The Crack

A user guide to navigating "The Crack." Rule #1: go after dark. Rule # 2: only one person gets a light, only to be used during emergencies. Rule #3: it's not for the faint of heart. Now, a set of approximate directions for navigating The Crack.

First, shimmy across a log to reach the main entrance. Climb straight up a narrow rock face about 10 feet, then reach up to the right and pull yourself up into a small crevice. Then reach up and across and find a tiny outcropping in a nearly vertical crack about 18 inches wide, running to the left of the first crack. Literally wedging yourself into the crack using your knees and shoulders, move 10 feet to the left. There you will find a small place to stand on while preparing to move through the next hole. Crouch down to the left and squeeze through a tiny hole, while finding a ledge behind you to prop yourself up on. Sitting on that ledge, move to the left and down inside a vertical crack about 24 inches across. Once far enough down, you will find a tiny ledge on what feels like the opposite wall, which you must use to step across the gap into another crack that runs straight away from where you just were. There is a place to put your feet while you lean back and rest on the rock wall behind you. Now, move to the left about 15 feet until you find a hole going straight beneath your current position. There will be a little crack in the rock in front of you in which you wedge your left foot to control your descent. Lean forward and move down slowly, propping your shoulders against the back wall for more leverage. Continue downward for roughly 15 feet until you find some stones under your left foot to step down on; then stretch your right leg down until you find a solid gravel trail underneath you. Move about 10 feet to the right until you find another hole in the rock going straight down. This is called the "birth canal." Either slide straight down freely, or move down slowly, propping yourself with your arms and legs. Once to the bottom of this 6-foot tunnel, crouch down and move forward through a low tunnel until you find yourself back at the main entrance. Cross the fallen log again, and you've made it.

(inside view of The Crack)

Note: inside The Crack you must completely rely on those ahead of you to guide you; those behind you must do the same. Be safe and be steady, and have fun. Challenging. Captivating. Dark. The Crack.