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December 19, 2005
Talafofo Caves
One of my other extracurricular activities if you will is that I am a member of the company grade officer's council on Andersen. Also, I am the VP who is responsible for setting up social events for all the junior officers (aka company grade).
So, over the Thanksgiving weekend, we decided to use the day after the holiday to burn off a little of the turkey and pumpkin pie...our destination was the series of caves in the village of Talafofo on the southern end of Guam, aptly named, the Talafofo Caves.
The most distinct landmark around the caves is Window Rock. In fact, here's what it looks like from the road down below:
There were six caves that we explored. However, two were so steep that a rope was required. There was conveniently a rope in both already, but it wasn't safe enough to descend with out harnesses and belay devices...so, our exploration was limited to what we dared to explore with only our flashlights.
In fact, I didn't bring my camera in most of the caves. So, here's the only photo I have from the inside of the caves...and it's not a very good picture even.
After we'd explored about half the caves, we went up to window rock. Here are the photos from the group up there...
Here is Kevin climbing a tree...can you pick him out??
Keith Q decided he wanted to be ON TOP of window rock...so, he jumped up that tree you saw Kevin climbing, used his machete and hacked his way up. Way to go, Q!
Here is the reverse view of window rock. This is looking through, back down to the water and road.
Next, we decided to hike over to the edge of the ridge where there was an old US Geological Survey marker. We found the marker and a nice view to go along with it.
We also found a cave that went straight through the ridge and came out the other side, to yet another pretty view:
Well, that about does it for my pictures of the caves...it's a very fun place to explore. I would like to go back with more gear and actually rappel down the 100 feet or so into the most technical cave...anyone care to join me?
--Jim
Posted by jim at December 19, 2005 01:14 AM