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Article: Cave Exploration -- No Monkey Business Here -- Ape Cave Near Mount St. Helens Is Policy's Sacrifical Lamb for Tourists
- Article from:
- Yakima Herald-Republic
- Article date:
- August 8, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 Yakima Herald-Republic. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Several new arrivals were getting the scoop on Ape Cave from an
exiting couple, and their letdown was almost palpable.
"You have to wear a coat? It's that cold down there?"
Yes. Mid-40s, tops. Even in summer.
"Any living things in there?"
Gnats. A few grylloblattid cockroaches.
"That's all? No ...?"
Sorry, no bats in Ape Cave.
"No apes?"
Uh ... no. No apes. And, yes, the question was serious. Ape Cave,
a 12,810-foot lava tube, annually attracts as many as 200,000
visitors, some of whom come expecting "Wild Kingdom." Others
anticipate a boardwalk tourist excursion, as evidenced by their
shorts and sandals - and even baby strollers - from what is most
assuredly not a stroller-friendly ...