Robbie Shone: Renowned Cave Explorer and Photographer Shares His Adventures
Deep within the earth's shadowy depths, Robbie Shone captures stunning images of untouched underground worlds. While descending into caverns terrifies many, this expert cave explorer and photographer has dedicated his career to illuminating some of the planet's most remote and pristine locations.
While on the surface, we caught up with this extraordinary adventurer.
Where was your last trip?
My most recent caving expedition took me to Sicily, exploring the dramatic lava tubes on Mount Etna's slopes.
Where is your next trip?
Next up is Slovenia, renowned for its spectacular ice caves—alongside Austria and Switzerland.
What is your first travel-related memory?
My inaugural journey abroad from the UK was to Nepal's Himalayas in 2000. Trekking the Annapurna Range on a three-and-a-half-week group tour was breathtaking and ignited my passion for global exploration.
Aisle or window seat?
Window seat every time—it lets me gaze at the views and forget I'm on a plane.
Do you have any travel habits or rituals?
A week before departure, I lay out all my gear on the office floor from cupboards and shelves to ensure nothing's forgotten.
Favourite city or country or region?
England's Lake District holds special childhood memories of outdoor adventures with my parents. I also love China for its incredible cuisine and stark contrast to British life—I thrive on discovering radically different cultures and people.
What drew you into exploring and photographing caves?
Studying art at Sheffield University—chosen for its proximity to the Peak District and rock climbing—a course friend convinced me to try the caving club. Our first descent into Alum Pot in the Yorkshire Dales was transformative. Simultaneously embracing photography, I swapped paintbrushes for cameras, merging my artistic passion with caving.
How does it feel going down into a cave for the first time?
With countless caves still undiscovered, abseiling into the unknown is exhilarating. Consider: more people have walked on the moon than explored some caves I've visited. Caves are time capsules, unchanged for hundreds of thousands of years amid surface-world upheavals from dinosaurs to modern humanity.
What are the challenges of photographing caves?
Total darkness demands hauling all lighting gear through narrow passages—often hours of grueling effort just to reach a spot or overnight camp.
What has been your most unforgettable travel memory?
Last year in Greenland, my scientist girlfriend and I collected stalagmite samples for ancient climate records—extending beyond ice cores' 130,000-year limit to 500,000 years. Reaching remote caves involved a coastal flight, a 20km lake crossing in an inflatable boat (in stages due to gear), and a 33km hike over four days with supply caches. Three weeks total, with just three days on-site—epic!
What is your best or worst travel souvenir?
I collect traditional weapons like blowpipes, machetes, and bone-handled daggers unique to each destination.
What is the best or worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?
Best: Ignore naysayers claiming it's too dangerous or impossible—pursue your dreams despite health and safety concerns.
What’s your biggest travel fail?
On a river expedition, my 'waterproof' camera case served as a float but flooded completely by the exit, ruining my gear.
Quick, an asteroid is going to hit the earth in one week! Which is the one travel dream you’d rush to fulfil?
No caves—I'd escape to a secluded island with my girlfriend for the week.
What advice would you give a first-time traveller?
Don't let 'you can't do that' deter you—if travel calls, answer it.
Robbie was recently featured on San Miguel’s Rich List. See his story at sanmiguel.com/richlist or explore his stunning photography at shonephotography.com.
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