Exactly a week ago Wayne and myself set out for yet another adventure. The plans had been laid out, we would be doing some caving and packrafting in what is basically our own backyard. Warsaw Conservation area is approximately a 20 minute drive from my home and yet I have never been there. It is one of those "Ah, it`s close by, I can go there anytime I want" or was it???
It is quite possible I have never been there because it is known for it`s caves and to me that translates to deep, dark, tight passages that one will, without a doubt, get lost or even worse, stuck in. Not to mention the spiders that may be lurking in the darkness of these caves in which an encounter would be unavoidable. On the drive in through the gates to conservation area I tried to tuck these thoughts into the back of my mind. I attempted to convince myself that I can do this even though that doubt lingered and I have never been truly tested, when up against these fears. You see I have a hair raising fear of confined spaces and an equally gut wrenching fear of spiders, and if you have actually been reading, if you combine the two, you have a cave setting.
We park the vehicle, grab our gear and head out onto the trail. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. Heart. Pounding. Mouth. Dry. "I am going to get stuck, buried alive". Every ounce of my being telling me this is not a good idea, I look into the entrance to the first cave and shiver.
One foot in, you can do this I tell myself, second foot in. I crouch down so I don`t hit my head and turn on my Black Diamond "Spot" headlamp. So far so good, I can do this I repeat in my head. Is this the last bit of light I will ever see?
Doubt slips over my mind but as I turn my head, it`s quickly replaced by positive thoughts and curiosity. "Hey, this headlamp lights things up really good". I climb over a couple of large fixed rocks. "Oh cool, I am on a shelf and can climb down to that open space down there" Crawling on my hands and knees "I can see my breath". "This tunnel has to lead somewhere" Some how all the negative thoughts in my head have been silenced. I am actually really enjoying this! and at the switch of a button I am like a kid in a candy store, driven by the question of what`s around the next rock, or through that tunnel. "Hey Wayne, this is AMAZING!!!" I echo through the hollow maze.
Looking back on this experience I made an agreement with myself that I will always try new things even if there is fear involved. It`s good to have a certain amount of fear but also good to find a way to harness this fear and use it to your advantage, as a motivator to overcome it. That day I found something within me that was a driving factor to get me to do what I thought I couldn't and now when I think of caving, I think, bring on the next caving adventure :)
Check out our caving video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERnrzNXd9Mk&list=UUy0c2NyhN3WvqztjLRgK8kw
Until next time, adventure awaits!
Johnny- Two4adventure
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