Andrew Eavis, a passionate cave explorer for nearly 60 years, first ventured to Mulu in the late 1970s, discovering vast cave systems. He emphasises teamwork in exploration and encourages the next generation to appreciate and study these remarkable natural wonders in Sarawak.
Exploring the Depths
This is part one of a five-part series on the natural wonders of Mulu.
Shrouded in darkness and constantly navigating the unknown — that’s how most would describe Andrew Eavis’ favourite hobby.
But for Andrew, it’s that very thrill — the electrifying sensation of venturing into the depths and uncovering nature’s hidden wonders — that drives him each day.
It’s not just about finding a way out; it’s about the excitement of discovery, the pull of the unexplored, and the pure joy of stepping into a world few have ever seen.
Andrew has been exploring caves since he was 17 years old — nearly 60 years ago.
While the caves of Britain are certainly impressive, Andrew always knew there was much more waiting to be discovered in the uncharted corners of the world.
His restless curiosity and unshakable sense of adventure propelled him into an extraordinary journey that would lead him to some of the most remote, breathtaking, and untouched places on Earth.
This includes caves that defy imagination, hidden deep within jungles, mountains, and deserts.
But none would capture his heart quite like Mulu.
It was in the late 1970s when he first heard whispers of something extraordinary and monumental beneath the untouched rainforests of Borneo.
The Royal Geographical Society had caught wind of mysterious cave systems buried within Mulu — a place few explorers had ventured.
The promise of these caves, with their untold secrets, was too much for Andrew to resist.
He had already earned a reputation as a fearless and skilled explorer, but Mulu would change everything.
“When the Royal Geographical Society mentioned ‘Mulu’, I jumped at the chance and immediately said yes. We expected to find a few caves but never imagined the scale of what we would end up discovering.
“Mulu is truly remarkable, and it is a speleological (the scientific study or exploration of caves) dream. Before Mulu, the biggest cave I had ever explored was maybe 10 metres by 15 metres in cross-section and a few hundred metres long.
“But when I first walked into Deer Cave, it was on an entirely different level,” the 76-year-old told Sarawak Tribune.
From Engineer to Explorer
Andrew studied engineering when he was in university, and that was where he first got involved in caves through a caving club.
“My first expedition was in 1969, and I was the only real caver on that trip. I had such a great time that I was hooked (on caves) for life,” he said.
Andrew later earned a second degree in mining engineering, which led him to work for the National Coal Board, where he spent 10 years.
He eventually took a gap year and travelled the world with his wife, Lilian, where they visited mines and caves.
“I wrote a paper about my travels and ended up winning an award for it. However, running expeditions while working for a nationalised industry like the National Coal Board became challenging, so I left and went into business with two other cavers.
“We started a plastic moulding company, and it went very well — so well, in fact, that we had over 750 employees by the time I sold the company in 2011. The business grew out of sheer hard work and long hours, but it allowed me to keep coming back to Mulu and do what I love,” he said.
A Young Adventurer: The Journey to Mulu in 1978
Andrew was 30 years old when he first visited Mulu after being scouted by the Royal Geographical Society following an expedition to Papua New Guinea.
Twenty-four people, including Andrew, took part in the six-month-long expedition, where they found a few new caves in Papua New Guinea, which gave them some publicity.
This was how the Royal Geographical Society got wind of the expedition, and they contacted Andrew because they believed there were caves to be discovered in Mulu.
“I knew there were caves here (in Mulu) because of some friends who had tried to organise an expedition that, unfortunately, did not go through. There was access to detailed aerial surveys by the Royal British Air Force, which were fantastic, and this further fuelled my excitement,” he said.
Andrew revealed that the Royal Geographical Society had a great policy whereby they would send experts into the field and provide everything they needed so they could focus entirely on their work.
As such, there was no need to worry about logistics or how to feed themselves because the Royal Geographical Society took care of everything.
“Cavers are very low-maintenance people — we sleep in caves, we are not too fussy about food, and we don’t need much. The one indulgence they (the Royal Geographical Society) provided was a can of Guinness (an alcoholic beverage) each day for every member of the team.
