10-27-02 WARRENS PIT TRIP
By Woody Vinzant

After spending a few days at TAG, and enjoying it's wondrous beauty, how could we not want to come back to Florida and go to Warrens?

We spent a fun relaxing evening with Brian Williams . We went to see "Jackass the Movie" and had to look at Brian's injuries from his tricycle accident. I have to give him credit, as beat up as he was, he still wanted (?) to go to Warrens with us.

Sunday morning we headed up to Gainesville to meet up with a friend of ours from Lakeland, John McGrath. He finished off our group of 5 for a trip to the pit. We grabbed a quick bite at a fast food place before dropping our releases off to Bill Oldacre.

As usual, Matt got his gear out fast and went to rig the first drop. I didn't see him again until we were in "Fame And Glory". By the way, who made the fissure to Fame and Glory smaller? It used to be bigger. I helped Andy through, then Brian (the Stepstool) helped me and John up. I've been to the pit before but it seemed extra long this time. Andy and I had the same breakfast. I guess that is why we were both sick to our stomachs. Nausea really makes crawling over rocks extra difficult. Matt and John were way up ahead. Brian stayed within view of me and Andy. I was wondering about this time "Why didn't we go diving?" During one of the breaks, Brian and Matt studied the map and found a way around the squeeze that I got stuck in last time. That was a huge relief. I was really dreading that one. I was sure that whoever shrank Fame and Glory, probably did this one too. Then we were at The Pit, finally. Andy and I found a little out of the way spot and laid down. Brian and Matt went down the pit to dig for a while. John sat by the pit and watched them dig.

After 30 minutes or so we ate our power bars and downed some Gatorade. Our stomachs began to feel better. Some fresh elbow pads and do rags helped a lot also. Next time (did I just say "next time"??) I will bring a fresh shirt also.

The trip out went fast. Except where John and I made a wrong turn and had to back track a bit. Matt took off like a rocket, not to be seen again until daylight. I guess I have to realize that he is just too fast for me to keep up anymore. We took a few short breaks on the way out, and picked up our "staged" water bottles.

Back at the truck, I told John, "Last Time I was here I said I would never see the pit again." Now I think I probably will, but I don't know why.

Other previous Warrens trip reports:
Trip to the back
CDS Workshop