Post by Timebot on Mar 5, 2007 13:19:44 GMT -5
It seems each set of bruises that fade from the last caving expedition are replaced by new ones from each new cave I get to explore. This time it was Huccacove - named for the graffiti that was found at the cave entrance when it became listed.
Seven people went into this cave in all. One other newbie to this cave besides myself. Dan, Jon, Jim, myself and three other cavers. Dan and Jim were the trip leaders this time.
I found it to be a nice medium cave with some good challenges. The ladder was easy for me, even while it was steeper than most ladders I have been on. It shakes a little, but I still felt plenty safe. Some long tunneling, but in most of those I was able to keep my helmet on. Only one where I had to remove it, I think and that was a rather short haul between two larger sections.
A good rock climb - first down and then back up. It's harder going down than up -- so I have found. I think sometime I'd like to go back to that and just practice going up and down all day. Same with chimney areas - find a good intermediate chimney and just practice on it until confidence and muscles build up. It would help a lot with the hesitation felt when getting far enough off the ground to feel unsure. Still I always manage to get through with no more than small boosts up. I've not had to be hauled up yet - and that is something!
Absolutely beautiful formations in Huccacove! Great bacon formations, flowstone, cave pearls and just about everything else you could want. Crystalline formations in small quantities. Not vast and large like Swirling Mists, but like the seeds of those types of formations. Quite beautiful and sparkling in the light.
I've now been initiated. At one spot I reached into my pack to pull out some chapstick and found a rock in there! I'd been warned several times this could happen, but this was the first time. Mine is a very small backpack so there's only room for smaller rocks anyway and I had no idea there was extra weight in it! I did ask if there was some ritual I was supposed to do upon removal -- but Dan and Jon had no answer for that one.
It happened one other time, but I knew who was responsible that time. And I sort of expected it, having seen him picking up loose rocks while we were resting from bucketing as I happened to glance over.
This was while Jim was working on a dig. They are following Cindy's dig, more from the ceiling arch than from the floor. I think about five feet was dug in during this expedition. Jim was doing the digging. Either Jon or I (we switched places once) would scoop the dirt into the bucket and the other would dump the buck over the side of the slope. It was good work with a lot of "chert" removed from the area. I heard them say it's about time to add another to the three people required to work on this dig.
Unlike last time, this time my batteries for the helmet light were completely charged and I had no difficulty getting enough light. The next buy will be a good set of knee pads - I keep having to borrow some. The biggest plus is the gripper pads on the knees and I find them absolutely necessary for most upward clay slopes because my boots don't grip that surface very well. But I'm satisfied with my cheap helmet and the light that I bought before.
Dan and the three other cavers left before we did, since we worked on the dig for a while. Then it was time to go and Jim and Jon had me lead the way out! I had broken one of the most important rules of caving -- when you come out of a tunnel into a cavern, look to see where it is that you came from so you can find the tunnel again! Going into a cave is free -- but they expect you to know your way out and hints can be obtained through bribes -- paying for a pitcher, fries, onions and other goodies at the tavern afterwards. By the time I'd gotten all the hints I needed, I ended up paying for $25.00 worth later at the tavern -- but I didn't mind at all. (Mostly this happened because I'd recently sold some furniture and they knew I did have enough money to cover the tab.) But I learned and from now on I will notice better where I'm going! I did manage to find the last couple of tunnels because I felt the air coming in - plus various pieces of equiment were strewn upon the way, as well as a few flags. The trail back down the canyon was easier to find and fairly clearly marked. I was very happy that the weather that day was lovely and sunny, though I did hear Dan remark that Huccacove seemed cooler than usual. I did have some time while resting where it felt chilly to me and I almost wished I'd had another layer. Probably because I'd been working and sweating.
We enjoyed the meal at the tavern as well, with two pitchers and a great burger! Mostly I listen to the talk about different caves and digs and speculation about the next convention area. Such a great way to spend the late afternoon, before getting cleaned up. So much fun to get dirty in the caves and it feels so good to get clean afterwards as well. My head always itches once the helmet comes off and it takes about 48 hours to subside completely. Still looking forward to the next adventure and wondering where it will be!
