Suuk-Koba, translated from Crimean Tatar "Cold Cave", (KN 443-19) - a cave in Crimea on the lower plateau of Chatyr-Dag in the form of a tunnel 210 meters long. 7 halls up to 25 meters high. The temperature in it is no more than +8°C.
Description
A small sinkhole in the eastern side. A high arched entrance, entwined with green foliage. A long, inclined corridor, littered with blocks of limestone, leads to a suite of high halls with domed vaults laid along oblique tectonic cracks cutting through the limestone. Then follows a descent along the natural steps of the sinter baths and an imperceptible turn back to the entrance. The tour ends in a small hall with a floor covered with wet clay. It is located at 43 m below the entrance level. Unfortunately, now all the sinter riches of the cave are covered with a thick layer of greasy soot, on which gray caps of mold have formed... The stalactites are broken, names are carved on the sinter columns. A small lake is also clogged. But even now the cave amazes with the grandeur of its halls, the height of which in some places reaches 25 m.
In the cave there are modern drawings: little men, the sun, deer. On the side of the huge dome-shaped intrusion there is a whole plot depicted: warriors under the auspices of the Deer-Sun entered into a fight with the Green Star, their women pray for a successful outcome. In the 90s, a film was filmed in the cave; this drawing was drawn by history students for the filming of the Soviet-American science fiction film “The Stinger”. This is perhaps the only good thing that man brought to Suuk-Kobu.
“It was a real diamond kingdom, where all that was missing was the dance of gnomes and the round dances of underground spirits. Something so fantastic that it is impossible to describe, and it is useless to describe...” - so he admired the still unravaged Suuk-Koba traveler XIX century. Alas, the treasures accumulated by nature over the centuries are mercilessly plundered, the cave decoration is taken away piece by piece and we are left to contemplate the remains of luxury: the “stumps” of stalagmites, overturned drip columns and the remains of openwork “curtains”.
Only here and there in the mysterious twilight of the cave can one make out calcite flowers and thin pencils of stalactites. The corridors of Suuk-Koba stretch for 210 meters, and the floor of its last hall lies at 40 m below the entrance.
It's amazing to be in a cave made of snow and ice on a hot summer day! Tourists who have been there will agree that these mysterious places have their own microclimate. One of the few ice caves is located in the Shanxi province of China. Inside Ningwu, stalactites stretch from ceiling to floor. It's a dazzling sight, but not unique.
The Mystery of the Ice Caves
Such amazing ice caves are scattered throughout continental Europe. They are available in Russia, and in Central Asia, and North America. They have become attractions that tourists enjoy visiting. Travelers are attracted not only appearance, but also the mystery of the origin of such caves.
One of the first who decided to look into this amazing world ice and cold, was George Forrest Brown. In 1861, he traveled to Switzerland and came across a small dark cave, the walls and ceiling of which were made of ice. Researcher Emil Racovita from the Romanian Institute of Speleology also wrote in his works that he will never forget his first trip to an ice cave. 
Why do these caves maintain sub-zero temperatures? What is unique about these places?
Scientists began exploring ice caves 150 years ago, and there is still no consensus on why the ice in them does not melt. A version has been repeatedly put forward that the processes occurring in caves are associated with geothermal heat (coming from the hot mantle of the Earth). In other words, not all parts of the Earth can notice this phenomenon. Where it is not there, caves with sub-zero temperatures have formed.
Hot "current" or cold air?
Everything would have been logical, if not for the Ningwu Cave (China). The scientists who conducted research in it unanimously insist that if the formation of these places was caused by a hot “current,” then the surface would also undergo changes. However, the temperature at the entrance to the cave is 0 degrees Celsius, and at the surface it is 17 degrees above zero. 
Therefore, Chinese scientists put forward their hypothesis. In their opinion, the sub-zero temperature inside the cave is affected not by geothermal heat, but by air flow: cold, dense, winter air penetrates into the cave. If you measure the temperature inside every 5-10 minutes, you will notice that during this time a flow of new cold air enters.
