In April 2010, fourteen Canadian and six British cavers visited Castleguard Cave, Canada’s longest at 20km, on the third phase of a three-year project to dive the sump at the end of Boon’s Blunder. Last year’s effort penetrated 500m into the sump without reaching an airspace.
After a 20km ski including crossing a glacier, diving equipment was transported through a 1km long crawl to the sump at the end of Boon’s Blunder. UK diver Martin Groves then passed the 845m long sump for the first time, emerging into a dry, 3m diameter, gently ascending tube.
This was the second dive in a three-year project. Plans are being made for exploration of the dry passage, possibly next late winter. Because of unpredictable flooding from glacial meltwaters, the cave can only be safely visited in winter.
Ian McKenzie Alberta Speleological Society www.caving.ab.ca