wild cave tour
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wild cave tour印象
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My girlfriend (58) and I (52) took this tour/experience in the park. It was SPECTACULAR, but be warned, they rangers take things VERY seriously. Be sure to have over the ankle boots with a DEEP tread. One guy almost didn't get to go because his tread was too worn. Fortunately, he had a spare pair of boots in his car. Book early because they only take 14 people. It is so worth the time and money. We are avid hikers, and it still challenged us. You get to crawl, scramble and canyon walk. This is not for the claustrophobic or weak. If you are looking for an adventure, then this tour is for you. We loved it!!!
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The GPS took us to a chapel, the Mammoth Hotel didn't provide an address, just a PO box and they SAID that they cannot fix the GPS nor their stationary so guests have an address. We read the trip advisor reviews of the Wild Cave Tour, but didn't realize this tour would be so demanding of strange body contortions. My husband has a fused spine, so crouched walking hurt him terribly. I HATED this long drag we made. Did you read DRAG?? It's less than a crawl because there's not enough room to use your knees, so you only have your arms to drag yourself through sharp rocks, breathing dust for... 100 yards. This is not what I thought we were going to be doing. I thought walk 5.5 miles: but log rolls, poop chutes and lots of crawling/scrambling/climbing made this an endurance tour I didn't appreciate. My arms were cut up, my husband had terrible purple bruises and bruised ribs, and the site/caves were not lovely. The stupid governmental sequester meant the snowball "restaurant" where we could purchase a lunch while on this hike was closed.
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I am 51 and finally went on the Wild Cave Tour after 2 years of attempts and cancelations due to a frozen shoulder or business travel. I was not passing it up this year again, my shoulder had finally unfrozen and it was labor day weekend. A ticket magically became available on Saturday night. I arrived an hour early since I was unsure what CDT time truly mean't ....it still was an hour different from EST time - which they call EDT time during daylight savings time. But it was good to check in early - even in the rain. We gathered together with Chris and Rose - they checked boots and then boarded bus to go to locker area to receive our overalls. Chris hands me a size 42 and I promptly returned them and said I require a much smaller size - he handed me a 40 and asked if I was high maintenance - I wanted to say -YES...but took my one size smaller outfit...and just sucked it up. I rolled the arms and pants - and marched to the bus. I was doing the tour alone but it was great - everyone bonded therefore no one felt left out. I spoke with a young lady from Chicago who was alone also and had a good time. Everyone was very supportive all the way through the tour.The cave was fun, all the way through the six hour adventure at the end I had to take an easier route around "No Name" because I realized that I was awful at dragging myself through the caves by my arms....I was like a "beached whale" at times.....There were tight spaces and for me being the most confident person in the world - I was actually unconfident a few times due to being my first time. I can see why people do it multiple times - to gain that confidence that is lacking the first time due to the unknown. There were also sections - that I required a little push from the Tour guide - Chris - he would let me struggle a little climbing a short wall with no footholds - and then offer a perfectly placed hand under my foot or a thigh to make a perfect lift to enter the next area. I was black and blue - but not overly sore - but I did not see my black and blue marks as an issue but a badge of honor for making it since around the 4 hour mark - I was ready to be done. But sucked it up and finished without anyone knowing I was exhausted - but I think everyone else was also.I wish the part we climbed on the way out was at the beginning....and the beginning and exit were reversed. The best rock scrambles were at the end when we had to walk 30 minutes to the exit....the problem we had to walk briskly and could not enjoy all the scrambling. Whereas the beginning of the tour - we walk in and start crawling.A wonderful trip and everyone - who meets the specs - should try it - but don't do it if you can't handle tight places - the group push you through with claps and cheers....it was a very cool experience.The only issue is - I was uncertain if we should tip the guides - the end was awkward - and therefore hated that I did not tip them at least $20....and will gladly mail it - if I knew the tour guides last names - I think it was Chris and Rose - they were married....Dr. G.
