She was 48 years old when she went down into the cave. Down there, she had time to celebrate two birthdays alone.
She began the challenge on November 20, 2021 – before the war in Ukraine broke out, before the end of Spain’s face mask requirement was lifted and before Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. But on April 14, 2023, she came out.
During her time in the cave, she worked out to keep busy – and in shape. She painted, drew, knitted and managed to read 60 books during her time underground. She also had two cameras with her to document her stay.
Was out eight days
She left the cave at one point for eight days when her team was forced to repair a router she used to send audio and video to the outside world. She is said to have isolated herself in a tent during that time.
Flamini was regularly examined by psychologists and trainers as well as by cavers, but no one made direct contact with her.
According to the Spanish news agency EFE, her stay has been studied and used by researchers at the universities of Granada and Almeria and a sleep clinic in Madrid. They have investigated how her sleep and circadian rhythm were affected by being isolated underground.