Shape, passages, walls
It is worth paying close attention to the structure of the cave, which has a unique shape, a special arrangement of passages, as well as heat exchange with stone walls. All of this combines to create a unique microenvironment in which cold air gets trapped and stays there. 
Mathematical model of the cave
Yaolin Shi created a mathematical model of Ningwu Cave to show the movement of air. It can be compared to an 85-meter bowling pin, which is installed on a mountainside 2000 m above sea level. What is the air trap?
Cool air descends into the mouth of the cave in spring, summer and autumn. It heats up slightly, so it cannot affect the warming inside. IN winter period The air temperature in the cave drops to -15 °C. This is due to the fact that cold air, penetrating down, displaces warm air. That is, the temperature in the cave drops noticeably. 
But that is not all. The ice that forms in the cave acts as a buffer, stabilizing the temperature. When warm air gets in, some of the ice begins to melt. In this case, the warm air stops at this stage of the journey, as it loses all its energy. Therefore, the rest of the cave is protected from heating. The temperature inside is almost constant all year round. Some ice caves have multiple entrances. This certainly affects the process of ice melting.
Thus, we can say that an ice cave is the result of processes such as the exchange of air between the cave and the surface, geothermal "flow", melting of ice and freezing of water.
Caves in danger
Ice caves are very vulnerable, they are in a rather unstable state, especially considering the constant change in climate on the surface. Chinese scientists are already saying that some of them are in danger.
Wudalianchi Ice Cave is located in Heilongjiang Province, China. To preserve it, a metal door was installed to protect the landmark from the warm summer air. However this action exposes unique place great risk: without an influx of cold air, the microclimate may change. And this threatens with serious consequences, that is, all the ice may completely melt within a few decades. Do not block the flow of cold air.
Sometimes, in an attempt to preserve the unique ice caves, people unintentionally cause more damage to them. The good intentions are clear: a huge number of tourists come to them every day. Some caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Dobsin Cave in Slovakia. Tourism can be used to preserve ice caves.
Ningwu Cave is visited by 1,000 visitors every day (it is open to travelers from May to October). Tourists spend almost an hour there. All this time the cave is illuminated; approximately 200 electric light bulbs are installed in it. Both tourists and light bulbs generate heat. Scientists are confident that it is not enough for the glacier to begin to melt. However, one important condition must be observed: a seasonal flow of cold air must constantly flow into the cave. 
Climate change is also a threat to ice caves. Winter has become shorter and warmer, as a result, less cold air enters the cave. Thus, the balance may be disturbed. Many ice caves have already been lost due to climate change. To appreciate everything possible risks, scientists measure the thickness and density of ice every year.
A storehouse of knowledge
Ice caves are not only a tourist attraction, but also a storehouse of knowledge. Scientists say the ice preserves pollen, fragments of leaves and other biomass that can provide information about the life of our ancestors. The proportion of gases found in the ice may shed light on the ancient composition of the atmosphere. A lot of valuable and useful information is hidden in the caves.
Montenegro never ceases to attract and surprise tourists from all over the world with the wonders of nature, not only in the summer with its warm Adriatic Sea and its diverse or winter -. Besides this, Montenegro has a lot of interesting, unusual and memorable things. Throughout the year, lovers of active and extreme recreation, rock climbers and speleologists are literally lured by the majestic Montenegrin mountains, which have preserved their pristine wild beauty, and little-explored caves, hidden from the eyes of people in the bowels of the earth for many millennia.
According to speleologists, in Montenegro there is over 10 thousand different caves, but, unfortunately, due to the complexity of the route, many caves are accessible only to specialist speleologists, as well as well-trained extreme sports enthusiasts.
In fairness, it is also worth noting that some caves in Montenegro are among the most beautiful speleological sites on a European and world scale. It is quite difficult to say which of the many caves in Montenegro is the most beautiful - they are all amazing and beautiful in their own way. In this article we will tell you about one of them...