“So, there would sometimes be 10 or 15 cans of Guinness waiting for us when we returned to camp after our expedition, which is always a very welcoming sight,” he said in jest.
Recalling the first moment he laid eyes on Mulu, Andrew said they were flown into the area by helicopter.
He described the views as so breathtaking that they left a lasting impression on him and the team.
“For young speleologists, it was like seeing the Holy Grail; we were absolutely thrilled before we even landed,” he said.
Of Mulu Madness and Discoveries
The 1978 expedition was full of discoveries beyond Andrew and the team’s wildest imaginations.
One of the notable discoveries was the Wonder Cave, located in the Hidden Valley, after the team noticed an incredibly strong wind blowing out of its entrance.
“For cavers, this is often a sign that there is something substantial beyond, so we ventured in, and sure enough, it opens into a huge cave. Some of the formations, like the delicate calcite formations created by mist deep near the cave’s waterfalls, were unique because these formations are rarely seen elsewhere,” he said.
The main discovery of 1978 was Clearwater Cave, which Andrew discovered during a solo trip.
Recalling the moment, he said he had set up his camera on a tripod before crawling deeper into the passage in the dark.
“I fired off a few flashes to capture the moment, then crawled back to close the shutter. The photo I captured holds a special place in my heart as it left me awestruck. Clearwater Cave isn’t just vast; it is a labyrinth of underground rivers and passages that stretch for kilometres.
“At the end of the Clearwater River, we reached a sump, but that wasn’t the end. We climbed up to the roof and found yet another passage that stretched on for 5.5 kilometres. The passages were 30 to 40 metres wide and just as high — it felt like they went on forever,” he explained.
After realising that they had barely scratched the surface in 1978, Andrew and the team organised another expedition for 1980.
This time around, they had better support thanks to the former Managing Director of Shell in Sarawak and Sabah, George Band, who had been the youngest member of the 1953 expedition that climbed Mount Everest.
The late George became a friend to Andrew and his team, and he helped them immensely.
“He even provided us with a house in Miri, which became the base of our operations. Shell also provided helicopter support for us, and this made a huge difference,” he said.
In 1980, the team began working with local builders to set up a longhouse within what would now be the Mulu National Park area as their base camp.
Andrew said he had learned an important lesson: always listen to advice from the locals.
“Unfortunately, we built the longhouse in a spot that would flood during heavy rains. That very location is where the national park’s restaurant stands today, which was built on very high stilts.
“There was also a Royal Geographical Society longhouse built across the river. However, it was demolished after our expedition ended to discourage anyone from living there.
“We also set up additional camps, like Camp 1, which had a helicopter landing pad,” he said.
In 1984, Andrew returned to Mulu, where he co-led the expedition with Ben Lyon. This was the year when Camp 5 was set up.
Andrew and his team focused on the southern areas while Ben and his team explored the northern regions during this expedition.
“We established a friendly rivalry with nightly radio chats comparing how many new caves we had found each day. Mike Meredith, who was a well-known figure in Mulu, led many of these explorations.
“Sadly, Mike passed away recently, but his contributions to cave exploration will not be forgotten,” he said.
One of the most significant discoveries from this period was the Sarawak Chamber.
Andrew said they knew there was something massive under the mountain they were investigating.
After swimming through passages and traversing plunge pools in Gua Nasib Bagus (Good Luck Cave), they finally reached the Sarawak Chamber.
“The sheer scale of the Sarawak Chamber was mind-boggling. At 600 metres (2,000 ft) long, 435 metres (1,427 ft) wide, and a maximum of 115 metres (377 ft) high, it is the largest known underground chamber in the world.
“We have surveyed 15 other massive chambers, and the Sarawak Chamber still stands as the biggest. To put it into perspective, you could fit several Wembley Stadiums inside the Sarawak Chamber, and you would still have room left over,” he said.
Over the years, Andrew and the team continued their explorations, making stunning discoveries of caves, including Cobweb Cave, White Rock Cave, and Drunken Forest, among others.
As the team’s exploration efforts grew, they began camping underground for extended periods — sometimes staying days and even weeks to reach more remote areas.
