Кек-Таш, Vertical cave in Shebalinsky District, Russia.
Kok-Tash is a vertical cave in Shebalinsky District that extends through roughly 3000 meters of passages and descends to a depth of 321 meters. The system runs through marble limestone and contains several large chambers, shafts, and grottos with varied rock formations throughout.
The cave was discovered in 1977 by Valentin Mishin and his team of Novosibirsk speleologists during research near the Kamyshlinsky collapse zone. This discovery made the system a significant site for speleological research in the Altai region.
The name Kok-Tash comes from the Altai language and means 'blue stone', named after the bluish tint of the Cambrian limestone found in the region. Visitors can observe this distinctive color in the rock walls and formations as they explore deeper into the passages.
The entrance requires special equipment and technical skill, as it begins with a narrow crevice where two ravines meet. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain, tight passages, and varying light conditions throughout the system.
The system contains more than ten grottos and eight shafts, including chambers named Troynik, Mrachny, Takyr, and Chaos by researchers who explored them. These names reflect the distinct character of each section and tell of the discoveries made during exploration.
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