus, he ate pasta + ketchup throughout his stay there

[@taitsmith8521]

Sometimes you just can't find anyone to go with you.

[@joro7304]

Where did he s**t by the way?

[@mekaerwin7187]

@@joro7304 Wherever he pleased.

[@joro7304]

@@mekaerwin7187 One more reason not to enter a cave then. Because there could be human s...t anywhere & everywhere. lmao.

[@broadside1713]

"One team member was even carrying a stove and four sleeping bags attached to his harness." Guy hauling all that ensuring his buddies will eat and sleep as well as possible in such a dire situation, what a badass!

[@Aaron-zu3xn]

should've ditched all the gear and brought only survival cave diving gear

[@Noise_floorxx]

lol that was much needed.

[@broadside1713]

@@Aaron-zu3xn Listen if you climb out and survive a whirlpooling flood of death in the deepest known cave in the world I'm not about to question anything you chose to haul up with you lol

[@OldSkullInn]

@@broadside1713 I just imagine him as a cartoonish man, just a big handlebar mustache, and climbing up, taunting the folks ahead of him.

[@Mysixofnine]

That be my homies 🤣

[@markstevenson439]

That guy was insane to attempt to go down that cave by himself, I don't care how much experienced a caver he was that was insane.

[@itinensanzen]

He wasnt, no experience in this kind of wet and deep cave. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

[@jimmyrussels6631]

if you want to cave solo, it would be wise to bring pottasium cyanide tablets and / or a firearm incase you do wind up in a situation where you have absolutely no escape. Might seem harsh, but truth is that it is much quicker and less painful to die by self inflicted gunshot wound or cyanide poisoning than it is to slowly freeze and starve to death.

[@HarpazoReady2022]

And he didn’t tell anyone where he was going. Not wise to do.

[@spacecat86]

He wasn’t….that’s why he didnt have foot ascenders. Also why im assuming he didnt know how to foot lock.

[@olegkosygin2993]

He wasn't insane, he was overconfident. He was an experienced sportsman (hockey team captain), but hockey and hiking are very different from caving in the deepest cave in the world. He was preparing for a year for this descent, researched other expeditions' materials, etc. But he did not have the equipment required for such a complex descent.

[@PTS156]

I have been to a cave before. Unexplored as far as I could tell. I walked in as far as the light reached….. then every fiber of my being told me to exit immediately. That was my caving career. Idk whats going on with these people that causes them to be completely immune to fear.

[@firefly9838]

Some caves are inhabited by.....things. You have to worry about anything from hiding serial killers to other.... ...... less than human creatures lurking in some caves.

[@AnemoiaBlues]

@@firefly9838 What do you mean by less than human

[@firefly9838]

@@AnemoiaBlues let's just say if you stay above ground you'll spare yourself from some of things I've unfortunately had to witness...

[@AnemoiaBlues]

@@firefly9838 If you don’t mind me asking what have you seen?

[@firefly9838]

@@AnemoiaBlues my friend that is a long, dark part of my history for me to revisit. Perhaps one day we will meet and I'll tell you my story over a drink.

[@yyz4761]

The fact that Sergei had researched and planned out this trip for a year and didn’t bring stirrups for his ascenders is mind boggling

[@slyderace]

I agree!! I'm just a basic rock climber and I have stirrups in my climbing backpack "just in case" I ever need to climb up a bridge or cliff. The fact that he knew ahead of time of the deep passages and didn't bring any is stupid!!

[@ryanwarunek8385]

Sometimes you just forget shit

[@Sherolox]

@@ryanwarunek8385 And lose your life because of it? That’s certainly very unfortunate.

[@Sherolox]

@@ryanwarunek8385 And lose your life because of it? That’s certainly very unfortunate.

[@OllieNorthover]

Right? Maybe I'm missing something but I'm sure there's got to be more to it than that. Because in a pinch you can just tie a couple of foot loops in a short bit of rope hanging from each ascender.

[@hunterwolf5482]

Ah, yes. The fear of heights and claustrophobia, all in one.

[@Sashazur]

Don’t forget fear of the dark and fear of drowning too!

[@nkw1985]

@@Sashazur - I have a fear of insects, heights, and deep water so caves like this are basically my ultimate nightmare all in one. I still enjoy mentally torturing myself watching these videos for some reason I can't understand.

[@kliersheed]

@@nkw1985 well you better never watch "the descent" :D

[@nkw1985]

@@kliersheed - I love the original and the sequel lol. It's rare for horror movies to frighten me but those were successful in doing so.

[@LiberatedMind1]

Don't forgot water!

[@Toccata.]

Sadly a few years later the groups leader Pavel Demidov died in another cave in the same area I forget it’s name but he had gone back to get some more rope for him and his caving partner and his buddy noticed he had been away longer than normal so he went back and saw that some rocks fell on Pavel and killed him. He was a very knowledgeable brave cave spelunker.😞

[@ScaryInteresting]

Yeah, I saw that when researching this. Super sad, he was a legend

[@Jetiix]

Really sad, but at least he died doing what he loved

[@D1mly]

Dude imagine being a professional, surviving such thing as in a video, doing everything right...just to get killed by random rocks. Shit is just unfair

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

will he do it again in the next lifetime or is he done with it... Leah,...go and ask him.

[@Neopulse00]

@@D1mly God legit wanted it to be his time

[@Trollgernautt]

Sergei's story gets me extra mad every time I hear it. He left a wife and 2 children behind, without letting them know where he was going and (acording to some sources) although he was an outdoorsman, he had only went caving TWICE before trying to go by himself exploring what is the Everest of caves, it takes a special kind of stupid and cocky to do something like that. Also, retrieving his body was a whole ordeal by itself.

[@ChrundleTGreat]

Me too. Especially knowing how to make prusik jumars out of shoelaces!! If he had known how to tie a prusik knot he could’ve ascended using his shoelaces as stirrups. Smmfh!

[@InfinityDz]

A wise person would have gone down there gradually, make it to camp 1 one time, camp 2 a few months later, and so on. He would've known what to expect and would've thought about safety considerations more. I don't agree with comments praising his courage, I think this is just plain old stupidity and/or negative masculinity.

[@nickjunes]

@@ChrundleTGreat I mean anyone who knows how to climb a rope bare handed knows the how to wrap your legs in the rope and make a foot hold with nothing. I don't think he even knew how to do that, but perhaps he was too cold.

[@ililililili9726]

@@nickjunes Can you do that for hundreds of meters?

[@nickjunes]

@@ililililili9726 I could do a 100 feet really fast last time I tried so if I stopped and rested a few times I'm sure I could do around 300 feet. The trick is to alternate the rope over the top and bottom of your feet so you make a foot rest. When you have your feet this way it takes almost no effort to stay in one place. It might be made more difficult if the rope is really thin. I'm not sure what kind of rope he was working with. If it was very think it might be hard to get the friction you need. I'd probably try making a loop over one shoe if I couldn't get enough friction. I'm gonna look up the shoelace stirrup trick other people are talking about now though just in case.

[@alexanderadavar6439]

I found a skeleton when I was young while caving in Ireland, I reported it and never heard anymore about it after showing them where it was, it had clearly been there a very long time, but it was still haunting to imagine a person sitting down for the final time in this dark pocket in the earth

[@userequaltoNull]

Where, and when? That could probably be found by a skilled internet searcher, even if you found in in pre-internet days.

[@michaelvoorhees5978]

Probably a burial

[@MI_History]

That is kind of cool, sad, and scary.

[@adambane1719]

@@userequaltoNull Ireland still doesn't have the internet yet though.

[@AgniFirePunch]

What kind of clothing were they wearing? Did they have gear with them? When do you think it was from?

[@Perebynis]

So the russian team members saved Jeff´s and Robbie´s lives as they let the less experienced climbers go ahead while they stayed back down in the rising flood. These guys are incredibly brave.

