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Trip Log
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Event Coordinator(s): Rhonda S
Participants: Rhonda S, Duncan C, Jennifer Martin, brandee bates, Brent Patton Scene: Five bone-weary but oh-so-satisfied people, slouched back in their chairs at Boston Pizza, almost too fatigued to lift their pizza to their mouths... Wavy 'flashback' lines, a'la Wayne and Garth... We set out this morning from Calgary with perfect weather, which turned not-so-perfect as we approached Canmore. Luckily, the blizzard was short-lived, and by the time our guide, Troy, had us out to the mountain, we once again had a clear day. We half-trudge and half-slipped our way up the icy 2km trail up to the mouth of Rat's Nest Cave. We suited up, and entered the cave, which is home to a species of rat which is actually native to Alberta: the pack rat, which is a chubby ol' fluffy guy who looks somewhat like a chinchilla. He greeted us by opening one eyeball, and being completely disinterested in us. The "cave perfume" (ie. pack rat pee smell) was not too thick, but it was there. It smells kind of like male cat "spray". We started into the cave, and almost immediately came to the 18m rappel, which I'm happy to say I survived, only just, and not without the occasional curse-word slippage. OK, I exaggerate... the rappel ROCKED! Troy took as through all kinds of amazing and wonderful cave areas. Most of the interesting formations are, oddly, named after food. Duncan was the most experienced caver among us, and actually had experience with this specific cave. He helped out with a lot of stuff. Brent was about the most enthusiastic, and didn't even hesitate to plunge himself head first into the tight, oval, downhill tunnel that we "supermanned" our way through. Jennifer was the "Key Monkey" with enough childhood monkey bar experience to make caving a walk in the park. Brandee was glad that we were faster and more efficient than the group of 72-year-old Japanese women. I (as usual) was the weakest link. Deep in the center of the cave, we found a wonderful little water pool, and off to the side, a larger pool where only the certifiably insane actually SCUBA DIVE way down there inside the cave. At this point, Troy had us all shut off our lights to experience the total darkness of the underground, and we enjoyed the suddenly more noticeable trickling noises from both pools. We shimmied, and pulled, and wedged our way back up, and finally out through a treacherous and tight wooden "box" to emerge back out at the mouth of the cave. This tour is NOT for the weak of heart - it is a definite adventure. This was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had in my life, in spite of the fact that I was SO far out of my 'comfort zone' that I needed to take my passport along. - Rhonda |
Photos
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COC Details
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COC Group
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The Rat's Nest, Sans Rat
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In the Cave
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Rhonda
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Rappelling
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Cave Features
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Cave Features
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Hello!
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Hello!