Post by jspiers on Dec 18, 2008 2:41:31 GMT -5
(Thanks to Ed Rockfeller for this excellent trip report! JS)
December 13, 2008
The last time I was underground was about 10 years ago. I have been wanting to get dirty for a while, but never enough to make it happen, I guess. About three weeks ago, I started feeling that "itch" -- that longing to get back into it -- so I started doing some internet searching.
I came across Jeremy's group a couple weeks ago (among others) and after requesting an invite, he graciously accepted me into the fold. I tried hooking up with them at the rendezvous point last weekend, but since no one contacted him that they would be there, they decided to just go to the cave and skip the rendezvous point. Oh well, I got to go home and watch the best football game of the year with the comfort that either the Gators or the Tide would lose today.
It turns out that Jeremy set up another trip this weekend and for this one, my son, Isaac would be able to join me. Friday evening, Tim emails me and informs me that we could ride over together, since he lives within a half hour of me. This worked out great for Isaac and I because wife needed the truck today and I was going to have to take the bike to go. We both wanted to go and decided we were just going to freeze for the ride home. Hey that is what hot showers are for, right? Tim and I worked out arrangements of when to meet, so we were all set to go and wouldn't have to be blocks of ice at the end of the ride home.
Saturday 9 AM (almost on the nose), the time Tim said he would be here, he shows up. Heh, these truck drivers must be programmed to arrive on time, even when not delivering a load. After introductions, we pack our stuff in the bed of his pickup and head west.
The plan was to meet in Norris Dam State Park around 11 AM. Due to our early departure time, we now have an hour to kill. Tim has many cavesites plugged into his GPS so we decide to put the extra time to good use by scouting out some caves in the area.
Our first attempt was a bust, but our second led us to the owners of the property that Pruitt cave was on. We talk with the very accommodating and friendly elderly couple who own the property and ask permission to explore the cave later in the day.
They were very obliging, provided we would waive them of all liability, left them our contact info should anything bad happen, and to check back in with them before leaving, so they knew we were okay. They were really cool folks.
In the course of our conversation, they informed us it is a large cave and has a waterfall in it. Waterfall? Well, I am sold! They also inform us of a sinkhole on the property within walking distance that Tim didn't have logged in his GPS.
They told us where it is and then Tim, Isaac, and myself headed that way. The sinkhole looks promising, but no telling how far back it goes. We didn't do anymore than go down near the entrance and shine a light in, but it does look worthy of going back to explore.
By this time, the group we were supposed to meet around 11 AM is waiting on us. We head over to meet up with them and arrive while they are still gearing up. We are a little late, but timing was good. Okay, so maybe these truck drivers aren't programmed to arrive on time *every* time after all. Then again maybe it was because of me being with him (I am notorious for being late -- especially if on my bike). I'll take the blame if it saves your reputation, Tim.
There were 7 other folks there bringing our group size to 10. More introductions were dispensed, but I am terrible with names. I know that it was Tim, Isaac, Mike and his son (also Mike), Justin and his sister Beth?, Jeremy, Austin, another guy (bad memory), and me.
While Jeremy was putting his gear on, he found his boots frozen from getting cold after still being wet from last weekend's cave trip. However, he didn't don his sandals on this trip; he upgraded from to shoes instead. We made the short hike (the easier path than what they did last time, I later found out) and were soon at the cavesite.
Actually there are three. We enter the second entrance and soon are faced with some narrow passages and small rooms. We get to one section where there is a cliff going up probably about 20' and it takes a while for everyone to scale it. Meanwhile those of us waiting our turn had time to marvel at all the beautiful flowstone formations in this room.
This cave is very active and some of the stalactites have quite a rapid drip to them. There is a rope already in place and it has been there a while as it had some stretch to it when used. It was a bit unsettling as I scaled the wall, but the rope held, so all is good.
On my ascent, I did a real bonehead thing. I am wriggling around to try and get a foothold enough to push me over the top of the wall and then hear *thump* bounce, bounce, "OOWWWW". What the heck was that?
I then hear Mike (the son) say " a water bottle just hit me in the knee". DOH! I didn't have any inside pockets in my coveralls and had totally forgotten about the bottle of water that I put in my (outside) non-zippered pocket. Obviously it popped loose as I was trying to crest the wall. Sorry Mike.
At the top is a tight, narrow, but relatively short (maybe 15') passageway demanding slither tactics. Of those that ventured up the wall, only Tim (who will go anywhere in a cave if there is a hole big enough for him to fit through), Mike (the son), Isaac, and myself pushed it, with Isaac leading.
The four of us had a great time exploring that section once it opened up. There were plenty of little rooms and holes with some gorgeous formations. We saw some soda straws, popcorn, and many stalactites and stalagmites. While the three of us were admiring the geology, Tim kept busy trying to document a bunch of it with his camera.