[@charlesreid9337]

not "let". If anything the most experienced climbers would probably be at the lead and rear. The russians were just acting as a team as they should. These guys probably saw them packing, waiting etc and thought "fuckthat im out"

[@fofao681]

@@charlesreid9337 lol imagine how shitty and happy they made it out

[@angrycheetos2112]

No ones fault inexperienced people decided to make choices...life wins/loses are soley your responsibility.

[@saleemwaheed9956]

Russians are cool! Putin is crazy!

[@rohanabraham4169]

Yeah I was really thinking the camera guys were going to never see the team ever again.

[@kokonana4086]

Mad respect to the Russian guy who managed to carry a stove and other equipments through that torrential whirlpool of water and emerged at the other end without any scratch. Such a badass!

[@duzehalo]

I want him to be my friend. I think I'd feel safe with him anywhere 😅

[@soapimie2665]

Yes he was a Russian after all what to expect.

[@213kilacali]

Russians just built different

[@areyoumybuddy]

#MVP

[@Graczent.D]

@@soapimie2665 An Orc

[@slister45]

Going into dark, damp, gigantic holes in the ground is a big and resounding "Nope!" from me. I would only do such a thing if one of my children fell into one. But I am fascinated by these stories you tell - watching someone live through my worst nightmares, especially when the gigantic holes are filled with water and they are diving with equipment that can fail. Absolutely riveting! Thank you.

[@ryanwalsh2455]

I can only imagine the unparalleled fear hearing then seeing the water pouring/flooding down, WHEN YOURE ALREADY 6,800 FEET DOWN A CAVE. The fact that people even went 7,200 feet underground in a CAVE is mental. Then again, we literally have been on the moon. Humans are nuts.

[@larryjanson4011]

we (humans) know more about what is above us then below us. and it is far costlier to build a submarine than a space ship. sub has to hold back thousands of pounds pressure. a space ship only has to hold in 14 psi. just costs a huge amout to get it up there.

[@BobbyEngels-Natsariym]

We have never been to the moon. Even nasa admits this to this day. This is no conspiracy, it’s actually a conspiracy that we did go to space, when all day everyday nasa and the US government and military admit this truth

[@mariosola1]

This is a great comment

[@malibudolphin3109]

Lol to the moon NOT No possible way through van Allen belt

[@HiiImChris]

Yeah we just have to " get there" lmao. That's completely disconnected from the reality of how absurd the engineering is to get anything to space. It's insanely expensive for a reason and don't forget that before they even solved that issue humans had absolutely zero understanding of what any living thing would have to endure in space, for all we knew a human could have instantaneously combusted. It's also incredibly foreign to the human psych and has an uncanny feeling. @@larryjanson4011

[@opinian1068]

Thank you for being one of the only disaster/tragedy channels with actual dynamic narrative ability. Seriously. Some drone on almost unbearably, thinking their voices have to sound as grim as the content. Others get caught in the same inflection loops through the whole video. Narration really is a talent. Thanks for having it. Cheers!

[@aquachonk]

Good point.

[@stonefox2546]

Fascinating Horror is another nice one. That one's mostly about crashes, crushes, collapses and fires, with good bit of postmortem about the industry failures and improvements from the incidents.

[@Black-Sun_Kaiser]

I've noticed less and less are doing the grim voice thing lately , maybe they finally got the memo. We don't likeeee it 😂. I love this guy though , no complaints at all.

[@opinian1068]

@@Black-Sun_Kaiser Amen. And much agreed.

[@tov7913]

Watch Internet Historian's latest Video!

[@Anomaly-33]

That must be one of the most terrifying death experiences. Being alone in the cold darkness slowly realizing that you're going to either starve to death or have to commit suicide. Imagine the frustration, panic, and despair when he was trying to climb back out but his feet kept slipping... no one deserves that regardless of how stupid it was to go in.

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

well, maybe if he didn't leave his fucking clamp-ons behind he might have been able to climb back up, but you know... russians don't think like that. he probably took them off and dropped them because they were slightly inconvenient or something stupid like that. forget about putting them in your backpack for use later, nah just leave them, its not like you're gonna need them and oh shit i'm rock marooned.... oh well, time to sit and wait for the end then.

[@theshape3431]

I disagree.. you say he doesn’t deserve that as if he didn’t put himself in the situation… as humans we need to take accountability for our actions.. and descending deep into a cave alone like that without the proper gear, he got exactly what he deserved

[@FluffyFractalshard]

I think people who are daring as this guy, dont have much fear of death and some people are actually ok with dying. If I was in his position, I would surely regret having to die, but at the same time kinda look forward to what comes after. we are immortal beings of light after all..

[@DianeHasHopeInChrist]

A father and husband who was irresponsible, selfish, and immature; in making such a vile choice. He got what he asked for. I have pity for his family, that he abandoned. But not for him.

[@mikesrandomchannel]

Maybe he just ran out of torch batteries. Then that would have been that.

[@Scarfuim]

That team member who was carrying a stove and 4 fucking bags defiantly needs a world record 💀

[@jordanquinlisk8145]

The way you slowly revealed the cave map was great, very anxiety and wonder inducing

[@siggevibes]

I just exclaimed WTF as the rest of the cave was revealed

[@jordanquinlisk8145]

@@flat-earther absolutely not. It's impossible. I suggest you get sourced from anywhere but KZbin. Let's imagine for a sec i believe the same thing. It would be impossibly expensive to run a global team to keep people from finding out. You'd need to spend so many resources faking moon travel, satellites and all the telescopes in the world. etc Keep an open mind but not so open your brain spills out. Hope you learn the real problem in this reality and that under our laws of physics in this universe.

[@Ginkoman2]

and using 2 different maps one with metric and with idiotic units was definitly not confusing at all

[@spottedslash4256]

I was feeling uncomfortable when it was going down, but when it turned right and went Deeper. No, Never.

[@mindfortress105]

SPOILER: There is nothing in those caves

[@xanthefreeman4867]

Listening to the "main story" of the original cave explorers with the water gushing in was HORRIFYING!!! I was so worried for them the entire time and the fact they made it out alive was AMAZING, especially the guy carrying 4 sleeping bags and half a kitchen - after the ordeal he just sat and had a cup of tea and was LAUGHING?!!! MANIAC!

[@foxtrotnine2504]

I think there’s a little more to it. Once some people reach a certain level of expertise, they start to feel invincible. It happens with all dangerous professions like piloting, diving etc. maybe the guy was calm and laughing becuase he genuinely thought that it wasn’t as deadly as a situation as it really was.

[@xanthefreeman4867]

@@foxtrotnine2504 I never thought of that. Wow

[@everythingsalright1121]

Laughing can often be a way to deal with nervousness or adrenaline; ie. the "holy shit we're alive" feeling

[@jffry890]

Russian moment

[@m0n4rch911]

@@everythingsalright1121 Someone made a morbid joke and them being Russians they'd laugh but yeah pretty darn sure they knew they could have died there if they didnt act fast. They were pros, the fact that they were cool with leaving expensive equipment meant they knew they were out of time and by time i mean seconds to less than 3 minutes and they carried the sleeping bag and kitchen for warmth coz they knew everyone would be wet and cold and being cold can drain strength out of you fast so the sleeping bags and kitchen would have saved their lives. Very professional is an understatement, pretty much masters at that point.

[@tiredallthetime1636]

I can’t imagine the fear he felt before he went to sleep for the last time. He was wet and freezing unable to get himself back up to the camp likely knowing he wasn’t going to get back out of that cave. He probably thought of his family who would never know what happened to him or where to even begin looking for him. I hope he didn’t suffer for long.

[@Michaeljack81sk]

Same, I want to hope by then he was far gone enough that he was thinking he'd have a little sleep to recover some strength then give it another try when he woke up

[@KhoiruunisaRF]

The time he had inside that cave was the time for him to reflect on his own action.

[@jojofanatico6928]

at least, he just fell asleep and die, a death without pain...

