4 Extreme Adventures in Texas

By theadmin

Divers here don’t look for coral reefs or sunken ships. This is not your typical diving hole. It’s a labyrinth of underwater caves and caverns that are a part of an underground aquifer system around 160 miles inland from the Gulf Coast.

The natural spring that feeds the well formation keeps waters cool and crisp all year round. The idyllic spot is surrounded by quaint Wimberley, a town labeled as “a little bit of heaven.” But for those who explore more deeply, a trip to Jacobs Well can quickly turn deadly.

Back in 1979, two young, experienced scuba divers decided to explore some of Jacobs Well’s deepest chambers. The underwater caves are separated into four main chambers. Most divers stick to the first two. To reach the third, you must submerge 80 feet below the surface, a depth at which it is so dark it’s impossible to see without a flashlight. Down here, the tiniest mistake — losing a flipper, choosing the “fake” exit — can turn deadly.

But the two wanted to go farther, and they decided to explore the fourth and last chamber. To fit into the narrow passage, they had to remove their dive tanks and squeeze through a narrow gap in the rocks no wider than 18 inches. Another diver tried to stop them but couldn’t get their attention. It was the last anyone ever saw of them alive.

After the incident, Don Dibble, the owner of a dive shop in San Marcos, cemented a grate over the entry to the fourth chamber to ensure no one would make the same fateful mistake. But still, Jacob’s Well has claimed the lives of at least eight divers over the years.

And yet, for Texas thrill-seekers, Jacob’s Well remains a popular destination and a setting for once-in-a-lifetime Texas adventure. The wild and rugged landscape of Texas offers many similar experiences. From cliff diving at Possum Kingdom Lake to conquering the pink granite rockfaces of Enchanted Rock, here is our definitive list of the most extreme adventures in Texas.

Free Diving — Jacob’s Well

Where: Wimberley
Best time to go: Summer
What you’ll need: Flashlight, flippers, mask, free-diving weight belt, lanyard to attach to a safety line
What to know: Jacob’s Well is an idyllic and refreshing watering hole if you’re going for a dip — and a perilous underwater setting if you’re diving. Recreational scuba diving is no longer allowed at the well, and a free-diving venture is not to be taken lightly. If you are not experienced, stick to the well’s upper chambers or simply enjoy leaping into the well from the neighboring cliff formations.
How to visit: Because of the popularity of the spot, visitors are advised to reserve a two-hour swim window ahead of time.

Rock Climbing — Enchanted Rock

Where: Fredericksburg
Best time to go: Spring and fall offer great climbing weather; just avoid the rain.
What you’ll need: Ropes, shoes, chalk, helmet, belay device, harness, and extra tape — or book a tour with Texas Climbing Adventures and have everything supplied.
What to know: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers some of the best climbs in the state, ranging from traditional 20-foot boulder climbs to a more complicated 200-foot route up Turkey Ridge. It’s that mix of traditional crack climbing, sport routes, and thin-face climbing that makes it so popular with rock climbers of all skill levels. Regulars recommend you bring extra tape, as the formation’s granite crystals can do a number on your hands. Also, stick to climbing with the aid of bolts that are already driven into the rocks. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department doesn’t allow any new bolting for ropes.

Cliff Diving — Possum Kingdom Lake

Where: Palo Pinto County
Best time to go: July 4
What you’ll need: This is a pros-only dive spot.
What to know: The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series first started holding events at Possum Kingdom in 2013. With a dive spot known as Hell’s Gate — a spectacular cliff face that looms 90 feet above the water — it’s no wonder some of the world’s best athletes continue to return to Texas to dive. Recreational cliff diving is illegal at the lake, but Hell’s Gate remains one of the lake’s most popular party spots, with boaters parking beneath the massive cliffs to watch an annual fireworks display.

Spelunking — Inner Space Cavern

Where: Georgetown
Best time to go: Escape the summer heat underground.
What you’ll need: Book a tour ahead of time.
What to know: Inner Space Cavern is probably the tamest adventure on our list, but it is nonetheless unforgettable. The cave was created by water carving through the Edwards limestone. Believed to have formed around 90 to 100 million years ago, the caverns only became accessible from the Earth’s surface around 20,000 to 45,000 years ago. During the ice age, they sheltered mammoths and saber-toothed tigers. Today, tours designed for all skill levels bring you into tight underground chambers where you can see magnificent geological formations and Native American art. For an extra adventure, take the Texas Cave Trail and add the Natural Bridge Caverns (north of San Antonio), Cave Without a Name (near Boerne), and Caverns of Sonora to your spelunking trek.

Find more adventures across Texas here.