Lusk Cave

By Amanda – Posted on

Devan and I headed up to Lac Phillipe to do some spelunking before the summer weather could fade away. I’ve written about Lusk Cave before on my blog, but this time Devan was interested in taking some photos using his underwater camera casing. The 12,500-year-old marble cave is a beautiful natural phenomenon, and Devan had his sights set on capturing the two-meter waterfall deep in the cave. 

The Lusk Cave system is split into two areas. The first section is more accessible and easier to navigate. The ceiling is higher in the first system, with some areas open to the sky, allowing natural light to illuminate some sections of the cave. The water is shallower in this section too, although there are still several flooded passageways to navigate. After the first cave, the Lusk River flows back outside before entering the second cave system. The second cave is definitely much more technical. The passageways are all enclosed, and some chambers can have water higher than 90cm (you’re practically swimming). The second system also features an underground waterfall where a rocky layer has been slower to dissolve than the surrounding marble. 

A map of the Lusk Cave system, including ceiling heights and water depths. Click to view the fullsize PDF from the National Capital Comission.

In my previous blog post about the Lusk Cave, I only could film in the first half of the cave. This is because the water level in the second half was too high to use my camera. Luckily, Devan came prepared with his diving camera gear. He brought his Sony a6300, underwater casing, and Lume Cubes to illuminate the cave. You can see how amazing the photos were. 

If you’re interested, Devan vlogged our whole trip hiking to the cave and within the cave system. He also included details on his equipment and how he visualized the shot beforehand. 

Are you interested in checking out the Lusk Cave yourself? I highly recommend it. However, I still stand by my list of recommendations:

  • Water levels change based on the time of year. Use caution, and expect high water levels. 
  • The cave floor will be slippery and the water flow is surprisingly strong. Wear closed-toe shoes that are stable when wet.
  • Definitely, bring a source of lighting. If you don’t have a headlamp, a flashlight in a sandwich bag will do.
  • Bring a towel and a change of clothes.
  • Bring your kids! I saw many children in the caves and they all looked like they loved the experience.
  • Use caution, be safe, and have fun. 

Please be responsible. Use caution and pack up your garbage. We’re lucky to have a cave system like this one open to the public and freely accessible. Your stewardship to the cave and surrounding area will help keep it that way. I also suggest you check out the National Capital Commission’s webpage if you’re considering taking a trip to Lusk Cave. You can find more details there about the cave and how to prepare for your trip.

All photos in this post are by Devan. For more of his work, you can view his Instagram here. 

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