Post by Timebot on Feb 12, 2007 19:49:48 GMT -5
The longest thing to remain with you (other than good memories) when you've done a long cave and taking no water with you, is the dehydration as well as the bruises.
I did Breezeway on Saturday. jonsdigs couldn't go - was still recovering from being sick, and so I got to go with the photographer's group that went in and their guide in, plus Jon sent Chas along to help me. There were, in fact, several places I needed some minor help with step-ups -- mostly because I'm a bit short for crevice climbs and lack upper arm strength. Let me dig in my elbows on either side and it's not too bad.
I think I've heard Breezeway is about a mile - many many crawls, some stooping and then lots of standing in the larger rooms. I saw all the major formations, including the Tesla Coil formation - which is actually spectacular! What fascinated me most were the crystalline stalagtites and the beaded ones, particularly. There are some that come straight down from the ceiling (straws) and are so thin it appears even sound could shatter them! I am one of the lucky few even among caving regulars to have seen almost the full extent of this cave. The exception is the very last part of the cave which has remained closed for quite some time to protect the formations there. I got all the way to the Stone River section.
Crossing "Holy Water", one must strip all the dirty clothes down to skivvy level (in my case a pair of shorts and a sports bra), put the dirty things in a bag and tote them up one ladder, across a couple of sections of pvc bridge (do NOT put hands on the rails but only on the tarp that is stretched between!) and through a section of plastic that is laid down -- and then get dressed again. Going back, it is the same thing in reverse. I actually had to do this three times, because going back I was almost dressed when I discovered I had left one of Jon's knee pads on the plastic dressing area and had to undress again and go back and get it! So it's good to do inventory before getting entirely dressed and moving out of the cave!
The places I needed the most help were above the crevice climbs where I couldn't just walk through because it's too thin, but there are few footholds to boost oneself up. A longer legged person would have less trouble finding places to push up on elbows or pull up on handholds, but short as I am those were most difficult. Chas let me use a knee (and once on the back) in a couple of spots so I could get through. There was one really difficult moment when I was going to have to climb over -- and I thought for a moment I was going to get stuck and slide back down. But I got mad at myself and that helped force the strength out of me to keep going.
The whole thing is an endurance test -- with the rewards of seeing various formations there is just no other way to see that do them justice!
I was exhausted coming out. So exhausted I wasn't sure I would make the next days caving, but after enough sleep and enough hydration, it seemed it was mostly exhaustion and not too much muscle soreness. Although I do have a lot of small bruises from various areas.
A good cold pitcher of beer after such an experience is actually part of the experience and we always do the pub ritual. Thankfully, they let us come in as dirty as we are. Though I cheat a little because I wear two layers (three with the shorts that time), and can wear my black fleece and black top that are underneath the really muddy mucky clothes. Thus I go in a little dusty and a little disheveled, but not totally mud caked. Heh. Only thing is my jogging pants are really torn up - I need to get one-piece coveralls to make things easier in the caves and avoid getting hung up on stuff. The favorite saying is "This is not a fashion show" when it comes to caving. The older and dirtier the clothing, the better off one is.
There is no pain in life which is not worth facing and this comes right to the heart of things, when you are already halfway up a crevice and your only hope of getting out is to master it. You MUST come through it and out. For one thing, you're in a cave and you cannot be stuck there forever. For another, the people behind you cannot make their exit unless you do come out. My worst problem at times like that is breathing so hard with the effort that I hyperventilate and then my brain goes foggy and I cannot think straight to find the solution to the crevice climbs. I think the only thing worse would be if I were many more feet above solid ground - as it is, six to ten feet down isn't too bad. I had to try twice with the rope climbs because I didn't have the hang of it. (heh) One rope had stirrups, but with my feet in them, it tended to pull way over to the side where I was far too sideways. I finally figured out why though and got it straight up again on the second try. But yes, caving makes you FACE THINGS and that's an important skill for full living. On a difficult climb, you want to come away from it. You want to avoid it and the sense of failure that you face if you can't make it. But you absolutely must face it, because otherwise the only solution is to be in the embarrassing situation of having others haul you out. You can't sit there for eternity. I'm glad I did Breezeway, for that lesson alone.
So then Sunday Jon and I did Moby's again. A light day -- where it was beautiful weather and looking across the canyon was an absolute delight. I came out of the cave several times to view it some more. I didn't realize I had packed my notebook -- otherwise I would have sat and written some.
The walk up there is much easier without the snow and there were only minor places I needed to catch my breath. Especially as compared to the somewhat arduous climb the day before! There is still ice (and lots of mucky mud) at the main entrance. There were four of us on Sunday's Moby's trip and we planned on taking it fairly easy -- which we mostly did.
