Nate Nekirk

I got directions back to Sauta cave from Jason and soon arrived back on 72.  I didn’t remember exactly where to pull off so I slowed at each side road which because obviously unnecessary when I spotted a cluster fuck of vehicles parked along the road ahead.  Nate and I pulled in behind the line of cars and hiked along the road.  Alan stood by his car.  He told us the cave closed at 4:30 PM and that they might still let us in if we rushed.  It was a little after 4 already so Nate and I ran up the hill.  Nate exclaimed as we passed a large gated entrance.  A caver hiking down from Sauta asked what we expected to see in 15 minutes to which I replied "we can see a lot in 15 minutes." 

Upon arrival a lady strongly told us that we were too late.  I replied with equal vigor that they said the cave didn’t close until 4:30.  My next line would have involved their irresponsible rescheduling and tardiness opening the gate earlier that day but she relayed me to the man in charge.  He said we had 15 minutes and I said that was fine.  He also asked if we had a watch.  I asked Nate “You have a watch, don’t you?”  I don’t think the gate keeper heard Nate’s negative response.  I pulled on some polypro and slid through the gate and started ahead at a run.  The flat walking passage measured quite large already but it increased considerably in size as we ran further into the darkness.  It seemed huge!  My light barely lit the dark guano floor and walls.  We came to a large side lead, went below, and climbed up into a larger passage through breakdown.  Nate hand planted in guano.  I could tell he didn’t like it too much.  I hopped ahead across breakdown to a flat trail and ran further into the cave.  My abs hurt but that didn’t matter; I was having fun!  600’ from the side passage I asked Nate if he throught it’d been 7 minutes.  He agreed it had and we turned back.  I started back down the trail at a fast run.  It surprised me to reach the large side passage via the trail.  We must have missed it on the way in.  I increased my pace and exited the cave with 2 minutes to spare.  Nate soon popped out the gate as well and we descended back to the large gated entrance.  We mulled around there for a few minutes and hiked back to Alan’s truck. 

Alan ask If we wanted to do any more caving.  I left the answer up to Nate.  After a few ahs it became obvious that Alan and I could finish our conversation while Nate deliberated.  I questioned him again and he said he would have if he didn’t have to work the next day so we said good bye to Nate and I moved my car and hopped in Alan’s truck.  We then drove back to Limrock Blowing Cave arriving in time to see Matt and Jason arrive back at their vehicle.  To Limrock Blowing Cave