The scene is Oaxaca Mexico, 1984. We're hauling loads between Sump II and Sump III in La Cueva de la Peña Colorada. Its hot, so most of us are in Speedos and boots, and the helmets are in a pile on the side. I'm using a single flashlight, no backup. For the umteenth time, I came back for a load, and I picked up two 25 pound lead bricks, and put them in my pack. Bill Stone asked me if I could carry a third one.
I can do that. My pack, though, can't.
Rather than tear my pack to shreds and drop three lead bricks on my heel, I decided to carry the third one in my right hand. This didn't work: off balance.
I picked up another brick, left hand, let the flashlight dangle from my wrist, and headed for Sump III.
So here I am, beyond sumps, caving with no helmet, one light that I can't aim, and carrying 100 pounds of lead.
…and I tell others to lighten up?