hall of the white giant
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hall of the white giant印象
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This is probably one of the most intense guided cave tours available, so be prepared for it. That being said, my 60 year old mother made it through just fine.
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Full Disclosure: I have been to caves before but I am not a spelunker/caver. I don't know how to climb a rope and I am not that physically fit. I am a couch potato on most days. With that being said, I was able to do this.I must say, I signed up for this tour but I had anxiety for days leading up to it when I read that it involved climbing a rope. I was in panic mode and ready to back out as I have never climbed a rope before. But I did my research and read about it. When I read that people who didn't think they can do it were able to then I said to myself that I can do this!The tour started with an orientation of what to expect. Then they handed out headlamps, gloves and kneepads. They also gave us the option of using elbow pads. I opted not to use elbow pads because I was told that it might be difficult to move in some places if I have them. You must bring 3 batteries for the headlamps but if you don't they will allow you to borrow their batteries. No backpacks allowed. You can bring a camera but you will definitely need the use of every body part you have so unless you are fine with your camera being scratched up and probably broken, I strongly recommend not taking it. I took my iPhone but I put it in a padded case inside my pants pocket. I needed to at least take some pictures!The tour starts with the walk through the natural entrance of the Carlsbad Caverns cave. Then part of the way is a hidden entrance and this is where the fun starts! First, you have to conquer what they called Castration rock/point where you have to straddle a huge rock in the middle while crawling to the spot they considered the point of no return. This is the spot where you decide if you can do this or not. There were four of us in the tour, 3 guys and me, a girl. One of the guys decided to quit after Castration point. This tour is not for the claustrophobic though. What followed was a lot of climbing and crawling. I think that I only spent a fraction of the four hour tour standing up right. The rest I'm either crawling on my hands and knees, or on my stomach, or dragging my body sideways through very narrow holes. This tour will make you realize that your body can twist and turn in different directions that you did not know was possible just so you can get out of the hole you got into.The rope that gave me anxiety was the biggest challenge I had in this tour. The rope have knots and it's not like you had to vertically climb it. There are rocks on both side that you can use to pull yourself up the hole. Except it's flowstone so it's very slippery. You HAVE to use your kneepads and other parts of your body to create friction and pull yourself up to make it to the next level. It took me awhile and I slipped and fell several times but my group members were awesome! They encourage me to take my time, no need to rush. Ranger Jeremy even went back down and guided me on spots where I can put my knees or feet or hands to get to the top of the rope. After the rope, there's the steel ladder that is so narrow it only fits one foot at a time. It's very sturdy though. It was also nerve wracking to climb because the landing was also flowstone...so you have to be very careful getting on and off the ladder. The ladder and rope was the most difficult part of the tour in my opinion. A lot more hiking, crawling and hugging cave walls (so you don't fall into the abyss) followed but then after that you get to the area that is the whole reason of the tour. The White Giant! To get up there you had to use ropes again, but this time it's to climb a semi-steep incline to get to the top and be closer to the White Giant. One of my tour mates had the unfortunate realization, at this point, that whatever we did to get to that point we had to do again to get out of the cave. So be warned that you have to do the ropes, ladders, crawling, dragging, hugging walls, etc...twice! To get to the end and see the White Giant and to exit the cave afterwards. After we climbed down the slope, we had our lights out moment. Head lamps were turned off and silence for several minutes. This was actually very soothing as it allows us to enjoy the peace and quiet of the cave after several hours of strenuous activity.Ranger Jeremy and Ranger Ellen were awesome. They allow you to figure out how to go about the obstacle course (as they call it) but will definitely be there to assist you if you are having problems (which I did). They are very knowledgeable and engaging. They also had a very easy banter with each other which makes it for an entertaining trip.This tour is strenuous. It is challenging. But once you do it, you will feel like you accomplished something. It will definitely be the most memorable part of your trip and something that you will talk about for years to come.PS. This is a four hour tour with no bathroom facilities once the tour starts. Limit your liquid intake to what you can hold in for four hours. Rangers carry emergency water bottles for dire situations only.
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The Hall of the White Giant Ranger-led Tour was awesome - tons of fun! One of the coolest things I've ever done.But first let me just say that this tour is definitely NOT for everyone. It is very strenuous and sure to leave you bruised and battered. The surfaces in the cave where you have to find a toehold or handhold can be very slippery, and I'm sure some people get hurt worse than just bruises. The crawlspaces are REALLY REALLY tight and you will have to crawl/inch your way along on your stomach. But totally worth it, even if it may not sound like it. It was THAT much fun. Tours are limited to 8 people; two rangers accompany each group - one in front, and the other at the back. Communication with the person in front and behind you is very important, as there's no space to see much else for the first 60% or so of the tour. So if you plan to go on the tour, please be very team-oriented, communicative and help or watch out for your fellow tour-members. The entrance to the cave is kept a secret as there are no gates or permanent barriers to keep people from crawling in on their own and getting into a dangerous situation. But trust me - no one will find it, even though thousands pass by it every day. When the lead ranger took us there and indicated the entrance, everyone shrugged and looked in disbelief "What - that little rathole?".That's the beginning of the adventure: you crawl right in and already you're on your belly like a snake. The crevices are contorted in angles that the human body should not have to go in. After several draining minutes of this you emerge in a tiny space known as the Meeting Room or the Decision Room, with just enough space to sit up in. There you can decide if you've had enough and can turn around if it's too much for you. From there there's lot's more crawling, sweating, "chimneying", climbing up knotted ropes and a "ladder" whose rungs are only wide enough for one foot at a time, up a shaft only as wide as my shoulders.Great adventures all.Oh, and the final destination, the Hall of the White Giant, is nothing compared to the Big Room. But all the strenuous work you did to get there makes it very special - plus it's still "active": the mineral-laden water drops at the end of the overhanging soda straw formations are particurlarly beautiful when you shine your light on them.When you go I can't emphasize enough to streamline yourself as much as possible. Even though the cave is cool, wear only a very light long-sleaved shirt and long pants - you will be sweating a ton. Also, wear hiking boots or other shoes with really good traction; you'll need it. You should have kneepads and full-fingered gloves which will allow you to grip small rock edges. I think the Park Service recommendations even discourage you from bringing a water bottle, but I would recommend a small bottle that you can maybe stick in a zipperd side pocket of hiking pants, or something similar. I was dying of thirst because I didn't have one.The tour is only offered once a week on Saturdays. That means only about 400 people a year get to have this great experience. Reserve early. If you're physically and mentally up for it, I guarantee you'll have memories of a lifetime.