The Ice Age left behind inaccessible rocks, deep canyons and many caves, one of which is the most famous, is located in the central part of Montenegro and bears the name Icy.
Ice cave in national park Durmitor.
Among all the attractions of Montenegro, it is very popular among lovers active rest and enjoys Ice cave, lying in the depths of the mountain at an altitude of 2180 meters above sea level in the central part of Montenegro. It is located 7 kilometers from the city, on the north-eastern slope of a mountain, which from a distance resembles a human head, which is why it is popularly called - Regional Head(Obla Glava from Black meaning “round head”).
Cave coordinates: longitude 19.1064 latitude 43.1549
The ice cave is one of the wonders of nature in the territory, which, in turn, has been a natural pearl of Montenegro for many years and was included in the list in 1980 List world heritage UNESCO.
The entrance to the cave is covered with snow throughout the year, since in this place the mountain has a steep slope and the sun almost never appears here. The descent directly into the cave is at a very steep angle and the covering of compacted snow is almost always icy. It’s not so easy for even an experienced climber to go down there, but for an amateur it will be safer to admire the frozen beauties from a distance. But if you have already decided, then be extremely careful when going down and, most importantly, carefully look at your feet.
Lifehack: Getting inside the cave can sometimes be quite difficult without special equipment and preparation, so for amateurs, the most convenient time of year to visit the cave is the hot summer months. Better yet, go on a tour with an experienced instructor.
Inside the Ice Cave, there is an unusual natural museum of ice figures - numerous stalactites and stalagmites, of various shapes and sizes, which do not melt even in the most hot weather. Basically, they resemble tall columns with a hole in the middle, since they are formed from water dripping from above and then freezing in the form of an ice column.
The length of the entire cave is about 100 meters, and one of its ice halls reaches 20 meters in width and 40 meters in length.
Interesting Facts: Even in the middle of the hottest summer months, water so cold is constantly dripping from somewhere from the ceiling of the cave that taking it into the palm of your hand freezes your blood. It is these drops that drip and freeze naturally that form numerous intricate ice decorations, from the smallest to those that reach the height of a man.
The bottom of the cave is also covered with ice, and some of the depressions form peculiar pools filled with water. From the main entrance, several long corridors go deep into the Ice Cave, which attract many brave tourists who want to explore all the trails of Zabljak.
Lifehack: There is quite a lot of water in the cave - it drips literally from everywhere, and it is also crystal clear. That is why this place is ideal to replenish drinking water containers for the return trip.
Naturally, all this natural splendor, bewitching beauty underground kingdom, cold mountain air, pure water, absolutely transparent ice and constant low temperature, which preserves all the cave treasures in their original form, annually attracts many different people visiting Montenegro. In order to conquer the mountain peaks in Durmitor and see an unusual cave, many tourists are organized into walking excursion groups, and some experienced climbers decide to do it in pairs or alone.
Hike to the Ice Cave.
The ice cave in Montenegro is available for visiting and exploration throughout the year. Several mountain walking paths of varying difficulty lead to it, many of which originate from the famous one, located near the town of Zabljak. A one-way hike to the Ice Cave, with rests and stops for photo sessions, will take 2-3 hours, and the total duration of the route can be from four to six hours, depending on preparation. But, believe me, the hike along its mountain ranges, as well as the descent into the kingdom of natural ice sculptures, is really worth it.
Lifehack: In addition to all the well-known trails, there is another shorter path, which begins from the Sedlo pass in Durmitor National Park. Whichever one you choose, you should not forget that in the mountains there can be snow until mid-June and, accordingly, you need to carefully select equipment for the hike.
Along the entire path there are signs and special marks - red circles that help tourists not to go astray from the route. But despite this, it is quite difficult to find the Ice Cave on your own - so many tourists hire a guide for the hike. 