[@wiggy5209]

either due to starvation or exposure ...it wouldn't have been nice or quick

[@BillThaPill]

He suffered long lol

[@welovewii4]

Amazing that the team of experts and camera team made it out. I thought for certain they weren’t going to make it. It does inspire some confidence when you know there are experts who can handle these seemingly impossible situations.

[@JCO2002]

I've had to deal with two rotten bodies in caves here in Jamaica over the years. The smell is horrible, but as for deadly gases from the decomposition - not in my experience. I suppose if it were in a very confined space it might be different. RS Stewart - Jamaican Caves Organisation.

[@trini9887]

Stuff like this happens here in Jamaica? I had no idea 😨

[@quintonbrumley5900]

Holy shit, that’s hardcore man. I wouldn’t go in there period,be careful 👍.

[@JCO2002]

@@trini9887 Yep. The first, in 2004, was at Hutchinson's Hole south of Claremont, St Ann. The second, in, 2015, was near Accompong, NW St Elizabeth. None since then, thank goodness.

[@ScaryInteresting]

Ahhh gotcha! One of the sources I used may have been incorrect. I'll make an update on the pinned comment!

[@itsMe-ey2lv]

Did u kill them? 🤔

[@twotrucks5263]

So Perevo witnessed a whirlpool a mile beneath the surface in a pitch black claustrophobic rising flood nightmare, barely escaped with their lives after letting the newbie go first, and decided, "hey let's do that again." I cannot imagine the insane bravery and dedication to a craft.

[@rarog4241]

This is just adrenaline addiction, imo.

[@absolutetr4sh551]

There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity

[@outrun7455]

@@absolutetr4sh551 And you ride it

[@wiss256]

Let's not forget that they are supposed to be world class cave explorers

[@absolutetr4sh551]

@@outrun7455 Ride on these fucking nuts

[@kaytlinjustis5643]

Rule one of going into caves or, exploration in general, never, I repeat, NEVER go down into ANY cave by yourself! It's far to easy to get lost, hurt or killed from making one wrong error! Equipment failure, thirst, hunger are just a few of the things that can and will happen. It's even worse when you DON'T TELL anybody where you're going and what time you expect to be back because they'll never find you!

[@drflannelxd904]

Honestly you can plan for everything your singular human perspective can and do everything as right as you can- shit still happens to the most experienced of us. You can do everything right and still die just because things went wrong.

[@kaytlinjustis5643]

@@drflannelxd904 True, but there's no harm in preparing for the worst! ^^

[@bible1st]

Being way down thousands of feet inside a cave and a vortex of water under trying to suck you down into the abyss sounds like one of the worse things imaginable.

[@clintstechtips6571]

I've been stuck in a flooding cave before. We came back to a pitch that was probably a 10m single rope upclimb but was completely dry when we climbed down. Single rope climbing gear is designed so that once you're on the rope, the only way is up. Thankfully my climbing lead at the time was a level headed person and stopped one of my team's panicking caver from clipping himself onto the rope and attempting to climb a waterfall. He explained that two weeks before, two people died doing exactly the same thing after the first person started drowning halfway up on the rope - the second caver died after attempting to help the first one. They were both recovered still hanging halfway up the rope/pitch a few days later when the water receded. We had to take an alternative route and waited it out on the highest part of the cave. But we saw that the water mark went all the way up to the ceiling. We had to brave it and get the heck out of there through an alternative section which included us having to duck our heads almost completely underwater only with our noses and torches sticking out to get to the next chamber. We had to do this a few times as it was a series of chambers. The water was still rising at this point and the last time I had to duck my head under I had to hold my breath for what felt like a very long time. Basically if we stayed and waited it out and it rained any much stronger I would not be here. Those hours were the longest in my life, felt like I was stuck in that dark hole for a year. Fuck caving and rain.

[@IIISWILIII]

Damn....that's pretty crazy

[@_alia]

Glad you got out, stranger.

[@shonii119]

i think you are very smart, don't do that again

[@llab3903]

Yeah. That’s why we don’t go down there

[@Lawrence_Talbot]

I was stuck in a flooded cave once. My Boy Scout troop went as an excursion to a cave that’s regularly explored by the public as stopover before a week at summer camp. But a fluke summer storm occurred and we were caught in a tropical storm that lasted about a week. Since most of us were kids (new scouts so 5th graders), we weren’t strong enough to pull ourselves up against the downpour, and there was no one coming for us since it was suicide to climb down to try to rescue someone. Thankfully the cave had a very very wide cavern at the bottom, so it took a long time for it to flood up to where we were sleeping. What was supposed to be an overnight trip turned into surviving for 5 nights. Thankfully most of us got out and obviously some scouts quit after that. Definitely not the first impression you want to make for learning how to survive in the wilderness.

[@snow.flower]

It’s always comforting to know i will never experience this because I WILL NEVER DO THIS IN MY LIFE

[@thatsmaxxx]

exactly like nothing would ever convince me to do this

[@omnoms2445]

@@thatsmaxxx Same. Not even a million dollars honestly.

[@briannawest136]

I always say the same thing, but have all these irrational fears like, what if I just wake up in a cave/the ocean/the jungle/submarine/space, places I certainly won’t ever go willing 😅😅

[@honestazzhole3429]

You better hope you don’t fall in a deep hole covered with vegetation lol

[@KM-il1sg]

bold words for someone in cave distance

[@patti6178]

I really enjoyed the first part of this story. It's rare to find stories of people that actually make it out of life threatening situations. It's still a harrowing tale, so it was suspenseful, but I get to be happy for the team at the end instead of sad.

[@jamiecarbaugh]

Sadly the group leader Pavel, died a few years later in another cave close to the one in the video. He went to retrieve rope for his climbing partner and when he didn't return his partner went up to look for him and he found Pavel after he was killed by falling rocks.

[@GeoEstes]

Yes. I much prefer the stories with happy endings.

[@ink_poisoning]

@@jamiecarbaugh why would you tell me that

[@ardius9777]

@@jamiecarbaugh F

[@VirtuaBun]

If you havent watched I Survived you totally should. Lots of stories about amazing feats of survival and strength. My step-grandfather was on the show too, he was on the boat that saved 2 boys lost at sea for 6 days. :}

[@adriankelly_edinburgh]

As a mountaineer, I found this absolutely fascinating. I'd be willing to bet that, in the second story, the batteries in his head torch would likely have given up long before he died so he probably spent his final days trying to ascend a fixed rope with no footholds in absolute darkness. He'd have remained attached to the ropes (as found) to prevent himself from falling accidentally into the abyss. Let's be careful out there, folks!

[@tibor29]

Holy shit you're probably right. That makes it 100x even more terrifying.

[@AlexandreG]

Let's be real, this guy didn't bring a lamp with the batteries inside it and no more in his bag. Even my scout sister brings 3 week batteries for her 3 day trips, it's not like they're an insane weight

[@StuermischeTage]

@@AlexandreG I tend to bring at least 1 light with a handgenerator to be able to have light, even if all else fails.

[@AlexandreG]

@@StuermischeTage right? Ain't no way this man actually got out of illumination before dying from cold, hunger or thirst. He just planned his trip not looking at all the variables. Must be one of the most frustrating ways to die, giving up on trying to escape, knowing by only luck and miracle someone will enter the cave in your last days

[@AlexanderAnqvist-dw8ou]

There's one thing I don't understand, on a completely vertical rope can't you ascend with nothing but your hands if you have 2 ascenders? You just clip on one, and then move the other one up, and clip that one on, and then you are free to move up the lower one, and rinse and repeat till you've made it out? I don't get why he needs footholds to make it out of there

[@andrewkuebler4335]

Excellent example of the contrast in a dangerous situation between a well equipped, experienced group, and a lone individual not prepared for the activity.

[@jout738]

Yes thats why young women did not come with them together there, because their panic would not allow them to survive, when the water starts to flow down from up there, so it was only around 40 year old male experinced experts who went down there and made it out alive.

