Trip Leader: Ralph Powers
On Trip: Ralph Powers, Byron and Caralee Crye, Braydon Williams, Hank Moon
This trip was made so that those who wasn�t able to come on the New Year�s Day trip, would have their opportunity. Braydon and Hank were the ones I had to bump in favor of the Idahoians and Caralee who had a bout of weakness due to her recovering from a previous illness. She felt fine that morning but starting the hike up she petered out just before the first bridge crossing. I promised her that I�d make another trip as soon as she was well. Today was that day. Hank had been waiting for a while also to find a slot to make the trip. Braydon was waiting just as patiently in the wings.
Braydon got as far as yellow or orange belt in Karate while Byron and Caralee are brown belts in American Kenpo Karate and this trip would test their physical abilities from years of training and conditioning their bodies. Braydon hasn�t been involved as of late with Karate but was in reasonably good shape, still the hike to the cave he admitted �whupped his butt�. I assured him that he wasn�t the first to tell me that. As this was Byron�s second trip to the cave he was eager to show his friend what it was all about. This would be Caralee�s and Braydon�s first cave trip.
disclaimer: I realize that generally a person�s first few caving trip(s) should be horizontal ones. But having trained these people rigorously for several months in SRT, I felt, in my experience & judgement, that these people be able to handle the cave being offered to them. They are in phenomenal shape. Spanish Moss is not that difficult of a vertical cave, IMO.
On the hike up we ran into Stan McQueen who was out taking pictures and exercising. A brief chat and we continued on our way. The hike up the side of the canyon was difficult for Caralee due to the low traction boots she worn. She vowed not to do that again, stick with tried and true hiking boots.
At the gate gear was laid out, sorted out, passed out and put on. Down inside we went without any incidents.
The trip is basically the same. Lots of oohs and ahh and wow�s. Again the million candlepower spotlight proved it�s worth in illuminating the cave showing it�s renowned beauty. Hank was particularly impressed, saying: �This cave has everything!� The Anthodites were of particular note for him since they�re the largest found anywhere.
Basically the rest of the trip went well and all had a great time.
| Photography | ||||
 Caralee (CC) on rope Ralph Powers |  Braydon and Byron working their way out of Barking Beetle Ralph Powers |  group photo Hank Moon | ||