In the documentary film Subterranean, Canadian cave explorer Katie Graham is seen chewing a snack listlessly as she utters, “I’m soaking wet. And we’re moving really slow.” She looks pale and exhausted, her red coveralls caked in mud, and her eyes are unfocused. In short, she’s the poster child for exhaustion.
The Katie who attended the two Subterranean screenings earlier this month was a very different figure altogether: engaging, articulate, and more than happy to pull the audience deeper into the strange and fascinating world of Canada’s deepest cave.
On March 11 and 12, KORE Outdoors hosted the screenings in Nelson and Kimberely respectively because of the film’s Kootenay connection: the cave system is called Bisaro Anima and it’s located near Fernie; Katie is one of the stars and she lives in Golden; that’s also where she runs her caving apparel company Minus 90. After both screenings Katie joined KORE Events Coordinator and journalist Jayme Moye on stage for a discussion and Q&A. Below is a recording of the Kimberley event and a summation article.
The Discovery
Katie’s path into cave exploration began during her university years while studying geology. Introduced to caving through an outdoor club, she quickly found herself drawn to the mysterious environments beneath the surface.
Despite its appeal, Katie recognizes, “It’s definitely not glamorous. Most of the time it’s a lot of hauling gear through muddy passages, crawling through tight spaces, and spending long days underground mapping or exploring. But every once in a while you come around a corner and you see something that nobody has ever seen before, and that makes all the work worth it.”
Caves offer the possibility of discovery in a way that few environments still do. While satellites have mapped much of the Earth’s surface, enormous underground networks remain largely unexplored. “Caves are one of the last true frontiers on Earth,” Katie says. “The idea that you could be the first person to ever see a place is incredibly motivating.”
The Reality
While the film captures stunning imagery from underground environments, Katie emphasized that just getting to a cave can be arduous. Expeditions often involve long days hauling heavy equipment through difficult terrain before reaching an entrance. Once underground, the work becomes even more demanding. Explorers crawl through tight passages, descend vertical shafts on ropes, and navigate complex underground systems in total darkness. It’s an environment that can quickly sap energy.
In some cases, expeditions last weeks, with teams establishing camps underground and spending multiple days below the surface before returning to daylight.
Safety is also a constant consideration. Because cave systems are isolated and complex, rescue operations can be extremely difficult. As a result, careful planning, communication, and technical expertise are essential for every trip. “There are definitely moments where things feel intense,” Katie says. “But training and experience help you manage those situations. You learn to stay calm and focus on problem-solving.”
The Teamwork
One of the most striking themes from the film and Graham’s talk was the importance of teamwork. Cave exploration is rarely a solo endeavor. Instead, it relies on tight-knit teams where each member depends on the others for safety and success.
“Caving is very much a team activity,” Katie says. “You rely on the people you’re with completely. Trust and communication are critical because the environment can be unforgiving.” Explorers rely on each other’s skills when navigating vertical rope systems, mapping new passages, or moving through difficult terrain. Communication and preparation are essential, particularly when operating in environments where help may be far away.
Filming Subterranean added another layer of complexity to the expeditions. Camera crews had to carry lighting and filming equipment through the same tight, muddy passages as the explorers themselves. Plus, capturing images in total darkness required careful coordination between the filmmakers and the expedition team.
The result, however, was a rare visual window into a world that most people will never experience firsthand.
The Frontier
Towards the end of the presentation, Katie was asked by an audience member the name of the most beautiful cave she’s ever seen. “That’s a hard question. There are so many incredible places,” she replies. “Some caves have stunning crystal formations, others have massive underground chambers. Often the most beautiful places are the ones that feel completely untouched.”
For Katie, the enduring appeal of cave exploration lies in the unknown and that’s what continues to drive her. For audiences in Kimberley, the evening offered a rare glimpse into a hidden realm, and a reminder that even in a thoroughly mapped world, there are still greatest adventures to be had.