Little Brush Creek Cave

[MA-Caver]

Almost all my pictures have been (so far) with the Fuji Film green boxed disposable cameras and I've learned the hard way not to get the "super-flash versions of them) get the ones that have 400 ASA/ISO and still get one of those slaves because the flash on the fuji cameras will trigger the slaves just as well... make sure you keep them within range however of the box-camera's 12-14 feet to ensure flash from the slave.
But do save up your dimes and quarters and get a good digital camera... there should be enough photographers on here to help recommend a good one. They'll be worth the money spent and pay for themselves.
Oh and be careful with WHERE you take the pictures for developing... WALMART SUCKS! Twice they've ruined the pictures/negatives of otherwise fine caving trips I've taken...
You can save money by asking where-ever (I like Walgreens) to make a CD only (no prints) and it'll be cheaper.

[jasonbx]

If your camera can leave the shutter open for more than a second, another workaround is to start your picture and have someone else set off the flash on their camera from off to the side. I've done big room pictures that way with a 15-30 second exposure and some helpers that ended up with random pictures of walls and floors... Best to do this with digital cameras, film could be expensive on this method.

Most digital cameras get horrible pictures when you start bumping up the ISO setting. Play around in a dark basement or something and see what you can get that is still acceptable. My last couple of camera's were pretty iffy if you got above about ISO 400.

Also try finding a place to set the camera that it is stable. I used to have a flip screen on a previous camera that I would use as a "stabilizer" on top of big rocks or shelfs.

If you do decide to buy another camera, try and get one with a really wide angle, rather than zoom. (28 mm film equivalent is a good target.) It is pretty rare in caving you need a zoom, but you are always desperately trying to get far enough away to fit everything in tight spots.

And most important, realize that caves are going to destroy your camera eventually. I am averaging roughly 2-3 years on the last couple. I look at it as an excuse to go out and buy a newer one every couple of years.

[offroadcmpr]

That is one of the reasons for me not wanting to spend lots of money on camera equipment. I don't want to break it. I do have a small portable tripod that I can bring next time. I also have a case that I put it in, it is a pelican case so it keeps it dry and keeps the dust out. But you still have to take it out of the case to take a picture.

[MA-Caver]

That is one of the reasons for me not wanting to spend lots of money on camera equipment. I don't want to break it. I do have a small portable tripod that I can bring next time. I also have a case that I put it in, it is a pelican case so it keeps it dry and keeps the dust out. But you still have to take it out of the case to take a picture.

Today's cameras are tougher than they have been before. Nikon has always built "bullet proof" cameras because they're the choice of war photographers and etc. Talking with some cave photographers here ... many use a Nikon or a Canon DSLR and their shots are fantastic... but they say the cameras are very tough. And yes... they take the time to stop, and repack their cameras in pelican or other similar cases before moving on. They take care of the cameras and they'll last... one photographer I know has been using the same DSLR camera for the last 5-7 years... and he admits that todays cameras blow his current one away ... he still gets the shot that he wants.

It's up to you how much money you want to spend of course... how much money you want to spend will determine the quality of your pictures...


By the way... we're WAY off topic here... LOL

[flapjack29]

Hey guys, I am new to this forum, an caving in general. I live in Utah and took a trip up to Liitle Brush on Saturday. It was a very challenging and exciting trip. I had the good fortune of going with a very experienced caver, one who has been to Little Brush several different times. I thouroughly enjoyed the cave, even though it took every ounce of energy away. We went rather far into the cave, and from the descriptions I have read, we went farther than most... After the first length of tunnel with the logjams and tight spaces, the cave opened up into the pool section where we used the walls to prevent from getting too wet. The corner pool was very fun. Water was only a little over knee deep, but cold nonetheless. I stayed dry, but we did have a few individuals who got wet. Beyond that we went into the window room (obvious name) and continued on through the glowing stream. There was one section in the glowing stream (right before it opens into the H Room) where you have to crawl through the water. The H Room was amazing. I couldn't see the top with my flashlight. This was the first area we took a short break. From here we continued on through what seemed like an eternity of crawling. I was able to keep my helmet on, but my pack became a burden in this area. After a while the cave started to open up again and I was able to stand up. I believe were were now in what was called the humming passage. We continued through there into another large room that I believe was called the Cascade Room, or something like that. This one was even taller than the H room, and had several different areas that led off into other parts of the cave. We could hear and see a stream running through one area of the cave (White Stream, or something to that effect). Beyond this room was another large cave we were able to get to with minimal effort. This is where the cave can get very challenging and exciting. So many different areas to explore. There was the mud room, and an area coined the Maze. We didn't go any further due the limited experience of the group. We rested and up and got ready for the long journey back. Nonetheless a very exciting and challenging trip. I would love to go again if ever afforded the opportunity.

[MA-Caver]

You got to see a fair portion of the cave. There is MUCH more to it than what you've seen but you must know it well enough not to get turned around in there because of the dangers of hypothermia are extreme for this cave. Stay in too long and you over exert yourself and weaken your body's resistance and get cold rather quick. Fall into a pool because you're already fatigued and you're in serious trouble.
You done the cave right... gone in with an experienced guide who knows the cave and knows what to expect and knows how to read people so that the trip doesn't end up being a rescue effort.
Think about what it would take to get someone out of there on a stretcher/SKED unit and you'll appreciate the fact that you need to be in decent shape and know how to conserve energy and stay dry... at least above the waist. On trips where I'm feeling strong, going in I don't waste energy by trying to stay dry. I just go on and splash in the knee deep stuff because I know I'm going to get all that wet anyway on the way out. So at least I haven't expended valuable energy resources by climbing, bridging and all that.
Wearing as close to 100% wool socks or seal-skins does wonders for the feet when you get out of the water. Your body's heat will warm up the moisture as you move along and you wont' be shivering by the time you get to the H-room, going in or out.

[Stuart]

Wow, you guys talking about LBCC makes me want to go back in and get in farther than I did last time. I think I will take Ralph's advice and just get knee deep in the water with the proper gear and save my energy for the crawling deeper in the cave. I'm a mine guy to the bone, but sometimes a cave sounds like a good change of pace and scenery.

[Mike]

I'd like to jump back into BBCC again and see where it leads off to. Its soon to be too late to hit up LBCC...

[MA-Caver]

Wow, you guys talking about LBCC makes me want to go back in and get in farther than I did last time.

Just remember to go in with someone who is really familiar with the cave. It changes from year to year... crawling passages can become walking and walking passages can be crawling ... you never know til you get there. It is what makes the cave fun & challenging to do but easier to forget where is what and how to get there... and out again.

[Mike]

Eh, we prefer the pioneer method of exploration. Guides take a lot of the fun out of venturing to new places.

[MA-Caver]

Eh, we prefer the pioneer method of exploration. Guides take a lot of the fun out of venturing to new places.

Okay as long as you can pay the expense of the resultant rescue ... if any.

(just kidding)


(no, seriously ... just kidding)

[Mike]

deal