Ken and I met up with Tanya in Marion VA for a weekend of caving; but not any caving, surveying. Tanya had two leads on possible new cave in the area; and a team was in place to continuing work inside Rowland Creek cave.
First stop, a cave that Tanya described as a hole in the ground next to a house, vertical in nature, and determined after tossing a few small stones into the hole there was an un-quantifiable distance and some water. We met with the enthusiastic owner; she had just bought the property and was very excited to have two springs and a potential cave. She, and her son, escorted us maybe twenty-five feet to the cave entrance. Removing the “gate” produced an entrance wide enough to slip into without digging.
After suiting up and armed with a hand-line thanks to Ken as the anchor, I dropped into the cave. The cave initially was dirt, but quickly changed to rock walls and ceiling; the floor was steeply sloping, consisting primarily of dirt and roofing shingles. The slope ended in a deep pool of water. After cleaning out the shingles, Ken and I surveyed the cave. The cave is 30ft in length; the pool is probably a sump and could be dived. However I question the water quality, as the house’s septic system is upstream and in close proximity with the cave.
The woman’s son was given the honors of naming the cave; he decided to call it Rodas-Wolters Pit. After eating some tasty cookies, thanks to the landowner, we hit the road for our next stop, Five Goat Cave.
Five Goat Cave was mentioned in a previous caving report; at the time of initial investigate the river was too high to cross. Today the river was not running high. The trek across the river was soothing as the water was cool. The trek up the hillside, not as pleasant, was covered in underbrush and the summer heat and humidity was present.
The location was eventually reached. I started to check out Five Goat, while Ken pushed on to investigate another rock outcropping. As I approached the “cave” the strong smell of scat was abound; this should have registered as a sign. Looking into the small hole light could be seen from the right side. There was no way a goat could get into what I was standing in front of; going around the corner to check out the source of light I found there to be a large fissure crack. I also found two raccoons; I could see them in the shadows, and I could now hear them as well. The sounds and body movements told me I was a very un-welcomed guest. To reduce bodily harm I quickly retreated. Five Goat Cave looks to be a massive rock that slide down the rock outcropping, creating a shelter. Perhaps another look after the current residents have moved out may be in order just to insure no cave lies within.
At this time, Ken was beckoning our presence; he had found a cave nearby. Still being caught off guard by the raccoons and telling myself I was never going to repeat that, I was a bit hesitant standing outside the entrance even though there was no nasty smell; that is until Ken told me he threw a few stones into the cave and listened for any additional movement (though I was happy that Ken volunteered to go in first).
The cave had an interesting upper entrance or skylight. There were very old formations in this cave, and the cave looked to be comprised of dolomite. The cave, including both entrances, was quickly surveyed for a grand total of 37ft. Tanya named the cave “Chip on the Shoulder”.
We retreated back the way we came, though the step hillside in front of the cave looked like an easier route. Unfortunately during our walk back someone stepped on a Hornets nest; and yes there were causalities, Ken and Tanya both took the brunt of the anger.
Sunday Robbie and Jason joined us; Robbie, Jason, and myself were to survey a lead and check out a pit in time and conditions were right. Meanwhile Ken and Tanya were going to work/dig on Sentinel cave and Animal Den located on the same hillside.
The team I was on quickly got to our destination and started surveying. We had a rough start, as the numbers were not matching, most likely accountable to the 70-degree inclination. Soon we were making good progress; the lead had a low, muddy room, which opened up, into another room. This room had massive breakdown blocks, a sizeable pool of water and is well decorated on one side.
Retreating back into the muddy room we pushed the other lead; we had a shallow sloping room to the left. To the right Robbie stated we had connected back into known passage. At first I didn’t believe him, he said I would recognize it when I up to where he was at; and he was right. It was a lead we had left before. The survey of 213ft closed three leads.
We proceeded to check out the pit lead; it held the most promise as it blows air and is in a location on the perimeter of known cave. Robbie had the honors of dropping the pit. He described the pit as being narrow but wide. The pit broke into two passages; one passage joined another known lead with a low pinch. The other passages lead back to another lead. Three more leads closed out.
As we retracted, one last lead was looked at. The lead continues, but some small modifications to some breakdown are in order, something to consider another day. I took Jason to the upper entrance; he graciously climbed a ledge we could only inspect from a distance. The ledge didn’t hold much promise, and he confirmed there was no lead.
