LANIGAN'S TRAVELS

Berome-Moore Cave....

It was a dark and stormy night.... (not really but I had to start the story this way)

Actually, it was December 28th, 2014.  My first underground cave trip.  Derik had mentioned the trip at our last MVG meeting and Jim signed us upl.  I'm not sure what I was expecting but I was definitely happy we were going,  

Started off clean, fresh and happy!

I felt fairly confident it would not be a difficult expedition.  I knew there were a group of teenagers going and a few other new cavers.  "If they can do it, I can surely do it".

Jim, Jaimey and I showed up right around 9:30.  We began putting our gear on piece by piece.  Boots, knee pads, helmets, headlamps and back packs.  By 10:00 we were geared up and walking down the steps into the cave.  I believe there were 14 of us in total.  

As we entered the cave we could feel it getting warmer.  Just as we expected.  The closer we got to base camp (and further from the entrance) it continued to get warmer with each step. It was probably in the 30's outside but the warmth of the cave was much warmer. Cave temperatures at their finest.

Base camp was the end of the lighted pathway we had become used to.  We stopped there to chat for a few minutes, listening to Brett and Derik remind us of the guidelines we should follow while caving.  After a few minutes, we all got our headlamps out and prepared for the real caving to begin.  A caving we did go…………..

The first attraction was the Cat Track Passage.  The tracks are said to be extinct Pleistocene jaguar footprints.  Very impressive!  The tracks are all over this passage but the one that in the attached photo was fairly easy to identify and photograph.  In some areas it looked like the cats were having a dance. It was amazing how fresh some of the prints were even though they had been there for years.

Continuing on, we spent the next four hours hiking, crawling, climbing and walking … a lot of times through water.  The passages were stunning,  Some we could stand and walk through, some we crawled through.  Then there were some that we had to climb up and over things.  The formations were everywhere. Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to take many photos myself.  Being new to caving, I was actually paying attention to what I was doing.  Thank goodness for Jim.  He was able to get quite a few. 

We were toward the back of the group during most of the trip.  This worked out great for me.  I was able to listen and watch how the people in front of me maneuvered up and over things – or under things.  Looking at all the little passages that shot off to the sides, I was thinking of what it was like for the first people that explored the cave.  How on Earth did they find their way through it with no one to guide them?  Brave souls indeed.

As we were working our way through the cave, the first water passage we came to was not too bad.  I had faith that my wool socks would stay warm if I got my feet a “little” wet.  The first few steps were easy and I barely got my boots wet at all.  By the end of the first passage, I was feeling good and only a little wet.  I thought I had made it through the worst.  HA!  The nest passage and the passage after that were not so kind to me.  I ended up with water more than halfway up my thighs.  Splish Splash through the water we went.  The funny part was, I didn’t mind at all.  I was staying warm and enjoying the beauty.  The hardest part was making sure you stepped safely on the rocks below the water.  A few slippery moments but everyone made it through without injury.

The trip was full of shared moments and laughter.  Our group had a great time bonding, climbing and crawling together.  One of the most memorable times of the trip ………….

Derik:  “OK, just one more” 

(referring to the photos he was trying to get)

 

There were a couple things that I expected and a couple things I didn't.

Expected:

- Absolute appreciation for the beauty of the cave.

- An abundance of formations.

- Bats are adorable.

Unexpected:

- Warmer than I expected.  (Gee, Meramec Caverns seemed much cooler.  Possibly because I was on a walking tour ?)

- Lots of water to walk through.  I didn't realize I would be walking in water up to my thighs.  More importantly, I didn't think my wool socks would help to keep me warm!  I was amazed.  I never got cold.

- Dirty - Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get as dirty and muddy as I was.  I have seen many photos of my friends in caves and coming out of caves.  I decided that until you actually "feel" the dirt and mud, you don't realize how dirty you actually get. 

- Body aches.  Wow.  Ouch.  All the crawling and climbing and scrunching over took a toll on my body.  I thought I was in pretty decent shape for being 51.  HA!  I have a new-found respect for all of my caver friends,  Crawling through passages on your belly and climbing up ......... and down......... and up is much more difficult than any gym machine I have ever been on.  My hats off to all of you!

  

In closing, I have to say how much I enjoyed this trip!  It is one I will never forget. Thanks to my husband for always showing me new and exciting things.  Thanks to Derik Holtman and Brett Meisel for leading this group.  

I made new friendships stronger and made a few new friends also.  

So, how did I look AFTER the adventure?