Trip Reports - 7/11/00 Florida bouldering

- by Mike Tennant

Here it is, exclusive pictures of bouldering in Florida. Thanks to Mike Tennant, local Gainesville climber and cave diver. That's Mike, below.

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Mike writes:

Is there Bouldering in Florida? Well, according to John Sherman in Rock and Ice #100, the only things to boulder in Florida aside from buildings, are moss-covered blobs hiding crumbly limestone underneath and slime filled cracks harboring critters that appear to be at the top of the food chain. Perhaps John is right. Perhaps there is no bouldering "to speak of" in Florida. However, the pictures don't lie. Two things are certain though; the crash pads in Florida are very cheap and the falls can be quite refreshing.... Just watch out for the cypress knees....

Climb on! - Mike

For those of you unfamiliar with Florida geology, this is a karst formation, a formation formed by the solute action of water on rock causing the softer areas to dissolve. This is how many caves are formed. In this situation, the water has dissolved the rock causing the roof of the underground cave to fall into the hole, opening a sinkhole that is contiguous with the aquifer.

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North Florida has many of these formations, as dry caves, wet caves, or sinkholes depending on the level of the water table. In places where the sinkholes connect to the aquifer, scuba divers enjoy the challenge of entering and negotiating these underground passages. The water is as clear and pure as water gets, filtered through the ground and offering divers visibility of more than 200 feet  with one exception - there is no light. It's completely dark underground, artificial lights are necessary.

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Cave diving is an extremely dangerous pursuit requiring advanced training and specialized equipment. It is for only the most experienced of divers. Many diving instructors have died in these caves, and the death tolls continue to grow. When something goes wrong, and there are lots of things that can go wrong, you are trapped underground with a very limited air supply. I gave up the sport years ago after enough close calls to make me believe I was nearing my statistical safety limit.

So, should you pack up the climbing shoes and hit the road to test yourself on Florida's finest limestone? Not in my opinion. I've known about these areas for many years, and continue to assert there is no quality climbing in Florida. Sure, if your going to be there anyway, bring the shoes along and have at it. Me, I'm much more satisfied  with the routes at the gym. At least when a fall there, it doesn't take three days for my shoes to dry out!

Ps. - Where is it? Ask Mike.

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Note: This is a unique and fragile environment, one of our Florida treasures. I don't want to encourage mass visitation and the degradation of these essentially pristine areas. Check out some of the links provided to gain an appreciation for this environment, and take these issues to heart when you visit. - Wayne

Good climbing,

Wayne

Text, photos, and links submitted by;
Mike Tennant

National Speleogical Society
Florida Speleogical Society - Gainesville Grotto
Florida Cave Diving
DEP Florida Geologic Survey

Florida photo gallery

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