The Sistine Chapel of Crystals…
September 8th, 2009
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE!!!
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- Inside the cave
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- Inside the cave
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- Hanging out on a crystal
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- Standing next to the crystals
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- Leaning on the huge crystals
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- Hanging out on a crystal
Dear Thrillionaire friends around the world,
This was the most gruelling Thrillionaire adventure I have ever done (so far-lol!) We made 6 entries into the cave to one of the most beautiful places I have ever witnessed on Mother Earth. Temperatures hovered around 57 degrees Celcius, or 150+ Farenheit–a furnace in which our cells were dying as the day progressed. You can see the suits we had to wear above–I had to get help to put them on and we suffered intense dehydration, –with worsening conditions as miners used dynamite to expand a ventilation shaft 300 meters below the Crystal Caves. It got even hotter and forced us to cancel further attempts to pierce the cave. The furnace and inferno of heat began to bake us despite our suits. I now know exactly what a pizza slice goes through in the oven!!!
With the temperature in the cave at over 150 degrees Fahrenheit with 100% humidity, a human can only function in this environment for six to ten minutes before severe loss of mental functions begins to take place. When I first stepped into the cavern it was like walking into the Land of the Giants.
I have often admired crystal geodes held in my hand, but when photographing these unique natural structures it was almost impossible to get any sense of scale. This is a geode full of spectacular crystals as tall as pine trees, and in some cases greater in circumference. They have formed beautiful crystals that are a translucent gold and silver in color, and come in many incredible forms and shapes. Some of the largest are essentially columnar in shape and stand thirty to fifty feet high and three to four feet in diameter.
They call it the Fortress of Solitude and I can completely understand why. There is no other place on the planet where the mineral world reveals itself in such beauty–the world’s largest known natural crystals.
I have only one question for you: does anyone else want to go back with me? I’m working on getting permission for another round as it was truly far beyond any possible written word. By the way, I was the first Aussie to ever enter the caves!!!
Live an epic life always,
Nik
July 25th, 2010 at 7:53 pm |
Definately keep me in the loop, so to speak.. I would love to see this, our earth is truly magnificent…. !!
July 6th, 2010 at 8:55 am |
OMG I want to experience that, It has just become part of my bucket list. Had pictures of this cave for a couple of years and never for a min actually considered I could go there. Now I know I can……. Thank you
April 27th, 2010 at 3:59 am |
Wow! Where in heaven’s name on earth is this place? Wouldn’t I want to the the first Filipino to ever enter these caves!
March 25th, 2010 at 5:06 pm |
Would love to see this but the images are not coming up. I once owned a shop that sold crystals & semi precious stones & became somewhat of an authority on the energy various types generate. I can only imagine the intensity of this experience.
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:57 am |
no photos on this page ,what program do i need to see thes photos on The Sistine Chapel of Crystals… page
January 10th, 2010 at 4:13 am |
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
November 26th, 2009 at 4:04 pm |
Thanks for the pictures. It appears to be an incredible place… but where is it??
I must confess that I have never heard of the Crystal Caves before.
I am very interested to hear more - especially please let us know where it is!!
October 18th, 2009 at 6:40 pm |
hello,
Thank you for the great quality of your blog, each time i come here, i’m amazed.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:25 am |
LBciR3 I want to say - thank you for this!
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 pm |
Saw these caves in a National Geographic Magazine a while back…..AWESOME PLACE, typical of that magazine some great photos and a layout of the cave if you get a chance check it out
When are you going back?
September 20th, 2009 at 1:50 am |
hello,
Thank you for the great quality of your website, each time i come here, i’m amazed.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:33 am |
Hi Nik,
From the Antarctic to the Crystal Caves - as a geo I would love it!!!! I have been reading about these caves for years and am in awe you managed to get there!
Great work you two - can’t wait for the Angry Planet episode George!
Huge hug,
M
September 11th, 2009 at 6:15 pm |
What an absolutely rediculous thing to do, COUNT ME IN! That looks insane and is something only a handful of people on this earth will ever be able to do. One more great adventure for Nik, one more step towards joining him.
