by John Lovaas » Feb 24, 2014 5:39 am
I'd recommend 7mm booties and a pair of stout caving friendly boots that fit comfortably over the 7mm socks. I've used the Expé boots since they've been available, and folks also like Muck boots.
Whatever you choose, don't choose crappy old military gumball boots. They were ineffective in the cave in 1973, and they're ineffective today. You shouldn't trust your feet to decades old surplus- you are going on a long hike in an underground rocky-bottomed stream. That is the least suitable application for gumball boots. If the boots have a gaiter, that'll be good- the Coldwater solution is duct tape around the top of the boot.
Drysuits have never proven useful in Coldwater, given that the long walking streches out of the water will cause you to spontaneously combust. And there's the matter of the 100' ladder you descend and ascend, and the holes you risk putting in the drysuit, which will not please the drysuit owner.
Given the snowfall we've had this year, water temperatures could be low if snow melt is going on before your visit- I've measured temps as low as 37 F in the cave.
I've had frostbite on my feet twice as a teenager, and the 7mm socks have kept me comfy at Coldwater for 20 years. Have fun!
imbecile sheepherder.