I spent time there mainly carrying rocks out the entrance and putting them into the pile. Did some fetching of tools -- for a while they were searching for Thor (the sledgehammer) and couldn't find it. Turned out to be under the cart near the ladder. At one point I heaved myself through the sphincter and back again to tell the other two that Jon was done with the parts of rock they were intending to smooth out for the cart.
Also Mike (the young kid who is involved in caving with his dad) wanted me to come check out another cave entrance -- because the wind was blowing out his lighter when he held it up there. It did look rather deep and though they knew about it (part of it goes through and comes out cliffside) it may warrent further investigation. I had to do a teeny bit of cliff scrambling to get over there, but nothing too arduous -- again especially as compared to the treking to Breezeway the day before. I have, apparently, gotten a lot better on fear of heights because I find myself scrambling across the sides of rocky slopes and cliffs I would never have had the nerve too before. Still, life holds nothing for me but adventure and creativity anymore and there's no way to get that sense of adventure than to "just do it".
Then we went back and pretty soon it was bratwurst time. I had two, mainly because I did not have breakfast that morning. Usually I just take one. But with only four of us, we only used half the brats. Sitting outside I saw two ravens flying cliffside, scanning for mice and chipmunks most probably. They were a pair. I'll never be nonchalant about seeing birds fly - it's lovely to watch.
Mike and his dad left before we did. Jon wanted to use up the last of the battery charge in the drill for smoothing over some more of the passage. So I did the minor help thing with the bag of wedges and so on. At one point I broke up a rock with the sledge - though there was some difficulty with the cart being between me and the rock. So I had to climb over (and partially into the cart) to get a better grip for pounding it. Got it broke up pretty well and set the pieces aside where the other rocks were piled next to the passageway.
Just as the battery charge was used up, Ryan (who works at REI) showed up. He was just out treking for the day and decided to stop in and see how things were going. He had been there and gave advice on headlamps when I was buying gear the day before. I had been lucky to locate a very inexpensive helmet that I am quite satisfied with, and Jon had put the headlamp on for me. All the stuff I have tried out works very well. Anyway, we talked with Ryan for a bit and then we prepared to leave and he went down the trail with us. It was such a lovely day -- almost like summer, except for the lack of leaves on the shrubs.
And I bought the pitcher of beer and onion rings this time. I'd intended to the day before, but Chas' lady already had picked up the tab. So this time I did. People at the pub sometimes think cavers are miners because of the helmets and we provide a bit of local color in muddy clothes and etc.
The only thing better than that beer is the hot showers one eventually takes to clean oneself up. The wonders of modern plumbing are a gift for the soul.
I did Breezeway on Saturday. jonsdigs couldn't go - was still recovering from being sick, and so I got to go with the photographer's group that went in and their guide in, plus Jon sent Chas along to help me. There were, in fact, several places I needed some minor help with step-ups -- mostly because I'm a bit short for crevice climbs and lack upper arm strength. Let me dig in my elbows on either side and it's not too bad.
I think I've heard Breezeway is about a mile - many many crawls, some stooping and then lots of standing in the larger rooms. I saw all the major formations, including the Tesla Coil formation - which is actually spectacular! What fascinated me most were the crystalline stalagtites and the beaded ones, particularly. There are some that come straight down from the ceiling (straws) and are so thin it appears even sound could shatter them! I am one of the lucky few even among caving regulars to have seen almost the full extent of this cave. The exception is the very last part of the cave which has remained closed for quite some time to protect the formations there. I got all the way to the Stone River section.
Crossing "Holy Water", one must strip all the dirty clothes down to skivvy level (in my case a pair of shorts and a sports bra), put the dirty things in a bag and tote them up one ladder, across a couple of sections of pvc bridge (do NOT put hands on the rails but only on the tarp that is stretched between!) and through a section of plastic that is laid down -- and then get dressed again. Going back, it is the same thing in reverse. I actually had to do this three times, because going back I was almost dressed when I discovered I had left one of Jon's knee pads on the plastic dressing area and had to undress again and go back and get it! So it's good to do inventory before getting entirely dressed and moving out of the cave!
The places I needed the most help were above the crevice climbs where I couldn't just walk through because it's too thin, but there are few footholds to boost oneself up. A longer legged person would have less trouble finding places to push up on elbows or pull up on handholds, but short as I am those were most difficult. Chas let me use a knee (and once on the back) in a couple of spots so I could get through. There was one really difficult moment when I was going to have to climb over -- and I thought for a moment I was going to get stuck and slide back down. But I got mad at myself and that helped force the strength out of me to keep going.
The whole thing is an endurance test -- with the rewards of seeing various formations there is just no other way to see that do them justice!
I was exhausted coming out. So exhausted I wasn't sure I would make the next days caving, but after enough sleep and enough hydration, it seemed it was mostly exhaustion and not too much muscle soreness. Although I do have a lot of small bruises from various areas.
