Carlsbad Caverns

<p>Guided tour....hall of the white giant.  We didn't have a very good experience caving.  I only recommend this tour to people who have caving and rock climbing experience.  Even so, the safety precautions are little to none between you and falling a couple hundred feet into a black hole.  It is free climbing up/down 150 ft ladders and ropes. The caverns did not inform us to bring elbow pads, (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!HIGHLY!) long pants, long sleeve shirts, SOFT knee pads and rock climbing shoes.  It is VERY slippery.  You WILL get banged up.  You WILL hit your head, elbows, knees, ankles.  You will low crawl through very confined spaces.  DO NOT TAKE camera bags, back packs camelbacks or any valuables (watches, rings, etc.) with you.   If I had known, I would have stuck to the self guided tour.  </p><p>The also don't tell you that the bathrooms at the bottom of the elevator (750 ft below ground) are out of order.  Gotta pee?  Well, Take the elevator back to the top walk another 1/4 mile to the portable trailers to go, the ride the elevator back down.</p><p >By the way, they also don't mention the whole place is under a complete remodel yes, the building is gutted and there is heavy equipment sitting inside the building.  Everything is located in portable buildings.</p> <p>If you must go... take a cooler of food and drinks.  Really good hiking boots.   Unless you can backpack little ones for hours,  leave them at home. <br /></p>