A cave a day keeps the boredom away.

We have only completed three days of our CAVES training and we have already explored three caves in Sardinia.  Each day we focus on the specific skills required for our team of six to complete our science and exploration objectives during the mission.

The six-day mission will be split in two.  During the first half we will conduct an impressive array of science experiments to better understand portions of the large Sa Grutta cave complex that was mapped by last year’s CAVES astronaut team.

During the second half, we will set out to explore and map new portions of the cave system.  This is a very exciting aspect of our mission, venturing forth to dark caves where only a handful of souls – if any – have been before, not knowing what we will find.

We will be deep in the cave system during the entire underground section of the course where we will become cave creatures ourselves as we slowly adapt to living in the dark, damp and new environment.  So many of the world’s caves and their ecosystems remain unexplored and uncharted.  In fact we stand a good chance of discovering species of insects, crustaceans, and other creatures as yet unknown to science.   Exploration does not get more exciting than this!

In addition to learning about the science experiments we will perform (looking for new creatures, measuring wind, humidity and carbon dioxide levels for example), we need core skills to operate safely and efficiently as cavers.  Over the past three days we have trained on navigating in caves, mapping, climbing, descending, taking photographs (which is harder than it sounds) and gaining confidence to squeeze ourselves through the tightest of passages.   We have also learned to function as a team in an environment that is very new to all of us.  In the mean time, we have developed a sense of humility that comes with being in a beautiful underground chamber with structures that may be thousands or even millions of years old, yet are so delicate they could shatter with the slightest touch.   We need to pay attention and tread lightly, probably good habits to have wherever you are.

What an amazing experience it has been so far, and the prospect of six days in the Sa Grutta cave has us charged with excitement as we make our final preparations!

Caves2013 crew