On May 21, 2005, a group of Scouts from Glenside were lead through Frustration Pit and Corker Hill Caves by members for the Philadelphia Grotto.

We all met up near the entrance of the caves. There we all suited up and split into two groups. For some of these Scouts this would be their third caving trip with us. These guys knew a little about what they were getting into, but had never entered these two caves.

One group went into Frustration and one went into Corker. Tom and I lead the Frustration group. Amos and Paul lead the group that was entering Corker first. After Tom and I got our whole group into Frustration Pit, we split into two different groups and headed in different directions. While Tom's group went to the back of the cave, our group went down the first hole and scrambled through to the first room. At this point there are several choices in direction. We took a left and went to the other end of the cave. This is the largest room in the cave and the original entrance. Looking around, the boys saw how animals used the cave and that we were just visitors in their home.

As we backtracked, the boys poked their heads in all the cracks to see what was in even corner of the cave. On our way back we saw Tom's groups in an upper room. We kept going to the "Rabbit Hole". I showed them how to slide down and the boys were glad to follow. It was drier in there than other times I've been in there. We were able to go to the back and they found some animal bones and how the critters get in there. Getting out was a bit more of a challenge, but every one of them made it back up with hardly any effort.

They wanted to save some time and energy for Corker Hill, so we headed back out again. Of course all this took a good two and half-hours to do.

After a break for food and drink, the group was now ready and assembled to enter Corker Hill. Corker Hill is a little more difficult to enter and exit, so I was glad to do this cave second and not have these guys too tired to enjoy this cave.

There was a bit more water in this cave than I had expected, but the boys got to see how clear the pools could be. We poked around here for a while went through as much of it as we could. We even went back to the "Stair Case", which is a tight hole which leads to a passage that is narrow climbs up.

The only thing left was to exit the cave. On the way out Amos and Paul met up with us to help the boys climb up the rope ladder and out the pit, one at a time.

The Troop was camping at a local campground. The members of the grotto only did this as a day trip and had to drive back home. If they were as tired as we were, they were going to sleep well that night. It was a great trip with a great bunch of kids and adult leaders. We hope to see them again next year.

Please view the rest of the photo album here.