The Heart of Mordor

I made a solo hike out to the edge of a volcano. On a dark and moonless night, you could see the billowing yellow smoke - toxic sulfur dioxide - from miles away. After walking over the rough terrain of volcanic rock, I came to the rim and set eyes upon what lay within the caldera - a roiling lava lake that moved in waves and cackled like shattering glass as the ever-expanding rim eroded into it.

Upper Ape Cave

The carved out intestines left by magma of eons past. Sounds like an excellent place to get lost.

Ape Cave Cavern Hall

Harry Potter meets Indy.