Two world record cave sits

An extraordinary challenge

In February 1963, 20-year-old Wyndham Rendell climbed into Ngilgi Cave and made his bed in the Amphitheatre chamber. Wyndam had been legally blind his entire life, but he didn’t let that discourage his sense of adventure. He had won a local radio competition and his goal was simple: live underground long enough to break the existing solo world cave-sitting record of 62 days, which was set in France the year prior.

Life underground was surprisingly comfortable, albeit dirty. He had his own gas stove and kettle, and hot meals arrived from nearby Caves House Hotel twice daily. Visitors stopped by to wish him luck each day as cave guides took tour groups past, and he even had his own postal address so he could receive mail direct to the cave. Letters poured in as news of his challenge spread and he was soon being interview by newspapers and gazettes around Australia.

While the seasons shifted above ground, life inside the cave remained the same. Consistent temperatures, towering stalagmites and the occasional possum clambering over his pots and pans became part of Wyndham’s daily routine.

The cave also became a place for self-reflection.

When Wyndham returned to Ngilgi Cave nearly 60 years later, Cave Manager Tod Kearnes asked him about his cave-sitting experience and Wyndham happily recalled the unexpected impact that time in the cave had on his life.

Wyndham spent a total of 87 days underground, smashing the existing world record by 15 days. He went on to run a successful family bakehouse in Bunbury, aptly named Rendell’s Bakery.

A cosmetician with a mission

A Perth cosmetician with a determined streak, Dorothy had watched Wyndham’s success and wondered why a woman couldn’t do the same. After accepting an ambitious dare from her friends, she decided to find out.

The first woman in Australia to attempt a solo cave-sitting record, Dorothy was not deterred. She moved into the amphitheatre chamber just one week after Wyndam moved out.

Dorothy’s curious mindset kept her active and she quickly became involved in palaeontology work with the Western Australian Museum, helping uncover evidence of animals that roamed the region thousands of years ago.

She also befriended four local ring tail possums, who she fondly named Pepe, Suzy, Percy and Gigi, and went on to write a paper on possum behaviour for the museum.

When a journalist from The Australian Women’s Weekly asked if she was scared of loneliness, her answer was characteristically upbeat.

The Australian Women’s Weekly went on to publish an article in August 1963, that revealed all Dorothy really wanted when she eventually exited the cave was a hot bath.  

“I am dreaming of lying in a steaming hot bath and soaking for several hours… It is the first thing I intend to do as soon as I have proved my statement – that women can set endurance records as well as men.” 

Dorothy’s cave sit well and truly lived up to her mission. Not only did she beat Wyndam’s world record by three days, she also made significant fossil discoveries while sifting through cave sediment. 

Ngilgi Cave Manager Tod Kearns has a record of Dorothy’s key findings. 

Both Wyndham and Dorothy’s cave-sitting world records are proof to the idea that you don’t have to be a seasoned explorer to go caving. It’s more about having an adventurous spirit and an open mind.

So next time you find yourself wandering through Ngilgi Caves vast chambers, pause for a moment when you reach the Amphitheatre, look up at the 18 metre high ceiling covered with clustered, sparkling stalactites and imagine what it would have been like to spend months in this underground world.