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.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
SERA/VAR Trip
I arrived at Bristol Campground for the joint SERA/VAR at the same time the rain arrived. It poured, and then I set up my tent. The rest of the weekend was warm but not unbearable.
Saturday I led a horizontal, intermediate trip to Hancock Cave with Dave and Nick Socky, Andrew and Ann Hindman, Witt Reddinger, Karen Willmes, Susan Burr, Patrick Simms, and Winnie Miller. After the drops the group traveled to the Octopus Room and waited for me to lead. In order to start them off right, I led them into Harrington Hall and up the long slope into the Anastamoses Maze (I know that some TriTrogs recognize that this is the harder way into the maze). We then slid down the Corn Cob Crawl and discovered that Nick has outgrown his cave suit.
Pat, Nick and Susan checked out Echo Hall and Hickory Dickory Pit (through the tight slot), then we headed down to the junction between TJ's Trap and the Breakdown Staircase. Nick and Witt followed me down one tight slot that appears on my map. The survey notes had been confusing but were quite accurate. Unfortunately the other seven laughed at us as we struggled our way out of the slot. So I sent them up into the High Root as a punishment; I think the seven that climbed it found a short climb considerably challenging.
Everyone dropped successfully down the Breakdown Staircase, but few recognized Harrington Hall. I ran them out toward the back entrance, and Karen was the only one silly enough to follow Nick into a hole back near the Long Room. I remember when that hole was marked by a wooden dowel to remind a nutty traveler of a hard way to close a Hancock loop. They rejoined us shortly back into the crawlway, and then everyone went down the sliding board.
From the overlook we watched the group shrink. I then asked the remaining group to find their way back to the Corn Cob Crawl; close enough. We dropped down it again and headed for the top of Which Glob Pit. Susan wasn't willing/able to squeeze into the blowing hole at the top of the pit, but Karen Willmes was able to get inside. She found a virgin room within the breakdown, but the blowing lead would require a prybar to go further. To get Karen out, I had to reach in and pull her by her coveralls. That is one tight lead.
We slid down TJ's Trap and then crawled upstream back to Harringon Hall. I then led the group up into the Vertical Maze. I had forgotten that the easiest route through the maze required me to crawl on my side, but Karen asked "What tight passage?" I found my way back to the lead that Melanie McCullough, Yu Liu, Dave Duguid, and Mike Davidson had surveyed last year. The way out of the maze from there was supposed to be straight ahead, but all I saw was a tight canyon. I worried the whole group when I consulted my draft of the map; could the passage have gotten thinner? I slowly pushed my body into the slot and stepped over an old beer can. It opened up after it couldn't have gotten tighter.
Susan followed me through, and I asked her to kick the beer can in my direction. It seemed like a good idea, but her kick punctured the can. I picked up the Bud Lite can that started spraying all over me. I held it up to my mouth, but the spray covered my face. The group found it easy to follow the smell of beer back to Harrington Hall where I packed up the can. Easy trip out followed by dinner at Marion's Tuscan Italian Grille.
On Sunday Dave West wanted to borrow my chair for the VAR meeting, so he traded Karen for the chair. We ended up going to the Gray Fossil Site Museum (just opened). I know that the five rhinoceroses, the pandas, unhumped camels, tapirs, etc. should've really impressed me. However, it was also fun to challenge my dung beetle against George Dasher's, to learn that elephants poop my weight every eleven hours, and to discover that Karen can identify every type of scat you throw at her. The fossil site and its incredible discoveries are really a must see for everyone in eastern Tennessee.
Saturday I led a horizontal, intermediate trip to Hancock Cave with Dave and Nick Socky, Andrew and Ann Hindman, Witt Reddinger, Karen Willmes, Susan Burr, Patrick Simms, and Winnie Miller. After the drops the group traveled to the Octopus Room and waited for me to lead. In order to start them off right, I led them into Harrington Hall and up the long slope into the Anastamoses Maze (I know that some TriTrogs recognize that this is the harder way into the maze). We then slid down the Corn Cob Crawl and discovered that Nick has outgrown his cave suit.
Pat, Nick and Susan checked out Echo Hall and Hickory Dickory Pit (through the tight slot), then we headed down to the junction between TJ's Trap and the Breakdown Staircase. Nick and Witt followed me down one tight slot that appears on my map. The survey notes had been confusing but were quite accurate. Unfortunately the other seven laughed at us as we struggled our way out of the slot. So I sent them up into the High Root as a punishment; I think the seven that climbed it found a short climb considerably challenging.
