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Post by Brad Tipton on May 30, 2007 15:19:39 GMT -5
While we were out in Nothern Cali climbing Mount Shasta, we took a little time to visit some local caves. The 1st was a lava tube formed by obsidian flows from the formation of Mount Shastina about 10,000 years ago. It was a typical lava tube that can be seen all over the Cascades. Pluto Cave was primarily borehole passage 50 feet wide by 50 feet high for well over a mile. The highlight of this cave was the skylights that formed along the borehole from roof collapse. In numerous sections you could walk skylight to skylight and climb back onto the surface. The birds formed nests in the walls near the skylights and owls perched on the edges sitting dead silent. My wife found a nest of rather large chicks at the entrance to one of the skylights. We saw the chicks but the momma never came. I would say that was probably for the best....... Quite an interesting little side trip. Our other cave excursion was a tourist trip to Oregon Caves National Monument. Oregon Cave is a marble cave way up in the mountains in southern Oregon. This cave is nothing like what we are used to in TAG. The temperature was 42 degrees and a stiff wind blew through the entire cave due to an upper entrance. There was really only one really nice formation area along the tourist route which was a dome room that was covered with drapery. I was somewhat dissapointed, but it was better than being back home sitting at the desk. The lodge outside the cave was spectacular. I definately recommend staying a night there in the park if you plan to make the trip.
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L Roebuck
Technical Support
Caving
^V^ Just a caver
Posts: 2,023
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Post by L Roebuck on May 30, 2007 18:00:27 GMT -5
Great cave trip report Brad! Hey did you make it to the top of Mount Shasta?
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Post by Sharon Faulkner on May 30, 2007 18:25:58 GMT -5
Good trip report Brad! Was climbing Mt. Shasta the primary goal of the trip out or just generally a vacation to visit all the outdoor activities offered in the area?
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Post by Brad Tipton on May 30, 2007 20:20:51 GMT -5
Yes, Shasta was the primary goal. We spent 3 days on the mountain, 2 nights camped at 9500 feet. Tuesday am we started our summit bid with Tim reaching the summmit at 7am and me about an hour later. It was my first summit with my previous attempts on Mt Hood and Mt Whitney coming up short. The weather was almost perfect with little wind except on the summit. Great views from the top. I will be posting some pictures from the trip on myspace when I get them uploaded.
The rest of the week we visited caves, the coast, and spent a few nights camping and backpacking in the Redwoods NP.
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Brian Roebuck
Site Admin
Caver
Caving - the one activity that really brings you to your knees!
Posts: 2,732
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Post by Brian Roebuck on May 30, 2007 20:31:39 GMT -5
Sounds like an awesome trip to me. Post some photos when you can.
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Post by Mike Green on May 31, 2007 13:23:37 GMT -5
Very cool. My girlfriend was actually at the top of Shasta last weekend. Is this when you were there? She said that the wind was very intense. Next time you are out that way you should check out Klamath National Park. This is where Bigfoot Cave and many other marble caves are located. Pretty cool area. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to seeing some pictures!
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Post by Brad Tipton on May 31, 2007 13:54:50 GMT -5
Very cool. My girlfriend was actually at the top of Shasta last weekend. Is this when you were there? She said that the wind was very intense. Next time you are out that way you should check out Klamath National Park. This is where Bigfoot Cave and many other marble caves are located. Pretty cool area. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to seeing some pictures! Wow, it's a small world sometimes. I put some photos on Myspace page. We were on the mountain from the 19th to the 22nd. The wind was quite intense the 1st day on the mountain and was deadly on the summit on Tuesday. Other than the wind gusts, the weather was great. In 2005 we spent the entire week in Oregon and explored some caves in the Klamath area. We also visited another lava tube in the Newberry Volcanic Monument. www.myspace.com/tagcaver1
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L Roebuck
Technical Support
Caving
^V^ Just a caver
Posts: 2,023
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Post by L Roebuck on May 31, 2007 19:41:11 GMT -5
Hey Brad thanks for the link to your photo's. All I have to say is brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! Good reading on your Myspace blog. ;D
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