Lava Caves Xploration

The first cave that we explored were the easiest one. Here are some points to take note before exploring caves in Lava Beds

Don’t Go Alone - Exploring as a group makes caving safer. Stick together and warn other members of your party about hazards and sensitive resources. (Especially low ceilings) If you must go alone, choose easy caves and carry multiple light sources. Tell a friend or family member where your are going and when you expect to return.

Bring Enough Light - Each member of your group should carry at least one flashlight with extra batteries (and bulbs if available). Flashlights are loaned free of charge daily at the Visitor Center. (But you must return them before 4.30pm or before the center closes)

Protect Your Head - Cave ceilings can be low and very sharp! Use bicycle, construction, or other types of rigid helmets to protect yourself. Bumphats are sold at the Visitor Center (About $5-15. I forgot the exact price)

Prevent Exposure and Injury – Most caves are about 55 degrees F (13 degrees C) all year, and caves containing ice are colder. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes or boots to protect against rough lava and cold. Gloves and kneepads reduce injuries in more difficult caves.

Be Observant - Pay attention to your route, and make mental notes by looking back at junctions and landmarks. You can also purchase a book of cave maps in the Visitor Center—learn to read map symbols before you go.

Know Yourself – Monitor your level of fatigue and don’t push beyond your limits. Injuries, exhaustion, and disorientation have a greater chance of occurring when you’re tired. The route usually gets tougher.

The first cave that we explored was Mushpot Cave (770 ft/235 m). Recommended as an introductory cave, this cave has lights and interpretive signs explaining the formations. Proven too easy for us but we almost knocked our head on the low ceiling. Details of caves can be found from the official website of Lava Beds National Monument (Here)

From Random Shots

From Random Shots

The second cave that we went was Hopkins Chocolate Cave (1,405 ft/428 m). Named for the rich brown color of lava coating the ceiling and walls. Stooping is required in a couple places, and there is one passage with a ceiling height of 3 ft (0.9 m) that requires duck-walking.

From Random Shots

And I really mean duck-walking or even crawling!

From Random Shots

Back to Hopkins Chocolate Cave. Why is it known as such? Check out the color of the wall and you’ll know why. Oh ya, you can only see the color when you take photos with flash.

From Random Shots

Trust me, you’ll really need a flash light (A BIG one too). It’s really dark inside. In Hopkins Cave, the four of us planned to cave all the way to the exit. However, one of us had a broken wrist so he was a bit slower. We told him that we’ll meet him at the exit but he didn’t appear after 20 mins. So, two of us decided to go back in, one from the entrance and me from the exit, hoping that we’ll meet each other in the center and finding the guy along the way. I went in from the exit and I took the wrong turn and reached a dead end. I tried switching off the my mini torchlight and it was so dark and silent that I felt a bit claustrophobic. The sudden fear just chilled my whole body. Without hesitation, I decided to just go back to the exit, and hoping that I didn’t make any wrong turn. Else, I would be doomed in the cave! Dark and cold and silent. Like buried alive! You can’t even see a thing because there’s no light at all. Eeee. Spookie! Anyway, all of us exited safely and we continued our caving in other caves.

Things to note: Perhaps can consider bringing night vision goggles!