Everyone dropped successfully down the Breakdown Staircase, but few recognized Harrington Hall. I ran them out toward the back entrance, and Karen was the only one silly enough to follow Nick into a hole back near the Long Room. I remember when that hole was marked by a wooden dowel to remind a nutty traveler of a hard way to close a Hancock loop. They rejoined us shortly back into the crawlway, and then everyone went down the sliding board.
From the overlook we watched the group shrink. I then asked the remaining group to find their way back to the Corn Cob Crawl; close enough. We dropped down it again and headed for the top of Which Glob Pit. Susan wasn't willing/able to squeeze into the blowing hole at the top of the pit, but Karen Willmes was able to get inside. She found a virgin room within the breakdown, but the blowing lead would require a prybar to go further. To get Karen out, I had to reach in and pull her by her coveralls. That is one tight lead.
We slid down TJ's Trap and then crawled upstream back to Harringon Hall. I then led the group up into the Vertical Maze. I had forgotten that the easiest route through the maze required me to crawl on my side, but Karen asked "What tight passage?" I found my way back to the lead that Melanie McCullough, Yu Liu, Dave Duguid, and Mike Davidson had surveyed last year. The way out of the maze from there was supposed to be straight ahead, but all I saw was a tight canyon. I worried the whole group when I consulted my draft of the map; could the passage have gotten thinner? I slowly pushed my body into the slot and stepped over an old beer can. It opened up after it couldn't have gotten tighter.
Susan followed me through, and I asked her to kick the beer can in my direction. It seemed like a good idea, but her kick punctured the can. I picked up the Bud Lite can that started spraying all over me. I held it up to my mouth, but the spray covered my face. The group found it easy to follow the smell of beer back to Harrington Hall where I packed up the can. Easy trip out followed by dinner at Marion's Tuscan Italian Grille.
On Sunday Dave West wanted to borrow my chair for the VAR meeting, so he traded Karen for the chair. We ended up going to the Gray Fossil Site Museum (just opened). I know that the five rhinoceroses, the pandas, unhumped camels, tapirs, etc. should've really impressed me. However, it was also fun to challenge my dung beetle against George Dasher's, to learn that elephants poop my weight every eleven hours, and to discover that Karen can identify every type of scat you throw at her. The fossil site and its incredible discoveries are really a must see for everyone in eastern Tennessee.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
April Showers
One of the most prevalent events affecting the weekend to varying degrees was the weather. Mother Nature taunted meteorologists, which in turn hampered planning from a technology dependent group of cavers. Rain it did, and significant amounts; surprisingly enough the rain had little effect on the caving. In the end the weather provided comic relief as the weather related jokes and playful jabs were plentiful.
The basic plan was to cave with several Duke students on Saturday and exploration on Sunday. Ok for those that know me, the plan was more elaborate than that. But as we all know, plans change…my excuse; it was the weather’s fault!
We (Ken, Mike, and Dave) met the Duke students (Jake, Justin, and Charlie) Saturday morning as planned and drove to our predetermined destination, James cave in Pulaski County Virginia. After a quick rundown of the cave and the perceived objectives, done with a significantly reduced cave map, we entered through the main entrance.
We took the passage toward the “original” entrance first, said direction as a few options. As expected, we ended up in the low, crawling passage rather than the walking passage. Fortunately the crawl was brief, back in the walking passage we traversed the downstream passage with ease; popping briefly out into the daylight. Back in the cave we retraced our steps, well not the low crawl. Soon we were at the culvert used years ago to gate the pretty section of the cave off.
The upstream side is more expansive than the downstream side and generally contains two levels. To stay out of the water we chose the upper level whenever possible. The upper level was actually fun; it provided an interesting array of walking, climbing, crawling, and canyoneering. It also provided many formations to admire. There were several cascades of water where rim stone dams overflowed into flowstone. Further back in the cave, the formation become more prevalent and more pristine.
One interesting observation was a monitoring station in the cave; the exact intent of the setup was not known. But the general conclusion was the intrusion of water entering the cave through the ceiling was logged; how much water flowing through several formations was being tracked as well. We later found a monitoring station on the surface used to monitor precipitation.