I checked out the efforts of Ken and Tanya on the other caves. Animal den was obviously worked on. After parting the Mosquito curtain and crawling inside it became apparent the cave terminated at 6ft. Later it was discovered that Ken and Tanya surveyed the cave and renamed the cave to Mosquito Den…I wonder why? I quickly stopped at Sentinel, seeing no fresh dirt piles, and another cloud of Mosquitoes; I quickly deduced that Ken and Tanya didn’t work on this cave today.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Guided Tour at Organ Cave
Being in West Virginia for a family vacation, it seemed fitting to get a bit of caving in, and to expose my kids to caving gently. Our two older kids have done some caving; my youngest child has not. It was decided to catch the Organ cave guided tour; the cave would be lighted and the route would be easy to accommodate the masses.
After paying, we met our guide and were quickly on our way. The boys were very excited to be caving, dressed with their caving helmets and light. The main entrance into Organ cave is quite spectacular despite the massive wooden staircase consisting of 93 stairs. Our first stop was a dilapidated shed with a few rusted out storage barrels. It was presented to us as a rations storage area for the government as part of the cold war; when the cold war ended 50 years later the rations were given to tour patrons as samples.
Further back in the cave we were enlightened with proof of Noah’s flood; that was the explanation as to how the seashells found in the cave walls got there. There was no mention that the cave is limestone; and that marine animals, thus the shells, form limestone. I’m not going to debate the account of Noah as it is documented in the Bible; but I’m quite sure that the oyster shells imbedded in the rock didn’t get there by a massive Oyster migration inland during a massive flood that lasted 40 days and 40 nights (and 300 days as the water receded).
Organ cave has some large trunk passage; the lighting was done well, with very little evidence of algae growing due to the process of photosynthesis (water and light). Much of the initial passages had very few formations. Much of the front area of the cave was mined for Saltpeter during the Civil war; many of the vats used are still present today.
During the tour we came to a section of the cave where there were many, many “pockets” in the ceiling; the pockets were probably a foot in diameter and 6 inches deep. Our guide proceeded to tell us that a large number of animals lived in the cave at some time; during a massive flood the animals got trapped and drown. The dead animals rose to the ceiling and became pinned; while pinned there, the decomposition of the carcasses created a chemical imbalance that eroded the limestone to form the pocket.
About this point, my youngest tells me he had to go to the bathroom; what timing, a much-needed diversion from the tour guide. Fortunately I had carried a pack and in it was a plastic bottle. Unfortunately it still contained water; after gulping down the water, my youngest was in his defining moment caving…peeing in a bottle. A few minutes later he told me his legs were tired and wanted to be carried; he then promptly fell asleep on my shoulder.
We eventually got into some passage that was highly decorated; in this passage the infamous Organ formation can be found. Many of the formations were pretty; unfortunately the tour pretty much ends at that point with a quick retreat back to the entrance.
I think Organ cave is an amazing cave and has a lot to offer; the tour was obviously disappointing, in the end I doubted everything said which is a shame for there is some good history in that cave that needs to be properly shared. I think my boys had a good time, the older one wanted a bit more excitement, it was the appropriate level for the middle child, and well the youngest one couldn’t stop talking about it (after he woke up).
After paying, we met our guide and were quickly on our way. The boys were very excited to be caving, dressed with their caving helmets and light. The main entrance into Organ cave is quite spectacular despite the massive wooden staircase consisting of 93 stairs. Our first stop was a dilapidated shed with a few rusted out storage barrels. It was presented to us as a rations storage area for the government as part of the cold war; when the cold war ended 50 years later the rations were given to tour patrons as samples.
Further back in the cave we were enlightened with proof of Noah’s flood; that was the explanation as to how the seashells found in the cave walls got there. There was no mention that the cave is limestone; and that marine animals, thus the shells, form limestone. I’m not going to debate the account of Noah as it is documented in the Bible; but I’m quite sure that the oyster shells imbedded in the rock didn’t get there by a massive Oyster migration inland during a massive flood that lasted 40 days and 40 nights (and 300 days as the water receded).
Organ cave has some large trunk passage; the lighting was done well, with very little evidence of algae growing due to the process of photosynthesis (water and light). Much of the initial passages had very few formations. Much of the front area of the cave was mined for Saltpeter during the Civil war; many of the vats used are still present today.
