Today I had the pleasure of co-leading some incoming freshman to RPI on a caving trip. I was asked a question I’ve been asked before and honestly, I don’t have a single answer for it.

“What’s your favorite cave?”

It sounds like a simple question, but honestly, I can’t easily answer it.

I can say that the cave I was in today, Clarksville Cave, is not my favorite cave. Though, if the question is qualified, “What is your favorite cave to take beginners into?” then Clarksville might be up there. It’s close to the road, easy parking and enough variation in terrain to make it interesting and challenging to almost any beginner.

A cave that ranks near the top of my favorites would be Eagle Cave at Chimney Mountain. Traditionally it wasn’t the easiest to get to, it was about a three-quarter mile hike up the mountain which could be strenuous. But parking was easy. That was then. Now, because some cavers or hikers could not respect the wishes of the folks who owned the parking lot, the landowners no longer allow parking on their land. This has turned the approach into a 5 mile hike. I have not been back since.

That said, the cave is a great one because unlike most in New York, it’s not solutional. It was formed basically by the side of the mountain falling away. It’s very different from most New York caves. But it’s also a 2.5 hour drive from home. So, is it my favorite? I don’t know. It’s got a lot going for it, but also has some drawbacks.

What about Knox? Great cave, I love it. And I’m thankful for the bypass to the Gun-Barrell, or else I’d probably stop going to it. It has a lot of variety and a lot to see. So it’s up there among favorites.

If I look beyond New York, I could add Flowing Stone as one of my favorite vertical caves.

Or I could add Tumbling Rock as it has some awesome features.

But what if I include commercial caves? (including National Parks) Then I might put Carlsbad up there. The large room is still one of the most impressive rooms I’ve seen in a cave.

Lava tubes? I can’t say I remember the names of too many, but there are some cool ones out there.

I guess I can’t say I have a favorite cave.

But I can say I have a least favorite one: Park’s Ranch Cave. No offense but…

And even then I have some fun stories to tell of it.