October 8-11 2009
Second TAG Fall Cave-in. Hosted on top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia by the Dogwood City Grotto. 1100 (appx) cavers in attendance. Wet and muddy this year. Opening day was nice however Friday was overcast all day with a squall about 7:30pm bringing heavy rains and 60mph winds. We had roughly one hour to prepare for the storm, stowed and secured all food and non-waterproof items into safe areas and secured all belongings outdoors. Storm passed in roughly one hour. Saturday was overcast all day with light showers at night about the same time the bonfire was lit. All things seemed to go off without a hitch, vendors were prepared and it seemed most cavers in attendance were as well. We camped with our neighbors from last year, Jennifer and Greg Wilson in roughly the same spot.
Bible Springs Cave
October 9, 2009
Wendy Shirah, Jennifer and Greg Wilson, Ginger Bankston, and myself went into Bible Springs Cave in Kimball, TN. Wet cave, about thigh to waist deep through the majority of it. This was my first true wet cave, water at 56 Degrees Farenheit throughout. Relatively short cave which Ginger Bankston had extensive knowledge of. Three small waterfalls in the first area of the cave, one of which we had to climb, approximately six feet tall. One room that was above water, very very muddy and the ceiling had a small hole that we were able to climb into to reveal another room. Above room was full of stalagtites, some of which were several feet long. Towards the back of the cave was a roughly 45 ft hands and knees crawl through chest deep water. I went second behind Ginger. Thought I was going to freeze to death. All-in-all a very fun cave and a good experience for my first wet cave.
Footnote:
Missed our second cave in Cloudland Canyon on Saturday due to missing an alarm clock, wet gear, and inclimate weather. The hangover didn't help the situation any, either. By all accounts we didn't miss much, apparently the cave was nearly flooded because of all the rainfall in the last few weeks.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Ocala Caverns
August 8 2009
Ocala Caverns:
Met with Steve Nemeth, Wendy Shirah, and Jon Singley at Ocala Caverns. Former commercial cave and once used in a Tarzan movie. Short wet cave, water level was lower than usual (so I was told, this was my first trip). Man-made staircase at the entrance as well as a pyramid shaped structure above it, once a prop in the movie. Water was around ankle deep except towards the back of the cave where it drops into a pit roughly ten feet deep.
Aracnaphobia Cave:
Small cave, more like a large karst feature than a cave, small entrance leading down about ten feet into another room. Lots of insects but not much else. Accompanied by Steve Nemeth and Wendy Shirah.
Fissure Cave:
Another small, roughly 30 ft. cave. One room with a tunnel leading around it, enterance at the north end of the cave and exited at the west end of the cave. Attempted to crawl through it behind Steve Nemeth, however started feeling a little chlostraphobic a few feet in and decided to back out.
Footnote:
Went with Wendy Shirah and Steve Nemeth to try and enter Tucks and Lundy in Belleview, Fl. Landowner was not able to be reached to secure access so we decided not to enter. Nice looking entrances to both, well maintained, but never had a chance to get in the caves themselves.
Ocala Caverns:
Met with Steve Nemeth, Wendy Shirah, and Jon Singley at Ocala Caverns. Former commercial cave and once used in a Tarzan movie. Short wet cave, water level was lower than usual (so I was told, this was my first trip). Man-made staircase at the entrance as well as a pyramid shaped structure above it, once a prop in the movie. Water was around ankle deep except towards the back of the cave where it drops into a pit roughly ten feet deep.
Aracnaphobia Cave:
Small cave, more like a large karst feature than a cave, small entrance leading down about ten feet into another room. Lots of insects but not much else. Accompanied by Steve Nemeth and Wendy Shirah.
Fissure Cave:
Another small, roughly 30 ft. cave. One room with a tunnel leading around it, enterance at the north end of the cave and exited at the west end of the cave. Attempted to crawl through it behind Steve Nemeth, however started feeling a little chlostraphobic a few feet in and decided to back out.
Footnote:
Went with Wendy Shirah and Steve Nemeth to try and enter Tucks and Lundy in Belleview, Fl. Landowner was not able to be reached to secure access so we decided not to enter. Nice looking entrances to both, well maintained, but never had a chance to get in the caves themselves.
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