[@luciaeliade2224]

@@jout738 bro wtf I'm crying. you are aware that the Perovo team had women on it right? this is hilarious

[@snekinnatenk6956]

@@jout738 this a stefan molyneux burner account lmao

[@mattd6085]

@@jout738 Just because young women panic around you doesn't mean they do it everywhere

[@3emeraldangel]

I've visited a few caves in Texas, but they were guided tours with no climbing gear necessary unless you take the more advanced route. I see the appeal of going cave exploring because it's a beautifuly haunting experience just being in a cave, but the idea of flooding or getting stuck alone is terrifying to me.

[@hpharridan]

yes

[@DunsfordFarnsworth]

I don’t consider myself claustrophobic but going that far into a cave is kinda terrifying…you’re essentially trapped inside the earth

[@stinks7065]

I've been on a guided tour in a former mine turned into a museum that was constantly meticulously maintained to make sure it's safe and it was beautiful but I kept thinking about the fact that I'm under multiple feet of rock and it kind of freaked me out. Can't imagine how terrified I'd be crawling through small tunnels or grappling down shafts while also underground.

[@BadWebDiver]

Safe tourist caves are the only things I would ever do.

[@GrimOrdnance]

I've been caving, in touristy ones and mildy difficult caves. Nothing like this, but it is exciting. I've heard too many stories of people getting stuck or drowning in caves though. Its terrifying to think about being stuck... One I went in we had to belly crawl with heads turned to the side or it wouldn't fit with the helmet. Not only was that terrifying, but the fact that I had people in front of me and behind me I had to rely on to also not freak out... no thank you.

[@Swaggaccino]

Can we take a moment to realize that this cave is so deep, complex, and isolated, that if any explorer's light source were to go out, it would mean guaranteed death.

[@R1chAsshole]

Like the cave by H.P. Lovecraft but without a happy ending

[@thebigboy9850]

nah if that happened to me i’d be fine

[@jofujino]

I am sure a world class team had some sort of contingency plan for that.

[@unitedleagueofgamers3633]

That’s most caves

[@cooellenper]

Almost every caver takes spare lights for exactly that reason.

[@bambusbjorn2328]

13:18 carrying a stove and four sleeping bags , the real gigachad

[@DROIDFARM]

I like your style. No click bait or psycho flashing scenes. Just a story told clearly and well. Liked and subscribed!

[@willdarling1]

great video, but the repetitive "music" was a crime

[@cameronspence4977]

Whats a "Fychoe"?

[@DROIDFARM]

@@cameronspence4977 nobody knows... haha typo 😅

[@ArealPlays-zz333]

Psycho* ​@@DROIDFARM

[@itsmebilly725]

There are three very important things that can be learned from Sergei's unfortunately death. 1: You should always tell someone where you're going if you're exploring someplace remote, no matter how experienced of an outdoorsman you are. 2. Always make sure you pack the right equipment for the trip to ensure your survival, do your research. 3. Perhaps the most important, never and I mean NEVER go on a cave expedition alone! I can't even begin to imagine how horrible it'd be to die like that; cold, alone and in pitch black darkness so cut off from the rest of the world. Just imagine how many people have died like this and have never been found.

[@EmilyCarter-d1b]

I would die from stress from being alone rather than the cold

[@haywoodjablowme899]

@@EmilyCarter-d1b who asked though?

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Just the really dumb ones, tho.

[@leftyeh6495]

There's a map of all the known underground cave systems in the US, and if you overlay it with missing persons reports it lines up scarily well. I know of places where there are no real caves to explore, yet there are holes big enough for a man to fall into and nothing to climb out with. Lots of people just out hunting and hiking can fall into a small gap far away from a trail and disappear forever.

[@travelsouthafrica5048]

you would be amazed how many stupid people have done stupid things and got away with it , sometimes your luck just runs out

[@kalebbruwer]

That Sergei guy is a good example of why you should _never_ do something like this alone

[@flat-earther]

kalebbruwer I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Would having people with him have saved him though? Not if they were as ill-prepared as him and they didn't alert anyone to where they were going.

[@KCohere33]

I remember the one about Sergei! So they’re the ones who found him!

[@Relies-t5v]

you should never do something like this at all

[@lemonacidrounds7293]

Yeah if they were two or more they'd have company for pep talk until the end comes. He did not have the equipment for such exploration!

[@mivapusa]

There's just something borderline Lovecraftian about the mind-boggling horror and existential dread of being lost in a cave in the guts of the world, knowing there is nothing you can do and yet you're still alive

[@RandomUser2401]

this video would be so much more enjoyable if he at least stated sane units in addition.

[@buffoonustroglodytus4688]

Ain’t nothing lovecraftian about finding a fuckin mile deep hole in the ground and deciding to climb down it

[@LASAGNA_LARRY]

How the hell is that Lovecraftian? Dude is just using buzzwords and people are mildly upvoting it, lmao.

[@Scuffed_Gambit]

@@LASAGNA_LARRY Howard Phillips Lovecraft, well known for his horror fiction

[@AdamBorseti]

Yeah, "The Mound" by HP Lovecraft is about a giant sub-terrainian cave system with an ancient alien species living down there. I can totally see the connection.

[@malka1762]

The moment you mentioned that 5 more lights could be seen was the first time I teared up from relief while watching your videos, the entire team is amazing for how they dealt with the situation and it's great to know that everyone made it out.

[@alansalgado2740]

I know. A happy ending…or so I thought.

[@francis7336]

"It's 7000 feet deep, or 23 Statues of Liberty stacked on top of each other" Me, a European: I like your funny words, magic man

[@jonhattanrai]

As a Mexican this was also incomprehensible mumbling. Why don't they use the F-ing metric system?

[@pluto8404]

@@jonhattanrai it is roughly 14,000 burritos deep.

[@victoriaharris8543]

I couldn’t breathe listening to this story. No way

[@cookiecraze1310]

The one country that uses imperial. Also happens to be the one country with a school shooting ever 1-2 weeks. Coincidence? Yes.

[@samblack5313]

Americans will do anything to avoid using the metric system.. 😂

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

Ever since I read a story, as a kid, about a famous incident where a guy went caving by himself in Kentucky, the idea of going into a cave that has tight spaces has made me nervous. I can't imagine doing something like that by myself...it's insane. The more stories I hear about people getting themselves killed by foolishly climbing mountains, attempting to reach one of the poles, caving, etc., the more I realize these people aren't dying due to bad luck, they're dying because they took stupid chances and usually failed to use the proper equipment for what they're doing. Nothing heroic about getting yourself killed out of sheer foolishness.

[@aliciageary7653]

Floyd Collins. I live near those caves. He's very well known here. I love Mammoth Cave National Park. It's sacred to me.

[@ililililili9726]

He wasn't trying to be heroic. You are making dumb assumptions.

[@JayWalkerOnline]

Nah, it makes sense to me. If you're a kid learning about people caving, going to the Poles, climbing Everest, etc oftentimes such people are portrayed as brave and heroic, crossing frontiers and such. And then you get a couple years older and realize people don't take equipment and ignore regulations and these things have all been crossed and discovered before, and it's all egos and stupidity.

[@TeaCup1940]

Exactly. Most people that die caving, mountaineering etc. do that because of mistakes, they are not well prepared, they overestimate their abilities, underestimate weather conditions and do not plan the expeditions or explorations well enough. I wonder if that guy that went alone into this cave even considered the possibility that he could die and leave his wife a widow and his two kids without a father. I guess he never thought about that possibility.

[@zzanatos2001]

If caving in tight spaces scares you, don't watch the video about Nutty Putty Cave.

