For everyone joining us on an Underground Circle or caving-based retreat (Tracking the Seed or Into the Body) - here is some information regarding the all-important question of gear.
What you wear in a cave plays a critical role in both your comfort and your safety. The cave is going to be 55 degrees, 100% humidity, and muddy - and you are likely to be in the mud more than you are used to. That environment lends itself very comfortably to exercise (moving through the cave, climbing, and crawling), but it quickly draws out a deep chill in a person who is sitting still - especially if that person has direct contact with water, mud, or bedrock. Therapeutic work often requires a mixture of movement and long periods of sitting, so it is important to come prepared. Overdressing when you are moving and underdressing when you are sitting still are both problems that can shorten your cave trip. My recommendation is to dress in layers, to dress heavier on your legs than on your torso, and to carry some warm layers in your pack. The following are very helpful to keep you warm during periods of sitting:
fleece, balaclava, hat, extra pair of gloves, hand-warmers, thermos with a hot drink.
What you carry on a therapeutic cave trip differs somewhat from what you would carry on a sport trip. Some snacks and water are helpful, and the extra personal warming items mentioned above. An extra source of light and/or batteries are always a good safety precaution. But be careful also of overloading your pack, because it will limit your mobility. Packing lightly, in terms of food and water, choosing lightweight extra light sources (don't bring big chunky flashlights), and foregoing other items (like first aid, photography equipment, etc.), is usually a good choice.
Given those caveats, please refer to the Caving Gear schema depicted below for a list of basic gear that you will need to collect. Suburban Grotto can help supply a limited number of: helmets, coveralls, lights, and kneepads. Please contact Keely if you need to borrow gear, or if you have any questions. You can also post a comment below.
What you wear in a cave plays a critical role in both your comfort and your safety. The cave is going to be 55 degrees, 100% humidity, and muddy - and you are likely to be in the mud more than you are used to. That environment lends itself very comfortably to exercise (moving through the cave, climbing, and crawling), but it quickly draws out a deep chill in a person who is sitting still - especially if that person has direct contact with water, mud, or bedrock. Therapeutic work often requires a mixture of movement and long periods of sitting, so it is important to come prepared. Overdressing when you are moving and underdressing when you are sitting still are both problems that can shorten your cave trip. My recommendation is to dress in layers, to dress heavier on your legs than on your torso, and to carry some warm layers in your pack. The following are very helpful to keep you warm during periods of sitting:
fleece, balaclava, hat, extra pair of gloves, hand-warmers, thermos with a hot drink.
What you carry on a therapeutic cave trip differs somewhat from what you would carry on a sport trip. Some snacks and water are helpful, and the extra personal warming items mentioned above. An extra source of light and/or batteries are always a good safety precaution. But be careful also of overloading your pack, because it will limit your mobility. Packing lightly, in terms of food and water, choosing lightweight extra light sources (don't bring big chunky flashlights), and foregoing other items (like first aid, photography equipment, etc.), is usually a good choice.
Given those caveats, please refer to the Caving Gear schema depicted below for a list of basic gear that you will need to collect. Suburban Grotto can help supply a limited number of: helmets, coveralls, lights, and kneepads. Please contact Keely if you need to borrow gear, or if you have any questions. You can also post a comment below.
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