When you achieve your goal, the world will open before you in all its glory. magnificent views on mountain ranges Durmitor, forests and, hidden among centuries-old trees, Black Lake and the city of Zabljak.
If you really love real adventures, are ready to experience an explosion of positive emotions and are not afraid of difficulties, then don’t hesitate to go to the Ice Cave and your trip will be 100% worth it!
The world of caves is amazing. It has its own rivers flowing, in some places spilling into miniature lakes, its own stone trees grow, and its own stone flowers bloom. A ray of sun will never revive them, lightning will never illuminate them for a moment - everything is shrouded in eternal darkness and deep silence. Everything that the world of caves is rich in was made by water. Water continuously destroys limestones, which under its influence easily dissolve and erode. Calcium carbonate dissolved in water settles on the surface of the stone. Drop by drop, a tubercle gradually appears, which over time will grow into a hanging icicle - a stalactite. Having fallen on the floor, a drop leaves a particle of the mineral on it. A stalagmite grows from the floor towards the stalactite. Later they will merge into one powerful column. A number of columns, continuing to grow, create bizarre partitions; entire forests of columns fill some caves. The originality and richness of forms created by nature defies description. The karst cavities of Chatyr-Dag can be divided into three groups:
Sports, access to which is difficult due to natural obstacles; passage requires special equipment and certain knowledge, skills and abilities;
Public, these are not deep wells and horizontally inclined caves, visiting which do not require long-term sports training and special equipment (this group includes Suuk-Koba, Binbash-Koba and many others)
Suuk-Koba is a cave on the Nizhny Chatyr-Dag village. The name "Suuk-Koba" is translated as "Cold Cave". Probably due to the temperature of 6 degrees inside. The Kholodnaya cave is located not far from the unequipped Thousand-Headed Cave (Bin-Bash-Koby), as well as from the Marble and Mammoth caves.
Suuk-Koba begins with a huge hall, up to 25 meters high. A composition of stalactites grows here, popularly called an “organ”: many stone icicles intertwined into one structure, similar to organ pipes.
Further, the hall of Suuk-Koba narrows and branches in two directions. If you want to go right, you'll have to climb some makeshift steps. The steps in Suuk Kobe, like in any other cave, are quite slippery, so you need to be extremely careful. If you go to the left, walking through numerous baths will lead to a hall with a column.
An extraordinary drawing is drawn on the wall of the cave near the fork. Do not rush to rejoice at the fact that you have found prehistoric rock paintings: in those days no one painted in colors and in compliance with proportions. They say that in the 90s a film about cave dwellers was shot on Chatyr-Dag, and Suuk-Koba was not ignored. Now the drawing has become a local landmark.
Thousand-Headed Cave (Binbash-koba) - a cave on the Nizhny Chatyr-Dag yayla. The name "Binbash-Koba" is translated from Turkic as "Cave of a Thousand Heads". Hence its second name - Thousand-Headed. The length of the cave is 110 m. The cave is located not far from the Cold Cave (Suuk-Koby).
The name of the cave is not accidental. Since the middle of the 19th century, Binbash-Koba was actively visited local residents, since it has been known for many centuries. The first “researchers” found a lot of human skulls and bones in the cave, and literally within fifty years all the skulls were taken out of the cave and sold on the Angarsk Pass to the first Crimean tourists as “souvenirs from Chatyr-Dag.”
As usual, there are two possible explanations for this large quantity human remains in a cave: according to legend and from the point of view of logic.
Legend has it that one day nomadic tribes attacked local villages. The residents hastily took refuge in a cave they had known for a long time, taking with them all their belongings and food. And so they would have survived the raid of the nomads, but there was no source of water in the cave. Therefore, every night is the most beautiful girl The tribe with jugs of water left the cave and went to the nearest source for water. This went on for many days, but here’s the problem: when the girl carried water, it splashed and irrigated the path, and after a while the path from the well to the cave was covered with beautiful flowers. The nomads discovered this and tracked down where the fugitives were hiding. And since they did not want to surrender, the invaders lit a huge fire at the entrance, and all the inhabitants hiding in the cave died.
