The path, a long, straight bed that once held tracks where trains passed in the late 1800's, led along the side of the heavily-forested slope. The climb to the path, steep and arduous, served only to energize the excited explorers. Hall, Ashy, and I, along with another close friend, carried lanterns, rope, gloves, and mapping materials. Though sweaty from the summer’s heat, our excitement rose with every climb in elevation. Though we had hiked many a long trail, this was our first adventure beyond the path and into places not open to the public.
PHOTO NOTE: This wandering occurred many years ago, and the Wandering Men do not have any photos of this particular journey. However, extensive research has produced photos that were taken in the area (some in the exact same location, in fact), which we have provided below. If these photos are yours, and you would like us to remove them, we will do so without hesitation; please contact us to make that happen.
After hiking along the wooded path, we turned off and began to move once more up the steep slope. A hundred yards or so up the path in the summer’s heat a cold draft of air embraced us. Anticipation almost unbearable, we climbed into a narrow valley, more of a wooded-gully. Before us, gaping like the lost tombs of a forgotten king, lay the foreboding, yawning, hidden gate to the Mines of Red Mountain. A steady chill wind flowed from the gaping mouth, cooling us, warning us of the unknown inside. We glanced to each other excitedly, our faces masks of nervous thrill. Without a word, we plunged into the darkness.
Turning on our head-lamps, we slipped on our gloves and peered down into the mines. For the area they were ancient. Rather than long, level paths, the way before us was steep and rock-strewn and almost natural in appearance. A quick glance through my clinometer confirmed the slope dropped a hundred feet quickly. We scrambled down, leaving behind the warm daylight and embracing the cold, humid air below.
After a short while, we discovered our first tunnel to the left and carefully mapped it. Ashy climbed down it first, followed by the rest of us. After a few twists and turns, we discovered the path led to another portal to the outside world. Though pleased to have mapped a second way out, should we find the urgent need, our way was not out, but further down. We returned to the main shaft and continued our descent. At the bottom, the way disappeared into a clear, cold pool of water. There we discovered the first signs that this grotto was something other than a natural caverns, for passing like phantoms into the pool were two rusted steel tracks.
We stood for a time, regarding the lonely lake, forever doomed to the darkness. A debate arose among us about whether or not we should dive in and attempt to find a path beyond. We had plenty of rope, good gloves, and were reasonably confident our lamps would hold up in the water. But in the end, we realized that some paths were not to be traveled and we backed away. To our right lay another path, after all, which led deeper into the mountain.
Or so we thought. We climbed into the wide corridor, which wound to the left, and were dismayed to find it end not far beyond the opening to the main path behind. Disappointed, we turned about, wondering if this were all to be found in the mines. Ahead of us was a shallow nook, a place where we could imagine trolls curling up to sleep. Walking over to it, I peered up and, to my surprise, found a natural chimney climbing up into what seemed to be some sort of high chamber. I excitedly called Ashy and Hall over, and we all peered up, wondering what to do.
Ever the explorer, Ashy immediately began climbing the narrow way. Hall and I quickly followed. The climbing was treacherous, as the slope was very steep and the path slippery and wet. The roof above us was very close to us, so that when we needed to break, we merely had to lean back and prop ourselves against the steep ceiling. After counted feet of climbing, we reached a small chamber which stank of sulphur. Scurrying about were salamanders with pale, bulbous eyes. Creatures of the dark, they perhaps never saw the light of day. Because he had gone first, we named the climb Peredhel’s Climb after the always dauntless Ashy.
On the other side of the small chamber lay a steep slope falling away further into the mountain. It was too steep to climb without aid, so we secured our rope to a large boulder and tossed it down. Down we gingerly climbed, fending ourselves off the red, slick surface as best as we could. Ashy went first, with his shoulder-mounted light lighting the way. Suddenly, our world plunged into darkness as the lamp detached and tumbled down the rocky shaft, struck bottom, and bounced into a larger chamber below.
With nothing else to do, we continued to climb down, blindly, until we reached the bottom. Ashy quickly retrieved his lantern, which was still working, and the rest of us, with our hands now free, turned on our own lamps. We turned and surveyed they way we had come and nervously realized the way we had just climbed was the remnant of some previous cave-in. Turning back, we discovered the chamber we were in had suffered a similar fate, as a massive slab of rock lay on the ground. Above, the ceiling showed the evidence of where it has once perched, many, many years earlier. Roots could be seen growing out of the crevices.
A cold sense of dread briefly coursed through us, knowing the peril which may lay before us. But, our indomitable spirits, as well as the irresistible dark unknown before us, drove away the fear. A sense of euphoria filled us as we looked down the long, broad cavern before us, visions of working dwarves, angry trolls, goblins, and many other creatures of the underworld flashing in our heads. A quick, excited glance between us confirmed our steeled wills and we prepared to plunge even deeper in the mines. What would we find next?
