Calico, CA

"Gonch" #1--on the way down to Gonch #2! There was a sign at the top of the shaft (inside the entry level adit that said: "Danger! Deep Gonch!") Since out motto was: "Crawl, slither, climb and scrunch through every crease, crack, crevice and opening humanly possible to do so; and since there are pix of Gonch #2 and lower levels, obviously we did!

But we weren't totally stupid (?): We took extra lights and batteries, used carbide lamps with extra carbide; we broungt extra water, emergency rations, first aide kits, knives, and ropes for bolaying and general safety. We tested all structures, especially ladders, before using them. And we had a foolproof, simple system for not getting lost in the endless labyrinth of drifts, winzes, crosscuts and mindlessly meandering stopes. But we still got a little lost, and were unbelievably lucky. We will not discuss how absolutely filthy and exhausted we were after 6-8hrs underground (nor will we even mention the reaction from signifcang females, post mission)!!! (1968)

Done