[@miroslavmilan]

This is insane. I never realized caves can grow vertically like this. In my naive perspective of a regular visitor, I always perceived them as predominantly horizontal affairs. 😅

[@bregoodnow5249]

you’re not the only one! I was thinking of a more obtuse decline instead of vertical

[@bystandersarah]

The erosion of water forms these types of caves in limestone (karst topography) so vertical flow, horizontal flow, flowing through weak spots in the rocks and making them larger over time. Exploring this cave system would be akin to walking around a temporarily dry river bed that flows along whatever axis is provided. Only more dangerous. It’s likely gonna have water coursing through it at some point during the year.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

It's like a hollow mountain

[@fbiagent3998]

When you've watched enough of these type of videos, they seem nothing but vertical

[@scootermom1791]

Same!

[@stormychai]

Honestly, what do you think is in a cave that's so worth exploring, especially on your own, that you'd leave your wife and kids behind and not tell anyone where you were going? I was always told as a kid, if I ever decide to go ANYWHERE, tell people where you're going, so they can find you.

[@chanmandeath2993]

Its moreso the attitude and thrill of doing it, I'd say.

[@society7629]

"Honestly, what do you think is in a cave that's so worth exploring" Adventure

[@nathan-dw7ju]

@@society7629 true, but i feel like you should always have at least 1 person with you when doing stuff like that just incase anything happens

[@DinnerForkTongue]

The folly of thinking they're a video game protagonist.

[@z000mbful]

@@nathan-dw7ju You know that a cavers are super rare species ? its not like you got friends who also do it, they are mostly alone at their hobby

[@jim-do5pt]

As a caver myself, I really appreciate the profile maps, and the description of the incidents, plus the post-script of that solo caver's body...!

[@lemonacidrounds7293]

You've posted this a year ago are you still with us? I hope you're not a participant in one of these videos!?

[@dazzledave]

Y'all are nuts

[@Happy_Shopper]

I was so unbelievably relieved to hear that the expedition group survived

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

I have no desire to go cave exploring, cave diving, skydiving, mountain climbing, or any of the other activities adventurers love to do. I'm perfectly content to experience their ultimate highs or unfortunate lows from my own living room while watching your channel.

[@moniquetheobald889]

Lol same as : ) XXX

[@davesmith5656]

Ah ... chicken! I go caving under my bed, sky diving off a big rock at my mountain retreat - and that's my mountain climbing, over 36,000 in. elevation. As for cave diving, that's when I dig for the lost fork in the dirty dishwater in my sink.

[@dogma3705]

I'd like to go on interesting adventures, but I'm disabled/not very mobile, so I get my fix by watching videos like these!

[@idontknow2074]

I do multiple day backpacking, cross country hiking and stuff like that. The only sketchy times I’ve had are from wolf animals like rattlesnakes, bears, wolves, mountain lions etc. other than that, if you know how to navigate, have a satellite phone, a weapon with ammo and a knife, maybe a tent or a tarp and rope you can basically go and do anything you want. The knife can provide everything you need to make snares, bows, shelter, etc. it’s definitely hard though. But that’s in an emergency. I usually bring trail food and purification tablets for water. Just be safe, trust your instincts and if you have to question it, don’t do it. Obviously there are situations out of your control though such as forest fires and really bad storms. But if your smart you can survive those generally. Anyways I guess I’m just saying you don’t have to do extreme things too satisfy your cravings for adventure. Those are simply adrenaline junkies.

[@sunsetlights100]

@@idontknow2074 Would bears, be main danger hiking?

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

The sole idea of caves so deep, and twisted, and narrow is terrifying. But there's an additional thought that sends shivers down my spine. Can you imagine being this deep, and suddenly an earthquake begins. It's not impossible, considering a lot of the expansive cave systems are in fairly seismically active regions.

[@mirrrstery]

New fear unlocked, thanks! 😂

[@bob20011]

Actually when you are underground in a cave you are less likely to even know an earthquake happened. Exceptions can occur based on the geology, strength of earthquake, and how close to the earthquake source you are. This has been confirmed many times by miners not even noticing an earthquake until they get back up top and are told it happened.

[@paatwo]

Tectonic plates shouldnt be close to mountains since the mountains have been there for very long, meaning earthquakes are probably very minimal there

[@paatwo]

Even looking at the tectonic plates you can see that (atleast regarding this video) Russia should basically have no earthquakes

[@Cherubi-chan]

@@paatwo Tectonic plate boarders are actually really close to most mountains because tectonic plates pushing against each other *creates* mountains at their boarders. For example the Caucasus and the Alps are the product of African, Arabian and Indian plates moving northward onto the Eurasian plate (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpide_belt). According to the Wikipedia page on Caucasus mountains the entire region is regularly subjected to strong earthquakes (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasus_Mountains). Although the region isn't as active as many other faults, especially the Ring of Fire. Mountains that are far away from tectonic plates actually get lower and lower with time because there's no longer any force to raise them whilst wind and rain wears them down. With mid-plate volcanoes being the one obvious exception from this.

[@ActionAdventureTwins]

Holy sketch! We always feared that even the largest cave chambers could quickly fill with water when it floods. This confirms it and the giant whirlpool that formed was insane to think about too!

[@Mysixofnine]

I’ve watched you guys scary doing that stuff stay safe guys!! And enjoy what you love 🤘🏻🍻

[@maribeldeleon5323]

Easier to get out. 😂

[@southaussielad2496]

You guys are crazy, never stop exploring and having fun!!!

[@halfestevan1]

Are you guys going to check out Veryovkina? Going into that cave with the style and quality of videos that you guys do would be epic. You should start some kind of patreon or other platforms so that people can donate and fund your trip there, I know I would.

[@anamekian1742]

@WingOfRedemption What in the _HELL_ are you over there _jabbin’_ about, homie??

[@tacticsogreman]

"For reasons unclear there were no more expeditions till the year 2000" I think reasons are pretty clear. Perestroika, retreat from Afghanistan, collapse, civil war, collapsing economy, boom in organized crime, etc. In short, no one had time to explore caves as part of an expedition.

[@Suiseisexy]

You typed "The CIA is evil and enforced the wealthy's rule of the world, tormenting any challenger into irrelevance" wrong, common mistake, the keys are like right next to each other

[@jetblackjoy]

...and money to finance them.

[@tacticsogreman]

@@jetblackjoy Oh, there was plenty of money. A lot of people became rich almost overnight in the 90s. By buying factories and shit for almost nothing. By smuggling shit. Problem was, that was all criminal. Criminals don't really care about expeditions lol

[@pakde8002]

It's not fear of death but the horror before death that keeps me out of caves.

[@samskisamsonof]

lol. mine is just common sense. but cool story bro

[@sammyhain]

I’ve almost died before from drowning, what happens before you go numb is far more terrifying than death. Dying in a cave seems like the same type of do I fight the inevitable type thing.

[@owlskulls]

did an actual HUGE sigh of relief and laid back in my bed when I realized they all survived despite everything, oh my god

[@prick711]

same

[@Prism-Power]

TYSM I was scouring the comments dreading if it revealed they died 😭😭😭

[@GroovyGhost]

One of them did however die a few years later in another cave in the same area.

[@melissamcclain34]

Something about your voice and storytelling makes me feel like I'm right there in the cave so much so that I realized my heart was racing at one point! Love your videos!!

[@adamalia2229]

I am a new subscriber and I always find these videos scary and fascinating at the same time. What I love about watching these videos is the narrator's voice. He talks directly to the point and is never boring! The fact that he narrates without showing his face adds mystery to his wonderful voice! Keep the great videos coming! More power, , and thank you for your captivating story telling.

[@michpratt1]

This story horrified me when Tragedy Tales did it about a month ago. Now that you’ve done it and gone into way more technical aspects of the cave and challenges, I’m even MORE horrified. As I noted on his video, I can’t even fathom going ALONE into a pitch black cave thousands of feet underground, without even telling your family? Seems as though his ego played a big part. And I felt terrible for the retrieval team that had to dismember him when his wife INSISTED they get him back to surface to bury. Those poor people are likely traumatized smh. Great video on this and many others, Sean! Your research is stellar and voice is perfect for narration!