Seven people went into this cave in all. One other newbie to this cave besides myself. Dan, Jon, Jim, myself and three other cavers. Dan and Jim were the trip leaders this time.
I found it to be a nice medium cave with some good challenges. The ladder was easy for me, even while it was steeper than most ladders I have been on. It shakes a little, but I still felt plenty safe. Some long tunneling, but in most of those I was able to keep my helmet on. Only one where I had to remove it, I think and that was a rather short haul between two larger sections.
A good rock climb - first down and then back up. It's harder going down than up -- so I have found. I think sometime I'd like to go back to that and just practice going up and down all day. Same with chimney areas - find a good intermediate chimney and just practice on it until confidence and muscles build up. It would help a lot with the hesitation felt when getting far enough off the ground to feel unsure. Still I always manage to get through with no more than small boosts up. I've not had to be hauled up yet - and that is something!
Absolutely beautiful formations in Huccacove! Great bacon formations, flowstone, cave pearls and just about everything else you could want. Crystalline formations in small quantities. Not vast and large like Swirling Mists, but like the seeds of those types of formations. Quite beautiful and sparkling in the light.
I've now been initiated. At one spot I reached into my pack to pull out some chapstick and found a rock in there! I'd been warned several times this could happen, but this was the first time. Mine is a very small backpack so there's only room for smaller rocks anyway and I had no idea there was extra weight in it! I did ask if there was some ritual I was supposed to do upon removal -- but Dan and Jon had no answer for that one.
It happened one other time, but I knew who was responsible that time. And I sort of expected it, having seen him picking up loose rocks while we were resting from bucketing as I happened to glance over.This was while Jim was working on a dig. They are following Cindy's dig, more from the ceiling arch than from the floor. I think about five feet was dug in during this expedition. Jim was doing the digging. Either Jon or I (we switched places once) would scoop the dirt into the bucket and the other would dump the buck over the side of the slope. It was good work with a lot of "chert" removed from the area. I heard them say it's about time to add another to the three people required to work on this dig.
Unlike last time, this time my batteries for the helmet light were completely charged and I had no difficulty getting enough light. The next buy will be a good set of knee pads - I keep having to borrow some. The biggest plus is the gripper pads on the knees and I find them absolutely necessary for most upward clay slopes because my boots don't grip that surface very well. But I'm satisfied with my cheap helmet and the light that I bought before.
Dan and the three other cavers left before we did, since we worked on the dig for a while. Then it was time to go and Jim and Jon had me lead the way out! I had broken one of the most important rules of caving -- when you come out of a tunnel into a cavern, look to see where it is that you came from so you can find the tunnel again! Going into a cave is free -- but they expect you to know your way out and hints can be obtained through bribes -- paying for a pitcher, fries, onions and other goodies at the tavern afterwards.
By the time I'd gotten all the hints I needed, I ended up paying for $25.00 worth later at the tavern -- but I didn't mind at all. (Mostly this happened because I'd recently sold some furniture and they knew I did have enough money to cover the tab.) But I learned and from now on I will notice better where I'm going! I did manage to find the last couple of tunnels because I felt the air coming in - plus various pieces of equiment were strewn upon the way, as well as a few flags. The trail back down the canyon was easier to find and fairly clearly marked. I was very happy that the weather that day was lovely and sunny, though I did hear Dan remark that Huccacove seemed cooler than usual. I did have some time while resting where it felt chilly to me and I almost wished I'd had another layer. Probably because I'd been working and sweating.We enjoyed the meal at the tavern as well, with two pitchers and a great burger! Mostly I listen to the talk about different caves and digs and speculation about the next convention area. Such a great way to spend the late afternoon, before getting cleaned up. So much fun to get dirty in the caves and it feels so good to get clean afterwards as well. My head always itches once the helmet comes off and it takes about 48 hours to subside completely. Still looking forward to the next adventure and wondering where it will be!
;D
Y'all had a good day of caving and it is good to hear about it. Good trip reports and interesting characters always makes for a great post.
When I play tricks on people, usually I give myself away like that -- I can't even hide in closets anymore!