Middle School Caving Trip
by Ashley and Delaney, Middle School students
On Monday, February 12th the middle school of GSA went to Whirlpool Cave for an amazing chance to explore the underground. The deepest we went was 54 feet into the earth. We started out putting on knee pads, elbow pads, helmets and gloves. The cave was said to be 70 degrees but the mandatory gear made it seem hotter.
First, we learned about the cave's history. When Mopac was first built, the architects planned to put a pipe down into the cave and use it as storage for the highway's waste and runoff. When many people complained, they moved the pipe further down to a creek.
GSA Middle School students
found Whirlpool Cave in Austin
to be a hot and dirty adventure!
We first entered the cave between a small metal hatch, down a ladder and into the entrance cave. After that we wormed through small passages, stopping to catch our breath in small rooms. After a while, we entered the Travis County Room. There we learned about the few cave animals that had learned to survive in this dark environment. Then we explored the room and turned out all headlights. As we were plunged into complete darkness, we soon found out how hard it is to survive in pitch black. Eventually, we made our long journey back.