Trips with Outdoor Adventures are never dull, and this trip was no exception.

Whenever we go caving at Maquoketa Caves State Park, we are always identified as a group, unified by our colorful helmets and (very) stylish duct taped knee and elbow pads.

At the beginning of every trip, we start off with a group photo, it is after all, the cleanest we’ll be all day. After that, we descend into the caves. The initial tunnel that we walk into is really cool, you have to duck down at first, since the opening is not tall enough to walk upright. The tunnel is only lite by a couple well placed lights. But don’t let that stop you from taking pictures, you can still get some pretty rad photos!

Now, here’s where the story becomes interesting… the first cave that we go into is not our usual, it’s a new cave. Sadly the new cave wasn’t very much since the exit was a 10ft jump, we opted to turn around. Although our wonderful G.A. Lindasy decided to take the jump! But due to her superior upper body strength, she suspended herself before taking the drop and landed unharmed! After that, we went to our intended first cave, which is where the magic happened.

So, this cave is not difficult, it’s quite beginner friendly, which is why we do it. Now Sam, one of OA’s (Outdoor Adventures) trip leaders was a participant on this trip, this cave was not new to her. After crawling through the beginning of the cave we come to the most difficult part where we have to climb. Cave is made up of limestone, and the limestone in this cave was wet and slippery. You can imagine climbing would be difficult. Slowly, our group of 15 was making up the climb. When it came to Sam’s turn, she was doing all right. Then she tried to shift her arm and pop.

“I think I just dislocated my shoulder…” Sam said in a calm but shocked voice. For a couple seconds I was in shock, then the wilderness first aid training kicked in. In my head, began to make a plan for how to get her shoulder back in it’s socket. We were gonna find a rock, then she’s gonna lean over, leaving her arm hanging, then we’ll add weights if we need too.

All that was running through my head as Sam slowly started to move her arm back so she could descend. Thankfully, there was another pop and her shoulder went back into place. When she got back to the ground, Lindsay was right beside her. I had already climbed the rock, and didn’t want to leave the rest of the participants who were ready to keep going.

As I was watching everything from my perch, Lindsay made Sam sit down. Sam informed us that her vision was going in and out and her it sounded like she had cotton balls in her ears. Remember, Sam did not once freak out, she was such a trooper! I confirmed that Sam and Lindsay were O.K. and sent one of our other trip leaders, Mikey. He was also there as a participant, but helped lead the group further into the tunnel.

While Lindsay was with Sam, we continued into the cave, quickly reaching the end. At the end, we all turned off our headlamps and the darkness was so unique. One thing for sure is that it felt like my eyes didn’t know where to look.

When we started to exit the tunnel, I stayed with Sam (who was still sitting with Lindsay) until she was ready to exit the cave. Mikey took the rest of the group and exited the cave, to our trip leader, Mollie, who was outside the cave.

Sam, being the trooper she is, exited the cave in one piece, after her vision and hearing were solid, of course.

By this time, it was past noon and we were hungry! We get to the shelter were parked at and prepared an OA staple, wraps. Lindsay, Mikey, and Mollie prepared to food and I made a temporary sling for Sam using a triangular bandage (seen in the picture above). I say, I did a pretty decent job, if I do say so myself.

For food, the NIU Communiversity Gardens provided some kale and pepper, which was a smash hit! We also had hummus, cheese, meat and a variety of veggies. Everyone took this time to relax and socialize. It was so fun. Lunch is sometimes my favorite time, because everyone is slightly familiar with each other and so people are more open and the atmosphere is fantastic!

When lunch was over, we went to our last cave, the Wye Cave. To get into it, you have to drop down into a hole and it opens up to this huge room, which is called the Ballroom. At the bottom of the Ballroom is where the entrance to the Wye Cave is. The Wye cave is narrow and muddy. Some of our participants went and explored and came out all muddy and wet! My camera was about to die but I took as many photos as I could!

At the end, since we were all muddy, we had to change our clothes before we headed back to Outdoor Adventures, but that didn’t stop us from taking one last group photo :)

Down and Dirty Caving - Outdoor Adventures

Madelynn Bramm

AVM Survivor, Writer &

Photographer