Post by Sharon Faulkner on Dec 13, 2005 10:01:57 GMT -5
Casey and I got up on Saturday morning, December 10, 2005 with plans to join Huntsville Grotto on a trip to Shelta Cave (AMD 4), before driving up to Tennessee for the Cumberland Caverns Christmas Party (CCCP). With a morning low of 19 degrees, it took several cups of coffee, and a strong desire to go caving to motivate me out the door. However, once we got started and by the time we arrived at the NSS Office in Huntsville, it had almost reached 40 degrees. Upon arrival, we did not waste much time before signing in and heading into the cave. I had made prior arrangements to have webbing available so that Casey would have a top belay while climbing down the 40-foot entrance ladder. Jim Hall was on hand and provided Casey’s belay, while I climbed directly beneath her. She did fine, climbing down the ladder without incident.
Once reaching bottom we ran into other folks meandering amongst the passages, climbed over breakdown sections, tromped through thick mud, and enjoyed the visit.
We also saw some of the ongoing research areas in the cave, which is interesting to note. Coming back out Casey had no problems climbing up the ladder with me immediately behind her. As we were heading back to the truck, we ran into Bill Torode who was cleaning up the property where some trees had been blown down during last Saturday night’s (December 3) thunderstorms and straight-line winds. By the way, a dozen or so of us were camped on Scottsboro Mountain when this storm came through some time after midnight. Some wicked lightening included, though overall it was relatively short-lived.
After changing clothes and stopping for something warm to eat, we drove to Cumberland Caverns arriving about 30 minutes before dinner. This was Casey’s first time to visit this cave and she was slightly puzzled with the handrails near the entrance and the electric lights placed through out the cave. I tried to explain about commercial caves, but I’m not sure she has grasped the concept yet. The food was fine, and the choral group was good, and a nice opportunity to visit with folks you only see on occasion.
See this thread for photos from the CCCP: nssmembersforum.proboards28.com/index.cgi?board=US&action=display&thread=1129816792
That's it...another fine weekend in TAG.
Once reaching bottom we ran into other folks meandering amongst the passages, climbed over breakdown sections, tromped through thick mud, and enjoyed the visit.
We also saw some of the ongoing research areas in the cave, which is interesting to note. Coming back out Casey had no problems climbing up the ladder with me immediately behind her. As we were heading back to the truck, we ran into Bill Torode who was cleaning up the property where some trees had been blown down during last Saturday night’s (December 3) thunderstorms and straight-line winds. By the way, a dozen or so of us were camped on Scottsboro Mountain when this storm came through some time after midnight. Some wicked lightening included, though overall it was relatively short-lived.
After changing clothes and stopping for something warm to eat, we drove to Cumberland Caverns arriving about 30 minutes before dinner. This was Casey’s first time to visit this cave and she was slightly puzzled with the handrails near the entrance and the electric lights placed through out the cave. I tried to explain about commercial caves, but I’m not sure she has grasped the concept yet. The food was fine, and the choral group was good, and a nice opportunity to visit with folks you only see on occasion.
See this thread for photos from the CCCP: nssmembersforum.proboards28.com/index.cgi?board=US&action=display&thread=1129816792
That's it...another fine weekend in TAG.