Black Hole Drop - Caves Branch - 05/21/02 06:46 PM
We first arrived in Belize on Friday, May 10. First stop - women's bathroom to put on shorts. Then we took a taxi to the bus station, and caught the 4:00 bus to Caves Branch. This was quite an experience. We were relieved to know we had been assigned seats. Many were left standing. Turns out a lot of people, especially students, were traveling home for Mother's Day, so the bus was VERY full. It wasn't bad until it started pouring, and we had to push up the windows. It was pretty hot and steamy. Just what a girl needs after several hours of traveling! We stopped in Belmopan for a break, and hoped that the rest of the ride would be a little less crowded. Not so - it was even worse. When we finally got to Caves Branch and got our luggage out, we realized it had been stepped on, sat on and squished. It was a fun experience, and we met some great people, but note to self for next time: take a taxi. It's worth the price!
We were mercifully picked up on the road by Abell and another Caves Branch employee, taken to the bunkhouse (only $15 per night), and then joined the rest of the guests for dinner. It reminded me of summer camp - for adults. It was so much fun being there with all the adventure-minded people that had come for some fun. We had a great dinner, got the intro (which made me question my decision to do the Black Hole Drop, but there's no turning back now), and got settled in for the night. We enjoyed the jungle showers and staying in the bunkhouse. It was all so prettily landscaped and nicely tucked in the trees.
Saturday morning: those butterflies in the stomach have turned to ulcers. OK, well that's an exaggeration. My biggest question at the moment is "will I even survive the hike up?" After reading Chanin's report from a few weeks ago and getting the intro from Abell, I was wondering. We had a good breakfast, packed up, got the "drinking water is not an option" lecture from Ian (gotta love it), and headed out. One guide slipped in the first 15 feet. OK, I'm thinking.... I'M IN TROUBLE! But it wasn't so bad. Much of the hike is seriously vertical, and not for the faint-hearted. However, I'm not exactly in good shape, and I made it. I have to say that the guides we had, especially Esperanza and Carlos, were incredibly patient and encouraging. Twice on the way up, I had to stop and catch my breath. Instead of pushing, Carlos picked a flower and brought it up to me and said to the others with us, "she's just waiting for a flower." There was never any pressure to hurry or do better. I did keep up for the most part, and it was such a sense of accomplishment when we reached the top.
At the top, when you look out over the sinkhole, you start to think again, "What am I doing here?" But I was in it for the long haul, for the sheer love of adventure and challenging myself to conquer my fears. I wasn't going to give up now. Carlos and Esperanza led us through some safety info, including letting us know that the rope holds 9,000 pounds, and the webbing does, too, I think. We felt pretty comfortable with our gear by the time they were done. Then we got strapped in and had lunch. I could hardly eat, and the longer we stayed at the top, the more nervous I got. But, the adrenaline rush is half the fun!
When it was finally my turn to go, and I got hooked to the rope, I felt thoroughly comfortable. Esperanza walked me through the first few feet, and over the edge. It was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be. I felt the total control that I had over the rope, and how fast I would go. I enjoyed the ride down, and would do it again in a heartbeat. It was an amazing view, and just hanging up there above the treetops is so amazing. You can't see anything or anyone - it's just you and God and nature, and the rope. It's an incredible feeling.
After everyone got down, we started the hike back up. Over many rocks, some precarious. The scariest part of the trip, aside from the anticipation, was climbing the aluminum extension ladder back up. Wow, I was shaking through that one. I can do heights, but ladders maybe not.
Once at the top, the last hour or so hike out was nice and leisurely. It was very slippery from having rained through the day, but mostly downhill. The muscles began to get sore, as much from adrenaline and tension as from the activity of the day, I'm sure.
