From: Dave Howell
Subject: Barefoot caving
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 17:43:32 -0700 (PDT)

As an active caver all my adult life (i.e. since 1971)
I was fascinated with the various posts about being
barefoot in caves. When I go caving (in wild caves as
opposed to commercial ones) I wear boots with Vibram
soles to assist in climbing in wet & muddy conditions.
I had long thought I'd like to try a cave trip
barefoot, but never settled on the "right" cave for
this. However, the opportunity presented itself
unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago when I was
ridgewalking (searching the woods for cave entrances
not known to cavers or the Alabama Cave Survey -- you
might be surprised how many we find) with my good
friend Reed. We spent the day walking and pushing into
several small holes we found; I was wearing boots --
although I have walked the woods barefoot on occasion,
I usually wear boots on ridgewalks to facilitate
entering any finds, to make better time (I go a lot
slower when I'm barefoot in the woods), and to deal
with the copious poison ivy we have around here.
Anyway, it was a hot day and by the time we returned
to our vehicle we were quite sweaty, so retired to
nearby Champion Spring for a cool dip. Afterwards we
changed into clean, dry clothes and kicked back with a
cold beer to watch afternoon become evening. Champion
Spring flows out of a very impressive cave entrance,
although the cave inside is very short, you quickly
come to a siphon (stream passage with zero air space).
Reed remarked that he had never been in Champion
Spring, and I suggested that we enter right now. Of
course I had previously shed my boots, and had *no*
interest in getting back into nasty, sweaty socks and
boots, so I just grabbed my helmet and light and
entered Champion Spring barefoot. We were only inside
for 10-15 minutes, but it was great, the cave floor is
mostly flat rocks, damp and not too muddy, sloping
gradually down to the stream. I really enjoyed feeling
the in-cave textures underfoot, and Reed enjoyed
finally seeing the interior of Champion Spring, a
major landmark in the Skyline Wildlife Management Area
of northeast Alabama.
--Dave