The tour of the cave lasted approximately five hours; the cave was a cave worth returning too. The Duke students enjoyed the caving, but had to retreat to Durham as final’s are rapidly approaching.
Ken, Mike, and myself continued to Marion Virgina for the evening. Saturday evening resulted in enjoying some fine home brew and hours of fun playing the “Cave Game”. The revised plan for Sunday was rather adhoc; check out a possible new cave and go over to Rowland to determine what we could do there.
The new cave lead was, as Tanya mentioned, across a swollen Holston River and quite high on a steep hillside. We would not be getting to the cave today; the river was the major deterrent. But rather we conjectured whether or not the entrance would actually result in a cave; that discussion would only be settled when the possible cave entrance could be reached.
After confirming a topographical map of the hillside Rowland Creek cave is in, we opted to do some ridge walking. Ken, having an eye for possible dig locations, found two potential spots rather quickly. I worked on one while Ken and Mike on the other. I stopped the dig I was working on, slow going, in favor of checking out the other dig.
Mike broke into a small passage before calling it a day. There is more digging needed; but it was exciting to find there could be more cave passage on the hillside. The new found cave has been named Sentinel cave; named such as Mike was describing the two formations one has to squeeze through, it was like two sentinel’s guarding the cave.
A quick peek in the upper section was done; Mike had not been in that portion of the cave. The screech owl was inside the cave; the cave must be his/her nesting ground as it has been seen in the cave multiple times over the last 15 months. Also a quick peek in the lower section was done; wanted to check the stream level given the amount of rain over the last few days.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Weekend Ending in Tragedy
From Chapel Hill to Staunton we traveled
To watch how plot twists slowly unraveled.
Characters were scheming but phony
In Ben Johnson’s play called Volpone.
Just a short distance to Grand Caverns Park
Did we find cold cavers camped in the dark.
We rose next day to find frost-covered tents,
Clear sign that we lacked any good horse sense.
Next morn past tour groups did we travel
As we hauled our buckets of gravel.
We spread the stones beneath the tourists’ feet
Whilst staying silent to remain discrete.
Free lunch did salve the strain felt in our arms.
Repainting stairs to stop rust’s future harms.
Limestone walls tightly clenched the screws of old
With our vise grips we cried “Out, out damn bolt.”
A sumptuous feast of shrimp and beef burgundy,
An evening tour that lasted near to Sunday.
Some guesses at my age did flatter me,
Enjoyed Easter breakfast at Batterby.
From Grottoes to Staunton did we make way
To relish performance of the Bard’s play.
The ASC matinee was splendid
And so our Shakespeare weekend was ended.
To watch how plot twists slowly unraveled.
Characters were scheming but phony
In Ben Johnson’s play called Volpone.
Just a short distance to Grand Caverns Park
Did we find cold cavers camped in the dark.
We rose next day to find frost-covered tents,
Clear sign that we lacked any good horse sense.
Next morn past tour groups did we travel
As we hauled our buckets of gravel.
We spread the stones beneath the tourists’ feet
Whilst staying silent to remain discrete.
Free lunch did salve the strain felt in our arms.
Repainting stairs to stop rust’s future harms.
Limestone walls tightly clenched the screws of old
With our vise grips we cried “Out, out damn bolt.”
A sumptuous feast of shrimp and beef burgundy,
An evening tour that lasted near to Sunday.
Some guesses at my age did flatter me,
Enjoyed Easter breakfast at Batterby.
From Grottoes to Staunton did we make way
To relish performance of the Bard’s play.
The ASC matinee was splendid
And so our Shakespeare weekend was ended.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Paxton’s Cave: February 23, 2008
After nearly two and a half years and nine caving trips, I am finally writing my first trip report. I suppose it is time…
Howard and Hayden Holgate and I had all had to cancel a caving trip just three weeks earlier, so we were anxious to get underground. Ken Walsh was gracious enough to organize a photography trip to Paxton’s Cave in western Virginia for Saturday, February 23.
The four of us met on Friday evening and began our adventure. After stopping for dinner at Los Tres Magueyes, where Hayden dined on a plate of rice, we continued our journey to Covington, Va.
Words can’t really describe what awaited us at the lovely and rustic Pinehurst Motel. Really, they can’t. I should have taken a picture so that I can share it with all of you. However, with my camera buried in my Pelican case with my caving gear in Howard’s truck, I will just have to rely on the memory of the décor emblazoned in my mind.