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Spend 5 hours beneath the surface walking, crawling and squeezing through spaces barely big enough to fit your head in. This is a claustrophobe's worst nightmare. That said, it is pretty safe, tour guides are experienced and know when they are doing. Even if you get stuck, they will pull you out :)
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The literature describing this tour isn't as forthcoming as it should be. Let's get right to it. This tour is potentially more hazardous than it seems. I thought I'd be crawling through tight spaces and climbing and stuff, and all that did indeed happen, but it is all a bit more dangerous than you think.This is "easy, but hard". Meaning if you're in average shape you could do everything needed, but you may struggle with some of the stuff. The best way to say it is at no time did I feel like I couldn't do any of the things but there were plenty of times that I knew I'd have a heck of a time doing them. Add to that this is 5+ hours and 5+ miles and I do heartily recommend getting in some semblance of shape before showing up, which I did.The bare hole that is so controversial here is actually pretty hard and I am a 38 waist. It's not so much the tight space that is the issue but more of a "chinese finger trap puzzle" in that you kind of need to figure it out. If you're the panicky type this will mess with you pretty good, but once you do figure it out it's only a matter of time before you pull out of it. My advice which is easier said than done is don't panic. There was more than once where I felt like I was in a situation that I would slip and if I had I would have been seriously hurt. I will not lie about this, that is the major issue here. There is one place in particular that the guides just went over like it was nothing but it caught me off guard and I definitely wouldn't have made it without the help of the guy in front of me who stayed behind to help me out of it.Bring food like energy bars, meal replacement bars, and a sturdy water container that won't leak if put upside down. See if all you bring fits in a fanny pack. The cafeteria, as of this writing, was not open and they said it wouldn't be for a long while.Do not bring your camera unless it is something sturdy and protected like go pro. But since they don't allow flash photography anywhere in the caves, what's the point? All you have is a head lamp. In fact, don't bring anything valuable whatsoever. The things you will go through will break them, no doubt about it.Yes, you will get injured. If you don't slip and fall (nobody did) one thing that you can count on is you will get scraped up in a few places. I was slightly bleeding in a few spots when I came out, my shin and my forearm. You won't get major injured, just scraped up a bit, and I enjoyed the fact that I did go through something dangerous. If you follow all the instructions, though, you won't sprain anything, although the potential is definitely there. It seemed like there were never handholds when you needed them most and in my opinion there was wide room for errors while climbing. That being said, there is no actual "wall climb" where you have to climb a sheer face like hobby climbers do. Nothing is super high or really far down, although upon first view you will think you can't make it.In terms of tipping, the first tour I went on in mammoth cave was the star chamber tour and the guide said that the mammoth cave guides were not allowed to take tips, so for the rest of the time I was there (I took quite a few of the tours) I did not bring tips even though I usually do.Last thing, I am super nervous about bathroom breaks wherever I am as I suffer from quite a few medical ailments that cause me issues down there. I had no problem with this tour. If you can go about 2.5 hours you should be fine.5 stars, this is a once in a lifetime experience that was scary and fun and a great workout. No turning back. The best way to describe this is a long obstacle course that you cannot back out of. The sights inside are worth it. Thanks for the workout, mammoth cave! One of the best things I've ever done and I probably will never do it again.
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Be prepared to crawl, climb and squeeze through tight passages. Very important is to take hiking boots that cover the ankle. The tour guide will check it before he will let you come on the tour. T-shirt and comfortable shorts are perfect to wear. It is easier to crawl and stretch wearing those; and the temperature in caves is always about 65F. You will get the coverall to put on your cloths, kneepads, gloves, helmet and funny pack (they won’t let you take your own, because of the fungus that killed hundreds of bats). It would be good to take your own elbow pads (not provided), although I am not sure if they will let you use is. During the tour (after 2 hours) you will have about 20 minutes brake to go to the restroom and eat something. The hardest for me was pass through the crawlspaces. There is one place so tight that if your chest or chips exceed 42” you might not squeeze in. It is one of the hardest places during the tour; do not fight it – take your time and movie inch by inch. (My husband tried to get through this crawlspace too fast and he hurt himself). Our guides Mary and David were very informative and helpful. If anyone had hard time getting though places they were there to help. Every tour can look slightly different depending how strong the group is. It is amazing experience.
