Issue 296: Behind the cover

The call had gone out. Jason was looking for help and support with some ongoing exploration that he had steadfastly been pursuing for some years. And I knew it was epic!

I had done very little in Spain, but it was clear that the site in question, Pozo Azul, was quite an incredible project. It didn’t need any research to appreciate the magnitude of everything that was involved. This was going to be one of the most outstanding explorations ever attempted.  Already Jason‘s farthest point reached was kilometres from the entrance at depths exceeding 70m. 

As I looked at the photographs available at that time it was clear that everything about the area, the project and Pozo Azul itself made for an absolutely incredible opportunity. Sharing time with some of the world’s best cave divers, documenting a world record first hand and achieving some beautiful images was irresistible. I needed no persuasion to pack my gear and join the expedition, taking on the role of creating a photographic record.

And while there were amazing images to be captured deep inside the cave it was a quiet and more relaxed day that was to yield this, the Descent cover shot. It all seemed so appropriate that a simple picture of Mel Dalby, cruising gracefully from sunlight towards the shadowy depths, should set the scene for the most audacious underground exploration.

Martyn Farr

Martyn Farr is internationally renowned as a caver and cave diver. He has been an active underground explorer for over 63 years and is responsible for the discovery of miles of cave passage in many countries. He has established various national and international records in the cave diving sphere.

In recent years, Martyn has achieved spectacular results in the field of underground photography, with numerous awards to his credit. His images have been published in many books, calendars and magazines around the world. Martyn’s most acclaimed work is The Darkness Beckons, a major publication now in its fourth edition. His most recent book, Hidden Realms (2023) is a sumptuously illustrated presentation of 100 of the finest caves and mines right across the British Isles and Ireland.

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