The Finnish Caving Association had a nice meet-up in May ... we went to the Rokokallio, a high cliff in Vihti. High for Finland at least :-) Everybody joined... men, women, and dogs... and I worked with Ralf to systematically go through the cliff area and take positions and photos of all the caves. There's a total of 21 underground holes in the cliff and under boulders, though a few the holes are perhaps too small to be proper caves. We used Ralf's addition to the association's cave database user interface (Psgeo) to make the getting of the positions easy.
This article shows each cave along with its coordinates.
But first, the team. Here's Ralf:
Then to the caves! We go from top first, then at the bottom in order from south to north. There is a total of 21 cave, albeit some are small cavelets. For each cave we give a brief description and coordinates that you can click. All the caves are also registered in the Caving Association's cave map where you can conveniently track your own position and where the caves are.
Similarly, there's a Google Maps "Map" that lists all the Rokokallio caves. Click here.
There's also been a number of articles previously about Rokokallio. See here, here, here, and here.
1. Päällysluola (top cave)
This is the first cave I visited. In fact the only cave on my first visit... it is easiest accessed and most visible. While it is not the biggest cave, it is quite interesting for being a deep crack that you descend in, and requiring some technique to manage the ups and downs.
It is also only cave in the Rokokallio group of caves that is on top of the cliff. A nice set of cracks. You can go almost all the way down the cliff in the narrow cracks. You can also get some nice views out of the crack towards the cliff, while inside the cave.
Coordinates: N 60.48954881 E 24.47716950
2. Lippaluola (roof cave)
A medium-sized roof cave at the bottom of the cliff in the south-east end of the cliff line. In the winter there's nice icicles from the roof.
Coordinates: N 60.48901567 E 24.47911417
3. Kahdenkolon luola (two-hole cave)
This cave is to the left of the Lippaluola (#2 above). There are two entrances in this cave, leading under the cliff. There's also a tunnel to the left of the left hole, but we think it is not enough for a human to crawl through to the Halkeamaluola (#4 below).
Coordinates: N 60.48904422 E 24.47887458
4. Halkeamaluola (crack cave)
To the left of the Kahden kolon luola (#3 above). A crack leads inside the cave. One might be able to go through to Toinen nuotiopaikan luola (#6 below) from here, but it may be too tight.
Also called earlier Kysymysmerkkiluola (Question mark cave).
Coordinates: N 60.48902752 E 24.47860982
5. Kivenalusluola (under-boulder cave)
This cave is a roof cave, under a large boulder, resting in ground and on top of a round smaller boulder. It is often partially filled with water.
Also called earlier Kallionalusluola (under the ground rock cave).
Coordinates: N 60.48897687 E 24.47849946
6. Toinen nuotiopaikkaluola (2nd firepit cave)
Another roof cave that covers a firepit at the bottom of the cliff. Part of the cave is a roof cave where the fire pit is. As an aside, I would personally not put fires under large rock formations, the danger of the rock above cracking is too big.
The cave also continues towards the previous cave (#4, Halkemaluola), inside the cliff. There's a connection, but maybe not big enough for a human to go through. Unless they are squeeze box competition winners from the Caving Association, of course...
Coordinates: N 60.48900947 E 24.47835822
7. Pikkuhalkeamaluolanen (small crack cavelet)
A tiny crack between two boulders, and a bit of roof from the boulder on the cliff side, so maybe a cavelet of some sort, but not a real cave.
Coordinates: N 60.48902511 E 24.47828102
8. Syvä halkeamaluola (deep crack cave)
Very high and extremely narrow crack that forms an L shape. You have to chimney high to be able to pass through the most narrow parts of the crack, such as the tip of the L.
To enter this cave, one has to either crawl under a tight entrance that connects a side crack to the actual crack (second picture below). Or, one has to descend from the sides of the actual crack by jumping to a big rock stuck in the crack.
Coordinates: N 60.48911451 E 24.47785843
9. Pikkukiven alusluolanen (small boulder underside cavelet)
Technically, there's some space under a rock, but too small to be called a proper cave.
Coordinates: N 60.48917481 E 24.47765967
10. Lohkareenalusluola (boulder underside cave)
An interesting cave that continues somewhat long. Starts under a large boulder but continues inside the cliff face.
11. Terävän kiven alusluola (cave under a sharp rock)
A nice cave under a boulder that has a sharp end sticking up. Several entrances.
Coordinates: N 60.48925214 E 24.47746969
12. Kallionkololuola (rockhole cave)
A cave that begins with a bit of a roof first, then continues inside the cliff face.
Coordinates: N 60.48933681 E 24.47736754
13. Pikkulippaluolanen (small roof cavelet)
A small roof cave, maybe not big enough to be counted as a proper cave.
Coordinates: N 60.48938861 E 24.47730367
14. Päänuotiopaikan luola (cave of the main fire pit)
A roof cave that covers a firepit at the bottom of the cliff.
Coordinates: N 60.48948062 E 24.47701703
15. Kivikasan luola (cave of the rock pile)
A nice small cave between large boulders.
Coordinates: N 60.48943347 E 24.47692366
16. Ahdas luolanen (tight cavelet)
Small but tight!
Coordinates: N 60.48964983 E 24.47683379
17. Pääluola (main cave)
The main cave is a complex maze under boulders and between cracks. There's cave tunnels or cracks going vertical and horizontal and in 45 degrees, openings at the bottom and at the roof and everywhere... even includes some tight spaces. Much recommended!
Coordinates: N 60.48968823 E 24.47657484
18. Hiotun kiven luola (cave of the smooth rock)
A superb cave of few rooms, with clear marks of erosion in some of the rocks, presumably caused by water during the ice age.
Coordinates: N 60.48984167 E 24.476194353
19. Käytäväluola (corridor cave)
A small cave that forms kind of a corridor.
Coordinates: N 60.48990472 E 24.47601665
20. Yläkolon luolanen (upper hole cavelet)
A small cave towards the higher part of the cliff face.
Coordinates: N 60.49006185 E 24.47585927
21. Jakoluola (divider cave)
An entry is divided first by a boulder into two, and then inside the cave also continues later in two directions.
Coordinates: N 60.48998734 E 24.47555210
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