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

I've been present for situations like that... When it comes to something like a body retrieval, even for the people who make careers doing that, it's almost always "on voluntary basis". There aren't many bodies found in caves, so that kind of demand is pretty low, so even with a retrieval team of 100 people, there's likely to be someone who can step up with "a strong enough stomach" that s/he won't be traumatized. I might refer you to "Ask a Mortician" (channel on YT) where Caitlyn Doughty will get you fascinated about all things morticians, mortuaries, grieving process, and death with her fantastic sense of humor and a treasure trove of wisdom and information. I know I'm glad I found her channel before my mother died... Made getting arrangements in order SOOooo much easier on me, and I could help my stepdad through it, and even talk my brother through "the hard conversation" when that time came. ;o)

[@SchlaftaterNrzZz]

Imma build a See through Plexiglas cave above ground so everyone can Panic while knowing People can See and Help them 😄

[@littlejourneyseverywhere]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 A fellow Deathling!! Hi friend! :D

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@littlejourneyseverywhere Greetings, fellow Deathling! Always nice to meet someone of CULTURE!!! ;o)

[@harrywalker968]

even when we go 4x4ing,,we never,,go alone,& allways have sat ph, & travel plan..fun is fun,,till it aint.. people die here in the ausie desert, all the time..millions of acres of nothing.. as to the vid, sad.. but, where does all the water go,?. it has to flow somewhere to keep rufly same level, like a toilet.cystern. wander how much a diver would want to explore it.. for scary stuff, by a u.s seal.. watch mr ballen.. for interesting history,,of us.. watch viper tv, sumerian tablets. . praveen mohan. . for b/foot, . the facts by how to hunt. . everyhthing inside me. . brian foerster. . paracus mummies, not human..

[@dustinjr1993]

Rain is an absolute nightmare for cavers and a common theme in these stories

[@law-abiding-criminal]

Especially for drivers

[@HercadosP]

@@law-abiding-criminal drivers? As in the driver who drove them to the site? I guess automobile accidents are still way more likely than cave accidents, but what about it?

[@tegged1]

Can't always predict nature. Water WILL find you.

[@olegkosygin2993]

@CORKY TBH Perovo teams were anything but ignorant. They are some of the best in the world. In fact, this cave is their home turf - one of their members was leading the exploration of 2010-2011, when they actually blasted and shoveled their way into the deeper part of the cave ("old branch" was explored to the bottom in 1986-1989). You can't plan weather 2 weeks ahead in the mountains. Hell, you can't plan weather 1 day ahead in the mountains. They were too confident in literal uncharted territory - sure. But that's not what I'd call poor planning and ignorance. If they were that, they'd be dead like the hockey guy. True, it was a very close call, especially for the guy whose knee got busted up in the whirpool... the SANE decision would be to just never go inside any such cave whatsoever, but sanity aside, they're extremely competent.

[@vjrei]

I once went cave diving in Venezuela, I went with a cousin and two friends, I had no clue. We went down for an hour and there was a passage, some 40 feet long, two feet wide and one foot tall. The only way to pass it was by crawling with your shoulders and your toes. Just imagine being stuck there, under a mountain, any earthquake or anything and you are stuck there buried, no one will find you, no one will know you are there. I had not time to had a panic attack, I made it to the other side. I realized I was surrounded by a bunch of suicidal people.

[@TheBroknPezDispenser]

😂

[@lucaslucas2933]

That actually did happen to a cave diver though, and sadly he never made it out. Though in his case the cruel irony was rescue had found him alive but couldn’t get him out in time, or ever for that matter.

[@prestonfrank2231]

@@lucaslucas2933 Floyd collins or the guy that got stuck upside down?

[@hellboy7016]

@@prestonfrank2231 he probably meant floyd collins

[@plazmica0323]

@@hellboy7016 floyd was claimed by the cave, its almost paranormal how his life and death revolved around the cave for so long ..

[@albedoshader]

At 6:28 there is a huge error in this video-you’re off by a factor of 1000. 1 mm of precipitation means 1 l/m². A square kilometer (1 km²) is 1000 m x 1000 m, which is 1,000,000 m² (one million). That means that 1 mm precipitation over an area of 1 km² means 1 MILLION liters of rainfall, not 1 thousand. 1000 l equals 1 m³, which is equal to a cube of water with a side length of 1 m, weighing 1 t. 1,000,000 liters equals 1000 m³. That would be a cube of water with a side length of 10 meters, weighing 1000 t-that’s the tonnage of a cargo ship or 3 Boeing 747’s. A huge difference!

[@slister45]

Math. It matters! - from a retired high school algebra teacher

[@reazyy9667]

🤓👆

[@MayaRiddle]

​@@reazyy9667ur not funny

[@reazyy9667]

@@MayaRiddle but you are

[@Some-q1]

@@reazyy9667 bro made the opposite of a comeback

[@Handleyman]

That really is the most incredible cave I have ever seen. I especially loved the way you slowly revealed the depth. It just kept going and going!

[@lulabell3233]

I remember my father mentioning that he'd brought me caving when I was like 4-6ish years old. I'm a parent now and the thought literally makes me shiver, if you turn your gaze off them for a second to figure out your route and they decide to shimmy through a child size gap you'd never get them back. Too scary for me.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

It's okay so long as you're careful about WHICH caves you bring kids to. The Speliological Association has a rating system to help, and most grotto's (caving clubs) have notes and maps about their own difficulties or ratings based on recent legitimate experience inside... Lots of caves have notes with the rating and then some form or other of "family and kiddie friendly cave"... OR "Teens only and ALWAYS supervised"... and the like. ;o)

[@melissapeters6370]

I think my solution would be tying a hula hoop around their waist

[@michaelvoorhees5978]

The difference in people raising weak spoiled brats these days.... your dad was a good parent. You're not winning any mother of the year awards.

[@FranFerioli]

Rope them!

[@michaelvoorhees5978]

@@FranFerioli then beat their asses for not minding

[@CaptainAlliance]

*Damn, this is the only time I've seen one of these "Cave exploring goes wrong" videos where most people end up getting out alive and intact.*

[@sixten8493]

Cheers for spoiling the ending for me, Captain

[@visassess8607]

@@sixten8493 It's your fault for reading the comments

[@5stargrim]

Right? The fact that the only real casualty came after the trip and from outside the expeditions is wild to me. I cannot imagine what was going through Sergei’s head, and to be honest, I don’t think I want to. No disrespect, it’s just.. if that hubris ever infects me, I know I’m doomed.

[@KCohere33]

A rare wholesome ending

[@drips1030]

Wish I hadn't read your comment lol. Ruined it for me now 😂😂😂😂

[@DysVeteran]

I love how cleae your voice is telling the story. I sleep to these stories and 90% of the KZbin have deep unclear voice to where u have to have it on blast to understand but yours i can keep to a low and relaxing volume where your voice is so clear and undemanding still. Thank u

[@sydneymomma11]

Yes! The lilting makes his voice interesting enough to listen to while awake, while having a subdued rhythm to it that make perfect bedtime stories.

[@jeremiahsnyder9262]

It seems that you climb up approximately 7,000 feet to descend 7,000 feet. This is pretty phenomenal. You're basically climbing up to a point to enter the cave and then descending back down to where the mountain reaches the water table, or where the mountain meets the point at which at starts to rise. That. Is. Really amazing.

[@outrun7455]

Almost like traveling down the heartwood of a great oak.

[@SalisburySnake]

They could just drill a hole at ground level and walk right in :D

[@oddborofiend]

@@SalisburySnake like, chyuh.

[@Tipman2OOO]

I. Don't. Know why you added those extra period.

[@Fanta....]

@@SalisburySnake I think they should do it. They would have to manage the water flow somehow, but the tourist possibilities would be endless being able to descend to the very bottom and walk out instead of climbing back out.

[@MK-hh1vo]

I was pleased to hear a tale with a happy ending! But the Sergi story 😔 The fact that he *planned* to descend the world's deepest cave with no plan to get back out is terrifying! 😳 I can't imagine the horror he felt at the moment he realized his mistake.