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The absolute best way to see nitty gritty guts of this breath-taking world heritage sight. My sister, Athena, and I went on the trip together for the fourth of July weekend and we couldn't stop smiling the entire 6 hours. Yes, we were sore the next morning, and there were points that made me wonder if I had updated my will, but it was so worth it. As long as you aren't afraid of sweat, heights, and tight spaces- this is seriously a trip of a lifetime. There were times I had to pause to take it all in. I loved being able to get off the path and get into the tight spaces most people don't get to go. I would have paid triple what they were asking. It was an incredible experience! The guides were awesome and knowledgeable- Mary was a lot like an angelic Cheshire cat popping up in the most unlikely spaces at the most convenient times to help us out with our footings and then gone like a ghost in the blink of an eye. She really can walk through stone! Magical :)
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I have now been on six wild cave tours. A big shout out to all of my guides, Kevin, Jackie, and Emily and more. They make the trip and are what helps bring us back. The first thing that i will suggest is that you read the directions and make sure you wear boots with tread and that go above the ankle. If you do not, you will not be able to go. This tour is very physical, and involves crawling, squeezing, and more crawling. When I first went years ago you wore your own clothes, now they give you coveralls and kneepads. I recommend you read the tour description before the trip to see their current policies. Under the coveralls i wore basketball shorts, a tshirt, and wool socks( so they stay warm when wet) and even though it is cool in the cave you sweat. I do this trip every year and i love it more each time. This tour isn't for everyone. They recommend nobody larger than 38inch waist go. If you are an adventurous person, take the trip. It is one of the best trips ive ever gone on. Halfway through the tour there is a cafeteria in the cave that is open seasonally (not when I was there) and a bathroom. The cost for the tour may have changed but it was $45? When I went, very very very reasonably. We took cash to tip the guides, which isn't mentioned anywhere but as a tour guide myself, it's always nice if you get good service to tip your guides.
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ONE awesome tour and I must say it is alittle of everything other reviews are saying (postive) and afew nothing like they are saying (negative)! YES AWESOME TOUR yes very tired after andyes + one more yes sore the next morning. As long as your somewhat fit and under the 40" waist you are going to have a blast! The tour is rich with sites and sounds of american history. Tour guides Steve and Mary were the best and very helpful when some needed assisted. My chins were UNTOUCHED and those kneepads were just what the doctor ordered. NOW I WOULD RECOMMEND bring you some elbow pads (not provided) and please dont find out like I did at the bare hole I was alittle claustrophobic, Made it thru but took the by-pass on the afew other super tight passages. This 50yr old made it look easy compared to afew 20 somethings lagging behind all the time... Also BE ON TIME the guides are on a tight and I mean tight schedule and left the visitor center 908am after its official start time of 9am. Also have proper footwear and one person was not admitted onto the tour and NO REFUNDS. The requirements are not that strict so over the ankle boots with a pretty good tread. Its not needed to go out and spend $100+ on hiking boots but I had $250 hiking boots (I hike in my spare time) and I was slipping and sliding just like everybody else..... Also NOBODY was injured in my group and nobody backed out and gave up. Just be prepared to doubt and second guess yourself until you squeeze,roll,slide,climb,crawl,push and pull yourself to a new found appreciation of NEVER doubting yourself again! You came and you will conquer!
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We has an awesome experience with the Wild Cave Tour. Our guides were Rose and Jacky. They were both very knowledgeable and made us feel very much at ease with the cave. The tour lasted a full 6.5 hours and was a lot of fun. While not really strenuous it did require a bit of stamina and strength. Most of the participants were in their 20's and 30's and most had no trouble with the crawling and climbing. I'm 50 and my wife is in her 40's and we easily kept up, but we're in pretty good shape. I'm a size 40 chest and I felt that I was about maximum size to go through some of the crawl spaces. All in all a great adventure if you're in good physical shape.