I never knew its name: (Frankford Cave)
It was 1960 and I found myself coerced into a joint 'caving' trip with the local Girl Scouts. Apprehensive at best, I soon found myself gaping into a huge black ho
le. I was in awe. As I tossed rocks into the opening I counted, one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, finally - a hollow echo. Wow! This was cool.
My adrenaline was pumping. Soon I found my way to the entrance. Scrambling along an edge I was fascinated by the temperature change, the coolness, the darkness, the musty smell and the uninvestigaged unknown. As I entered the big dome I gazed up at the
sky lights where
I had tossed missiles into only minutes before.
I dreamed of one day negotiating vertical entrances like this one with rope. I was standing amidst God's magic with all of my friends. My senses were alive with high angle light displays, multiple smells of gasses and must, sounds of amazement and awe, a bittersweet damp warmth shrou
ded the room and all around there were mysteries
asking for discovery.
These were the beginnings of my dreams, the trigger that blew me into a direction and life focus of caving and exploration. The trigger that allowed me to learn so many of life's lessons, like appreciation of nature's natural beauty, challenges and fear. This new found love gave me friends, a sense of worth, self-esteem, appreciation for all living things, ethics, principles, patience, a life's focus, and lasting relationships.
My life has ever since been dedicated to perfecting the tools and equipment used in these great adventures, making better tools, safer, stronger, and more comfortable. These were the beginnings of On Rope 1, and will continue to be my life's endeavor.
Bruce Smith
