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BRC - Team Vinzant Woody Vinzant On the night of October 18th Me and the boys met up with Tom Turner, Bill Walker, Sarah Cervone and a few other guys we had never met before. Tom led us on a meandering trip through the forest. Finally, we came to the entrance. Brian Williams gave us good advise when he told us to bring as little as we could. Each of us TV boys had a Gatorade and a power bar (I also had a camera). That was enough to drag through this tight cave. This cave was like the second squeeze at Warrens, but only lasted about 2 of the 4 hours we were in the cave. Brian warned us it was "Brutal" that was the truth. This was the hardest trip I've done yet. My hats off to Tom and the other guys who found and dug this cave. They are tough! As soon as we entered the first tiny room, we knew we were in for a treat. We squeezed down and up, left and right. At every little room we saw more spectacular sights. The squeezes and belly crawls went real slow - which wasn't all bad. It gave me time to squeeze off a few photos and not slow the group down. I should have known when Bill Walker offered to stay back with one of our group, that I was in trouble. The first squeeze was a little trick up climb between some "pretties". Then we turned and went up to what looked a lot like a mini "Pancake squeeze" from Lundy's Cave. After we all got in the next little room, we took a break. Sarah has a gift of looking incredibly comfortable anywhere she stops. Andy and I drug (literally) up the rear. I asked Tom if it got any worse up ahead (I was thinking about waiting there). He said "not much". He lied. The next squeeze I'm sure has a name, but I don't know it. I know what I wanted to call it, the "Nipple ripper". I looked around for a few minutes after wriggling through to see if I could find my right nipple laying around somewhere, but I didn't see it. Behind me I heard Andy yell out in pain. I asked him "Right nipple?" He said "used to be". After that it got a bit easier because after a little belly slide down a rock, we got to belly crawl in nice, soft, cool dirt. I couldn't raise my head to see where I was going but at least it didn't hurt. Eventually Matt came back to see what was taking me and Andy so long. He led us up to the rest of the group waiting at the "Alter". It was a wall of wonderful formations that just glistened in our lights. After a rest and some nourishment, we went up to see the "Carrots". These were the biggest, whitest formations I have seen since "Glory Hole" and we were in central Florida! They were just amazing. To the opposite side of the alter, Sarah showed us some remarkable helectites Andy and I decided to start out first because we were so slow. Most of the squeezes were easier on the way out, except "Nipple Ripper". From this direction its "Back Biter". Andy and I both spent a little more time in that squeeze than we should have and I wish I could say because we liked it so much, but that would be a lie. Matt caught up to us quickly. He moves like a spider through caves. The three of us got out to the main room where Bill was waiting for us. We got a good 20 minute rest before the rest of the group caught up. We took a few more minutes chatting about caving before we started the trip out. I was sure glad to get some rest before leaving. The exit is almost all vertical squeezes. With so many in our group, it went slow. The slow pace kept anyone from getting too fatigued. Once outside, Tom re-blind folded us and spun us around so we couldn't ever find this cave again (just kidding), he didn't need to. The wandering around in the forest at night was enough to disorient anyone. Even though this was a brutal trip, it was worth it. We really appreciate Tom leading us. I hate to say it and I don't know why, we will be back, but not until the "cave bites" heal.  Andy and Matt in the Brain Room.  Bill Walker and the Porcupus.  Pretties.  Helectites. |