Some of the neater structures in that section (in my opinion) were stalactites that had once been in contact with the ground but apparently the ground had given way and had left flat patches much wider than the diameter of the stalactite still attached. Neat stuff!
After exploring it to our content we worked our way back towards the wall. The climb down seemed much easier than the ascent was, as I didn't seem to have to twist and turn or position myself as much (and I didn't drop anymore "bombs" on anyone). After that we headed out to meet up with the rest of the group as they finished up their exploring. Once together experiences were traded and Tim snapped a couple goup pics in front of the cave mouth.
From there we headed over to Pruitt cave that we had asked of earlier. I was requested to drive Tim's truck as he didn't want to get out of his caving gear to drive only to don it again a few minutes later. Mike drove his truck and the remainder of the group hopped into the bed of the two trucks. I felt for them as everyone was damp from crawling around and it was rather chilly outside -- especially at 40 mph. Luckily, the other cave was only about 5 miles or so away.
Despite them freezing, we all had fun arguing with the GPS and trying to find the location. After some rerouting, we pulled into a store to get our bearings, and Tim and I recognized where we were and knew where we needed to go. Screw TomTom (sorry, personally not a fan of GPS)!
We soon find the place and everyone gives their info to the owners and we are now cavebound again. Heh, I bet they didn't imagine a group of 10 already muddy cavers coming back. They said the cave is hard to find, but apparently not with this bunch of cavers. They must have a nose for it as they went right to it.
Upon approaching the mouth of the cave, there was a noticeable amount of "heat" coming out of it. I am not sure if this was due to it being that cold out, the cave was really that warm, or if it was just that small an opening that the air seemed to rush out of it in a more concentrated manner. We all took our turns getting down the ladder into the cave with the exception of Mike (the father) and Austin who were scouting other entrances.
The inside of this one was not as muddy (yet) and was really tight passages, but allowed us to stand rather than crawl through. Tim found him another small hole and began slithering through it with Justin in tow. They went in through the stream, but the rest of us found a drier path and we all met back up and were now within earshot of the waterfall.
It had a loud rush to it, and I was getting excited. I don't know why, but I really like waterfalls, especially when they are big, and this one from the sound acted the part. This may be because it was just echoing in the cave since the waterfall itself was only maybe a 10' drop with a 1' or so wide stream in a fairly small, but not tight, room. Not what I thought, but still pretty cool.
At the end of the room was a ledge which actually allowed a view of *the* waterfall. This one was a 15' drop and about 2-3' foot wide. Pretty nice, it also opened up into a bigger room. However, to get down to it, we would have to descend by the waterfall itself as that was where there was a ladder placed.
At this point Tim went back to his truck to get his 40' rope and grappling hook. Upon returning, we each took a turn getting down it and those of us at the bottom were cheering everyone on for being fool enough to do it. Only Austin didn't attempt it. Mike and Mike had already left as they had other plans for the evening.
This large room offered a passageway as the only other exit. Of course it was narrow and it was the exit of the stream. By now, I bet you can guess, that Tim was the first to jump down there and explore how far it went.
It wasn't long after that Justin entered, followed by Isaac, then the guy whose name I can't remember (sorry dude). It was a while then Justing returned but said it did open up. I decided to try it out. What the heck? I'm already half wet, why not finish the job?
That was my mindset. That is, until I got down there and saw it for myself. I went in a few feet and seriously entertained the thought of bailing on it. It seemed to go on forever ... and it was tight ... and wet. However bad I wanted to exit, I inexplicably just kept inching along. I am soaked by now and there is no point in turning back. I mean this is what caving is about right? If I bail, I will never know what was back there.
The tunnel (I call it the "crawl") was about 40' long. Okay, it may not have actually been that long, but it sure seemed it. Half of that was through the stream. The ceiling was so low that there were a couple points my chin also was submerged in the water. Good times!
Once the passage split off from the stream (a third waterfall), it did open up some but there were still a few tight squeezes that had to be maneuvered. I have treated my body poorly over the years. A lot when I was younger and more reckless, and some from motorcycle wrecks that are not as dependent on age. My knees and back are in bad shape, and I sure noticed it going through this "crawl". I felt sorry for Beth? behind me.
She kept asking "are you okay"
"yeah just old, out of shape, and resting a second" was the response.
There is not enough room for me to just simply move over and let her slip past, so we are stuck in this order until it ends. We finally wound up in a room that had two more ways to go and none seemed to require the agony of crawling. YAAAYY!
Jeremy couldn't squeeze in those tight sections and Tim went back to stay with him. It wasn't long and Justin is slinking through this "crawl" again. I swear he moves like a spider. I sat watching him rapidly slip through it wishing I was 21 again.
We check out a few passages and then once again navigate the "crawl". This time, I made sure I went last so I wouldn't slow anyone down as they made their way through. The formations in this cave were not nearly as pretty, as the one at Norris Dam, but this one had three waterfalls. Both were beautiful in their own way.
