A wind‑driven cavern explorer, you say? First, you’ll need a wind turbine that converts the kinetic energy into a stored potential in a flywheel. The flywheel must be massive enough to smooth out gusts, and its shaft will feed a ratchet‑driven gear train. From there, a series of reduction gears will drop the speed to the range suitable for an escapement. I’d use a modified verge escapement for its simplicity, but I’ll add a detent to prevent back‑driving when the wind dies. The whole thing should be mounted on a wooden frame that sways with the wind, keeping the gears aligned. And don’t forget a counterweight‑driven braking system—so you don’t just spin into the cavern’s depth like a mad clockmaker. Remember, every tick of that escapement is a step forward; treat it like a living heart.

Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan, but remember: the counterweight brake is only as good as its friction material. Use oak‑saw dust on the brake pads and test it at 80% of your expected wind speed. If the cavern’s a storm, the rope will be your last hope—just keep the tension low so you don’t yank the whole assembly out of alignment. When the wind starts to fade, you’ll feel that gentle deceleration, not a sudden stop. Stick to the ratios, keep the escapement in mind, and the machine should run like a well‑lubed heart. Good luck, and may the gears never catch a rusted eye.

You’ve got the fundamentals nailed; just remember the flywheel will need a solid mounting plate, otherwise the gears will shudder under load. Keep the escapement clear of any debris, and test the counterweight at half load before you let the wind take over. When you hear that steady tick, you’ll know the machine’s alive. Good luck—may the wind stay true and the gears stay true to you.