[@shadowlag55]

A person that plans for a year to go alone on such extreme expedition, and not only that but also forgets to plan his way out of such a dangerous cave... That's a suicidal retard that doesn't deserve empathy at all. That end for him wasn't tragic at all, it was well deserved and a lesson for people alike.

[@jamesjameson4137]

Honestly makes me wonder if it was intended to be a suicide. The video said that he didn't tell his wife or kid and just up and left, even if everything had gone according to plan it doesn't seem like he planned on coming back, that's an incredibly bizarre thing to do, even if you're somebody who is outdoorsy and likes to hike alone.

[@easterdm]

@@jamesjameson4137 Yeah, it does seem pretty strange.

[@spacelemur7955]

@@jamesjameson4137 Not suicide, perhaps, but playing with fate, like in Russian roulette. He may simply not have known about the foot attachments, or wanted to prove to the world he could succeed without them. Guys who do radical solo treks are not exactly well adjusted to society and live for the thrill and the dare.

[@MK-hh1vo]

@@spacelemur7955 But even with that mindset, if he didn't know about the foot guards he couldn't have been a very good cave man, if he wanted to prove something he would have made sure he'd be around for his triumph and if he was suicidal why make elaborate plans with equipment, he could have just jumped down the hole and ended things quick. Don't cave men practice before a deep dive? He'd done this before he should have had some idea of what to expect. Maybe he just forgot? Like when you forget your keys and don't realize it until you return home and can't get in...terrifying!!!

[@martyevans2648]

I’m claustrophobic and do not like high risk adventures, yet I find myself continually watching these videos! 😃

[@kathyinwonderlandl.a.8934]

Me too it’s vicariously living🙂

[@catmaxwell6691]

When it’s filmed or narrated really well, you can still get that nervous feeling in your belly, without any risk. Thrill-adjacent, or excitement by proxy

[@clubbersguidenewyork9]

same!

[@psgbibi27]

well its precisely for that reason that you are the targeted audience

[@granola661]

That means you want to face your fears, that is good

[@SubjectDelta20]

I felt a tiny bit claustrophobic just watching the map showing how far down it goes. Like burying yourself in a grave that's 7,000 feet deep.

[@taut-w2k]

A tarnished should not be claustrophobic

[@josephhuether1184]

I went on a short afternoon-long amateurish spelunking trip with friends in a limestone cave about 40 years ago. Our equipment was: jumpsuits and flashlight tied to ropes around our necks. It was a really cool experience as we wriggled our way through tiny passage and reached one large “room” after about an hour. Afterwards I thought: Wow…this was totally crazy. What if I’d slipped and broken a leg or somehow become disabled? It would have been almost impossible to get out. Nevertheless it really WAS surprisingly thrilling. As we finally emerged, covered with mud, my friend said: “I now no why it’s called spelunking. When you’re finished, you’re covered in spelunk.”

[@Octoberfurst]

I went spelunking with some friends many years ago when I was much, much younger---and thinner. We crawled through narrow passages and at one point has to crawl across a stream of water inside the cave. (That water was damn cold!) We also just had helmets, jumpsuits, boots, flashlights and basic gear. In one narrow passage I almost got stuck trying to go around a bend and it took everything in me not to freak out! (I had visions of me being trapped there and dying!) But I was finally able to wiggle around the bend. After an hour or so underground we finally emerged, wet, muddy and very tired. But I remember feeling a rush of exhilaration when we finally emerged from the cave into the daylight! I will never forget that feeling. I never went spelunking again but I am glad I tried it that one time.

[@Octoberfurst]

I went spelunking

[@theprinceofcrows8691]

Yeah you can't let your mind wander like that when you are down deep in a cave. When I was young we went to a deep cave in PA and one of the guys got down to an area where the water was waist high and the walls were beginning to narrow pretty tight. He let his mind wander a bit too far and lost his nerve completely. Needless to say that was the end of the adventure and we ascended from that point. The kid was pretty embarrassed later but no one gave him a hard time over it.

[@taitsmith8521]

@@theprinceofcrows8691 I spent a summer up there working and I was surprised by all the signs for "tourist trap" cave trips. But then I even found a cave just straying off paths and walking down some little creek while trying to get pictures of a fawn. I later found out that PA had a ridiculous number of cave systems, both documented and undocumented. Must have been a really cool place to grow up as a kid.

[@M1nus_p]

Your ability to narrate these stories is quite impressive. I wish you great success in the future. You deserve it.

[@philm3509]

I've done shitty things in my life during my career in the military, but there is one thing I would rather not do. And that is to descend into a cave so deep. Not even 50 feet let alone as deep as this beast. The people who did this are beyond brave and I can only tip my hat to them for their adventure spirit.

[@digitalconsciousness]

PUSSY just kidding, fuck those caves

[@patriley9501]

More like stupid

[@markgeorge2200]

dont know if this counts as actually exploring the cave but you can go to like those tourist destination caves that have guides and only go in for like an hour or 2, usually there the caves are safe and you dont need to do any dangerous climbing

[@warrax111]

@@markgeorge2200 dude, he meant vertical caves, that are unsecured. Of course everybody was in tourists caves.

[@fitchyyboi]

thanks for your service phil

[@SquigtheSav]

I can’t even imagine how terrified those spelunkers were. I love cave related horror. Nothing else gives me the same combination of anxiety, terror and the overwhelming sense of dread. Recently played the forest on steam and man was that experience unique. If you’re into this kind of story I’d highly recommend a play through.

[@robinmcinarnay7827]

The longer, the better! Really love your narrations bc it's comprehensive, giving a totally immersive experience❥︎ఌ︎

[@riley.....]

@CORKY just let the nice stranger give another nice stranger a compliment lol

[@lesigh1749]

I cant imagine what would make someone decide to go to such a dangerous and isolated location all alone. Even more bizarre is the decision to not tell anyone where he was going, so nobody could possibly come and find him when he got into trouble there.

[@michinwaygook3684]

Ego.

[@foxtrotnine2504]

I don’t know if it was ego. It could be, but if he had a big ego it seems like he would have it all over social media and vlog the descent so he could show it off

[@eyesuckle]

I'm guessing he was just taking a quick snapshot of the entrance, dropped his cell phone. . . and the rest is history.

[@tonylindsaysanchez7030]

Your thoughts are my thoughts exactly! All of this man's thinking is so bizarre.

[@thunderstruckmedia6400]

They said the guy stayed at the first camp for a week. That’s kinda odd.

[@timbuckthe2nd642]

I’m glad you put the music you use. Not many content creators do and it pisses me off beyond belief. Thank you

[@alexeykisilier]

Sergey's story is a great example about that there are mistakes that you only do once. It's very clear that when you know it's over, your ego says: "F*ck man, how could I do this stupid mistake?" We never know the final truth, but it seems that this case is not about being brave, it's about being 100% ego, going into a cave alone without knowing what to except...

[@DavidChavez-km4vm]

I have no idea how I even found this channel but I’m so glad I did. Can’t get enough of these videos now, already rewatched them all 2/3 times each! 🦇

[@mystogan4542]

How deep? Balls deep

[@badkatrising3918]

Same here. Sometimes the u tube algorithms work

[@GoodEggs]

This was EXTREMELY cool to hear about. Love these videos, your voice is very calming, and love the lack of sensationalism

[@thedrunkenrebel]

Also a good addition would be translation of units. You speak about 7k feet, and at the same time it would be cool to have a quick fade in and fade out of the equivalent metric unit, to better gauge the perspective. Americans can easily get a mental image of what 7k feet mean, but everyone else has to do a rough conversion on the spot. Little details like this in discrete small text in a corner somewhere would really add up to the experience of paying attention to the story. You don't necessarily have to say out loud both imperial and metric because that breaks the immersion. One is enough, as long as the other one can be read

[@dfuher968]

Yes, indeed. Metrics, at least written, would be very helpful. After all, thats what most of the world uses!

