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