“Underground camps are surprisingly comfortable because they are quiet, dry, and cool. Sometimes it’s hard to convince people to leave once they have settled in,” he said in jest.
Despite the significant discoveries thus far, Andrew still believes they have only uncovered approximately half of the caves in Mulu.
“We believe there are many areas that still hold significant cave systems waiting to be explored,” he said.
In recognition of his contributions to cave exploration, Andrew received the Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia award for his discoveries in 2018.
He was awarded the 2021 Founder’s Medal by the Royal Geographical Society for his significant contributions to the exploration of some of the largest cave systems in the world and for making original discoveries for over 50 years.
The Power of Teamwork
Andrew’s name is often synonymous with cave exploration and expeditions.
However, he is quick to point out that none of his achievements would have been possible without the dedication and expertise of the team he was a part of.
“Generally, it would be good if people understood that I have always been part of a team. I am an organiser of a team, not generally a solo explorer,” he explained.
Throughout his journey, Andrew has relied on the skills and commitment of more than 300 individuals who have worked alongside him on the numerous discoveries made, including those in Mulu.
“I owe a huge amount of credit to those who have been with me — every expedition is a team effort. It is not just about one person; it’s about everyone who has contributed to these discoveries,” he said.
Mulu Then and Now
Having first experienced Mulu 46 years ago, Andrew praised the improved air connectivity that has made reaching the area significantly easier today.
“The first time I came to Mulu, it took just 20 minutes because we were flown in by a Royal Malaysian Air Force helicopter. But I have also experienced the other extreme — travelling upriver from Miri, which took us about two days to arrive.
“The airport and the ease of access now are beyond anything I had imagined. It’s much easier to get to Mulu, which is fantastic,” he said.
However, Andrew expressed some concerns about the development of Mulu town.
While he appreciates the improved access, he has reservations about how the town has grown over the years.
“I have mixed feelings. What’s wonderful is that the national park itself has remained untouched and pristine, so full credit goes to the Sarawak government and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for maintaining that. I hope it stays that way.
“But some aspects of the development in the surrounding areas, particularly Mulu town, could have been better planned. Personally, I think all development should have been kept on one side of the river, leaving the other side completely natural,” he said.
Andrew said that making Mulu more accessible has been a significant and positive development, though he believes there are opportunities to improve the town’s planning.
“The increased accessibility is a fantastic step forward. While there’s room for improvement in the town’s layout, what’s most important is that the national park itself has been preserved beautifully, and that’s truly commendable,” he said.
Advice to the Next Generation of Explorers
This November, Andrew is set to embark on his final expedition to Mulu, leading a team of 35 cavers scattered across the expansive Mulu National Park.
For him, it’s more than just a farewell to exploration; it’s about ensuring the next generation continues what he started.
“It’s important to have people on these expeditions who aren’t just porters or boatmen, but genuine cavers — people who can contribute scientifically during exploration. The caves in Mulu aren’t just remarkable for their size.
“There’s an incredible amount of science waiting to be done — the biology, microbiology, and geology are all fascinating areas still largely untapped,” he said.
Andrew stressed that Sarawakians should take a more active role in exploring and appreciating the wonders of their homeland.
“Sometimes it feels like outsiders appreciate what we have here more than we do. I’ve noticed that with Mulu, and it shouldn’t be that way. My advice to Sarawakians, especially the younger generation, is simple: get involved.
“There’s so much to explore and so much to learn. Don’t let these opportunities slip by,” he said.
Over the years, Andrew has captured breathtaking photos and videos of Mulu’s remarkable caves, documenting their beauty and mystery.
His extensive archive, brimming with images, videos, and 3D maps of these cave systems, will keep him immersed in his life’s work well into retirement.
He envisions himself spending his days going through these treasures, reliving the moments of discovery and adventure that have defined his life.
“Caves have been my life, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m incredibly lucky to have had Lilian, my wife of 53 years, by my side through it all.”
For Andrew, passing the torch is about more than just continuing to explore.
It’s about ensuring that the wonders of Mulu remain appreciated and that Sarawak’s younger generation embraces the role of guardians and explorers of their natural heritage.
