World's Largest Stalagmite? - Cottonwood Cave Trip

Permits are required from the USFS to visit Cottonwood Cave.
www.fs.usda.go...
For more detailed information on caving techniques, caving gear, and cave projects, visit my website at: www.derekbrist...
Caves are delicate and potentially dangerous places. For more information on wild caving, vertical caving techniques, and cave survey, visit the National Speleological Society website:
caves.org
To find a local grotto (caving club) visit:
caves.org/comm...
White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is devastating to bats. To learn more about what you can do to help, along with information on how to properly decontaminate caving gear, visit:
caves.org/WNS/...
Cave Videography Gear I Use: (Note that these are affiliate links)
Full-frame Low-Light Camera - amzn.to/2TkIUxT
In-Cave Fast Prime Lens (a7iii) - amzn.to/2TnkB27
General Purpose Zoom Lens (a7iii) - amzn.to/2Trc2Uf
Wide Angle Zoom Lens (a7iii) - amzn.to/2Duwuhl
Gimbal - amzn.to/2TKccpT
ND Filter - amzn.to/2PAvBuJ
Soft-Case for Caving (a7iii) - amzn.to/2QanKDA
Tripod - amzn.to/2PVGrvv
Camera Bag - amzn.to/2RZekYT
Helmet-Mounted Action Camera: amzn.to/2qTa0yT
Drone - amzn.to/2PRs7nU
APS-C Run and Gun Camera - amzn.to/2DKTMQU
In-Cave Prime Lens (a6500) - amzn.to/2DuyLZK
General Purpose Zoom Lens (a6500) - amzn.to/2Q5Mgpw
Wide Angle Zoom Lens (a6500) - amzn.to/2Tnl98b
Soft-Case for Caving (a6500) - amzn.to/2OPF6Be
Hard-Case for Wet Caving (a6500) - amzn.to/2DxFOki

[@gmaneis]

Once again, Derek, you show us video that's second to none, and your soft music seems to show great reverence for nature's handiwork. As I always tell you, your videos make me realize I was born 50 years too late. Lived in Alamogordo in my 60;s....darn! The old bones can't do this anymore, so I LOVE your work. Feels like I'm there, at least mentally. Is that stalagmite the largest? I don't think so, but wow, to see it in a wild cave would be the underground experience of a lifetime!

[@caverken]

Awesome videography. Awesome cave

[@robertogonzalezgomez3131]

Fantastic!

[@jakubdrozdz9999]

Beautiful!

[@johncale7139]

Another brilliant video. I wish others picked gentle music, it makes or breaks the moment

[@elijahdoubleday5185]

jaw dropped watching this

[@BrianSWoods]

Great video ... terrific on capturing the perspective ...

[@23megasasquatch]

Awesome cave

[@JoshBrinson]

Wow. Just. Wow. I’d love to visit that cave! Your videos are epic relaxation videos.

[@UndergroundAdventures]

Wow. That is gigantic

[@garybeasley4885]

Ive always wanted to see what Cottonwood Cave looked like, thanks!

[@csabaigaz1051]

Amazing cave Derek, thank you for the video!

[@UndergroundLookingUp]

Your videos are ever-inspiring Derek, Phenomenal explore and edit!

[@jpunx3133]

Nice vid. So far I've only done lava tubes in CA, OR & ID. Thank You!

[@UndergroundLookingUp]

East Coast Cavers would be envious!

[@lindaarchinal9008]

Beautiful TY!

[@stevenholland2369]

Very nice, would like to get back there! It would be cool to have a video of someone on ledge behind Goliath, doing the traverse to the Wonderland section. The floor drops away, make it look much more exposed than it actually is!

[@paulplatt5074]

NICE!

[@bruceholroyd7063]

Please!!! Can you film a 3D video here? I'd love to see it 'as if I was there!'

[@DerekBristol]

I don't own a 3D video camera. I do have a 360 camera, but find it difficult to use in caves due to the need to light the entire environment.

[@Leander_]

Very cool Derek - do you have any (rough) estimate how long it takes for such a stalegmite to form? I assume thousands of years?

[@cdezzz]

Millions… they grow about 2 human hair thickness per year, if they’re fast growing.

[@Joltfox_YT]

Yea, they vary in which climate and stuff

[@drummer2532]

Amazing video. Do you need a permit or key to access or is it just open?

[@drmanleyk]

A permit is required, and easy to get.

[@DerekBristol]

Check the description

[@richardleetbluesharmonicac7192]

Which hand lamp is that for big rooms?

[@richardleetbluesharmonicac7192]

National Geo quality

[@mziskin]

That’s what she said

[@Joltfox_YT]

U copied minecraft, stop it gods gaming computer is lit

[@Jerkabobber]

Awesome video and cave. But, which stalagmite was it?