You’re sesational Nik, thanks for allowing us to come along for the ride.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:43 pm |
Hey Nik,
I would love to go.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:10 am |
Hi Nik,
Sure, when?
Must be amazing to be in the middle of it all.
Franz
September 9th, 2009 at 6:47 pm |
The cave was WILD!!
Nik and I were in the cave, filming an episode of my TV series “Angry Planet”.
If there is something extreme going on, you know one of us (or sometimes both of us) will be nearby.
Being in the crystal cave was incredible for a number of reasons. The heat is incomprensible and the beauty just takes your breath away. We had to rest for almost an hour in between each cave entry and as soon as you walk in, the heat hits you like speeding train.
Many thanks, Nik for being such a great adventure partner… Now, let’s get some more people on board for another trip inside!
George Kourounis
http://www.stormchaser.ca
September 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm |
Not for me… I like the heat, yet not a furnace. Keep the adventures coming, Nik. Experiencing via pictures is fine by me!
September 9th, 2009 at 1:18 am |
This is straight from Jules Verne, who located the entrance to inner Earth on a gletcher in Iceland. But now I guess this opening has shifted to Mexico!
September 9th, 2009 at 12:48 am |
I’m in , I’m in!!!
wow Nik!! next time I’m in!
I love this crystal cave, I thought only scientifics could enter…. well, you rock!
when do you plan to return?
cheers!
Laurence
ps: and for more pics: http://www.naica.com.mx/galeria_pc.htm
September 9th, 2009 at 12:41 am |
You say the word Nik and we’ll be there, give me a little heads up time. Why dont you come swim with the sharks with me in Pt Lincoln. Grab my number out of the system and I will have it arranged.
Keeping it real
September 9th, 2009 at 12:30 am |
Count me in
September 9th, 2009 at 12:05 am |
Antarctica to +57degrees C.
What the heck, pencil me in!
September 8th, 2009 at 11:33 pm |
Amazing … Yes, I would love to go with you.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:00 pm |
Absolutely, I’m in, looks like a very surreal environment
September 8th, 2009 at 10:14 pm |
You know I’m in for all adventures!
September 8th, 2009 at 9:37 pm |
Too hot for me, but maybe my DH would be game ~ he occasionally suits up to maintain the nuclear reactor here at the plant
We were admiring some crystals in the Dinosaur shop at Disney last week, but nothing to compare! Must have been thinking of you, though. Congratulations on another epic adventure, Nik!!
September 8th, 2009 at 8:37 pm |
I’ll go back with you. Once in a lifetime opportunity
Mike
September 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm |
Fantastic Nic! Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, ………
Thanks for bringing us those amazing photos. I will sit on the sidelines this time and enjoy eating that slice of pizza. I would really like to have a calendar on my wall showing awsome pictures of all your super human adventures though. Maybe the other Thrillionaires would like one too.
Love your work,
Cheers Kerry
September 8th, 2009 at 6:57 pm |
WOW and OMG. NIk, congratulations for being the 1st Aussie. No matter how much I love crystals, I am not ready to be a human Pizza just yet. Just from the photos I can imagine how sensational this epicadventure must have been. Thanks for sharing.
September 8th, 2009 at 6:48 pm |
What a fantastic journey and what an amazing sight. I’m sure you can get Victoria to go with you next time!
September 8th, 2009 at 6:27 pm |
Hey Nik
Extra-Ordinary and an experience to share thats truly worthy from the Thrillionaire’s founder.
Come on ladies and gents, lets get some of our own Thrillionaire experiences on the go and show the world how some ordinary people are leading these Extra-Ordinary lives.
Big Al - Hot Dog Master
Perth Western Australia
September 8th, 2009 at 4:18 pm |
Congrats Niko on getting out alive and being the first Aussie ever to venture inside!
Woohoo!
As for going in there with you, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of volunteers in here, although I’m not too keen on being pizza!