Crack to Cave

Despite a warning that this Sunday's hike will be rather challenging, ten hikers show up at the big taotaomona tree in Marpi at 6 a.m. to visit the crack and to climb up into a neat cave: Handy, Cutie, Chops, Thor, Sparky, Ewok, Dora, Cowboy, Rexplorer, and CC. Since the original trail has been overgrown with tall grass, ever-spreading mother-in-laws-tongues, and thickening tree branches, we push through to find the first of the "on ribbon!". From there we skirt around the "tongues" and follow the ribbons toward the fence (of the farm), and up to the cliff.

It being the start of dry season, boonie bees are out and about. Chops, who has been stung the previous Sunday, falls victim once more. Following closely behind, Dora becomes the second victim. Here Ewok, Handy, Cowboy, and Sparky stop to share a moment of "laughter".

Under the big tree is the "party" ground where numerous broken dishes and cups, and bottles are strewn around. 

Final approach to the trail along the cliff that leads to the opening of the "crack". Dora picks her way carefully over fallen logs and boulders.

Lining up at the entrance to the Crack are Handy, Thor, Sparky, and Chops. The Crack is barely wide enough for one person, so everyone has to wait for his/her turn.  

Dora, Cutie, and Ewok making their way into the Crack. The floor is covered with a thick layer of leaves, the walls of the crack extend upward at least fifty feet from where we can see the sky. The first part of the crack is pretty easy walking.

The track gets narrower, and here a huge boulder wedged between the two rock walls, and the distance between the two walls is only about a foot and half. Ewok removes his backpack and waist pack to squeeze through.

Dora comes out on the other end of the Crack.

Ewok, Chops, and Dora climbing the steep trail that hugs the cliff, toward the cave. Part way up this cliff, we run into Handy and Cutie. Handy gets stabbed in the eye by a small sharp branch and his eye is red.

Handy's eye is fill with blood, even though it doesn't hurt. Cutie decides to take him to the hospital right away. Rexplorer leads them down the easier way to their car. We all hope Handy will be okay. It becomes clear that we should all be careful and wear glasses in the boonies to prevent getting poked in the eye or body.

Thor holding up this little nut with fuzzy-hair . 

The cave. At the entrance is a table with war relics.  

Ewok, Thor, Cowboy reach the cave and take a breather before checking it out.

On top of a slab of rock are these war relics. Even though this cave is rarely visited, probably due to the difficulty of reaching it, we notice that a few of the items we have seen in the past are now missing. Preserving the integrity of caves has been a challenge.

After squeezing through a tight opening into the inner chamber of the cave, Chops agrees to take a look through a small window into the lower chamber, despite her dislike of caves. The lower chamber is interesting and inviting, although we have never venture into it in the past.

Fearless Cowboy decides to go down into the lower chamber. Here he squeeze through the small window head first.

Going, going, gone.

In the lower chamber, Cowboys reports that past human occupancy is obvious, as various implements and tools are left behind.

Rexplorer looks through the window to ask questions and to make sure Cowboy is okay. We are crouching near Rexplorer to make sure he is okay too. The air is hot and humid.

Ewok takes his turn to look through the window.

Cowboy goes one step further into a hole below the lower chamber. It is hard to imagine how anyone could stay in these chambers for any long periods as the ventilation is minimal and the claustrophobic feeling can be frightening. Cowboy seems to enjoy his adventure.

Snack time just outside the cave. Cowboy and Dora and Ewok are ready for a rest.

Rexplorer returns and reports safe trip for Handy and Cutie to their car. Chops, Thor and Rexplorer enjoy some satisfying snacks.

Sparky sits some distance away and waits for air-borne snack packages to fly over. On the way back, instead of retracing through the crack, we take the easy way down the gentle slope to the main road, just in time to see Rexplorer and Ewok making their get-away.

 Is Sparky trying to push them away, or pull them back?

Another shrunken group, from ten to six: Sparky, Thor, Chops, Dora, CC, and Cowboy, happy to survive another adventure.

Happy to report that Handy is okay. His eye is still a bit red, but no permanent damage done. It is suggested that his new hiking name will be RedEye.

Everyone enjoys the hike greatly, despite bee stings and bloody eye. Five Sneakers are given to this hike. Another future attempt will be made for RedEye and Cutie who miss the cave.