Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

Minnesota

Speleology

Monthly

February 1999 Editor’s Note: In order to give a complete view of this years TAG trip, the participants from the MSS chose to each write about a separate day of the trip. Additionally, a copy of each report was given to each of the TAGers to give any comments that they thought needed to be included. As Matt pointed out when he called me to warn me of the package of reports, pictures, and maps that was on its way to my house, “I sent instructions on how to make comments and each person followed the rule differently”. So, in the interest of clarity we worked out this format. The comments for each report are in brackets and italics.

1998 MSS TAG TRIP 18-27 September 98 Hank Boudinot, Evelyn Townsend, Matt Kramar, Nancy Kramar, Rick Nelson, Kristen Nielsen, Bill Schmidt, Randy Waslien

Vol. 31 No. 2 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Contents ○

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Articles Monthly Meeting Minutes ........................ 12 Board Meeting Minutes ............................ 21 Cave Farm News ...................................... 14 Highlights ................................................. 17 Coming Events ......................................... 22 Press Release ............................................ 19

Trip reports TAG Overview ......................................... 11 Neversink Pit ............................................ 13 Cemetery Pit ............................................. 15 Two Caves ................................................ 16 Gonk Day ................................................. 17 Cagle’s Chasm Complex .......................... 18 Wilkins Hollow Horror Hole .................... 20

Overview by Matt Kramar TAG is the karst area, known for the high concentration of vertical cave, located at the juncture of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The primary purpose of the trip was to get a great group of people together for a good time under the guise of a vertical caving trip. Caving wise, it was specifically intended to offer an opportunity to use Single Rope Technique (SRT) skills and to practice rigging skills. It was a recreational trip, to previously known caves. In general, pits were in the 150-200-foot range. To optimize use of time and to keep challenges appropriate to individual skills, as well as on the fun side of challenging, all caves had been visited before by at least one trip member. Everyone on the trip had previously demonstrated current abilities with basic vertical SRT; including ascending and descending systems, tag lines, deviations, rebelays, in line knots, and basic improvisation and self rescue. For several cavers this trip would be the first time to use their skills in other than practice or short (i.e., Minnesota cave) vertical situations. Of the eight participants, four (Rick, Bill, Kristen, and Randy) were TAG virgins. Everyone else had been on one to five previous TAG trips. An interesting note: It was a pleasant change for me to be a young pup in a group that averaged 49 years of age! This year we traveled in style. Kristen and Randy were setting out on the road again in Huckster, their RV, with TAG as their first stop. Hank and Evelyn accompanied them on the

way down and returned with the rest of us. Bill, Rick, Nancy and I rode down in the Schmidt RV. With room to move about, beds for resting, a fridge full of beverages and food, TV and VCR, cell phones, computer with active map and GPS data, lots of room for cave stuff, a second vehicle in tow for each RV, and a bunch of fun hogs on board, travel was actually fun rather than a task of “getting there”. Before I turn this report over to the day-by-day accounts of the other trip members, there is one “cave visit” which their reports neglected to mention. As the week progressed one member in particular, often with others accompanying in harmony, whined louder and more eloquently of the long uphill approaches to all the caves. So on the way home, in accord with this person’s interests and context of relaxation, we made a side trip to Lynchburg, TN, site of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. How appropriate it was then when the tour guide explained that the tour on which we were about to embark would involved the following: The tour would finish near the cave and spring from whence issues the famous water that goes into the making Mr. Jack’s fine products but only after walking about one mile and ascending about 150 stairs. _______________ [E.T.: Fun trip down to camp ground sharing Randy and Kristen’s rig and home. We were early in leaving the cities and late ariving and the phones didn’t work so we couldn’t contact the other motor home groups.] [B.S.: The only way to fly!] [H.B.: RV is true bliss!]

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See the MSS on the Web at http://www2.bitstream.net/~mss Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MINNESOTA SPELEOLOGICAL SURVEY ISSUE 286 President Rick Nelson (612) 753-0087 Vice President Joe Terwilliger (507) 263-4142 Secretary and Correspondence David Gerboth (612) 891-3193 Treasurer & Membership Bill Schmidt (651) 455-1299 Director of Publications Keith Nelson (612) 781-0513 Editor Keith Nelson 3650 Van Buren St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 (612) 781-0513 email [email protected] Librarian David Gerboth (612) 891-3193 Published by the MINNESOTA SPELEOLOGICAL SURVEY (MSS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the exploration and study of caves. The MSS is affiliated with the NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Cave Ave., Huntsville, AL 35810. Reproduction of material is encouraged with the acknowledgment and permission of the source. The views stated herein are not necessarily those of the editor or of the MSS. Send correspondence to Minnesota Speleological Survey, P.O. Box 763, South Saint Paul, MN 55075

MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1999 MSS MONTHLY MEETING by David Gerboth PRESENT(18): Mark Abbott, Calvin Alexander, Jen Cuff, David Gerboth, Randy Hanson, Ryan & Zak Johnson, Marshall Mulvihill, Rick Nelson, Rich Ness, Doug Noel, Rick Olson, Victor Parker, Mark & Sarah Sandmann, Bill Schmidt, Joe Terwilliger, Evelyn Townsend. We decided to meet in our alternate room because it was warmer. COMING EVENTS: President Rick Nelson led the meeting by covering the coming events (See Coming Events p. XX).

CAVE TRIPS: SPRING VALLEY CAVERNS: Mark Sandmann reported on his New Year’s tour in Spring Valley Caverns. KRUGER’S CAVE: Zak and Evelyn reported on a recent visit to Kruger’s Cave. One person was able find the main door-to-door connection between the front and back portions. Some were able to squeeze into and see the decorated Calypso Room. Raccoon droppings deterred pushing some of the passages.

HIGHLIGHTS: David Gerboth gave the highlights and Cave Farm news. (See Highlights & Cave Farm News p. XX).

OLD BUSINESS: RESCUE CALL OUT LISTS: Evelyn Townsend announced that she is planning to tour the U.S. later this year around June. She turned over her work on the call outlists to the MSS for a new volunteer to maintain them. She went on to say that we need to get SE Minnesota groups involved with these lists and the MSS should continue to work out the sites for rescue gear. NON-PROFIT STATUS: Randy is looking into websites but needs more time to research whether the MSS can apply for it. This status can save us money in postage costs. MYSTERY CAVE MAPPING: David Gerboth updated the group on the current status of the Mystery Cave mapping. The DNR is interested in incorporating the survey of Mystery Cave into a new version of ArcView (a GIS mapping software). He was not sure if what he was doing in Compass was compatible with what they are planning to do and suspended reconstruction of the survey database until learning more (see Highlights for more of an update).

NEW BUSINESS: NEW VOLUNTEERS: Rick Nelson asked for new volunteers for helping the MSS with its affairs and projects. We are seeking “new blood” to keep the MSS healthy. GOLIATH’S CAVE: Calvin filled us in on the situation with the quarry development over Goliath’s Cave (See Highlights). He is not very optimistic that any good will come from this. The best thing would be if the DNR is able to stop the development of a quarry in Jessie’s Grove that will destroy the cave. Our only hope at this time is the possibility that the DNR way purchase the property.

PROGRAM: NSS slides of Lechuguilla Cave. Many features of the cave were covered. WRAP-UP: Meeting was adjourned. The group broke up with some going to Stub & Herb’s to continue discussions over food and drink.

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

Neversink Pit Location: (near Scottsboro, TN) By: Bill Schmidt Date: September 20th 1998 After a good nigh’ts sleep, we were up at about 6 a.m. and Hank Boudinot made his way into our RV for his morning coffee. Rick Nelson was up next with the same idea! I guess it was time for me to also greet the day. After a quick campground breakfast, we set the plans that were made last evening in motion, and loaded our gear which consisted of 8 or 9 packs and the balance of our crew into my RV and headed for Neversink Pit.

on a tree and used a 5 wrap friction hitch. This was backed up with an attachment to another tree and also involved two rope pads at the edge of the pit. Hank, and Evelyn cautiously, rigged the second rope to a tree that had actually grown out, into and over the 160-foot. open-air pit. A beiner was placed about six feet up from the bottom-most part of the tree and was held in place by two independent web runners that were wrapped around the tree. This was backed up with an attachment to another tree. [H.B. Rigging the tree drop was a real knee-knocker, pucker power experience. I was a truly ardent tree hugger while doing this rigging. The tree root, once you step off it, is a 164-foot straight down drop off. Also, with Nancy Kramar hanging on to my britches while rigging, it was nice to have her hands all over me!]

Matt road shotgun as we left Goose Pound Colony campground and followed directions (and Matt’s memory) through Scottsboro, AL for a 45 minute drive. We reached the wooded parking area, just adjacent to a fell worn trail that let up the mountain to the pit.

As we approached the pit area, it became very apparent that we should pay close attention to safety and our proximity to the pit. What a hole!

Rick and I took advantage of everyone’s interests in rigging at preserved the activities on film and videotape. (Please see us for a peek.)

