ECOLOGY

 Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Cave link
 

DEVIL'S ICE BOX CAVE TRIP

Location - Rock Bridge State Park - Columbia, MO
Sponsor - Mr. Bueler
School sponsored - bus transportation
Times - Leave Hannibal 6:30 am sharp, return 8:00-9:00 pm
Cost:    $25 check made payable to Hannibal HS
            Includes  cave gear/boat rental fee

This trip is offered to current Ecology students as a supplemental educational opportunity to experience first-hand some of the ecological principles they study in class.  This trip is a physically demanding, yet highly-rewarding and unique cave exploration trip.  Please read the following trip summary before deciding whether you would like to participate or not.

           
6:30    -    8:30 am     Travel by bus to Columbia.
8:30    -    9:30 am     Park Office - Cave equipment check-out, rules, orientation.
                                  Equipment - hard hat, life-jacket, canoe, paddles.
9:30    -   10:00 am   Drive to lower parking lot, carry fiberglass 2-man canoes and
                                 equipment to cave entrance - about 1/2 mile uphill. 
10:00  -    4:00 pm     Caving -
4:00    -    6:00 pm     We then go back to the park office and clean everything up - probably the least pleasant
                                  part of  the trip - but necessary. All of  the mud must be scrubbed off of the canoes,
                                  paddles, helmets, lights, packs, and life jackets.  This is done before anyone cleans-up
                                  or changes to warm, dry clothes.
6:00    -  7:00 pm       Clean-up ourselves, change, eat fast-food somewhere (BK).
7:00    -  9:00 pm       Travel home, sleep.

 
 
 

Because the entrance to the cave is a water passage (partially water-filled) you must enter the 1st part of the cave using 2-man fiberglass canoes.  One of the more physically challenging parts of the trip is carrying the canoe on your shoulders from the parking lot to the cave entrance – about ½ mile, and then carrying the canoe back after exiting the cave.

Once in the cave, the depth of the water ranges from ankle-deep to over your head - you are required to have your life-jacket properly fastened at all times that you are in the water passage.  The ceiling over your head in the water passage averages about 10 feet - but there is a "low spot" towards the entrance - with only about 18 inches of clearance for about 25 feet.  This  requires you and your boat partner to lay straight back and pull yourself through with your hands on the ceiling.

This low spot in the water passage is also the reason why we are not allowed into the cave if it has been raining or if there is a forecast for rain - water runoff from the rain enters the cave - raising the water level and sealing off the only entrance/exit of the cave.   Past trips have been cancelled/rescheduled about 25% of the time because of this.

The water passage is a little over 1/2 mile in length and includes 4 portages where the water is so shallow you have to get out and carry your canoe for short distances.  Since we always travel as a canoe "train" (in case somebody capsizes and needs assistance) and the portages - the water passage takes about an hour to complete.  After canoeing we pull the canoes up on the bank and walk/crawl the rest of the way.
 
 
For the next 3-4 hours we explore the cave, observe cave life and cave formations, and talk about what we see and what we experience and how it relates to what we have learned in Ecology class.  The first part is mostly walking over sometimes slippery (muddy) surfaces or through the stream.  We will travel back into the cave to the “Chocolate and Vanilla Room” where we will break for about 10 minutes for a quick lunch.  After eating we will go through the 50 foot crawl called the “Wormhole” – some of the crawling through water and then go a little ways into the seldom-explored "Left Fork" passage.   It should be pointed out that this is a completely "wild" cave - there are no lights, no paths, no bathrooms - just lots of mud, water, and hopefully bats.

 

The Left Fork is a challenging passage that requires teamwork  - it is a meandering passage that includes tight crawls, slippery slopes, and exhausting conditions.  Team-work is required - you have to be helped by the person in front of you and you have to help the person behind you - you have to.  It should be pointed out that claustrophobic people are  recommended not to take this trip.  We will travel only a short distance into the passage – taking in one or two of the crawl holes.

