UHP Spelunking in Pendleton, West Virginia

Who knew that mud, darkness and tight caverns would be so awesome? For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of spelunking, allow me to explain: spelunking is the activity of exploring caves. This past Sunday, a small group of UHP faculty and students traveled to Pendleton, West Virginia for a spelunking adventure we would not soon forget.
We left campus around 9:45 in the morning and drove three long hours to our destination, a drive full of mountainous switchbacks, Fall Out Boy and David Guetta (thank you, Michael), and lots of livestock. The weather was beautiful and resembled a spring day in Washington. We, however, would be spending the entire day underground in total darkness. We met our guide, Lester, at a gas station which advertised “state price minimum beer” and their delicious pepperoni rolls. After a brief round of introductions, we drove down the road and off the highway where we put on our gear: helmets and headlights. Soon, we descended into Key Cave.
Climbing, contorting, wiggling and army-crawling through the damp and muddy caverns, Lester taught us how Key Cave was formed (limestone + water=carbonic acid=cave), how to identify igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock, and how to properly navigate a cave (pro tip: orient your compass and your map). Despite our crash course in caving, we slipped around a bit, stepped in a lot of puddles (cough, cough Riley), and even crafted clay sculptures in the “Art Room” of Key Cave. We emerged covered in mud three hours later after having traveled hundreds of feet underground, escaping with only minor cuts and bruises! On the way home, sleep, card games, Skrillex—try falling asleep to that—and a beautiful sunset followed our lovely afternoon underground.
Honestly, I can’t think of a more therapeutic way to spend an afternoon. With finals quickly approaching and stress permeating every academic building, library, and dorm on campus, it’s easy to see that GW students feel a bit “cramped” and overwhelmed. After spending three hours in the underbelly of a mountain, however, I can say that these feelings are simply figments of our imaginations. Getting out of our heads and into the outdoors can change our perspective on all the stress we endure. Whether it’s a walk around campus or a spelunking trip to Pendleton, West Virginia, try to take a deep breath and allow yourself some space to think. If that’s not a lesson in Stoicism, I don’t know what is.
A huge thanks to Professor Mark Ralkowski and GW Trails for their organization and planning, and to our drivers, Renee and Michael. We couldn’t have done it without you all!
Make sure to check to UHP blog and your emails for information about next semester’s adventure!
Final review: 10/10, let’s do it again.