Helectite Heaven

Sunday a group of 8 (Nathan, Steve, Jennifer, Tommy, Jimmy, Michelle, Ethan and I) headed to Fern Cave for a trip to Helectite Heaven. This is surely the place where all good Helectites go. We met at 8:30 AM at the NSS office, were in cave by 11:30 and after a couple hours of caving (including sketchy canyons, chimneying, a thirty foot pit, impersonations of Mr. Mackey, and some crawling) we were there. So what you ask, are helectites? Let me show you.


This is Nathan filming with his "wham-o-dine-kick-bootie" camera and Steve with his smoked salmon - which was indeed awesome on Doritos.

This group of helectites were just to the right of where Nathan was filming - and are about the size of your fist.

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Jimmy squeezing through into one of the alcoves.

This helectite looked like some sort of odd spoked ball.

Michelle crawling back out of the alcove. You can really get a sense of helectite scale here.

Tommy in a sandy belly crawl.


Jennifer checking out some formations.

This helectite is a bit of a hybrid. Helectites and crystals all in one -looked like it was dipped in rock candy.

A gypsum flower amidst the crystal covered ceiling