2013 marks 50 years since the beginning of the study of the Crimean caves. Half a century ago, sports clubs of enthusiastic speleologists began to be created, who were the first to master the Red Cave (Kizil-Koba). It was here, at the entrance to the Red Cave, that it was decided to organize a meeting of caving veterans.
The founder of Crimean speleology was Viktor Nikolayevich Dublyansky, who devoted 40 years to scientific work at the Institute of Mineral Resources of the city of Simferopol, where on and photographs and records of the first cavers have been preserved. Unique pictures captured underground waterfalls and the first steps of the cave explorers. Hundreds of expeditions were organized before the caves allowed guests into their world.
Near the entrance to Kizil-Koba, a memorial was erected, the opening of which was timed to coincide with the meeting of veteran speleologists. Groups of cavers from all over the Soviet Union came to explore the Red Cave. The largest number of researchers came from Simferopol, Sevastopol and Moscow.
Currently, more than 24 kilometers of labyrinths, corridors and halls of the Red Cave have been explored. Adventure lovers still have the opportunity to feel like a pioneer as the exploration of the caves continues. Recently, new caves have been found in the Baydar Valley area, where the first explorations have just begun, but it is worth remembering that speleology does not tolerate amateurs. Only specially trained groups are allowed to explore the caves.
It is believed that at the moment no more than 10 percent of the caves in Crimea have been discovered. Further discoveries and research will require a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
