Two weeks ago Saturday morning started with delivery of my Worley’s Cave (Smyth County) map to the landowners and then a brief stop to work on permission to explore a new cave nearby. Then Rob Harris, Rachel Weinstock, and I followed Carlin, Dave, Martin, and James around the hillside looking for an access road to Doane’s Cave. Our car eventually gave up on the road rally, and I convinced Rob and Rachel to join me on a hike to help me finish a cave map.
First we went to get permission from the landowners and visit the Saltville Town Museum. It was very impressive because it covered the history from the Pleistocene Era, through Native American settlements and the War Between the States, with lots of details about the history as a company town, and to the present day. I really recommend stopping to visit their great small-town museum when you get a chance.
After lunch we headed up to Lover's Leap Cave. It was a beautiful day, and I was surprised that my Wellies easily climbed the hill. Inside the cave we surveyed up into Shelob’s Lair above the main junction. The name was chosen after Rob squealed when a spider scared him.
After the survey into the ceiling, we headed over to my dig past Bluegrass Pit. With the rock hammer, it was easy to pull clay out of the hole. It was eventually big enough for me to get my body in feet first, but I couldn’t find any footholds when I was in up to my chest. Therefore, I sent Rob in my stead.
The leads inside this small room all pinched out. Rob found the footholds he needed and clambered out. Then we headed out of the cave to more beautiful weather and an incredible sight. At least thirty hawks were perched in two or three trees where the rope was tied. Rachel climbed right under them without many taking to flight. When Rob joined her, the birds took to flight and circled Lovers Leap. A really cool way to end that cave’s survey (you can see the final map at the Members Only section of the TriTrogs web site).