The first thing that Hayden noticed was that the dark wood paneling on the walls was actually real wood. That wood paneling was on the bottom four feet or so of the wall. It’s what was on the top portion of the walls – and the curtains – that have my eyes still straining to see a 3-D image in the patterns. Yes, that’s plural. The wall paper was a very busy pattern consisting of two- or three-inch shapes in brown , turquoise and black. The curtains, surrounded on three sides by the lovely wallpaper, was a very different – and also very busy – pattern in various shades of red and blue. It was a sight to behold. Next time you take a trip to Paxton’s Cave, I recommend room 32 (I think) at the Pinehurst Motel.
While the decorations were not what I would have chosen (which is good, since those patterns have not been sold during my lifetime), the room was comfortable and clean, so we got a good night’s sleep before heading into the cave the following day.
After loading up on carbs for breakfast on Saturday, we headed to Paxton’s Cave. We briefly met the landowners, signed the log book, and headed to the cave. There was a nice waterfall at the cave entrance, but we managed to get into the cave without getting wet.
Ken had studied the map, but warning us that this was a cave he struggled with finding his way around, turned over the navigation duties with a shrunken map to Hayden. The first objective was to find the Throne Room.
Well, we didn’t exactly accomplish that mission in a timely manner. After what I would guess was about two hours of walking around in various circles (and watching Ken trip over the same rock three or four times), we finally pulled out a compass, studied the map (which was not overly helpful) and determined to head generally southeast. That got us on track. We moved away from the rock that kept jumping out and tripping Ken, and eventually found some passages that did not look familiar to us. Well, to me, Howard or Hayden, who were in our inaugural voyage to Paxton’s Cave. We welcomed Ken’s shout of “This looks right!” as we finally neared the elusive Throne Room.
We had enjoyed exploring along the way and had paused for a few photo opportunities here or there, but the Throne Room was a welcome sight. It did not disappoint. The Thorne Room had all kinds of interesting formations. Ken and I pulled out our cameras and started taking a lot of snapshots. Climbing over breakdown while trying to protect my camera proved to be the greatest challenge of the day. But it worked, and I took photos of helictites, soda straws, bats (there were quite a few in this cave), various unknown formations and a couple of stalagmites. As Ken and I snapped away, Howard did some exploring and Hayden rested. Eventually Ken and I recruited Howard and Hayden to pose for some photos as we attempted manual cave photography. I’m definitely a novice at this, and my snapshots on auto function still turn out better than those in manual settings. I’ll keep working on that, though.
Once on his feet to pose for photos, Hayden joined in the exploration. He discovered a stalagmite that glows for a couple of seconds when illuminated with a flash, so he and Howard showed that off for us a few times.
We took a few more pictures, explored some more and then headed out of the Throne Room and back, we hoped, toward the cave entrance.
Ken had told us upfront that he had an easier time finding his way out of the cave than into it, and this held true. While we managed to throw in a few more wrong turns, and gave Ken the opportunity to trip over the same rock one more time, we did get back to the entrance without too much trouble. We noted the breakdown that looked (a little) like a set of jaws. As you enter the cave turn right there, toward a passage with a very large rock, and you’ll be going toward the Throne Room.
Anyway, after a few wrong turns we pulled the compass back out and headed northwest. We got to the entrance with just a little bit of daylight remaining. Ken took one last picture at the cave entrance and we headed back to the Pinehurst Motel.
After taking a few minutes to get cleaned up at the motel, we feasted on pizza (except for Hayden, who continued his all-carb diet with plain spaghetti) at Cucci’s. With full bellies, we went back to the motel, enjoyed hot showers and a game of movie trivia that Ken had brought along for entertainment.
The trip back on Sunday was uneventful. Hayden put his new driver’s license to good use and drove us home, and Ken helped me compile a list of all the caves I’ve been in. With his help in recording those caves, I decided it was time for me to give him a break from writing the trip reports and give it a shot for the first time. I still have a lot to learn about cave photography, but the exploration and photo attempts were a lot of fun.
Howard and Hayden Holgate and I had all had to cancel a caving trip just three weeks earlier, so we were anxious to get underground. Ken Walsh was gracious enough to organize a photography trip to Paxton’s Cave in western Virginia for Saturday, February 23.
The four of us met on Friday evening and began our adventure. After stopping for dinner at Los Tres Magueyes, where Hayden dined on a plate of rice, we continued our journey to Covington, Va.