During the tour we came to a section of the cave where there were many, many “pockets” in the ceiling; the pockets were probably a foot in diameter and 6 inches deep. Our guide proceeded to tell us that a large number of animals lived in the cave at some time; during a massive flood the animals got trapped and drown. The dead animals rose to the ceiling and became pinned; while pinned there, the decomposition of the carcasses created a chemical imbalance that eroded the limestone to form the pocket.
About this point, my youngest tells me he had to go to the bathroom; what timing, a much-needed diversion from the tour guide. Fortunately I had carried a pack and in it was a plastic bottle. Unfortunately it still contained water; after gulping down the water, my youngest was in his defining moment caving…peeing in a bottle. A few minutes later he told me his legs were tired and wanted to be carried; he then promptly fell asleep on my shoulder.
We eventually got into some passage that was highly decorated; in this passage the infamous Organ formation can be found. Many of the formations were pretty; unfortunately the tour pretty much ends at that point with a quick retreat back to the entrance.
I think Organ cave is an amazing cave and has a lot to offer; the tour was obviously disappointing, in the end I doubted everything said which is a shame for there is some good history in that cave that needs to be properly shared. I think my boys had a good time, the older one wanted a bit more excitement, it was the appropriate level for the middle child, and well the youngest one couldn’t stop talking about it (after he woke up).
SERA / VAR
This year’s spring VAR was combined with the annual SERA event; the event was held in Bristol TN. Since I was leading a tour into Rowland Creek cave, I thought it best for Joe and I to rig the rope and check the lower stream passage depth. The stream passage is affected by precipitation. While in the cave Joe wanted to spend some time exploring the new passage opened up since he’d been here last.
The stream was low, but present. We checked out a few leads throughout the cave; saving the most promising for last. The lead had good potential. And in fact the lead did produce more cave, estimated to be around 200ft worth (a follow-up trip to survey is in order). The passage is rather challenging as there is a tight squeeze followed by an eight-foot drop. The new passage seems to wall out, the only thing left is the pool of water that extends around a corner.
Friday night at camp an unexpected down pour provided some relief from the heat, though added to the humidity. The combination of humidity and people talking into all hours of the night yielded a sleepless night.
Saturday I met up with the crew I was taking to Rowland; four individuals. Joe met his team going to Berry Hill; Joe decided that since he had seen Rowland the day before he would check out another vertical cave in the area.
The tour of Rowland’s went smoothly; a group of five is slow due to the technical challenges presented in the cave. Josh Rubinstien really enjoyed the cave; so much so he volunteered to survey the short, muddy section in the stream passage I have been holding off on doing. Approximately 100ft of cave was added.
Joe said that Berry Hill cave was a great cave; he was however stuck with a large group trying to get through the cave and the vertical challenge at the entrance.
Saturday evening consisted of listening to some music, drinking a few drinks, and generally just milling around. It was surprising to see how quiet our neighbors were; must have been the previous night of partying and today’s caving.
Sunday we drove over to check out Bristol caverns, on someone’s suggestion of a short, easy, guided trip before heading home. However the caverns hadn’t yet opened; in the end we decided to drive home and clean gear during the daylight hours.
The stream was low, but present. We checked out a few leads throughout the cave; saving the most promising for last. The lead had good potential. And in fact the lead did produce more cave, estimated to be around 200ft worth (a follow-up trip to survey is in order). The passage is rather challenging as there is a tight squeeze followed by an eight-foot drop. The new passage seems to wall out, the only thing left is the pool of water that extends around a corner.
Friday night at camp an unexpected down pour provided some relief from the heat, though added to the humidity. The combination of humidity and people talking into all hours of the night yielded a sleepless night.
Saturday I met up with the crew I was taking to Rowland; four individuals. Joe met his team going to Berry Hill; Joe decided that since he had seen Rowland the day before he would check out another vertical cave in the area.
The tour of Rowland’s went smoothly; a group of five is slow due to the technical challenges presented in the cave. Josh Rubinstien really enjoyed the cave; so much so he volunteered to survey the short, muddy section in the stream passage I have been holding off on doing. Approximately 100ft of cave was added.
Joe said that Berry Hill cave was a great cave; he was however stuck with a large group trying to get through the cave and the vertical challenge at the entrance.
Saturday evening consisted of listening to some music, drinking a few drinks, and generally just milling around. It was surprising to see how quiet our neighbors were; must have been the previous night of partying and today’s caving.
Sunday we drove over to check out Bristol caverns, on someone’s suggestion of a short, easy, guided trip before heading home. However the caverns hadn’t yet opened; in the end we decided to drive home and clean gear during the daylight hours.
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