We made it back to Ian's where we had cold beer/water waiting for us. We took showers, had dinner, enjoyed a massage (thanks again, Kelly!), and shared our adventure stories with other guests who had done different adventures. It was a wonderful couple of days and when we had to leave on Sunday morning, we wished we had planned more time there. Oh well, there's always next year, and more adventure awaits us in San Pedro.
Thanks so much to Ian, Esperanza, Carlos, Jesus, Morjelio, Abell, Pedro, Bernabe, Neal, Blanca, Kelly, and anyone else I've forgotten. You all run a class operation, and we'll be back for sure!!!!!!!
We were mercifully picked up on the road by Abell and another Caves Branch employee, taken to the bunkhouse (only $15 per night), and then joined the rest of the guests for dinner. It reminded me of summer camp - for adults. It was so much fun being there with all the adventure-minded people that had come for some fun. We had a great dinner, got the intro (which made me question my decision to do the Black Hole Drop, but there's no turning back now), and got settled in for the night. We enjoyed the jungle showers and staying in the bunkhouse. It was all so prettily landscaped and nicely tucked in the trees.
Saturday morning: those butterflies in the stomach have turned to ulcers. OK, well that's an exaggeration. My biggest question at the moment is "will I even survive the hike up?" After reading Chanin's report from a few weeks ago and getting the intro from Abell, I was wondering. We had a good breakfast, packed up, got the "drinking water is not an option" lecture from Ian (gotta love it), and headed out. One guide slipped in the first 15 feet. OK, I'm thinking.... I'M IN TROUBLE! But it wasn't so bad. Much of the hike is seriously vertical, and not for the faint-hearted. However, I'm not exactly in good shape, and I made it. I have to say that the guides we had, especially Esperanza and Carlos, were incredibly patient and encouraging. Twice on the way up, I had to stop and catch my breath. Instead of pushing, Carlos picked a flower and brought it up to me and said to the others with us, "she's just waiting for a flower." There was never any pressure to hurry or do better. I did keep up for the most part, and it was such a sense of accomplishment when we reached the top.
At the top, when you look out over the sinkhole, you start to think again, "What am I doing here?" But I was in it for the long haul, for the sheer love of adventure and challenging myself to conquer my fears. I wasn't going to give up now. Carlos and Esperanza led us through some safety info, including letting us know that the rope holds 9,000 pounds, and the webbing does, too, I think. We felt pretty comfortable with our gear by the time they were done. Then we got strapped in and had lunch. I could hardly eat, and the longer we stayed at the top, the more nervous I got. But, the adrenaline rush is half the fun!
When it was finally my turn to go, and I got hooked to the rope, I felt thoroughly comfortable. Esperanza walked me through the first few feet, and over the edge. It was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be. I felt the total control that I had over the rope, and how fast I would go. I enjoyed the ride down, and would do it again in a heartbeat. It was an amazing view, and just hanging up there above the treetops is so amazing. You can't see anything or anyone - it's just you and God and nature, and the rope. It's an incredible feeling.
After everyone got down, we started the hike back up. Over many rocks, some precarious. The scariest part of the trip, aside from the anticipation, was climbing the aluminum extension ladder back up. Wow, I was shaking through that one. I can do heights, but ladders maybe not.
Once at the top, the last hour or so hike out was nice and leisurely. It was very slippery from having rained through the day, but mostly downhill. The muscles began to get sore, as much from adrenaline and tension as from the activity of the day, I'm sure.
We made it back to Ian's where we had cold beer/water waiting for us. We took showers, had dinner, enjoyed a massage (thanks again, Kelly!), and shared our adventure stories with other guests who had done different adventures. It was a wonderful couple of days and when we had to leave on Sunday morning, we wished we had planned more time there. Oh well, there's always next year, and more adventure awaits us in San Pedro.
Thanks so much to Ian, Esperanza, Carlos, Jesus, Morjelio, Abell, Pedro, Bernabe, Neal, Blanca, Kelly, and anyone else I've forgotten. You all run a class operation, and we'll be back for sure!!!!!!!