Photo by Matt Kramar

Next was the climb up the mountain. This was a 30 to 40 minute hike as I recall which led up the trail and through a far amount of karst. By the time I got to the pit, I was shot! (Little did I know, this was one of the easiest mountain hikes of the week).

Matt and Nancy Kramar rigged the third rope, which actually led up to high ground and was attached to two trees. The main rigging was also a friction hitch and was backed up to a second tree. This rope also had a rope pad placed at the edge of the pit.

Now for the fun part! Which rope to use? Watch that first step! Can you say “Pucker Factor” (See one of us if you don’t understand.)

Kristen, Randy, and Evelyn ascending in Neversink. (Arrow shows cavers)

As the day went on, we all had ample opportunity to try as many variations of down-this-one-andup-the-other as we wanted.

The area was decorated with beautiful green foliage and moss, and had the pleasant sound of falling water as it ran from the surrounding higher ground and into the pit.

I, for one, realized I was in for some exercise when I got home. This is a lot of work, but well worth it! (I did almost keep up with Evelyn.)

Next was to unpack and start rigging. As this was as much of a training trip as it was an adventure, Matt stood back and provided guidance and let the rest of the crew do most of the rigging. Randy Waslien and Kristen worked on one of the three ropes which was rigged about 5ft up from the ground

As all good things come to an end, it was time to de-rig and stuff it! (The ropes that is). Pack up and back down the mountain. What a great day!

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

CAVE FARM NEWS by Brian Robertson

CAVE FARM PROPERTY: BLIND VALLEY PURCHASE: The surveyor has finally completed the physical survey for the proposed Blind Valley purchase. Rick Christianson (the owner) and John will study the drawing and revise the acreage to roughly 10 acres. Then the formal legal description and official survey will be presented to John’s attorneys who will handle the mounds of paperwork in preparation for the closing. John is excited about this annex to the Cave Farm. This parcel will be physically connected by an easement to the rest of the Cave Farm property. By next year at this time John expects to be surveying the caverns that are lurking under this area and beyond.

CAVE FARM BUILDING: BUILDER BUCKLES: John had finally come to an agreement with the builder regarding the final building cost. The owner of the construction firm slashed almost $15,000 from his invoice after admitting “it was padded a bit.” John has escrowed $5,000 until the leaky arch and other problems are corrected. HOME AWAY FROM HOME: During the recent cold snap the main floor of the new building leveled out at a modest 40 degrees. The humidity stabilized at 50 percent which kept the environment dry and comfortable. Some moisture was evident around the windows and front door as expected, but nothing serious. This means that Ted Ford will be able to plan and build the loft using treated wood.

SPRING VALLEY CAVERNS: SVC I RESTORATION: Restoration continues along the main route. Sure, its easy to say that the original owner was lazy because he simply dumped the heaps of rocks all along the trail sites, but after you have personally hauled out a few thousand pounds you begin to realize what a grueling undertaking this really is. This is our cave too, let’s pitch in and help restore the main trail. BREAKTHROUGH: The project that John and Dave have been working on in SVC II has produced some virgin cave, but nothing like expected. A 10-foot wide “shelf” was discovered that continued out of sight. It is not tall enough to enter however and does not produce any air movement. The main lead continues ahead with plenty of wind but no indication that it may open up any time soon. Due to the logistics of removing the blast rubble this project may be tabled. John and Dave have already widened a 40-foot long passage which led to this site, hoping to find a northerly extension of SVC.

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January 1999

ANOTHER BREAKTHROUGH: Doctor Kennedy finally made it into SVC II! Those long months of dieting finally paid off. He was amazed at the numerous formations and pristine condition in this section.

MISC.: QUARRY HILL NATURE CENTER: John and his family recently visited Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester. John was very impressed with the natural surroundings and wide variety of displays. It is apparent that there is a real need for more space, hence everyone is anticipating the upcoming expansion. John noticed a good deal of space being devoted for displaying bones from other states but did not see anything (but a few snapshots on a hallway wall) on bats or caves. If the folks at Quarry Hill were made aware of the unique karst features located only a few minutes south of their nature center they would surely devote some space to their local prize, rather than highlighting other regions. We have to believe that almost all the visitors are from OUR area and would rather learn about OUR special and unique resources. Mystery Cave is the 42nd longest cave in the U.S. and boasts one of the premier commercial tours in the country. Spring Valley Caverns will no doubt soon be included in the top 100 longest caves in the U.S. and is known for its wild and undisturbed beauty. Both are homes to many different bat species. Knowing this, John is confident that the new addition will address these most important local treasures. ALASKAN CAVE PRODUCTS: John was recently presented a prized Alaskan Cave Product. A four-rung Deluxe Cable Ladder Towel Holder was presented to John after he hung his damp polypropylene hood near the wood furnace to expedite the drying time (due to a scheduled cave trip the following day). Sure enough, the hood found its way to the furnace front and left a nice liquid remnant of its former self. Mark Sandmann, the Alaskan Cave Products founder and president, personally delivered this gift to John’s home in hopes of warding off the fire risk in his county. John was honored, especially knowing that this is also Wisconsin’s most sought after vertical gear product. WHEW! Its one thing to learn that a particular fox is going to guard the chicken coop but its a hard pill to swallow when you learn that this chosen fox has never even been to a chicken coop. Everyone at the Cave Farm breathed a sigh of relief when Alan Horner backed away from his upcoming position as chief DNR Commissioner.

Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

CEMETERY PIT September 21 1998 By: Nancy Kramar The turn of weather to a torrential downpour on our second day easily persuaded us to change our plan from doing Cagle’s Chasm, an open air pit cave, to do Cemetery Pit, a cave with a semi-sheltered entrance drop and a couple of miles of mazey passage below.

ing and raining and raining. Three hours from the beginning of rigging, Matt emerged from the cave. We had not floated away yet. The three of us descended and were almost to Earl’s ledge when we met the first group coming back. They had chosen to work their way to “Jason’s Twin Waterfalls,” then came back to the “Big Room” and followed the stream to the southwest and back to Earl’s Ledge and out.

Photo by Matt Kramar

Though going around a body-width ledge which slopes downward on the outside with a 40-foot. drop to the Big Room The approach to this cave is somewhat singular. However, floor was a bit airy, it was not difficult. [R.N. When I was maybe more unique was getting the Schmidt RV into that nar- coming out of the cave and coming around Earl’s Ledge, my row parking area. This was superbly handled by Mr. Bill who main light went out just as I went over a rock and started on could crunch that beast between trees with inches to spare and the crawl. I backed up slowly and put on my backup light to then turn it around to face out. However, he may have found a come the rest of the way out. (I always have two lights on my helmet when any rope work is involved)] We took an eastfew souvenir branches on top of it when he got home. wardly passage following the stream the other direction unWe hiked without happenstance through the woods to the free- til we finally found a way to get into the first big north/south running passage way and after looking (Fallen Pillar left (or was that our Dome Passage) to other left), we began just past the sump our ritualistic, orderly room and to the single-file crossings intersection of the when suddenly, arms next n/s passage. began waving wildly, At this point we bodies began running had been down helter-skelter and hidunder several eous screaming filled hours so it was the air. Safely on the time to turn back other side, I could not to meet our apimagine what had pointed time out. come over us! Must It would have have been the anticibeen a laugh for pation, though the anyone listening same thing happened to us all argue on the way back. Rick, Bill, Kristen, and Randy waiting under a tarp during a rain storm for over which direcMaybe then we were the rest of the group to exit Cemetery Pit. tion we should be anticipating supper. going, but at one Up at the cave (it was another short jag through a woods and time or other each of us had remembered a key formation or up a hill), Matt rigged the entrance pit and he and Bill rapelled rock that marked the route. But I think Hank gets the prize down and headed to Earl’s Ledge to rig the traverse line which for being the most vocal. He also gets the prize for being the before had always been left in place. It seems it now is a best human ladder for Evelyn and I on a few climbs and liability issue to leave it rigged. Matt and Bill flagged the stemming places. Once out, the rain had stopped, it was dark route so the three others following, whom never had been in and the rest of the group — Randy, Kristen, Bill, Rick and Cemetery Pit, could find the way. When that group, Randy, Matt — were waiting ready to go for supper. I thought I Kristen and Rick, got to Earl’s Ledge, the rigging was fin- heard those southern grits calling me. [H.B. I got to de-rig ished. They all traversed it, then Matt started back out of the this cave on the way out; for me this was a valuable and fun experience. we (Evelyn, Nancy and I) bickered our way cave to be the rope guard. through the cave and found our way into the back of the Meanwhile, Evelyn, Hank and I were topside hovering un- cave. Next time we finish it!] der a tarp with the gear, staying somewhat dry. It kept rain-