There is a more logical explanation. The Thousand-Headed Cave has a very unusual shape: starting with a wide platform and a horizontal entrance-portal, it turns into a gorge, and then opens up into a huge hall with dozens of stalactites and stalagmites. The ideal place to bury the dead is majestic and quiet. It is believed that Bin-Bash Koba served as a ritual burial place for local tribes - this is confirmed by the fact that only adult skulls were found in the cave.
The Thousand-Headed Cave has another feature. She is a perfect example of what becomes of a cave after it is opened for “free access” to everyone. Unfortunately, from the rich and beautiful sinter formations only traces remained. Many giant columns of stalagmites have been toppled to the floor, and marks from the axes of lovers of cave exotics are visible on the walls.
The cave is still worth visiting: even despite the desolation, you can feel some mysticism and awe of history in it.
Gugerdzhin Cave:
It has an entrance well of up to 20 meters, with a total length of 60 m. The cave is located in the forest 50 m south of Thousand-Headed and not far from the Onyx shelter. Gugerdzhin is one of the most popular caves among novice speleologists. It has one hall, divided into six chambers. The cave is easy to descend/ascend and very beautiful.
The Bottomless Cave is located in Crimea, on the lower plateau of Chatyr-Dag. Other names for this Crimean cave are Bottomless Well and Bottomless Mine. According to modern ideas of geology, this Crimean cave is not a well, but a complex combination of a shaft opening the cave and the cave itself. The Bottomless Cave has become known since the end of the 19th century. This Crimean cave is of a vertical type, the entrance to it is located at an altitude of about 1 km, at the bottom of a karst funnel Total length Bezdonnaya cave is 410 meters, its depth is about 195 meters.
The descent into the cave is not equipped for regular visits. You can get into this mysterious cave in Crimea only with equipment, as part of a group of speleologists or athletes.
GPS g. 44.786886,34.287868 (format used in online maps)
GPS g.m. 44°47.213", 34°17.272" (format used in navigators and geocaching)
GPS g.m.s. 44°47"12.79", 34°17"16.32"
In addition to equipped paid caves, there are plenty of “free” ones, but they are no worse than the “official” ones. The latter, of course, are impressive and amazing, but the value of the latter is best determined by the remark of one of the visitors:
- All my life I thought that real caves should be like in the book about Tom Sawyer. Remember, there was a huge, multi-tiered and multi-passage cave in which you could get lost and come out on the other side of the mountain? And where they lead you by the hand and give excursions, of course, it’s great... But that’s not it. There is no atmosphere.
Suuk-Koba, or Cold Cave, is located a kilometer from. Here you can already feel like you’re in a real dungeon - alone with friends, with a vague flashlight beam you’re sliding down a slippery clay slope somewhere down - no one has cut the steps for you. Nothing is highlighted, and you feel like a real discoverer.
Unlike equipped caves, here you can touch and lick everything (if you are not afraid that it has already been licked before you), which is why, however, the cave looks sadder - everything has been touched here, to the point that the calcite walls have begun to collapse. The air leaves a black coating on the walls near the entrance - this is natural, but not very beautiful. Moreover, even the stalactites here were cut out with an axe. Apparently for souvenirs.
In the nineties, Bulgaria filmed a documentary here, and for this purpose beautiful pictures were drawn. The main difference from natural rock art is that ancient people did not use multi-colored paints and did not bother to take into account proportions.
The exit, illuminated during the day, is as always beautiful, this is present in all caves with a natural entrance.
The entrance is located in a cozy hollow, hidden by greenery from prying eyes, so it is best to find the cave using a navigator, even though there is a well-trodden path leading to it. Suuk-Koba will not be forgotten, she is alive. There were many guests in it, and she continues to live her thoughtful and eternal life, like the earth.
