Snow Camping: Ape Caves

This weekend we took our kids snow camping at the Mt. St. Helen's Ape Caves.  I feel cool just saying it. . . snow camping (I'm well aware that I am a dork).  What really happened is that AH was taking his boy scouts snow camping and we just tagged along (still very cool though). 

We arrived after dark so no pictures of setting up camp or preparing dinner.  Here are images from the rest of our trip.

Camp

Feeding the camp robbers.

 

Breakfast consisted of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, hot cocoa and orange juice.   

Cool little shelf cave in our camp.

 

Beeb and I.

 

 Everyone got into trying to get the camp robbers to land on their hand.

We took a short hike over to the Trail of Two Forest and the kids explored the lava made molds of trees and underground L-shaped shafts formed by two fallen trees. "While crawling on your hands and knees, you will notice that the tunnel walls are covered with ribs and cracks matching the bark of the trees that once filled this space. Luckily for your head, much of the ceiling has been glazed by the wood fire that burned in the tube. Thirty feet in, you will make a turn to the left and see the light. A ladder at the end of the crawl will bring you back up to the boardwalk." Website info.

One of the exits (the other was blocked by too much snow).

 

 The actual Ape Cave entrance was a snowy mess.  Thankfully some kind person left a rope to hold on to as you slide your way down.

 

Here's a video of some kids making their way down the entrance (note Beeb at the end):

Mr. B making his way down the entrance:

 

 Bright flashlights or headlamps are a must - it's pitch black in the caves.

 

We found a little shelf that needed exploring.

 

 

  AH took a photo from up top the shelf looking down on those waiting.

The famous "meatball".  We were able to boost Steve up onto it. 

When asking if any of the scouts wanted to join Steve nobody volunteered.  Beeb raised her voice up and said, "I'll do it!"

 

Coming out of the caves was just as tricky as going into them.

Our little family with Mt. St. Helen's peeking out behind us. 

It was a very bright day so Steve made some of the kids duck-tape sunglasses.

 

AH had this conversation with Beeb during our hike.  Here is what occupies the mind of an 8 year old (think Mindcraft) :

To complete the Upper Cave we decided to enter it a the exit.  This is me doing a basic repel down to the ladder (again and icy mess, though this time with no handrails to hold onto).

 

Beeb was the first kid down this shoot.  She was very very nervous and unfortunately the rope was tied around her waist but then there wasn't enough slack to get her all the way to the ladder so AH had to go retrieve her (only a few extra feet).  I am proud of her for not letting her fear prevent her from trying - this really built up her confidence.  Mr. B, being fearless, had no problem and probably would have tried skiing down it if we'd let him (crazy boy!).  

 

 

It was a fun adventure and I am still very sore from it.  The caves are amazing to see any time of the year, just be sure to bring extra batteries.