At the beginning of 2017, after learning about Pygmy Cave from colleagues at the Royal Cave Association of England, I was inspired to set out to explore these giant caves. According to information from Howard Limbert, this cave system was discovered in 1997, 20 years ago. Unbelievably, 20 years is a long time, those were the first days the British Royal Cave Association set foot in Phong Nha. Tiger cave, Over cave, Pygmy cave are easily recognized on the Vom cave system. This is a series of 3 consecutive caves, possibly once a split cave. After carefully studying the map and detailed information about these 3 caves, this is definitely a cave divided by sinkholes. The images of that cave system always appear in my mind and urge “I have to go there, I have to go there” After obtaining permission from the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, I formed a team to begin the journey to bring one of the largest caves to the world. One group consisted of me, 2 National Park officials and 3 local porters. In June 2017, we started our journey to explore the world's fourth largest cave. After a long day of finding our way according to the map provided by the British Royal Cave Association, we passed through many difficult and dangerous forest stages to find the entrance under Dai A cave. The road at that time was very difficult and full of dangers. The whole group was exhausted, so we decided to set up a shack to sleep at the door under Dai A cave, also known as Tiger cave. Food is brought by the porter brothers and prepared for everyone to recharge for the arduous journey ahead. While the porter brothers were preparing food, we turned over the map and located the direction, and determined that we were very close to Over cave, the cave is more than 3.2km long, this is the cave located in the cave. the center of the Tiger cave system. So we decided to find our way through the Over cave the next day. The plan was in place and dinner time arrived. Brothers gather together to share a bowl of rice, a cup of rice wine and chat. After breakfast on the second day, we cleaned up the campsite at the entrance of Dai A cave to continue the journey to explore Over cave. After more than 30 minutes of searching in the direction of the map, we reached the upper door of the Tiger cave and could see the Over cave just across the forest. We did not know that we were lost in a forest right inside the cave, a large sinkhole appeared. We decided to explore the entrance to the Tiger cave before continuing our journey through the Over cave. And from here, a new adventure begins.
Tiger cave system
The group is extremely excited and excited because they are about to enter a new conquest. A porter was surprised when he stood at the mouth of Over cave, "this cave is so beautiful, I have never been here in my whole life in the jungle". After preparing all the safety equipment, our group began a 3.2km journey through the dark in the hope of finding the other side of the Over cave. Walking a long distance through the dark was probably quite a challenge for the crew at that time. There were times when we had to squeeze through narrow crevices, wade through water, people. After walking for more than 2 hours in the cave, we still have not seen the light of the door on the other side. Continuing the journey to search for the exit of Over cave for another 30 minutes, we accidentally found our footprints. I was like, I was in this position 30 minutes ago, there's no way that could have happened. We were disoriented and lost our way around the cave for 30 minutes without even realizing it. Reconfiguring it is the Massive Attack area, a large, 125m-wide cave dome located right inside the Over cave.
Massive Attack area in Over cave
Everyone was tired, after a long walk in the dark under the wet and muddy cave. We were slowly losing hope of finding the other side of the Over cave. We decided to divide into 3 small groups to start exploring the nooks and crannies of this huge cave. The search is still going on, time seems to pass very quickly, sunlight has not been found, the battery of the lamp is getting weaker and weaker. In the end we were forced to decide to find a way back for the safety of the group. Everyone must return to the original cave entrance before the battery lights are completely off.
The Over cave door is very large
Returning to the Over cave door after hours of rolling around to find a way through the cave but failed, everyone was in a room and disappointed. But we made the right decision for the safety of the group.
So the whole group decided to continue the journey to find the other door of Over cave with option 2. An extremely arduous journey, twice as hard as having to overcome many steep mountainous terrains and walk. more than 4 hours. Near the end of the day, suddenly we came across a steep cliff that looked like a cave entrance. We couldn't believe we were on top of a sinkhole. The journey down the sinkhole was truly terrifying, but we had no other choice. When we got to the bottom of the sinkhole and looked up, we found out that this is a giant sinkhole connecting Pygmy cave and Over cave. We were right in the middle of the forest, in the sinkhole. We know that the entrance to Over cave is located somewhere around this strange sinkhole, but we can't find the mysterious mouth of the cave. So we decided to continue through Pygmy cave to ensure everyone's safety. Leaving behind the mysteries of Over Cave.
Pygmy Cave, the fourth largest cave in the world
Overcome 800m in the huge cave with many dangerous challenges. There are abysses in the cave where you cannot see the bottom. Just walk away! There were places where we were forced to cling to the ropes of the Arem people to slip into the abyss. A wonderful but very scary experience. In the evening, have a quick lunch at the mouth of Pygmy cave to continue the journey upstream of Khe Tum stream to reach the campsite before the sun goes out and night falls.
Dinosaur spine in Pygmy . cave
After hours of walking through the forest, we reached the mouth of Ruc Ca Roong cave. Everyone is tired. Just in time to put the backpack on the ground, I ran to the stream to lie down and soak in the cool stream to dispel fatigue. Build a shack by the stream Khe Tum to stay overnight before returning to the outside world and continuing to plan to return to conquer this mysterious cave system.
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