 

We then turn around and exit the way we came in - altogether we walk and crawl about 3 miles or so of total passage.  By now you are thoroughly muddy and wet and cold and are probably dreaming of a lengthy hot shower - not surprisingly it takes less time for us to get out of the cave than it took to get in - but we still exercise caution and safety and teamwork.  After exiting the cave, the canoes are carried back to the parking lot (at least its downhill this time!) and loaded back onto the trailer.


The trip is physically and mentally demanding.  You MUST be in good physical shape and you must dress properly with warm clothes and good footwear! The hazards of this trip are real, as they would be with any wild cave exploration trip.  You could get hurt.

The trip is supervised and led by me - Mr. Bueler - I have been on this trip numerous times and have received Cave Leader training by the staff of Rock Bridge State Park.  The majority of the students who have taken this trip before - besides being very muddy, wet, bruised, and exhausted - have found it to be very rewarding - from the learning experience, from the uniqueness of the cave trip, from the deeper bond established with their companions through teamwork, and from the increased self-confidence that comes with doing something extremely difficult.
 
 
 
 
 

To be considered for this trip you must:
1.   Be making a "C" or above in Ecology.
2.   Be  in good physical shape.
3.   Be able to swim.
4.   Be non-claustrophobic.
5.  Have no medical problems that might interfere with your caving abilities.
6.  Be mature enough to follow my directions and handle the experience.

At all times you will be under my supervision and you will be expected to follow my directions completely.  The potential for injury is great and care must be taken at all times.  Once inside the cave it will be all of our responsibilities to OVERPROTECT what we find and see.  We will see some cave formations that have literally taken thousands of years to form - there MUST be absolutely NO damage done to these,

Remember - TAKE ONLY PICTURES......... LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS.........

Need to take:
1.  Footwear - proper footwear is a MUST - you will not be allowed into the cave without it.  Over the ankle lug-soled boots
     or  high-top football cleats are the ONLY footwear that is approved.  Borrow before you buy.
2.  Knee pads - recommended but not required - again borrow before buying.
3.  Two Flashlights -  with fresh batteries, smaller maglites are best.
4.  Pack - over the shoulder or large fanny packs. Big enough for lunch, water, flashlights, etc.
5.  Gloves - not required, but helps to protect/warm hands.
6.  Clothes - keep in mind everything worn will probably get permanently stained with mud.  Layers are best - up top - quality  
     long underwear, 2-4 T-shirts, then a flannel shirt or jersey/jacket - sweat tops don't work.  Down below - again quality
     long underwear, and while old cotton jeans will  work - but carhart/polyester material is best.
     Must have a belt.  2 pair of socks are recommended.
     Professional cavers wear carhart coveralls (non-insulated).
7.  Lunch - whatever you want - double-ziplock it or put it in tupperware.
8.  Drink - no glass, water or soda is fine. Bring plenty.
9.  Cooler - to store lunch and drink while on the bus.  Share maybe.
10. Trash bags 2 large plastic- a Must - for sitting on the bus when muddy and for putting
       muddy clothes in after changing.
11.  Clean clothes and shoes. 
12.  Towel - nice to have, maybe even soap and a washcloth.
13.  8 extra AA batteries for the headlamps.
14.  Medication if appropriate (Ex: inhaler, etc.)

Please read the info below from Rock Bridge Memorial Park regarding Clothing/Footwear

Devil's Icebox Wild Cave Tours
Clothing and Footwear Requirements

The following information is a description of the equipment you must provide and some of the guidelines you must follow in order to participate on a Wild Cave Tour (WCT). Please be sure you can meet all the requirements before choosing to register for a tour.

 

Clothing Guidelines

Cave-Appropriate Clothing:

Inappropriate Clothing:

Other Items

Note: Don't bring any unnecessary items because you'll have to carry the extra weight all day.

Back-up Lights:
Because your primary headlamp could fail, bring two extra sources of light such as an extra headlamp or small flashlight, at least one of which should be waterproof.

Food and Drink:
Lunch - light and compact, but high in calories, carbohydrates are best
Drinks - water, juice or sports drinks--no alcohol
Snacks - candy bars, power bars, trail mix

No tobacco--Absolutely no use of tobacco products allowed in the cave.