Words can’t really describe what awaited us at the lovely and rustic Pinehurst Motel. Really, they can’t. I should have taken a picture so that I can share it with all of you. However, with my camera buried in my Pelican case with my caving gear in Howard’s truck, I will just have to rely on the memory of the décor emblazoned in my mind.
The first thing that Hayden noticed was that the dark wood paneling on the walls was actually real wood. That wood paneling was on the bottom four feet or so of the wall. It’s what was on the top portion of the walls – and the curtains – that have my eyes still straining to see a 3-D image in the patterns. Yes, that’s plural. The wall paper was a very busy pattern consisting of two- or three-inch shapes in brown , turquoise and black. The curtains, surrounded on three sides by the lovely wallpaper, was a very different – and also very busy – pattern in various shades of red and blue. It was a sight to behold. Next time you take a trip to Paxton’s Cave, I recommend room 32 (I think) at the Pinehurst Motel.
While the decorations were not what I would have chosen (which is good, since those patterns have not been sold during my lifetime), the room was comfortable and clean, so we got a good night’s sleep before heading into the cave the following day.
After loading up on carbs for breakfast on Saturday, we headed to Paxton’s Cave. We briefly met the landowners, signed the log book, and headed to the cave. There was a nice waterfall at the cave entrance, but we managed to get into the cave without getting wet.
Ken had studied the map, but warning us that this was a cave he struggled with finding his way around, turned over the navigation duties with a shrunken map to Hayden. The first objective was to find the Throne Room.
Well, we didn’t exactly accomplish that mission in a timely manner. After what I would guess was about two hours of walking around in various circles (and watching Ken trip over the same rock three or four times), we finally pulled out a compass, studied the map (which was not overly helpful) and determined to head generally southeast. That got us on track. We moved away from the rock that kept jumping out and tripping Ken, and eventually found some passages that did not look familiar to us. Well, to me, Howard or Hayden, who were in our inaugural voyage to Paxton’s Cave. We welcomed Ken’s shout of “This looks right!” as we finally neared the elusive Throne Room.
We had enjoyed exploring along the way and had paused for a few photo opportunities here or there, but the Throne Room was a welcome sight. It did not disappoint. The Thorne Room had all kinds of interesting formations. Ken and I pulled out our cameras and started taking a lot of snapshots. Climbing over breakdown while trying to protect my camera proved to be the greatest challenge of the day. But it worked, and I took photos of helictites, soda straws, bats (there were quite a few in this cave), various unknown formations and a couple of stalagmites. As Ken and I snapped away, Howard did some exploring and Hayden rested. Eventually Ken and I recruited Howard and Hayden to pose for some photos as we attempted manual cave photography. I’m definitely a novice at this, and my snapshots on auto function still turn out better than those in manual settings. I’ll keep working on that, though.
Once on his feet to pose for photos, Hayden joined in the exploration. He discovered a stalagmite that glows for a couple of seconds when illuminated with a flash, so he and Howard showed that off for us a few times.
We took a few more pictures, explored some more and then headed out of the Throne Room and back, we hoped, toward the cave entrance.
Ken had told us upfront that he had an easier time finding his way out of the cave than into it, and this held true. While we managed to throw in a few more wrong turns, and gave Ken the opportunity to trip over the same rock one more time, we did get back to the entrance without too much trouble. We noted the breakdown that looked (a little) like a set of jaws. As you enter the cave turn right there, toward a passage with a very large rock, and you’ll be going toward the Throne Room.
Anyway, after a few wrong turns we pulled the compass back out and headed northwest. We got to the entrance with just a little bit of daylight remaining. Ken took one last picture at the cave entrance and we headed back to the Pinehurst Motel.
After taking a few minutes to get cleaned up at the motel, we feasted on pizza (except for Hayden, who continued his all-carb diet with plain spaghetti) at Cucci’s. With full bellies, we went back to the motel, enjoyed hot showers and a game of movie trivia that Ken had brought along for entertainment.
The trip back on Sunday was uneventful. Hayden put his new driver’s license to good use and drove us home, and Ken helped me compile a list of all the caves I’ve been in. With his help in recording those caves, I decided it was time for me to give him a break from writing the trip reports and give it a shot for the first time. I still have a lot to learn about cave photography, but the exploration and photo attempts were a lot of fun.
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