Jamaica Caves: Interview with Alan Fincham, Spelunker
One of the top experts on the subject of Jamaicas caves is spelunker
Alan G. Fincham, author of Jamaica Underground, published by the University
of the West Indies Press. The book is available through select booksellers
University Bookstore on the UWI Campus, Speleo Books (www.speleobooks.com),
Amazon.com (UK) and Barnes & Noble in the UK. The author maintains
a small stock (soft cover and library quality), which can be supplied
to US/Canada-based cavers. These copies are signed by the author. Check
out the authors website, The Jamaica Caves Page, at http://cwis.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ccmb/Jamaica.html.
It suggests how to obtain the book as well as photos and general information
on the islands vast cave system.
Q. What types of caving experiences can visitors expect?
A. Jamaica offers a very wide range of caves, providing interest for cavers
of every level of experience from the casual tourist caver
to the hard-core experienced. There are several show caves
open to visitors, such as Nonsuch Caves in Portland, the Runaway Bay Caves
in St. Ann and the Roaring River Cave in Westmoreland. They are operated
commercially and really require no previous caving experience.
Then there are a few caves which can be visited with the help of local
guides (who will ask for a negotiable fee!). A prime example of this is
Windsor Great Cave in Trelawny, a must for those truly interested in caves.
Beyond these there are numerous smaller caves. You should be guided to
these by locals (but be warned that demands for compensation may verge
on the outrageous!). For the experienced caver there are many, many gems.
Here is my suggested short list: Quashies River Cave, Trelawny; Rock Spring
Caverns, St. Mary; Jacksons Bay Cave, Clarendon; St. Clair Cave,
St. Catherine; Crofts River Cave, St. Catherine; Gourie Cave, Manchester;
Printed Circuit and Mouth River Caves, Trelawny; Bristol Cave, Trelawny;
Thatchfield Great Cave; St. Ann.
Q. Do you have a favorite cave you would recommend
for travelers without caving experience?
A. Windsor Cave. Try to get secure the services of a guide who knows the
area intimately. If possible, locate Mr. Brady Campbell (ask around).
Always wear sturdy, non-slip shoes, the cave can be very slippery in places.
This is a huge cave with many interesting speleothems and a large colony
of bats.
Q. Which hidden treasures would you recommend
to more dedicated and experienced cavers?
A. If you are equipped (and experienced) for vertical caves, Quashies
River is undoubtedly a gem, with an active river passage and waterfalls.
Watch the weather carefully and remember there is no rescue organization!
For a non-vertical cave, the main Jacksons Bay Cave should not be
missed. A guide may be needed here both for surface and underground route
finding.
Q. How can spelunkers find guides? Are these guides
especially important to keep travelers from accidentally wandering into
ganja fields or other dangerous situations?
A. Finding a reliable guide can be difficult. Many locals will profess
to be able to take you to caves, but often they do not really know the
places. Yes, without care one can get into difficult situations, especially
ganja fields. Also, you might run into hostile locals who demand massive
payments for being on their land.
Q. Should arrangements for guides be made before leaving
home?
A. This can be difficult. For experienced cavers, making contact with
the Jamaica Caving Club (c/o Dept. of Geology, University of the West
Indies, 876-927-1660) is a good plan. However, the club currently appears
to be only fragmentary and getting in touch can be difficult. (Fincham
may be able to assist in some cases; contact him through his website at
http://cwis.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ ccmb/Jamaica.html).
Although I say it myself, Jamaica Underground is definitive
and is a must for serious cavers. The information in the book took over
15 years to assemble, and much of the material is not available elsewhere.
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