Ordinskaya cave in the Perm region

There is something surprisingly attractive in the dark vaults of the underground caves. It is very difficult to pass by and not to explore an unknown grotto. Even more exciting is the visit to the underwater cave. Gloomy arches, stalactites, curving tunnels, in which you can get lost, is a real challenge for every traveler. If you could visit Perm, Ordinskaya Cave can be an ideal place for extreme rest. Today we will talk more about it, because it really deserves attention.

Where is the

This is one of the grottoes located in the chain of the Ural Mountains. Moreover, despite the abundance of such facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation, most of all the attention of tourists is enjoyed by the Ordinsky Cave. The Perm region (Russia) is the southernmost part of the Urals. It is a favorite place for cavers from all over the world, because it has about 700 caves of different lengths. However, none of them can eclipse this miracle of the world. In 1992, its study began: the first expedition explored more than a kilometer of underwater passages and one longest flooded tunnel. It was from the end of the 20th century that the Ordinsky Cave began to interest scientists and travelers, and its map began to grow rapidly and replenish with new parts.

Short story

With the beginning of the XXI century, a full-scale study of this huge system of entangled tunnels flooded with water began. Of course, they were studied by specialists, but soon it attracted the attention of amateurs, brave people, connoisseurs of extreme diving. And gradually Ordinskaya Cave (Perm region) has turned into one of the most interesting objects for tourists.

As early as the beginning of the 19th century, deposits of gypsum were found here. It was first mined for construction purposes, then for artistic processing. It was thanks to this industrial activity that Ordinskaya Cave was discovered. It is located in the bowels of the Kazakovskaya mountain. On its surface there are large karst funnels, one of which is the entrance to the cave.

In 1997, the first 300 meters of its grottoes were mapped. The cave impressed not only by its size, but also by its beauty. Deep and clean lakes, high plaster arches, snow-ice decoration of silent halls - all this is beyond our imagination.

The second All-Russian expedition was held a year later, this time it was already covered 1980 meters of underground flooded passages. In 2001 Ordinskaya cave turned into a diving base. Cave divers are trained here, underwater research and video shooting are conducted. About 4000 meters of underground passages have already been studied.

Journey to the unknown

Can any tourist visit the underground tunnels of this cave and absorb her unimaginable romance? No, this is impossible without preparation. Just like an amateur parachute jump can not be done without training, as it can cost you life. Ordinskaya underwater cave will not forgive mistakes. A diver in such difficult conditions (total darkness, the danger of clouding water, the collapse of gypsum walls, a banal attack of claustrophobia and panic), like a sniper, have only two options: to do everything right and survive or stay in the tunnel forever. Dive into this complex cave can only a person who has been trained by a special technique and who knows the equipment immaculately. It is mandatory to dive in pairs, and the whole life support system is duplicated. Behind the back are two cylinders and two regulators.

Transport accessibility

Virtually all divers are attracted by the Orda cave. Photos of its snow-white vaults can make everyone forget everything, although they will not replace the immersion itself. Here his world, a man as if falls into space, cold, unexplored and so attractive. The nearest settlements are Perm and Kungur. In the immediate vicinity of the cave is located the village of Orda. From this settlement to Perm you can reach any convenient transport. And from the city to the village will take a shuttle taxi, which are available in large numbers.

Accommodation of tourists

In fact, the choice is great enough. Very often tourists are considering different options. In the city of Kungur, unlike Perm, there are many hotels with very modest prices. Very popular among the guests of the city is the comfortable hotel "Stalagmit", there are a number of other suitable complexes here. If you want to choose the least expensive option, you can stop choosing on private mini-hotels or simply rent an apartment. They are very much offered in the village of Orda. By the way, from here to the cave is much closer. And if you do not intend to spend a lot of time on the basis of diving, it will be most convenient to choose accommodation in a cottage settlement, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the cave.

Diving

Not everyone will seem affectionate and friendly Orda cave. The knowledge of the underwater world should really capture you, so that it becomes possible to overcome yourself and descend into its labyrinths. The water temperature here is not higher than +6 degrees, and can reach +4. Visibility is at best 100 meters. There is a convenient descent to the water with metal staircases and handrails. This will help to go down and rise in a suit for immersion. A wide platform with special benches, as well as good lighting make preparation for the dive comfortable and pleasant. It should be noted that only separate galleries are designed for tourists, where the running ends are laid, that is, you will move in one direction along the stretched rope.

A little more about the underwater route

What is Ordinskaya underwater cave before travelers? Photos made by researchers and scientists do not convey a hundredth part of the magnificence that is available to those who ventured to go there on their own. You will be guaranteed an easy shock from the icy water, as well as the unearthly beauty of the huge underground galleries filled with clear water. Of the 4,500 meters of underground grottoes known to date, about 4,200 fall on the underwater part. Depth approximately 43 meters. The main galleries are Chelyabinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow and Sverdlovsk. Each hall has its own name and attraction - like a plate of the original form.

Reviews of tourists

Surely you will be wondering what is going through the one who first descends into the white grottoes of this cave. Do not risk doing this without an instructor, because in submarine tunnels it's very easy to get lost. In fact, there are two options: you immediately want to leave it and never return or fall in love with it for life. But the sensations, judging by the reviews, are fantastic. As if in a dream, you are floating in weightlessness in huge halls filled with clean water. In itself, immersion in icy water is a test not for the weak. The water temperature is close to zero, which is very much felt even in a good wet suit. However, the impression is worth it to overpower yourself and continue the dive.

The cave is very interesting. Each dive is completely different from the previous one. To cover the entire cave, the hall or the path is impossible: the flashlight only illuminates a part of the picture, so time after time you rediscover this world, find new corners and unexplored places. Divers call this cave the White Bride because of the snow-white color of her plaster arches. These rocks were formed about 200 million years ago, and the sense of time here completely dissolves.

Difficulties and Dangers

This is not a walk for amateurs, but a very important event, which must be approached with all seriousness. This is an elite sport for the elite, because in local conditions there is a great difficulty of immersion. Of course, there is a rental of equipment before you get it, you need to get training and get a certificate.

Tourists who have already visited here say that there are more opportunities for panic. I tried to float before the place I had set - you would head against the stone, instantly lose your orientation in space, you start breathing more often. As a result, air is consumed very quickly. And if suddenly the lantern burglars, then in the darkness you immediately lose the understanding of where the top is, and where the bottom is. That is, the diver must be ready for any situations. However, until now, all the divers, descending under the arches of this cave, returned back.