geez, this brings back memories. Havent caved bungonia for nearly 25 yrs.
The funniest (well not if your the bunny) thing. We were climbing the cave with the Dragons Teeth. Knowing there is a sump nearby, a friend climbed feet first over a ledge, then promptly couldnt touch the ground and was in such a position that he couldnt turn his head to see where he was. Starts screaming thinking he had climbed into the sump and was about to fall 20m to his death. We came scrambling to the rescue with lights, to see him hanging 5 cm above the ground.
We think it gets dark at night, nothing like a cave to have darkness. Dark adaption mean zip when you cant see your hand 1cm in front of your face.
geez, this brings back memories. Havent caved bungonia for nearly 25 yrs.
The funniest (well not if your the bunny) thing. We were climbing the cave with the Dragons Teeth. Knowing there is a sump nearby, a friend climbed feet first over a ledge, then promptly couldnt touch the ground and was in such a position that he couldnt turn his head to see where he was. Starts screaming thinking he had climbed into the sump and was about to fall 20m to his death. We came scrambling to the rescue with lights, to see him hanging 5 cm above the ground.
We think it gets dark at night, nothing like a cave to have darkness. Dark adaption mean zip when you cant see your hand 1cm in front of your face.
B51 Blowfly cave. Yes, just after the dragons teeth there is a hole to slide down in (Pic #5). About 9 feet down, you have to go feet first on your side then belly through the kidney squeeze. Unfortunately because your head is surrounded by rock, you can't see that the drop is only just over an average body-length.
What's the cave that you abseil straight down about 30m to the bottom, and have to prussik or jumar out of (it you dont have a ladder)?
Would love to do it again one day (in my dreams). To anyone who is fit and able, caving is a fantastic experience and definately worth the sore muscles for the next week.
Would love to come along, but I think that it may take me a tad too long to get over there from WA, LOL.
Used to go bushwalking in the area of the gorge. Loved it.
What's the cave that you abseil straight down about 30m to the bottom, and have to prussik or jumar out of (it you dont have a ladder)?
Would love to do it again one day (in my dreams). To anyone who is fit and able, caving is a fantastic experience and definately worth the sore muscles for the next week.
That would be B13, Drum - Mendip system. The entrance of Drum has an overhanging straight drop past all the bat colonies. Bad CO2 at times. My lighter wouldn't light last time I was in it, and I found myself out of breath after virtually no exertion.
The day is coming closer if anyone is still interested. If you miss out this month, I have another two days scheduled, one at the end of July and another at the end of August.
Not after having to chisel a guy out of a squeeze hole (in a Cornish Cave) while holding his head above the water. I've never been so cold and frightened in my life. When we went in, it was dry and sunny - within two hours we were trying to get back out in waist deep surging torrent (this was AFTER we saved our mate), my ears hurt for a week - I've never heard so much white noise - worse than a acyclone
Not after having to chisel a guy out of a squeeze hole (in a Cornish Cave) while holding his head above the water. I've never been so cold and frightened in my life.
Having to battle for your life is a good experience I think, providing you survive - it gives normal daily life more meaning. After the extended, controlled terror one can better appreciate simple pleasures like sitting in a comfy chair with a warm drink observing life going on around you.
I don't think it was a negative experience because, yes, we survived to fight another day - About 3 months later the guy rock climbing above me in a chimney on Bodmin moor copped a rock and broke his neck - he survived too - minus a lump of flesh off the back of his neck. Took us a while to get him backto the Land Rover though....
A year later we were glissading down a Schehalion ice field in the Cairngorms. Never say die!
12 years in the Royal Navy - done some serious experiences!
I don't think it was a negative experience because, yes, we survived to fight another day - About 3 months later the guy rock climbing above me in a chimney on Bodmin moor copped a rock and broke his neck - he survived too - minus a lump of flesh off the back of his neck. Took us a while to get him backto the Land Rover though....
A year later we were glissading down a Schehalion ice field in the Cairngorms. Never say die!
12 years in the Royal Navy - done some serious experiences!
This is a good thing you're doing Baz - offering people an oportunity to do something different and exciting. I was into exciting/adventure sports until a chronic illness surfaced in 2002; I've been battling to get my health back ever since and if I ever get fit enough again I'd jump at the chance to do this sort of thing.
It's too easy to put stuff off and before you know it your life is behind you and then you're dead. Plan for the future but live in the moment.
