The 2023 expedition, currently in the field in Mulu, has discovered a giant passage in the rarely visited northern reaches of the Clearwater Cave.
After numerous expeditions in Gunung Api mountain, a large piece of the three dimensional cave jigsaw has finally been found. Although the connection between Whiterock and Clearwater Caves has long been established, the mystery of what lay beyond the huge Api Chamber at Whiterock’s southern end had eluded cave explorers since it’s discovery in 2005.
The key to unlocking the secret came by revisiting the northerly part of the Cairn Farm series in Clearwater Cave. Originally explored in 1989, it is thought no one had revisted the Cairn Farm passages for 34 years. Re-exploring the series on 18th November 2023, a large draughty boulder choke was easily passed allowing access into a very large continuation.
The passage, named ‘Defiance’, runs for 1km north in grand style averaging 40m in diameter until a large terminal boulder choke is met. This is undoubtedly the underside of the Api Chamber boulder choke in Whiterock Cave. No physical connection is possible although the air flows easily through.
The discovery team comprised: Dave ‘Moose’ Nixon, Colin Boothroyd*, Nigel Boothroyd, Simon Cundy, Rostam Namaghi and Chris Blakeley.
* by great coincidence, Colin Boothroyd was revisiting the Cairn Farm 34 years to the day since he first explored it on 18th Nov 1989!