Packs/Containers/Bags:
No glass containers are allowed. Bring a fanny pack, small backpack or other way to carry lunch, water, etc., preferably with pockets or other easy access to batteries and spare lights. Use small, separate zipper-style plastic bags or plastic containers to keep batteries, lunch and other gear dry and contained. This also helps prevent loss and subsequent damage to cave. Bring a small cloth for cleaning and drying hands before changing batteries. Bring aluminum foil and plastic bags to remove solid human waste. A large trash bag will help keep your car from getting muddy after the trip.

Medication:
 If it is essential to your health to take medication, then bring several days worth in the event (highly unlikely) that your exit from the cave is delayed due to high water.

Cameras:
It is okay to bring a point-and-shoot type camera (waterproof disposables are recommended). However, more time-consuming photography is not permitted.

Footwear Recommendations

Examples of footwear from best to most unacceptable.Minimum Requirements:
Footwear must have at least 3/4 top ankle support and 1/8" lug (tread) depth. Click on tread print to view a larger version.

Best
High-top boots with excellent ankle support; deep (3/8" or greater) widely-spread lugs (tread) on the sole; and canvas or nylon uppers that drain well.
Example: Three-quarter top rubber sports cleats (as used in football, softball or soccer) have great traction in the mud. They can be a little slippery on wet rocks.

Average
At least three-quarter top boots with good tread (1/4" lug depth) and canvas, nylon or leather uppers. Leather uppers do not drain well.
Example: Army jungle boots are fairly good for the cave because they have a semi-lug type of sole, nylon uppers and full ankle support.

Poor
Boots with shallow (1/8"), narrowly-spaced lugs on the sole and leather or Gore-Tex uppers. Tread of this type will suffer from mud remaining between the lugs, causing reduced traction and the need for more exertion and crawling on clay slopes. Wearing poor footwear increases the likelihood you may slip, fall and be injured.
Examples: Gore-Tex boots. While these may perform well, be forewarned that bringing a Gore-Tex boot into the cave will likely ruin the boot. Army combat boots with ripple soles perform poorly in mud and have leather uppers that do not drain well.

Unacceptable
We will not allow low cut boots or shoes (less than three-quarter top) as they do not provide enough ankle support. Unacceptable footwear includes most sneakers, smooth-bottomed work boots,
rubber pullovers, slip-on boots, zipper uppers, open-toed shoes and any without sufficient tread.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FROM:      Hannibal School District #60
TO:            Parent or Guardian
SUBJECT: Permission for school sponsored activity
                 Insurance information
                 Permission to medically treat in the case of emergency
                 Medical/health information

The permission of a parent or guardian is required before a student will be allowed to participate in the activity listed below.  The signing of this form indicates that the parent or guardian is fully aware of the details of the activity including:

ACTIVITY                                         ______________________________
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION     ______________________________
EXPENSE TO THE STUDENT          ______________________________
TIME OF DEPARTURE                     ______________________________
ESTIMATED TIME OF RETURN      ______________________________
PURPOSE OF THE TRIP                   ______________________________
SCHOOL SPONSOR                          ______________________________
DATE OF ACTIVITY                        ______________________________

Furthermore, the signature releases Hannibal School District #60 and the sponsor from any responsibility for accident or injury sustained by the student while on this trip.  This form must be returned to the sponsor before the student will be allowed to participate in this activity.

I have read the detailed description of this field trip and I agree with the above release.

_____________________    __________    ______________________    __________
Student Signature                          Date              Parent/Guardian Signature           Date
...........................................................................................................................................
INSURANCE INFORMATION/PERMISSION TO TREAT
Insurance Company _______________    Insured's Name ___________________
Policy Number       _______________     Group Number  ___________________
Individual ID Number_________________

I, the parent/guardian of _______________________, give permission to medically treat my child in the case of emergency.  I also accept full responsibility for any expense resulting from the medical emergency.

__________  _____________________________     ____________________
Date                     Parent/Guardian Signature                    Emergency Phone Number
...........................................................................................................................................
Are there any health factors, allergies, or other things I need to know about your child that I should watch out for or that would limit your child's participation in this field trip?
If yes, please explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________.