Post by Timebot on Feb 23, 2007 10:22:36 GMT -5
We met early at the Colorado Springs School. I wasn't sure where to meet Dan and LP, but I saw a group of kids and adults on the front steps, so I went up and asked if that's where the caving trip was meeting. Sure 'nuf, it was. So I waited until they got there about five minutes later and fetched my caving gear (what I wasn't wearing) from the car. Met the two teachers that were going. Rode down in Dan's truck to Canon City where we stopped at a fast food place, along with the two vans of kids. Lucky we got there before the kids lined up for the restrooms. 
Then we took off again to down at the start of Shelf Road to private land there where we had been given permission to cave.
The first cave was Marble cave -- we spent most of the time in that one. Down a pipe type ladder and grid, then roping into the cavern from above. I handled that pretty much okay. Not a lot in the way of formations, but the caverns themselves were steep and skinny. Some tunneling in, in places. The kids were great and really liked it there. Marble is a very dry cave - but rather enjoyable as to the number and size of passages. One chimney area with a log ladder. I had some hesitations getting up it - not the log itself, but the second part of the chimney. Where I was sitting was just not quite wide enough for my hips and I found I could not shift from one hip to the other... And I needed to turn in order to get up higher and conquer the chimney. I found finally after a breather, that again, pushing up on elbows and keep shifting got me through. I really need to work on upper body strength. Going back down later was not nearly so tough.
There was one kid who went exploring and held back a bit. Then his helmet strap came loose and he lost his light - he was calm and waited until they went back for him. Good job that - staying calm! He got teased a bit, but the thing is he was being adventurous which shows real interest.
So after we'd been in Marble cave, we all came out and ate lunch and/or snacks depending on what we brought. I had string cheese and water -- pretty much all I actually need when caving. It was lovely weather for sitting out there in the field and rocks, very mildly warm.
Then we treked over to "Fly Cave". I found out why they call it "Fly". Swarms of small flies hang around the entrance to the cave and as you are going in, it is slightly steep and if you breathe through your mouth, you are likely to eat flies. heh. Not until about twenty feet in, do they stop. This is a muddier cave and there are places to slide downwards, which is rather interesting. Lots of tunnels leading off in different directions. There is one room where several tunnels loop around and back into the same room. The kids really enjoyed that! I sat there in the center room and listened to them taking off in all directions and then coming back through the loops and trying another until they were sure they all lead back to the same place. I liked sitting there listening to their chatter -- they really were having a great time.
We couldn't stay as long there, as it was getting late and they were going to have to be leaving soon. About forty minutes we spent in there, I believe. So the crawl back up through the tunnel in the slippery muddy spots. I was glad to have borrowed NG's kneepads -- those ones give a lot of good traction on muddy slide areas. I almost did not have to brace with hands. There are a couple of squeezy places -- but still larger than the Sphincter at Moby's Cave. No problem getting out... And we all sat on the shelf until everyone was out. One girl wanted to get off the shelf quick; I think she was finally spooked at the height, but handled it well.
I led the trek back to the vehicles -- pretty easy to find and crossing open land with small trees. Back at the vehicles, the kids turned in the loaned helmets and we all prepared to journey home. L.P. and I switched layers into cleaner clothes. She and Dan and I ate dinner at a cute little Mexican restaurant in Canon City. Nice place - I had rolled tacos with guacamole and sour cream. And lots of water!
They drove me back to the school and I unloaded my gear (and the hoodie I had left in their truck a couple weeks ago). Said goodbyes and drove home. I'm beat really, but too up to go to sleep early. Knees are sore. I took about a half-hour nap.
So that was today's caving trip. I had a great time and enjoyed the company and the agility of 6th graders is really something to see. They are off on a different adventure tomorrow...
I was glad I went. I'd do it again in a heartbeat -- just give my knees time to recover! lol!
Then we took off again to down at the start of Shelf Road to private land there where we had been given permission to cave.
The first cave was Marble cave -- we spent most of the time in that one. Down a pipe type ladder and grid, then roping into the cavern from above. I handled that pretty much okay. Not a lot in the way of formations, but the caverns themselves were steep and skinny. Some tunneling in, in places. The kids were great and really liked it there. Marble is a very dry cave - but rather enjoyable as to the number and size of passages. One chimney area with a log ladder. I had some hesitations getting up it - not the log itself, but the second part of the chimney. Where I was sitting was just not quite wide enough for my hips and I found I could not shift from one hip to the other... And I needed to turn in order to get up higher and conquer the chimney. I found finally after a breather, that again, pushing up on elbows and keep shifting got me through. I really need to work on upper body strength. Going back down later was not nearly so tough.
There was one kid who went exploring and held back a bit. Then his helmet strap came loose and he lost his light - he was calm and waited until they went back for him. Good job that - staying calm! He got teased a bit, but the thing is he was being adventurous which shows real interest.
So after we'd been in Marble cave, we all came out and ate lunch and/or snacks depending on what we brought. I had string cheese and water -- pretty much all I actually need when caving. It was lovely weather for sitting out there in the field and rocks, very mildly warm.
Then we treked over to "Fly Cave". I found out why they call it "Fly". Swarms of small flies hang around the entrance to the cave and as you are going in, it is slightly steep and if you breathe through your mouth, you are likely to eat flies. heh. Not until about twenty feet in, do they stop. This is a muddier cave and there are places to slide downwards, which is rather interesting. Lots of tunnels leading off in different directions. There is one room where several tunnels loop around and back into the same room. The kids really enjoyed that! I sat there in the center room and listened to them taking off in all directions and then coming back through the loops and trying another until they were sure they all lead back to the same place. I liked sitting there listening to their chatter -- they really were having a great time.
We couldn't stay as long there, as it was getting late and they were going to have to be leaving soon. About forty minutes we spent in there, I believe. So the crawl back up through the tunnel in the slippery muddy spots. I was glad to have borrowed NG's kneepads -- those ones give a lot of good traction on muddy slide areas. I almost did not have to brace with hands. There are a couple of squeezy places -- but still larger than the Sphincter at Moby's Cave. No problem getting out... And we all sat on the shelf until everyone was out. One girl wanted to get off the shelf quick; I think she was finally spooked at the height, but handled it well.
I led the trek back to the vehicles -- pretty easy to find and crossing open land with small trees. Back at the vehicles, the kids turned in the loaned helmets and we all prepared to journey home. L.P. and I switched layers into cleaner clothes. She and Dan and I ate dinner at a cute little Mexican restaurant in Canon City. Nice place - I had rolled tacos with guacamole and sour cream. And lots of water!
They drove me back to the school and I unloaded my gear (and the hoodie I had left in their truck a couple weeks ago). Said goodbyes and drove home. I'm beat really, but too up to go to sleep early. Knees are sore. I took about a half-hour nap.
So that was today's caving trip. I had a great time and enjoyed the company and the agility of 6th graders is really something to see. They are off on a different adventure tomorrow...
I was glad I went. I'd do it again in a heartbeat -- just give my knees time to recover! lol!
