Cave Expedition Notes

Introduction

• Descending into a cave over five kilometers deep.
• Officially stranded for seven days.

Day 1: Arrival and Setup

• Objective: Move away from rappelling area due to flash flood risks.
• Set up a base camp deep inside the cave.
• Camp location chosen for elevation to prevent flooding.
• Supplies: Each bag weighs around 80 pounds; took four hours to transport to camp.
• Used ropes to hang hammocks and set up basic camping gear.
• Challenges of the first night: Cold and dripping water from cave.

Day 2: Improving Base Camp

• Goal: Make the shelter more comfortable.
• Idea to connect tarps to stay dry while sleeping.
• Exploration by Mac and Carl in a dangerous hole.
• Encounter with issues like smelly sleeping bags; learn not to rent sleeping bags.
• Set up a fire pit in a sheltered cove.

Day 3: Exploration Attempt

• Plan: Explore deeper into the cave.
• Realization of the cave's vastness and challenges of navigating through it.
• Encounter freezing river; necessity of wetsuits to prevent hypothermia.
• Challenges faced while traversing: steep areas, strong currents, and tight passages.
• Turnaround due to time management; only achieved 20% progress.

Day 4: Rest and Preparation for Next Attempt

• Focus: Recover and map out the next journey.
• Planning session with survival expert Joel for the upcoming expedition.
• Made s'mores to boost morale.

Day 5: Final Expedition into the Cave

• Objective: Complete the exploration of the cave.
• Utilized previous experiences to navigate more efficiently.
• Faced new obstacles: recirculating water, darkness, and tight spaces.
• Joel leads the way, demonstrating expertise.
• Jumping off cliffs for fun and morale boost.

Glow Worm Chamber

• Destination: Arrived at the Glow Worm Chamber.
• Experience of bioluminescent glowworms resembling the Milky Way.
• Importance of the view made the challenging trek worthwhile.

Return Journey

• Rapid return aided by the current of the river.
• Acknowledgment of danger and exhaustion from the long trek back.
• Celebration of reaching the campsite on day six.

Final Day: Reflection and Departure

• Challenges of living in the cave: constant dampness, cold, and discomfort.
• Moments of joy and camaraderie despite hardships.
• Farewell gesture to survival expert Joel with a financial reward of 50,000 New Zealand dollars.
• Conclusion of the expedition after seven days.