Safety- A Giant Factor in MUSG

Caving is adventure. It combines the thrill of physical challenge, the mystery of the unknown and the wonder of natural beauty at its most precious and delicate. Adventure is a more ennobling pursuit than mere sport, but with it comes a much higher level of risk. The cave environment is dangerous to people, and people are dangerous to caves. The two of us can interact with a minimum of damage to both parties with a little care and knowledge, however, and most of us consider the extra effort worthwhile.

The greatest danger that faces cavers, in my experience, is not the steep drop, the slippery foothold, or the falling rock. It is the absence of natural light. The last danger a person might expect is the greatest danger, because it catches him unprepared. Aim to bring as many light sources as possible with you when you go caving; most people recommend at least three. Bring spare bulbs and batteries for electric lights, and plenty of fuel for carbide lamps, and the means to clean and repair them. Assume that you will get lost. Twice. All the climbing skill, all the stamina or directional sense in the world will mean nothing without light. Also, make sure your lights are bright enough to get you through a strange environment; for two years I had kept a handful of emergency glowsticks in my pack as backup, and then one night a friend and I cracked them just to see what we could see. Not much! Not enough. It's a good thing we got curious before we had to depend on those things to get us out of a cave. Now we have learned a good lesson. To be continued...
Actually- ALex wrote this and then he graduated. I hate when that happens. I guess the end will never be known.