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the tour of the Hall of the White Giant is superb. Not for those who are not in good shape, as there is a LOT of climbing, crawling, shimmying, squeezing, heights to be conquered, and dirt to be smudged.It IS for those who love adventure and are physically able to do so.Tour is 4 hours and price is $20 - A STEAL!They provide you with equipment (old info says bring your own - no longer the case due to fears of contamination of White Nose Fungus - a bat disease). You do need batteries for your headlamp, but even if you forget those they'll help you out.You are allowed to bring a camera but where you're going to put it is up to you - it will likely get in the way in these tiny spaces and/or scratched. But, the event is certainly photo-worthy if you're willing to bring one along.
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They tell you it's 'Extremely Strenuous' and for a change, it really is!!!! I've climbed mountains, kayaked, canoed, hiked, trekked, caved and this was the most challenging (and probably the BEST) undertaking of my life - and I'm in great shape in my 50's. After one of my pals washed out in the first 20 feet (too big to fit through the first narrow spot - 6' and 250+ pounds) - two of us kept going and I had the time of my life!Crawling, chimneying, ascending slick flowstone on a 30 foot knotted rope, 10 feet more on a 9 inch wide ladder and numerous drop-offs on the trail side of 30+ feet... this had it all. The journey was the experience although the unspoiled nature of the White Giant Hall was cool, too. Despite the 55° temperature, we were sweating in t-shirts and breathing hard to keep up. The rangers were great - they love being assigned to this tour..... and if you can, follow right behind the leader - you'll learn the most and know best where and how to step next....We'd planned to do Spider Cave (a similar extremely strenuous tour) the next day but were too sore to undertake it.... even more crawling but less climbing - and my elbows were killing me - bring flexible (neoprene) elbow pads if possible - they give you the helmet, headlamp, gloves and knee-pads . We even offered the tickets to a couple 25 year olds who'd told us they'd hoped to do Spider Cave but it was sold out - they, too, were too exhausted to do it.......If you love adventure and are in good shape and not too big, this one is for you!!!!!
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If you've walked caves as a tourist, this gives you a chance to see what it's like to visit one that's off the beaten trail. It requires crawling, sliding, climbing, and squirming your way through a few tight spots. Lots of places to actually stand and walk as well. It is a small tour, 8 folk plus a couple of rangers. You can't get lost unless you really try, but you can get hurt if you are really careless. This shows that there is a lot more to Carlsbad Caverns than just the descent and the Big Room. Is it too physical? I don't think so, as I am almost 60. I do walk several miles a day, but I had no problem with this trip. It was great fun, had both of my boys with me and one brought his girlfriend. The rangers did a great job of explaining what the obstacles were, how to work your way around them, and why one of the obstacles is called "Emasculation Rock". Work together as a group and enjoy. This isn't a loop tour; rather, it is one way in and back the same way. But those obstacles provide a different challenge going out. If you have difficulty in tight, dark spaces, you may have issues here. But remember, this isn't a closet or a cramped elevator; it is a long passageway, and you will get to where you are going as long as you keep moving. You may be a bit bruised and battered, but you won't get cold with the exertion. Long jeans, good sturdy tennis shoes or boots, and a short sleeved shirt was all I needed. Don't forget 3 double A batteries - those will really come in handy. You will need a standard cave pass ($10) plus the fee for this excursion. YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE - preferably, well in advance of your trip. Do not expect to walk up and take this tour. Only happens once a week, and fills up every time. We scheduled our trip to the caverns around this tour, and it was more than worth it in every respect.
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It was too scary for us. After finding out about it, I knew that both of us could not handle it neither physically or emotionally. You got to be in excellent health & excellent shape in order to do it. And it is just not us. However, people, who use to all this climbing, told us how much they enjoyed it. So, you just have to use your judgement and remember, safety should come first.
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It is what it is... Great White Giant. as part of the road trip we came to see this and we were in no way disappointed.
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This tour is definitely not for the faint of heart. If you are claustrophobic, scared if heights or the dark this is not for you. You will be doing a lot of crawling and squeezing through tight spaces. Also includes a 20' to 25' vertical rope climb up slippery rocks, having to use all body parts for leverage. Also a very narrow 15' ladder and several places where you have to wedge your body through spaces. Also a couple of drop offs, varying from 4' to a LOT deeper. But if you are looking for a GREAT adventure, are physically fit, and don't mind getting dirty this is DEFINITELY fot you. You will sweat you will be a little sore the next day but it is a great experience and well worth it. Ranger Trish and ranger Kyle were awesome and very knowledgeable. It was an awesome experience and will do it again sometime in the near future!
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This is a really great tour, especially if you are looking to add a little adventure to you trip into the caverns. Although the trail is pretty strenuous, most people should be able to complete it (at least physically). The guides and other participants did a very good job in helping others out, good communication is key. The cost is fairly inexpensive, $20 per person, but the experiences you gain is well worth it! Since the tour is only offered on Saturdays, I would recommend you make reservations early.