A good cold pitcher of beer after such an experience is actually part of the experience and we always do the pub ritual. Thankfully, they let us come in as dirty as we are. Though I cheat a little because I wear two layers (three with the shorts that time), and can wear my black fleece and black top that are underneath the really muddy mucky clothes. Thus I go in a little dusty and a little disheveled, but not totally mud caked. Heh. Only thing is my jogging pants are really torn up - I need to get one-piece coveralls to make things easier in the caves and avoid getting hung up on stuff. The favorite saying is "This is not a fashion show" when it comes to caving. The older and dirtier the clothing, the better off one is.
There is no pain in life which is not worth facing and this comes right to the heart of things, when you are already halfway up a crevice and your only hope of getting out is to master it. You MUST come through it and out. For one thing, you're in a cave and you cannot be stuck there forever. For another, the people behind you cannot make their exit unless you do come out. My worst problem at times like that is breathing so hard with the effort that I hyperventilate and then my brain goes foggy and I cannot think straight to find the solution to the crevice climbs. I think the only thing worse would be if I were many more feet above solid ground - as it is, six to ten feet down isn't too bad. I had to try twice with the rope climbs because I didn't have the hang of it. (heh) One rope had stirrups, but with my feet in them, it tended to pull way over to the side where I was far too sideways. I finally figured out why though and got it straight up again on the second try. But yes, caving makes you FACE THINGS and that's an important skill for full living. On a difficult climb, you want to come away from it. You want to avoid it and the sense of failure that you face if you can't make it. But you absolutely must face it, because otherwise the only solution is to be in the embarrassing situation of having others haul you out. You can't sit there for eternity. I'm glad I did Breezeway, for that lesson alone.
So then Sunday Jon and I did Moby's again. A light day -- where it was beautiful weather and looking across the canyon was an absolute delight. I came out of the cave several times to view it some more. I didn't realize I had packed my notebook -- otherwise I would have sat and written some.
The walk up there is much easier without the snow and there were only minor places I needed to catch my breath. Especially as compared to the somewhat arduous climb the day before! There is still ice (and lots of mucky mud) at the main entrance. There were four of us on Sunday's Moby's trip and we planned on taking it fairly easy -- which we mostly did.
I spent time there mainly carrying rocks out the entrance and putting them into the pile. Did some fetching of tools -- for a while they were searching for Thor (the sledgehammer) and couldn't find it. Turned out to be under the cart near the ladder. At one point I heaved myself through the sphincter and back again to tell the other two that Jon was done with the parts of rock they were intending to smooth out for the cart.
Also Mike (the young kid who is involved in caving with his dad) wanted me to come check out another cave entrance -- because the wind was blowing out his lighter when he held it up there. It did look rather deep and though they knew about it (part of it goes through and comes out cliffside) it may warrent further investigation. I had to do a teeny bit of cliff scrambling to get over there, but nothing too arduous -- again especially as compared to the treking to Breezeway the day before. I have, apparently, gotten a lot better on fear of heights because I find myself scrambling across the sides of rocky slopes and cliffs I would never have had the nerve too before. Still, life holds nothing for me but adventure and creativity anymore and there's no way to get that sense of adventure than to "just do it".
Then we went back and pretty soon it was bratwurst time. I had two, mainly because I did not have breakfast that morning. Usually I just take one. But with only four of us, we only used half the brats. Sitting outside I saw two ravens flying cliffside, scanning for mice and chipmunks most probably. They were a pair. I'll never be nonchalant about seeing birds fly - it's lovely to watch.
Mike and his dad left before we did. Jon wanted to use up the last of the battery charge in the drill for smoothing over some more of the passage. So I did the minor help thing with the bag of wedges and so on. At one point I broke up a rock with the sledge - though there was some difficulty with the cart being between me and the rock. So I had to climb over (and partially into the cart) to get a better grip for pounding it. Got it broke up pretty well and set the pieces aside where the other rocks were piled next to the passageway.
Just as the battery charge was used up, Ryan (who works at REI) showed up. He was just out treking for the day and decided to stop in and see how things were going. He had been there and gave advice on headlamps when I was buying gear the day before. I had been lucky to locate a very inexpensive helmet that I am quite satisfied with, and Jon had put the headlamp on for me. All the stuff I have tried out works very well. Anyway, we talked with Ryan for a bit and then we prepared to leave and he went down the trail with us. It was such a lovely day -- almost like summer, except for the lack of leaves on the shrubs.
And I bought the pitcher of beer and onion rings this time. I'd intended to the day before, but Chas' lady already had picked up the tab. So this time I did. People at the pub sometimes think cavers are miners because of the helmets and we provide a bit of local color in muddy clothes and etc.
The only thing better than that beer is the hot showers one eventually takes to clean oneself up. The wonders of modern plumbing are a gift for the soul.
Someday I would like to try sleeping in a tunnel in a cave just to see if I can.