-94-
the
rim of the pit and you will not encounter much difficulty in reaching the cave
entrance.
“At the mouth of the cave is a sign:
"Ice underfoot, proceed no further." As you do proceed further you
can see nothing for a few minutes. It is dark after the glare of the desert sun
but you notice immediately that it is remarkably cooler.
“With the help of a flashlight you can make
out a veritable river of solid ice. And with care you can proceed 30 feet or so
into the cave proper. But extreme caution must be taken, for the slick ice
underfoot makes treacherous going and there are only a few upthrust rocks to
cling to. Before entering the cave it is advisable to secure a rope at the cave
entrance as a safety measure.
Under no circumstances enter the cave if you
are alone. Although the slope of the ice flow is gradual for the first 30 feet,
there is a sharp "ice-fall" beyond this point with a drop of 10 feet.
A mishap could mean broken bones and death from exposure, for the temperature
is now intensely cold.
“This is not an accumulation of ice formed
in winter, nor glacial ice of a by-gone era, but ice that forms of itself all
the year around. Chip off a large chunk and take it away with you. Return in a
few weeks and you cannot see where you carved it out. Yet there is no water, as
such, in ev1dence.
“The city of
“The