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Two Caves: The Pipeside Pit and Stephen’s Gap September 22nd 1998 By: Rick Nelson After a short night’s sleep and a quick breakfast of toast, coffee and cereal we headed out to Stephen’s Gap. It took a little bit longer to get out of camp because of our late arrival from the night before and we had to re-pack the gear for this trip. We all piled into Bill’s RV with all of the caving and climbing gear and were on our way by 8:30 AM. We were able to park just off of the road on this trip right by the quarry that none of us actually saw but the map and directions said was there. We followed Matt up the trail through the woods around the gooiest mud hole that I had ever seen ( up to that point ). It really amazed me that we had to climb up steep hills every day to get to the pits before we could go down them. After our hot and humid hike we stopped by a small clearing and Matt started setting up a drop into the Pipeside Pit. This small pit of 80 feet was not even worth a write up in most of the books that Matt had brought but it was a very decorated cave with large flow stone ending in draperies and stalactites. [E.T. Pipeside pit was new to me and the shield-like foundations new also.] After Matt and Bill dropped the pit and came up they took off up the trail to Stephen’s Gap while the rest of us looked around and took pictures. [B.S. A reminder, don’t rappel past the redirectinal. Practice, practice, practice.] When the last of us were up out of the

pit Randy, Kristin, and I packed things up and then headed up towards Stephen’s Gap. [H.B. Pipeline was very good practice and a pretty pit. Good formations and interesting structure.]

Photo by Matt Kramar

Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

By the time that we arrived at the top of the main drop Matt and Bill had finished rigging the Hank checks out the “spelunker” rigging: a shirt first drop. Bill tied to a bad anchor near the short drop in made the initial Stephen’s Gap. 143 ft. drop and climb up while Hank and Evelyn started rigging a pit. [E.T. Coming up the rope and seeing tyrolean traverse across the pit. [E.T. Randy laying in the air above me was a Rigging the tyrolean was fun.] After I sight – couldn’t even see the tyrolean made the drop I went into the cave to rope.] It was on one of these rappels see some of the other sights. [E.T. There down that I noticed that as my descender was a giant bullfrog down at the bot- got hot during my rappel it would cause tom.] It is amazing to see some of the the water in the rope to steam. A bit unrope left behind that some people will nerving to a beginner like me. It made trust their lives to. Pretty scary. [M.K. me think that I should slow down. We also rigged the 20-foot drop at the bottom of the “walk in” entrance.] After a full day of going up and down the rope, doing some caving, and being Coming back out into the main pit, I saw caught in a short rain shower, we Randy making the long climb back up the derigged all of the rope, packed up, and pit with the two ends of rope for the started back to the RV. The nice thing tyrolean. While Randy was making the about the walks back at the end of the long climb-up I took the short climb up a day was that they were all down hill. fallen tree trunk and a short eleven-foot going back to the RV was nice but befree climb that was backed up by a rope ing in the middle of the Bible Belt we and then climbed up the rubble and out had to be very discrete when changing. of the cave through the walk out entrance. We stopped that night for a good MexiRandy and Kristin along with Hank and can dinner and then, after cleaning up, Evelyn, rigged the ropes for the tyrolean called it a night. while the rest of us were bouncing the

Join the NSS and see the caving world

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

HIGHLIGHTS

FOR

January

1999

by David Gerboth

MSS: LARRY LAINE: (See notice in this issue. Obituary will appear in the next issue).

MINNESOTA: SEWER CLUB: A website was found titled “Sewering” maintained by a very active Twin Cities group complete with trip reports. This is not connected with our sewer expert Greg Brick.

FILLMORE COUNTY: MYSTERY CAVE SYSTEM: MAPPING UPDATE: Larry Laine researched the new GIS software the DNR has acquired (is ArcView not Artview). It takes only CAD files. What I have been doing for 6 months has no bearing on what goes on with this software as the plot from the survey database has to be converted into a CAD file. The plotting program COMPASS has the capability to do this. Calvin Alexander, Larry Laine and I were working out a game plan for mapping Mystery just days before Larry’s

Gonk Day (Night of the Cat) By: Evelyn Townsend The fourth day of the tag trip was a goof off day with breaking camp at Goose Pond Colony Campground and setting up camp at Sequoyah Caverns campground. Sequoyah Caverns is the site of the annual TAG events and they already had the bonfire wood built for it. This campground has a whole menagerie of animals to entertain you if you like – all ready to beg for food from the little 25-cent feed boxes. Bill and Rick took this day to crawl under Bill’s rig and repair an air hose. Everyone did laundry. Lunch was at Rising Fawn restaurant which was obviously being shunned by the huge truck stop adjacent. A 6-foot fence all around the little restaurant and just enough room to park, maybe 7-8 cars plus the driveway.

untimely death. All this will have to be revised. I am now seeking input from the MSS and the DNR on the possibility of doing a completely new survey of Mystery Cave establishing a survey standard and avoiding the pitfalls that we encountered previously. So far I have received very little feedback from the MSS on what has been done so far. I have been treating the silence as disinterest and have operated on the premise that the MSS is not up for a big survey project at this time so I been salvaging what has been previously done to get this full map underway. A carefully conducted new survey is better than a reconstructed survey with follow up trips to patch things up but keep in mind this is huge undertaking. Let me know and next month I will have more details and hopefully a clear new plan.

