New Caver from Marietta, GA

[subter]

Over the years I've been to many of the show caves throughout the TAG region but on the 24th of February 07 some members of the DCG were kind enough to take me on what has to be one of the more profound experiences in my life. The 6+ hours spent in Iron Hoop will never be forgotten and now I'm just consumed with the thought 'when will I be able to do this again'?! Constantly reading equipment reviews, cavers experiences and RE-exploring the cave again in my mind... I now understand the obsession.

[graveleye]

welcome to cave chat! Are you going to come to the DCG meeting tomorrow night? I'm pretty sure my wife and I will be there.

[MUD]

I've been caving since I was a kid and I still don't understand the obsession...I just know it's a very special feeling every time I go and it continues long after the trip is over! Welcome to the grand world of caving and....the obsession will grow....

[wendy]

Welcome, you are in a great location for some nearby great caving, and the DCG are great folks too.

[subter]

graveleye - I do plan on attending the meeting. If I can't make it to a cave at least I can go somewhere where a lot of people are talking about caves. Hopefully I can make underground again early this April. I believe realistic goal (since I have two young children) is a good caving trip every other month.

Cavemud - Thanks... I think. It's difficult to work sometimes as my thoughts continue drifting to where I've been and what lies ahead... to know that the obsession only grows paints a picture of me with a really long beard living alone in a cave 5 - 10 years down the road!

Wendy - Yeah... I guess there aren't many better regions for caving in the US and I did have the opportunity to meet quite a few DCG members and they were all very good people. Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Here are some photos from the recent trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/ironhoopcave/ I didn't take the photos, for the most part the credit is assigned by the gallery name.

[Herman Miller]

looks to be a great cave to be your first, I can still remember my first cave, well i remember the 3 hr offroad trek and the 6hr deathhike up the side of the mountain as well, your first cave will stick with you a long time. In a few years time look back on it, even go there again, youll be surprised at how much more detail youll catch in the cave, depending on the growth rate of the speleothems you might even be able to discern some growth which would be awesome. But in anycase welcome to the page, its full of knowledgable and helpful people.

[graveleye]

Hey it was nice to meet you last night at the meeting. Sorry that I broke your hand! Just be sure to not hit me with it because my jawbone is harder than my handshake is firm

[subter]

yeah... it's embarrassing that over 2 full months later the hand is still messed up but... oh well, I didn't have much of a choice. You can read about it here if you'd like: http://dangerpop.com/ Looking forward to the vertical training session next week, hope to see you there. Are you planning on attending the vert trip on the 31st?

[Seamus Decker]

Hey graveleye, I'm an old Atlanta caver back in town after 3 years in Quebec. I used to cave with Zellner, Cressler, Porter, Kambesis quite a bit. Have not been on a trip for nearly a year though. I'd love to hook up with a beginner/intermediate trip this weekend if there is one I could tag along on.

[graveleye]

Subter, that is crazy. I didnt catch what dude said to your wife, but it must have been pretty bad. I am the same way with my wife... better not nobody be mean to her or I'll unleash like a mad dog.
I have a saying when I am PO'd like that: You got two choices... walk away, or crawl away. Take your pick.
Of course, seeing my hulking frame is so intimidating, they usually leave me be (a bit of sarcasm there lol)
Sounds to me like you didnt give him a choice!


Seamus, stay tuned. I got some trips in the planning stages, but nothing this weekend and probably not the next... spring is springing though, and I am gearing up for some fun.

[Seamus Decker]

Thanks Graveleye. I'm on my way to Kentucky weekend after this one, but will be looking for stuff to do beyond that too. Really hope I can find something to do this weekend to get loosened up before Kentucky :)