Ole Miss Outdoors participants stand on edge of the canyon at Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia.
When you sign up for an “adventure trip” with Ole Miss Outdoors, that’s exactly what you’re going to get.
I signed up for my first overnight trip last week, which included camping, hiking and caving.
Now I’m not what you would call an outdoorsy person. In fact, I had never been camping and at one point during the trip, I thought one of the highlights in my hair was a spider web and it startled me – that’s how much I don’t belong outdoors.
But that’s also why this group is perfect for beginners. The first night, in Cloudland Canyon, Georgia, we arrived well after dark and we had to set up tents. Of course, I had never done that before, but instead of leaving me to figure it out for myself, the trip leaders and veteran participants immediately helped make sure everything was set up correctly.
The hike around Cloudland Canyon had some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen.
The next day was the 5-mile hike around the canyon rim. The views were incredible. From the stream to the sights across the canyon from the top of the mountain, I was in awe of the nature around me, and I’m sure the eight others on the trip would agree.
After the hike, we packed up the vehicles and headed north to Raccoon Mountain, on the outskirts of Chattanooga, to begin our cave expedition at 6 p.m. Saturday. I’m not exactly sure what I thought when I heard “caving expedition” for the first time. I guess I imagined I’d walk through a touristy open cave with pretty rock formations for a little bit and then call it a night.
Nope. I was wrong. This is an adventure trip, not a spectator trip.
Getting ready meant putting on coveralls, kneepads, gloves, a helmet and a headlamp. It was about to get real.
The entrance of the cave at Raccoon Mountain was well lit and had pretty rock formations.
The beginning of the cave is exactly what I pictured: stalactites and stalagmites everywhere with some installed lights to illuminate the view as you walk through. That lasted about five minutes.
Soon we were in the heart of the cave, which included a lot of rock and complete darkness.
Exploring this cave for six hours included crawling, climbing, sliding and hopping. At one point, we belly crawled for 180 feet through a space that ranged from 11 to 13 inches tall.
The space was less than a foot tall. Let that sink in.
Here’s one thing I learned on that expedition: the words “I can’t” do not work in Ole Miss Outdoors. Because the truth is, there’s nothing we can’t do, there are only things we won’t do or don’t want to do.
I said “I can’t” at least five times during that 180-foot crawl. But I had several people in front of me telling me that I could. But let’s be honest, when you’re in that particular position, you have to. Unless you want to start a new life in a 12-inch-high space, you’re crawling out of it, whether you think you can’t or not.
During that trip, I pushed myself to do things I never thought I’d do.
Oh, did I mention I’m scared of the dark and claustrophobic? So not only did I push myself, but I conquered a few fears along the way.
When we made it out of the cave, I felt such an indescribable sense of accomplishment. I haven’t stopped talking about it since the trip.
The caver’s motto is “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time,” but I broke those rules. I took from that experience a great sense of accomplishment, left behind an “I can’t” attitude and killed some of my fears in the process.
So if you want some awesome stories, photos and feelings, sign up for a trip through Ole Miss Outdoors.
Next up for Ole Miss Outdoors is backpacking in Sipsey, Alabama, which I promise will be much calmer than caving. But if you’re looking for something more extreme, perhaps white water kayaking in North Carolina is more your style.
Spring break trips are available in Key West and along the Mississippi River. Get ready to explore the South!