GOLIATH’S CAVE: TO BE QUARRIED: (See last month’s Highlights). Action to approve the permit by the county has been postponed a couple of months. The DNR is still seeking to purchase woods the cave is in.

Matt rigged the 55-foot-deep campground pit for those of us who wanted to visit this 100-foot cave. I was the first one down the rope and unknowingly rubbed against and derigged the first deviation. The beaner was at the second deviation still on the rope, so Matt redid the first deviation. Randy found a tortoise down in the lower passages and brought it above ground. It did not want to venture out and about, but by the time we left the campground Friday morning it had moved maybe 6 inches? It probably had been washed down into the cave from a nearby sinkhole which connects to this cave. [R.N. As we crawled around this cave we noticed that a tremendous amount of glass had been washed in through a nearby sinkhole.]

twice in an attempt to get inside. We had to strongly convince it that it was not welcome. So then it just stayed outside the tent next to Hank and purred. This was a nice restful vacation day. [H.B. I needed this day off. Rest is good.]

Will Cave for Food

That night we watched Bill’s home videos of ourselves doing the pit as a calico cat joined the campsite. Later (early AM) when we got up and then returned to the tent, the cat crawled up the tent

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

Isn’t it time You write a trip report and send it to the MSS Monthly Cagle’s Chasm Complex: By: Randy Waslien and Kristen Nielsen This adventure began on Thursday, out of South Pittsburgh, Tennessee. Today we got to take all the ropes up hill. We hiked up the road and took a right at the junked refrigerator arriving around midmorning, The main pit at Cagle’s Chasm is an open air pit, however there are two other entrances. Randy, Kristen and Bill began rigging the main pit drop. This was the longest drop we did, approximately 180+ feet. Bill rigged the top deviation from a live tree that lays across the pit entrance. From this deviation it drops free to the bottom of the pit. [E.T. Doing this pit was like getting on a horse often falling off – I made it down without a problem this year. Two years ago a pulled muscle in my back prevented me from going into Cagle’s.]

The second entrance into Cagle’s Chasm is referred to as “jeepside” or E2. Matt rigged this drop while we were rigging the main pit. The entrance was fairly mundane, but within 20 feet you were in a world of incredible hanging draperies as you rappelled down about 100 feet. At the bottom of this pit there were other domes to explore and a small passage to a window in the main pit with another 80 foot drop. This route was a favorite for most of us. The pit was highly decorated and the formations were close around you. Another oddity of this rappel was the strange bat like creatures you met at many of the deviations. One bat had flashing red eyes! At the bottom of the 100-foot drop, you could walk into a dome area with a beautiful pool that gave you a view of people dropping the third pit. [E.T. The second and third entrances were new to me too and this time I saw all the pretties that I missed two years ago.]

Photo by Matt Kramar

There are two routes at the botMatt also rigged the third entom of the pit that can be extrance. I think this was a highplored. You. can scramble back to light for him because it was a waterfall and a large haystack something new for him to expeformation. There was no water rience. This drop was full of this fall due to the dry weather. many deviations ending in a The other route required a short room, leading to a large dome drop with rope. From there you with rim stone dams and pools. could walk into a large room This cave with all it’s different where we all took off our vertical routes kept everyone really busy gear in order to negotiate a tight Evelyn rappelling through decoration in going up one route and down squeeze through some breakanother till we were near exhausdown. You could then walk/stoop Pipeside Pit. tion. For us (Randy and Kristen) through a pancake room to a large it was our favorite cave of the dome overlooking a pool. [B.S. week. We enjoyed the variety and challenges. We ended the We found a well-preserved section of stalactite about five inches day at Larry’s Buffiet and “trough”. We all ate copious in diameter and 15 inches long. It was actually broken in half amounts of food, again. We arrived back in camp about 9 and revealed the X-section area. You could clearly see the PM, showered and began packing for the “Longest Day” original soda straw in the center of the formation, we took a (Wilkin’s Horror Hole). [H.B. I liked the variety of this cave few pictures and reattached it to its resting place.] Most of us — lots to do. I ran 900 feet of rope through my gear that day stopped to eat and admire the formations at this point. — my personal best.]

