Outdoor Adventures Takes Students Caving with James River Grotto
Spirits were sky-high as Liberty University Outdoor Adventure kicked off a semester of exciting trips by venturing under the earth at the New River Cave Nature Preserve in Giles County, VA.
Fifteen individuals met at the Hydaway Outdoor Center on Aug. 28, 2021 at 8 a.m. Their skills ranged from first-time spelunkers – those whose hobbies include exploring caves – to guides with more than 60 years of caving experience. The group consisted of nine Liberty University students, two Campus Recreation staff members and four guides from the James River Grotto (JRG), a local group of cavers.
“We’re super blessed that we have guides coming with us through the caves from the James River Grotto. They know what they’re doing,” said LU Outdoor Adventures staff member Mackey VanDixhorn. “We had great guides leading us through the cave.”
The James River Grotto is a group of Central Virginia-based cavers who are “committed to the principals of cave preservation and conservation, and to safe caving techniques,” according to the JRG website caves.org.
The group quickly became acquainted and then loaded into the van for the two-hour drive to New River Cave Nature Preserve in Giles County, 30 minutes west of Blacksburg, VA.
After arriving, the crew hiked about a half mile to the entrance of the reserve. Once inside, they spent several hours hiking and crawling through the cave formation. They traveled over two miles under the earth, admiring different rock formations and learning the ins and outs of cave exploration. For many, it was a completely unique experience.
“I’ve never done anything like caving before, but it was super awesome,” said sophomore nursing student and first-time caver Rachel Hall.
Deep within the cave, the guides used the unfamiliar environment to teach some valuable and essential lessons on cave safety.
“Caves can be a little hostile; there’s no light there…we did a trick there where we turned off the lights and when you’re in a cave it is total, and I mean 100%, dark,” said Harry Sowers, treasurer of the James River Grotto. “You’re not gonna see your finger in front of your nose. It’s pitch, pitch, pitch black.”
Leaving the cave, Hall felt inspired to join with LU Outdoor Adventures on future trips.
“I would definitely encourage someone who might be a little hesitant on coming, to just come along…it’s just a great experience,” said Hall. “Kind of like checking off a bucket list item with a trip like the caving; I’ve never done something like that.”
One of the four guides, Sowers, has been exploring the nation’s caves since the 1960s and has found a family in the JRG for the past 14 years. He is excited about working with Liberty’s Outdoor Adventure program and passing on his love for caving to a new generation.
“I’m 75 years old, so my days of caving are rapidly dwindling here,” Sowers said. “We’re trying to get more younger people interested… and we actually are doing that. I’m happy to say things seem to be moving in that regard.”
Quigg is a news reporter.