Radford University has an excellent program for students to explore nature and the outdoors called RU Outdoors. It is a program run by students and for the students. What makes this organization unique is that these students help out and guide trips because they want to share their experiences in the outdoors with others that might not have had such opportunities. Through such activities as caving, backpacking, rock climbing and roll sessions, RU Outdoors offers lots of entertainment and fun!
Students have found trips and activities to be a good escape from RU. There are all ranges of experience among our participants: beginners, intermediates, and experts.
The late fall, right before winter comes knocking, is a great time for caving. This is one of the most remarkable experiences one can have. Going into the depths of the earth where few have gone is enough adventure to satisfy almost anyone.
Some caves were used for mining, some were just little holes in the ground that opened up huge masses of rock. It is fascinating to think of how many people have been there before you, as well as whose footsteps you are walking over. Some parts of these caves were below the ocean floor, and you can see shell fossils impounded into the cave walls. It is strange that only a little bit of water can create such a remarkable world right under our feet. The formations in caves are simply breathtaking. Draperies, soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns are all formed from little drops of water.
A few weeks ago, a beginners caving trip went to Tawney's Cave to explore and have fun. It was a great bonding experience, and rather funny that a quiet van full of strangers could end up having so much fun together. In the cave, there was a sense of unity among the members that had been lacking in the van ride over. There is so much for participants to see and do in these caves that the time seems to fly by.
Tawney's cave has seen some pretty high impact caving, which is sad. For example, people have rubbed the oil from their fingers on some of the formations, stopping the water flow and its growth. People have also spray painted parts of the inside of the cave, disturbing the environment and the animals within. Caves in general are very moist, and any foreign substances, such as food, will eventually mold. The group that went was rather moved by the abuse in Tawney's. Since it was a beginner trip, everyone came out learning something new and accomplishing a goal. This by itself made the trip a success. In the end, everyone left as cavers and friends and have pictures to prove it.
For more information about RU Outdoors, check out their web page, visit the office in the basement of Madison, or call 831-5813.
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