Lechuguilla, located in New Mexico, USA, was first discovered in 1986 when some cavers decided to investigate the bottom of a 27m deep pit called Misery Hole. They dug their way through the bottom and discovered what turned out to be the entrance to a cave. Currently, 156.5km of Lechuguilla have been explored and mapped. Explorers have pushed the depth of the cave to 489 meters, making Lechuguilla the deepest limestone cave in the country, the fifth longest cave in the world, and the second deepest in the continental United States.
It is most famous for its unusual geology and rare formations. Lechuguilla Cave holds a variety of rare speleothems, including lemon-yellow sulfur deposits, 6.1 m gypsum chandeliers, 4.6 m soda straws, hydromagnesite balloons, cave pearls, etc. The cave is strictly protected because of all the delicate, never-before-seen crystal formations that could be damaged by inexperienced and careless people. The crystal that you see here took thousands of years to grow. This crystal is called a Bottle Brush for some pretty obvious reasons - it looks like a bottle brush!
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As you move forward into the cave you start to feel the oppressive humidity - nearly 100%. Even the slightest movement makes you sweat. Down in the depths of Lechuguilla silence takes on a new meaning. When you stop and sit, all you hear is the beating of your heart, your own breathing and the blood rushing in your ears. This is what it means to hear LOUD silence.
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