Harrison Saltpeter Cave Trip 2-10-2007

[L Roebuck]

Today Paul "Bull" Snook, Frank Maynard and Steve Hambrick planned a caving trip for Boy Scout Troop 197, (Murfreesboro, TN) so we thought it was a good cold day to join them. Then we invited tncaveres and Joanna along on the trip. After PM'ing with tncaveres for months on the forum it was time to finally meet him. Anyway, we made plans to meet at Davis Hill Store and then head for the cave. We arrived at the cave got geared up and headed in to wait for the rest of the group. While waiting Brian led tncaveres and Joanna into a back portion of the cave that is normally inaccessible to cavers because it is blocked by a pool of water. While they were caving in the back I began to photo document some more of the historic signatures and wall markings in the cave. But it wasn't long until Troop 197 arrived and set up their gear for the night's planned camp out. After they were set up Bull began leading the Boy Scout's on the cave trip. Anyway, the last we saw them -they were all headed to a portion of the cave known as Hell Hole. You couldn't help but notice the testosterone vapor trail that followed the group. (Apparently I wasn't even afflicted by these vapors.) And so will let Tncaveres report on this portion of the trip.

Overview of today's Cavers below the 20' drop

Tncaveres

Brian helped with lighting photo's (the cave is filled with light-suckers ;D) and also helped decipher some of the names so they could be recorded. This cave is layered in graffiti so reading the old names and dates can be rather difficult at times. A few of the earlier signatures and dates recorded today: Bennit 1862, Shofner & Phillips1909, Harrison's 1949. On the way toward the entrance we picked up trash while waiting on the others to emerge and bumped into Frank Maynard and his son. So we sat around in the main passage awhile and talked with Frank before we routed for home.

Bennit 1861

Brian on steps that were cut into the mud by
either Saltpeter Miners or the Civil Defense when
the cave was used as a Fall Out Shelter.

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

[Sharon Faulkner]

Sounds like a good day in the cave Lynn! Can't wait to hear about the testosterone portions of the trip too. ;D

[tncaveres]

I had a great time saturday & it was great finally meeting yall.
Them Boy Scouts were some pretty good kids to cave with. Always full of ;D
The Hell Hole is a very fitting name for that portion of the cave
We got to one spot in the back of the cave where this big rock had dropped from the ceiling about 5 yrs past. It took 14 of us with arms stretched out to reach all the way around that sucker.
Glad i was not in there when it came down.
We left about 5pm that evening.
I look forward to going on more trips with yall in the future.

[L Roebuck]

Great meeting you Tncaveres! hehehe, Hell Hole is the appropriate name for that area. That's why I was happy just documenting wall markings and photographing the cave. I've been in Hell Hole and may never ever go back.

[Brian Roebuck]

Yes indeed. Tncaveres it was good to meet you as well. I had hoped to show you the lead down the ladder we talked about but with all the scouts in there and Lynn wanting to shoot photos I decided it would be best to wait until a later time. We enjoyed the trip and making new friends. Until the next trip!