QUESTION: Justin Taylor asked, “It seems that you would prefer the Trip Leaders to be experienced in cave exploring. I have only been on guided tours through three caves with paved trails so I do not consider myself experienced at all. Though I do feel that I am responsible enough and have enough common sense to take a group safely through the cave. Will I still be allowed to be a Trip Leader?”
 ANSWER: Prospective Trip Leaders, if you are an experienced caver, then download a map, reserve your trip date and have at it. But if you are not experienced in a crawling wild cave, then you should draw upon some experience. I shared the following with Justin, “As for being a Trip Leader, you have to make that decision for yourself. There are so many thousand locals that have already been to the cave that you should be able to locate somebody with experience to lead you. I have to tell you that I made a lousy leader the first time I went to the cave because I was struggling with my own claustrophobic fears. We had an experienced guide that kept us from getting lost. This is where the assurance from somebody who already knows what lies beyond the next tight passage is extremely valuable.”
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