Sunday, August 20, 2006
Classics Never Get Old!
Well, I don't know that calling Loyolahanna a classic is correct...I mean, I've only bee there twice now, but is is quickly becoming one of my favorites. We went up (down, over, to?) to Loyolahanna to see if we could explore more of the 2500' on the map (which oddly, isn't mapped-but somehow, they know it is there), that we couldn't get to last time. Well, let's get on with it, shall we.
And here is Eric squeezing into the cave. I know he is entering due to the lack of soilment on his white shirt, face, and hair. It is a tight squeez, which all five of us guys that went, determined would be much easier, had we take about a month's worth of yoga lessons. I think this picture also adequtely show's exactly how tight the entrance is. You have to fit one leg up in that crack to get through. If you can get into this cave, you have gotten past the hardest part (well, up until the part we can't get through....that doesn't make sense...)
This is right after you get into the cave. I think these show adequately, how "easy" it is to move, once you are inside :-P Actually, the bad part about this place is when you get out, you are soaking wet, so all soft soil sticks/gets into your clothes, and within about 10 minutes of getting out, you have something close to the consistency of concrete drying on your pants and shirt.
This is a pretty cool rock formation. Yes, the photo is oriented correctly. You either go over it, or under it (under being easier). Unfortuantly, none of us are small enough to get through it-especially Doug here, with his fat head. Doug, your head seems to be a limiting factor in so many of these caves ;-P Another thing we noticed, which was a tad unsettling was that at one point, in the low ceiling areas, there was debris (dirt, leaves, sticks, small children, etc.) stuck to the roof of the cave. The only way this can happen is if the cave fills up with water. It think that pretty much answers the question about flash floods!
Well, that's all for now...I'll give more updates on this trip later.
And here is Eric squeezing into the cave. I know he is entering due to the lack of soilment on his white shirt, face, and hair. It is a tight squeez, which all five of us guys that went, determined would be much easier, had we take about a month's worth of yoga lessons. I think this picture also adequtely show's exactly how tight the entrance is. You have to fit one leg up in that crack to get through. If you can get into this cave, you have gotten past the hardest part (well, up until the part we can't get through....that doesn't make sense...)
This is right after you get into the cave. I think these show adequately, how "easy" it is to move, once you are inside :-P Actually, the bad part about this place is when you get out, you are soaking wet, so all soft soil sticks/gets into your clothes, and within about 10 minutes of getting out, you have something close to the consistency of concrete drying on your pants and shirt.
This is a pretty cool rock formation. Yes, the photo is oriented correctly. You either go over it, or under it (under being easier). Unfortuantly, none of us are small enough to get through it-especially Doug here, with his fat head. Doug, your head seems to be a limiting factor in so many of these caves ;-P Another thing we noticed, which was a tad unsettling was that at one point, in the low ceiling areas, there was debris (dirt, leaves, sticks, small children, etc.) stuck to the roof of the cave. The only way this can happen is if the cave fills up with water. It think that pretty much answers the question about flash floods!Well, that's all for now...I'll give more updates on this trip later.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
For my faithful Fans
Well, to my faithful fans...I think there is one. Here is an update, not because I have much to say about caving, but mainly to keep the man off my back ;-P. Looks like another trip to Loyolahanna this weekend (August 19th). Should be good. We're gonna hope Doug can get his fat head between the ceiling and floor this time so we can go a little further. Sure, a big head might mean more brain capacity, but what good is it if you can't fit it into a cool cave? I am hoping the water in the cave stream is a tad warmer too...something I doubt.