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

Southeastern Cave Conservancy Acquires Historical Cave Property by: Mark Wolinsky, Acquisitions Chairman The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) received it’s first cave preserve in West Virginia on October 27, 1998. The 29.5 acre preserve is home to the historically significant Lobelia Saltpeter Cave, named after the nearby community and saltpeter mining artifacts found in the cave that were likely used in mining operations during the Civil War. Though no artifacts remain, saltpeter mining is still evidenced by trenches cut into the dry clay floor of the cave. A legacy of ownership by persons dedicated to the protection of caves contin-

ues. The land and cave were donated to the cave conservancy by Mr. Marshall Fausold, a long time caver who wanted the cave and the land above to be protected from development. Mr. Fausold purchased the property from another well known caver - Peter M. Hauer. Lobelia Saltpeter Cave was explored and surveyed by the Pittsburg Grotto of the National Speleological Society in 1992 and is over 1,075 meters in length. The upper levels of the cave are dry and contain the nitrate rich soils used in the making of Gunpowder. A sizable stream occupies the lower levels. The cave is located in a watershed known as the Upper Spring Creek Valley and plays a significant role in local karst hydrology. Future plans include an inventory of the cave flora and fauna and research into historical uses of the cave.

The SCCi is a non profit 501 (c) 3 corporation focused on the preservation of significant caves and karst lands in the Southeastern United States. The conservancy owns or leases 26 caves on 13 cave preserves totaling 662 acres in six states. Management of these unique underground resources ranges from open access to experienced cavers, where that access does not harm threatened or endangered cave wildlife, to limited or no access where the cave has sensitive biological, historical, anthropological or geological conditions. Properties under management of the SCCi have access and management policies adopted by a board and may be obtained by writing the Office of the Secretary, 356 O’Brian Drive, Stone Mtn., GA 30088 or you may visit their informative web site at www.scci.org.

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

Wilkins Hollow Horror Hole or: This Cave Deserves Its Name! By: Hank Boudinot Our fearless guru, rope tactician, and main navigator, Sir Matthew the Kramar, had decided to save this somewhat difficult cave for our last trip. It was an excellent choice: After this trip, Evelyn and I spent six hours cleaning gear and three hours cleaning rope. The tour included Matt and Nancy Kramar, Randy Waslein, Kristin Nielsen, Evelyn Townsend, Bill Schmidt, Rick Nelson and myself. The hike up the mountain was one of the longer hikes and, since the cave was very likely wet, we all had extra gear for cold water protection. It made the packs much heavier. As luck would have it, the cave was extremely dry — the gear unnecessary. The start into the cave involved a lot of down-climbing breakdown — strenuous and careful moves involved. Fun stuff. Our first rappel was only 20 feet, but a nuisance. Imagine rigging your climbing gear while laying on your back, sliding over a wall, and starting a gear-assisted rappel out of a flat crack only 24 inches high. Once we were down the rope, I was lost (as almost was my pack which I gracefully kicked off the ledge — it rolled for two or three minutes.) The room we entered was huge (700’ x 100’ x 80’/100’). It was by far the largest cave room I’ve ever been in. We worked our way through this room over, around and, eventually, under huge, loose piles of breakdown slabs. Our electric lights looked totally lost in a room this size. We all worked our way over to the center of the room where there was a wall full of fantastic formations: pillars, clouds, ribbons and all. Very impressive. I was standing on the huge breakdown slabs and asked everyone, “Where’s Matt?” “You’re standing on him.” Turns out that the Large Pit (165’) was at the end of a tunnel under this huge slab. It was a Horror Hole — the name was accurate. Matt’s rigging, as usual, was excellent — I thought this particular 165-foot rappel was a pain — too much time walking the wall, bouncing off rocks. There was maybe 100 feet of free drop. Evelyn, Nancy and I kind of teamed up for the rest of this trip. We were deciding how much energy we had left, but the truest test of our stamina was yet to come. We left the bottom of the Large Pit and worked our way over to a 30foot drop (out of another 24-inch crack) into the infamous “Okeefenokee Swamp.” Very well named. Imagine rappelling

