Solo 



  

I have found this to be a rather interesting thread. 



  

James' question, which started all this, was " What is the general feeling 
regarding solo caving?" 



  

That seems to have morphed into "Why would anyone go caving alone?"   And 
finally into folks actually describing some of their solo experiences. 



  

"Why would you cave alone?" has as many answers as there are cavers who have 
been caving by themselves. 



  

Usually, when I have been asked that question, it has been from someone who 
cannot comprehend (and usually appalled by) someone who would go off by 
themselves, especially in or into a cave. 



  

To those of you who have seriously asked why someone would cave alone,   this 
is a sincere effort to reply.   Not really to explain.    Certainly not to 
justify. 



  

Hold this thought: 



  

What is unknown and therefore fearful for one person may be rather commonplace 
for another. 





  

Cavers, in particular, should understand this.   Is there anyone reading this 
who has not been asked "Why do you DO that?"   Caves are DARK.   Caves are 
DANGEROUS.   In the mud and the cold?   There is no light in there! 



  

Those of us comfortable   at being alone in a cave often do not talk about it, 
even when asked. There is that stigma attached by those who do not understand. 



  

There is a huge difference between attempting to answer the question and to 
encourage or invite someone to go off alone in a cave or to glorify caving by 
themselves.   I feel that to encourage or glorify is unethical, dangerous, and 
perhaps even criminal. We are correct to advise others to cave in a group. 



  

There is also a big difference between the kind of experience beyond the Turtle 
Hurdles that Pete and I described and the kind of time spent by the Collins and 
Boons of the world.   And by Jack Lehrberger or Bill Austin (the manager of 
Floyd Collins Crystal Cave in the 50s and 60s) and other   "secret" cavers 
seeking discoveries that are "theirs", and theirs alone.   The solo experiences 
described on this thread, more in line with what James was inquiring about, are 
of shorter duration and less technically demanding than really serious solo 
exploration of a major cave system.   They are usually fun, at least   when 
they start out. 



  

Sometimes there is a commercial interest.   For some, it is the personal 
challenge: "I can do that!" (A little chest-pounding?)   A few cavers are just 
uncomfortable around other people.   Some have sought comfort from other 
pressures in life by hiding out somewhere comfortable for them - a few have 
found that spot in a cave.   



  

I can best speak from my own experiences.   As a young geologist-mountaineer I 
became comfortable being alone in remote   mountain and desert wilderness.   I 
did not think I was driven by the desire to be alone.    I wanted to go 
somewhere and see something particular and there was no one around with a 
similar interest.   And I liked to explore.   It was fun to be somewhere new 
and to see sights from an unusual perspective.   I had learned the skills, 
possessed the equipment, and used forethought and planning.    It became 
commonplace for me to be alone in the wilderness.   I had a great time. 



  

I felt   that I was at less risk there than I was when riding my bicycle down 
the streets of Laramie - or any town or city.   Lew Bicking and I had a 
discussion about that, just the two of us (not   quite alone), in the Guadalupe 
Mountains of New Mexico, shortly before he was killed on an eastern roadway. 



  

I remember standing, very alone,   high in the Rocky Mountains, looking down 
into a bergschrund   that seemed to drop downward forever,   a blue-black slot 
into an icy Hell.   "If the snow I am standing   on gives way,   no one will 
know what happened.   No one has any idea where I am.   I will simply   
disappear from the face of the Earth." 



  

I cautiously stepped back, for I have   never been suicidal.    At that time I 
was a very good climber, an experienced leader but a cut below the best.   A 
climbing companion who was one of the best told me   "You will   never really 
be a REALLY fine climber unless you put your life on the line." 



  

I have never knowingly done so.   I have enjoyed   my climbing, caving, and 
other experiences.   I now look back on a full and interesting life. I was not  
 simply "lucky". 



  

I have spent days alone in the wilderness, the mountains, the desert, and many 
hours alone in caves.     Quite often I started out above ground with no idea 
where, exactly, I was   going to be, although I had a goal. Somebody usually 
knew, sort of.   That would have   narrowed it down, but the area might be 10 
or 20 square miles.   I   remember finding a remote cave,   and well back into 
it thinking that if I became injured or trapped there would not even be 
buzzards circling above to help others (or predators) locate me.   An 
interesting thought that really did not bother me as I felt comfortable in my 
environment, with my equipment, and with my knowledge, which included knowledge 
of myself. 



  

Another thing I have considered is my responsibility to others.   I realized 
long ago that   if I did manage to disappear, others would probably expend 
considerable time,   effort,   and expense, possibly risking their own lives,   
trying to figure out what happened to me.   It didn't matter if I cared whether 
they found me or not. 



  

Back to solo CAVING.   At first, it just sort of happened.   Separated from the 
others for a variety of reasons.    An attempt to find a way on, or a different 
way out, as in the case of the Turtle Hurdles.   Or in big caves as a result of 
practical need (going out, meeting a different group, moving   supplies or 
equipment). I found that most of those times were not especially "enjoyable".   
Occasionally some became "lessons learned experiences", as Speleosteele has 
described.    Not solo caving in the original   sense of the question.   



  

Three of us in a   South Dakota cave.    A rest and a snack.   Passages went 
everywhere.    Each of us went our separate way for a while, planning on   
meeting back again at a set time.   All virgin cave. Discovery. Quiet.   
Beauty. Peace.   A step toward what you were asking about? 



  

In a "new" Guadalupe cave.   Alone because others were either resting, eating, 
or resolving a survey issue from a prior trip.   Just looking around.   A 
little duck-under - hmm, this is getting nice.   Careful   where I step, this 
is virgin!   Farther, longer.   More time alone.   More careful steps through 
very pretty virgin cave.   I was about to turn around and THERE, at the seeming 
end, was one foot print.    Clearly, another caver, also alone, had been here 
before.   Both of us carefully stepping   toward what you were asking about? 

                                                               

Over time and with accumulated experience, becoming quite comfortable alone in 
a cave.   I have had some experiences that have been personally rewarding and 
quite memorable, alone in a cave.   There are also times, not alone, when I 
have felt it more dangerous, and certainly more anxiety-filled, to be with 
someone who is less skilled and less comfortable with themselves and their 
surroundings. 



  

We should make our own choices and be cautious about judging the choice that 
others make. 



  

Dirt Doc 

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