[@maxvelazquez3246]

He said 2,000 something meters didn’t he? I thought that was metrics lol

[@JohnDoe-gv4fb]

@@maxvelazquez3246 he did, it is 2,212m mentioned early in the video. People are just bozos

[@crelgen1588]

@@JohnDoe-gv4fb rlly? Gotta watch the video again, I truly didn't catch that.

[@sauce1232]

You're too lazy to divide by 3 ffs ??

[@BasicallyIIINobody]

Wow this is the best channel I found in years! No ads no agenda nothing but love and passion and I'm here for it

[@ladyweasellou3367]

I work as a field medic for deep forest/swamp (any thing you would call rough terrain) SAR, I occasionally serve as a medic and help with Wildland fire (my original training) and tend to find myself working natural disasters mostly. My Father is a retired a Corpsman with USMC/USN and did 3 tours on the ground in Vietnam with Marines and one on ship. My mother also a retired Corpsman and worked in horrific conditions to combat viruses in some of the world's most horrific places. We all have seen some of the worst but agree heavily on one thing regarding these lines of work: SCUBA and/or Cave exploration and SAR (when there's small spaces is a step past our line of capability) My father is just a massive mountain of a man (6'7") anyway and probably not a good size for such work. I do have swift water rescue and considered SCUBA and other cave SAR training due to my size (5'2" & 98lbs) I would be able to manoeuver through tight spaces better than most. But while going through the training I found three issues: #1 when things go wrong down there, there's very little - almost nothing, a medic can really do for a person. #2 I did not have the mindset for it and one of the men in my training course (who had about 18yr experience) died over an extremely simple screw up and almost killed an instructor and myself during the terrible event. There's absolutely NO room for error, the slightest misstep will kill you and possibly those with you. So I finished the class but refused certification and refused to join those ranks of rescue divers. I have an EXTREME respect and awe for those who do such work because it's terrifying.

[@NullHand]

Yup, Did a vert cave rescue (dry) course when I was with a grotto. But Cave Diving in general is one of those extreme sports that, like Wingsuit Cliff Jumping, reliably kills its most experienced members. My internal Cost-Benefit counter throws a hard interrupt where no amount of skill/training can reliably bring you home safe.

[@mondaymotivator_]

What kind of person do you have to be to think you can descend one of the most difficult caves in the world, without anybody, stirrups, or letting people know where you are?

[@darkiepoo8949]

the anti-social "into the wild" type of person who may have a constant "yearning for being alone in nature" or rather a low sense of self-preservation bordering on suicide

[@impyrobot]

Idiotic, deluded or suicidal.

[@eyesuckle]

I believe the word you're searching for is "hermit." Hermits and caves--they just go together!

[@darylthomas7317]

Ruski

[@gremlinjerky8462]

Unhinged and suicidal possibly

[@Inflatableorc]

That's a sad story :( I can't imagine how it would feel learning that you're stuck, and doomed, with no help coming.

[@gendoruwo6322]

he certainly had his highs, 'adventure of a lifetime' , 'pushing it to the limits' , and really pushing his luck. was it worth it? maybe to him... Not to me.

[@nokina3]

@@ecmpinky7772 still sad like saying sign up being in war and die I cant pity this troop who sign up being kill

[@bloopfloop9943]

@@ecmpinky7772 Just because you're a sociopath doesn't mean everyone else is

[@rubenfrankish]

As in all those cases, I'm just like... what an absolute nob head. To do that to your family, not tell them what you're planning, disappear and do it completely alone. Selfish ass hole! Dead man walking paid the price for his ignorance and lack of respect for mother nature!

[@karabo171]

@@bloopfloop9943 now William you should be the last person to judge a sociopath

[@angrychickadee4456]

Ive listened to a lot of these stories... but this one kept me on edge like I havent in a long time!

[@goudagirl6095]

just seeing the drawing of the cave made me feel claustrophobic. I cannot imagine actually being there, thousands of feet below the surface of the earth, with water gushing down all around you.

[@motheraiya]

Yeesh. I feel so bad for the family of the man that died for having to receive him back in pieces, and also the people who had to dismember him to send him home. Traumatizing all around.

[@mjinba07]

Reinforcing the lessons taught to me decades ago... Always have a partner when going into remote areas, always leave your itinerary with someone including an expected window for your return, do not deviate from your itinerary, do not act on the logic, "I think I can make that." And if you must go solo, these last three in spades.

[@thefatkid604]

i cannot even begin to fathom the mind of that man. he hiked up a mountain in the Caucuses in the winter to the worlds deepest cave, by himself, without telling anyone where he was going. then went down into the cave for days in total solitude and darkness. it's utterly brainless how he went about it but the sheer confidence and willpower he had is just incredible to me.

[@robfinch3277]

As a non caver but as somebody who is familar with ropes and knots, I`m suprised that any caver would not be familiar with an easily constructed harness and two foot stirups consisting of a simple bowline for the stirrup part and an underarm sling and attach these three ropes to the vertical rope with double clove hitches. These hitches can be easily slid up the rope by hand with no pressure on them but immeadiately lock when vertical down pressure is applied. We use then when ascending masts when bosun chairs aren`t available and it allows you to lay back and relax before further ascending.

[@quest4adventure495]

You should post an instructional video on how to do this.

[@300zxss]

That actually would be a life saving skill for cavers tbh, could you imagine getting stuck down with no way to climb up vertically and just be like “well shit” 😂 ☠️

[@Haywoodjablomie100]

@@quest4adventure495 Search a Prusik knot aka Prusik loop and ascending with a prusik on YT, there should be some good video's on how to use it. But it's very simple, but you need to be fit it wears you out... Well it wears me out lol.

[@timparker4160]

My first thought at seeing a deep, dark hole in the ground would probably be something like, ‘gee i wonder where that leads?’ My second would be, ‘oh well i guess ill never know’, and i would walk on like any normal person.

[@CandyGirl44]

We went through the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn when my son was 2. I had no intention of going any further than the massive hall where they played the music. My son darted and joined a tour up a ladder and into the terrifying dark passages. He even went through The Postbox. How I got through I don't know, I'm totally claustrophobic. I get shivers watching things like this.

[@kevinhaid6211]

Being trapped down in a massive hole like that desperately trying to get any kind of hold to start climbing back up must be one of the most utterly terrifying ways to go.

[@That_Emily]

i definitely like the format of it being about the cave and the incidents in it. Instead of just about one incident and giving too much info about their personal life, like some channels do

[@mykolperez2808]

These are some of my favorite videos on the whole platform. Amazingly done!

[@superzilla784]

Nothing but respect for the man who was able to bring all that equipment back up at once despite so much water coming down onto him in a very tight space.

[@Jayv1313]

This was an insane story. The pictures really helped imagine it. God it was scary but good. Thank you for this video!

[@tommiepham9984]

these videos give me some sort of chill that runs through my body. being stuck in a cave knowing that you cannot do anything is spine chilling

[@troy7055]

Hey Sean, this is the first piece of yours I have watched and will definitely be viewing the others. Well presented and very very interesting. I've done a little caving, a little climbing and a little white water rafting, and know how dangerous each of these can be on their own. This would have been a terrifying ordeal to be sure. Thanks for putting this together.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Just listening to this awakened fears that I didn't know I had until now. This is beyond terrifying.

[@williambiarcal8065]

Hello :D

[@MingChilling-]

this is a rare comment from you that hasn’t blown up

[@jasonwu8702]

He steals comments he a bot

[@shepherdbrooks7609]

Dude, you have a comment on nearly every video I've watched in the last month 😂

[@dignitywoo2955]

Me and my mother went to Gagra mountains while being tourists in Abkhazia. Very beautiful place, and we've even attended the excursion to one of the caves. It was really unsettling to be at this depth despite the tour was completely safe being the usual tourist attraction, and the cave was lit and very beautiful either. It send shivers down the spine thinking about this deepest and overly dangerous cave being just somewhere nearby us having our little cave trip.