Restrictions - Major , Minor or Dont Even Think About It ?

[Squirrel Girl]

Lechugilla in NM was dug open.

I dug more than anyone else on the whole project. I was on every dig trip. Then it was starting to get dangerous. On the Dave trip (4 out of 6 people were named Dave), I was on bucket duty as my carbide light would blow out at the dig face. Dave L was digging and the thing collapsed in on him. It took us 2 hours to get back to the place we were. So finally I skipped one dig trip. Murphy's law--within a half hour they broke through!!!

[JCDdiver]

<snip>I think loving restrictions is an acquired taste ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Yes, many people will never dive certain passages because of that and that is okay. Different strokes for different...strokes.

[Sludge]

I'm told these restrictive passages get "bigger" as you gain more experience. Perhaps they do ...

Yes, they do. The first few times I did the section between the main line and the Banana Room I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it. I considered carrying an Epi-Pen with me on dives in case I freaked out with claustrophobia!

[LiteHedded]

A new cave diver's perspective ...

I like open spaces better than enclosed ones. Two days ago I dived Hole in the Wall for the first time. Holy mother of Jesus that's a beautiful cave. I could spend hours in there admiring the scenery ... it's like Arches National Park underwater.

Yesterday I dived Madison Blue. Couldn't be more different. I felt like I was in restrictions more than I was out of them. I found it constricting, and a bit mentally daunting whenever I started thinking about what I would do if I had to turn around or the guy behind me suddenly had a problem that needed my immediate assistance. In short, it stressed me out a bit and I didn't really enjoy it.

I'm told these restrictive passages get "bigger" as you gain more experience. Perhaps they do ... my dive buddies came out of there talking about what fun dives they were. I'm glad I did them, but they didn't feel like that much fun to me ... maybe it will after another 100 or so cave dives. I hope so ... but I think loving restrictions is an acquired taste ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

it's a pretty one isn't it?

[LCF]

Funny, Bob, I have the exact opposite reaction. Big rooms where the line is far away make me nervous. NoHoch makes me very apprehensive, because the spaces are so wide, and you could wander so far off the line.

The smaller and more intimate the cave gets, the perkier and more delighted I become. Now, of course, I'm not talking about the kind of restriction the OP is referring to -- not something where I might get inextricably stuck. But get the cave down around me so I have to think about how to get through, and I"m like a pig in manure. I don't have the skills for it, but I love it anyway.

[CGriffing]

A new cave diver's perspective ...

...Yesterday I dived Madison Blue. Couldn't be more different. I felt like I was in restrictions more than I was out of them. I found it constricting, and a bit mentally daunting whenever I started thinking about what I would do if I had to turn around or the guy behind me suddenly had a problem that needed my immediate assistance. In short, it stressed me out a bit and I didn't really enjoy it.

I'm told these restrictive passages get "bigger" as you gain more experience. Perhaps they do ... my dive buddies came out of there talking about what fun dives they were. I'm glad I did them, but they didn't feel like that much fun to me ... maybe it will after another 100 or so cave dives. I hope so ... but I think loving restrictions is an acquired taste ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Well, one thing's for sure, Bob. I told you Madison was different.

[NWGratefulDiver]

Well, one thing's for sure, Bob. I told you Madison was different.

You have a talent for understatement, my friend ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[JCDdiver]

Well, one thing's for sure, Bob. I told you Madison was different.

You have a talent for understatement, my friend ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Madison is one of my favorite caves.