August 19, 2000 - Leigh Cave trip, prior to Met Grotto Picnic.

Let me start off by saying I hate carrying things into caves. I like to be free: my hands, my body, whatever to slither amidst the passages, climb the walls, poke my head into every possible crack. Even the helmet can get in the way when pushing tight crawls. I still use head lamps, although I am considering upgrading to carbide for visibility, but dreading the ariane generator dangling from my waist and getting caught on things. I can't wait for the day they come out with recessed lighting in the helmets, not unlike automobiles. Better yet, how about like the flip-up 1970s Porsche headlights? But I digress.

So here we were on a fairly beginner trip to Leigh Cave in New Jersey. Great small cave that I have heard described as 500 feet of passage that you never set foot upon. It seems many caves in the Northeast are gated. Wonderful accomplishments by grottos to preserve our beloved environs. Leigh is no exception, though the NJ Water Authority maintains this cave. There are 2 gates, both roughly 2 feet diameter, 4 feet long tubing. Common protocol requires cavers to lock themselves in when exploring so as to prevent outsiders from sneaking in behind you. Not to worry as the key is safeguarded on someone or in a logical place.

So our group entered the lower entrance, finished the cave and headed for the upper entrance to leave. When we got there I was leading so the duty of unlocking the gate was mine. Soon we were to be free! But it was not to be so. Either my carelessness or sheer dumb luck attracted dirt to the key like metal to a magnet and once in it did not budge. Cripes! Meanwhile, the two beginners were living a real-life version of what us experienced cavers always joke about--truly being locked in. We calmed them down by reminding them there was another entrance, but the fact remained that I would rather exit now.

When I began to clean the key, I used the spit and shirt method. NJ dirt tastes as good as their air smells. Barbaric, but somewhat effective. Not this time though. Luckily one caver had his backpack, and had I examined it's contents prior to entering I might have wondered why he was bringing his toothbrush along, but would have left that one alone. Now I realized why. With a little H2O (item 1) and scrubbing of the key with the toothbrush (item 2), a couple smacks on the lock with a leatherman (item 3) to shake out dirt residue, we were free. Free because of these 3 simple, small items.

The moral of this story is simple. Comfort is ideal. Safety is essential. Finding a balance is practical. Not every member of your party needs a toothbrush, but someone should in a gated cave. This small lesson opened my eyes a little more to the constant need for precautions and safety while caving. And I guarantee you I will sacrifice a little comfort for the safety of necessary supplies in the future.