High Water Sub Solomon Cave, Tennessee

UPDATE see a video of this cave HERE

Yes this is as dangerous as it looks.

You have no idea how long I have waited to make a picture like this! I've spent a huge amount of my professional life shooting caves and caving. Trying to make pictures about the experience of being underground. But the pictures that really capture the excitement and adventure, the pictures that are true to the experience are few and far between.

It had not rained all fall in Tennessee. Then, the other day the skies opened up as if the water held back all year was released at once. I won't say that I knew the flood was coming, but with my partners  I had laid the groundwork in case it did. My friends John Benson and Luke Padgett had spent countless hours in this cave with me rigging ropes for high water, making sure it would be if not safe, at least possible to get back in. John climbed the hardest routes. So when the flood came we were ready to get in and do what needed to be done.

Things like this can only be done with good friends, good partners, people you trust people you depend on.

-Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, Tennessee

 

CanonEOS 5D , 24mm f1.4, Polarion Helios Searchlight

Comments

[Joel the K]

Awesome man. I salute you for your courage and adventurous spirit, and you superb photography. Great work Alvarez.

[Stephen Alvarez]

Russell cave National Monument is always great, you can't go far into the cave, but it has lots of history

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Russell+Cave+National+Monument,+Bridgeport,+Jackson,+Alabama+35740&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.47475,71.630859&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=Fdi7FQIdfKTi-g&z=16&g=Russell+Cave+National+Monument,+Bridgeport,+Jackson,+Alabama+35740&iwloc=addr

[Marshall]

Wow. Beautiful shot.

I'm headed to East TN in two weeks. Can you recommend any amateur caves or cool spots I can run around in (non-guided)?

I can see the headlines now:
"Inspired idiot from New York gets stuck in storm sewer trying to replicate local photographers work."

Anyway - would love your opinion on some cool places to shoot while I'm down there.