Cris May-Buckner, Ark. Kristy McCall-Searcy, Ark. John McCammon-Farmersburg, Ind. Dawn McCann-Iowa City, Iowa Justi n McCaulia-Davis, Okla. Sonya McClane-Troy, Mich. Jared McCormick-Bayard, Neb. Ji ll McCormick-Lindale, Texas Kelley McCreary-Fresno, Calif. Michael McCubbin-Charlotte, N.C. Jill McDonald-Knoxville, Tenn. Martha Mclnteer-Nashville, Tenn. Adam Mcl n tyre-Lexington, Ky. Nathan Mclntyre-Florence, Ala. Jonathan McNai r-FortWorrh, Texas AshleyMcQuay-Bono, A, k. Jami McRae-Dierks, Ark. Leigh Ann Meadows-Opp, Ah . Rachael Meneer-Ontario, Canada Alice Merritt-Pulaski, Tenn. Spelunkers find excitement below the earth A group of Harding srudems prepare for an advemure of exploring a nearby cave. While many studems enjoyed mo re traditional hobbies such as collecting or crafts, others enjoyed outdoor activities including spelunking and rock climbing. 144 People There is an underground movement that is sweepin g across Harding Un iversity. The reason that nobody is aware of it is because it 's stric tl y underground - it's called spelunking. Spelun king, or cav ing. is done beneath the earth in crevices and caves throughout Ark. and the rest of the world. Caves which can be explored are as close as 45 minutes in Batesville, Ark. T hat's a little under an hour's drive to discover a "hole" new worl d . according to Jeremy Sciba, junior. "It's a di fferent world down there," he sai d. "Time seems to move so slow in the caves and you never know what's going to happen next." Sciba said very little equipment is required to begin th e spelunking endeavor - just a little bravado and a lot of crawling. Head-lamps, markers, repell ing gear and old clo thes are the basic essentials that an experienced spelunker will never be caught without. Getting lost is one ofa spelunker's most prevalent concerns . Visual markers that reflect light are placed at random points throughout each campaign. The most common ofthe fo rmations found within these caves are commonly referred to as stalactites and stalagmites. These formatio ns can reach lengths of enormous magnitude and come in coumless shapes and sizes, according to Rich O'Connel, senior. They are formed when residue is excreted from soft rock and limestone which later dries, forming these rare spectacles. "You see things down there that you never imagined even existed," he said. Also found within the caves are streams and poo ls of freezing water. T he pools are often accompanied by mud and sl ippery rock. Jonathon W heeler, senior, said that because of these conditions, old clo thes are essential to your underground repertoire. "We' re always overly cautious," he said. "Safety is the most important issue." -Alan Seim
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