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30-feet down into knee-high boot sucking clay mud! Sloosh, clomp, squish — we worked our way through about 60 feet of this goo in order to get to the next area — another 100foot drop over a flowstone ledge. Matt, Bill, Rick, Randy and Kristen did this last 100-foot drop into the lowest part of the cave. Evelyn, Nancy and I felt too beat up, so we didn’t do this last drop. Even so, at this point we were 413 feet underground: the rest of the crew bottomed out at 513 feet underground. A very impressive and challenging cave, but, no tight spots! Just lots of good, strenuous careful caving involved in navigating through this cave. At this point, Evelyn had her wits about her, although Bill almost out sped her. Remember the 30-foot rope into the Okeefenokee Swamp? Well, in caving, what comes down must go up, and the first one to that rope was using a clean rope to climb out. It was Evelyn’s finest tour de force. Everyone else who went up that rope had to squeegee the mud off the rope as we climbed. It was gross. Once all of us assembled at the 165-foot climb, everyone had a lot of time to wait so people either used candles with tents or lots of extra clothes to keep from becoming hypothermic. It was taking 15 minutes or more for each of us to climb 165 feet out. Matt went last so he figured about 1 1/2 hour wait. Bill lead on the way out — his pathfinding skills were excellent. Up climbing all the breakdown and rock chutes went well. Everyone passed packs up and assisted when needed — a really good group to cave with. Everyone worked so well together, passing packs, ropes, etc. up (and down) the difficult climbs; it really helped all of us to work together as a team. This is a hard cave, but a lot of fun: our trip in the cave was 11-12 hours. I think that a group of 4-5 would have made better time, but we all had lots of good company. We hiked out at midnight, tired but hungry and safe. Good trip! [B.S. Glad we saved this one for last!] [R.N. Highlights: - Finding Hank’s Pack - People getting turned around in the big room and not finding the rope. - The muddy ropes.]

Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 1999 MSS BOARD MEETING by David Gerboth PRESENT: David Gerboth, Rick Nelson, Bill Schmidt, Joe Terwilliger Held 7pm Saturday at Bill Schmidt’s home in his office. LARRY LAINE: With the sudden news of his death, the Board agreed to send flowers to his memorial. Since it is too late to get much into the next issue of the newsletter, we will post a notice. Dave plans to write an obituary for the following issue. EMAIL: Keith Nelson is making the newsletter available in email form. Subscribing members that would like to receive their newsletter via email need to request it as a option. MEMBERSHIP LIST: Sorry about the lack of changes in the new published membership list that just went out. Bill Schmidt is still in the process of calling the active members. When he is done, he will update the membership list with new area codes and email addresses. When this is done, a special release could be made in a few months. POST CARDS: After the membership list is updated, a post card will be mailed to active members whose membership is about to expire (on the final month). The post card is a reminder to renew. Also a one time mailing will go out to all

expired members with the hopes some will renew. Bill Schmidt will design the post card layout. NEW MEMBERS: The following were made full members: MSS #373 Carl LeVake MSS #374 Kelly LeVake Due to a current drop in membership, there was a discussion about the need to build up the membership. A healthy organization needs new people or it stagnates. The trick is to get them to be part of us (taking up responsibilities). SAFETY & RESCUE: Joe Terwilliger volunteered to handle the call-out lists that Evelyn Townsend has gathered. He will also monitor the first aid tubes that Rick Nelson has just revamped and will deal with the placement of rescue gear. He has been placed on this year’s annual report as the MSS safety coordinator and he plans to attend an NCRC rescue orientation scheduled in two months held at Illinois Caverns. ANNUAL REPORT: Dave will prepare the annual report for the NSS. This year the NSS will accept reports by email. Dave will see if this can be done this year and will use the new computer version offered last year. He had a rough draft of MSS accomplishments for 1998 and some unreported entries were added. Meeting was adjourned.

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NSS MEMBER? # Do you consider the MSS your primary Grotto? Y

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Check below what you have, in case of emergency Membership w/newsletter Member w/o newsletter

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NCRC rescue training 4-Wheel Drive vehicle Vertical Gear Wetsuit

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Minnesota Speleology Monthly Vol. 31 NO. 2

Coming Events February 10, 1999

MSS Meeting

7pm Rm 110, Pillsbury Hall, U of M Minneapolis.

Feburary 20, 1999

Deadline For the Monthly

Send your submisions to the editor.

March 10, 1999

MSS Meeting

7pm Rm 110, Pillsbury Hall, U of M Minneapolis.

March 13-14, 1999

NCRC Cave Rescue Training Class Basic Orientation to Cave Rescue

Bloomington, IN. Contact Amanda Clark

March 27-28, 1999

NCRC Cave Rescue Training Class Basic Orientation to Cave Rescue

Illinois Caverns, IL. Contact Amanda Clark

• Amanda Clark NCRC Central Region Coordinator 1202 1/2 N. Fess Ave. Bloomington, IN 47408 [email protected] PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS • Anyone interested in Cave Farm Projects (Digs, Survey, Exploration) • Anyone interested in Survey and Dig at Niagara Cave, Contact David Gerboth (612) 891-3193 or [email protected].

MINNESOTA SPELEOLOGY MONTHLY P.O. Box 763 South St. Paul, MN 55075

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