Tim ran two volunteers back to Norris Dam to pick up the other vehicles so that no one would have to ride in the back of the pickup truck now that it is dark and much colder and *everyone* is wet. The rest of us kind of hung out in the cave because it is much warmer than hanging outside it.
While socializing a bat buzzed within inches of my nose. It was a trip! We were just sitting there BSing and all of a sudden here's some 3D action for ya, Ed.
Before long Tim and company return and we head back up to the vehicles. By now the chill has really set in on me. I was keeping myself warm in the cave imagining how good a hot shower would feel once home, but now as I am walking along in my sloshing socks (not much worse than wet -- soaking wet -- socks) through the much colder weather, I am freezing cold.
I change into my dry clothes thinking all the time how grateful I am that Tim offered to drive Isaac and I over as it would have been a mighty c-c-c-oooollldd hour-long ride home on the bike as cold as it was and wet as we were. Getting in that truck with that heater blowing full blast immediately felt good and quickly dispelled the chills.
Upon arriving home, that hot shower was the first order of business, followed by food. The wife set up a nice crock full of hot chili. What a good woman! That really took care of any chill that may still had been lingering.
I am bruised, scraped up a bit, and sore. The next 3 days are going to be rough, I am sure, as I am already feeling it. However, it was a great time, a nice mix of caving elements, and the company was outstanding. Thanks to all that came out, it was a good group. I appreciate the tolerance and patience shown to a slow, "old man". I sure feel like one anyway. When are we going again? ;j
see you underground
Ed Rockfeller
White Pine, TN
(Note from Jeremy, The names he was unsure of were Bethany and Jamie. Thanks for the great report, Ed!)
December 13, 2008
The last time I was underground was about 10 years ago. I have been wanting to get dirty for a while, but never enough to make it happen, I guess. About three weeks ago, I started feeling that "itch" -- that longing to get back into it -- so I started doing some internet searching.
I came across Jeremy's group a couple weeks ago (among others) and after requesting an invite, he graciously accepted me into the fold. I tried hooking up with them at the rendezvous point last weekend, but since no one contacted him that they would be there, they decided to just go to the cave and skip the rendezvous point. Oh well, I got to go home and watch the best football game of the year with the comfort that either the Gators or the Tide would lose today.
It turns out that Jeremy set up another trip this weekend and for this one, my son, Isaac would be able to join me. Friday evening, Tim emails me and informs me that we could ride over together, since he lives within a half hour of me. This worked out great for Isaac and I because wife needed the truck today and I was going to have to take the bike to go. We both wanted to go and decided we were just going to freeze for the ride home. Hey that is what hot showers are for, right? Tim and I worked out arrangements of when to meet, so we were all set to go and wouldn't have to be blocks of ice at the end of the ride home.
Saturday 9 AM (almost on the nose), the time Tim said he would be here, he shows up. Heh, these truck drivers must be programmed to arrive on time, even when not delivering a load. After introductions, we pack our stuff in the bed of his pickup and head west.
The plan was to meet in Norris Dam State Park around 11 AM. Due to our early departure time, we now have an hour to kill. Tim has many cavesites plugged into his GPS so we decide to put the extra time to good use by scouting out some caves in the area.
Our first attempt was a bust, but our second led us to the owners of the property that Pruitt cave was on. We talk with the very accommodating and friendly elderly couple who own the property and ask permission to explore the cave later in the day.
They were very obliging, provided we would waive them of all liability, left them our contact info should anything bad happen, and to check back in with them before leaving, so they knew we were okay. They were really cool folks.
In the course of our conversation, they informed us it is a large cave and has a waterfall in it. Waterfall? Well, I am sold! They also inform us of a sinkhole on the property within walking distance that Tim didn't have logged in his GPS.
They told us where it is and then Tim, Isaac, and myself headed that way. The sinkhole looks promising, but no telling how far back it goes. We didn't do anymore than go down near the entrance and shine a light in, but it does look worthy of going back to explore.
By this time, the group we were supposed to meet around 11 AM is waiting on us. We head over to meet up with them and arrive while they are still gearing up. We are a little late, but timing was good. Okay, so maybe these truck drivers aren't programmed to arrive on time *every* time after all. Then again maybe it was because of me being with him (I am notorious for being late -- especially if on my bike). I'll take the blame if it saves your reputation, Tim.
There were 7 other folks there bringing our group size to 10. More introductions were dispensed, but I am terrible with names. I know that it was Tim, Isaac, Mike and his son (also Mike), Justin and his sister Beth?, Jeremy, Austin, another guy (bad memory), and me.
While Jeremy was putting his gear on, he found his boots frozen from getting cold after still being wet from last weekend's cave trip. However, he didn't don his sandals on this trip; he upgraded from to shoes instead. We made the short hike (the easier path than what they did last time, I later found out) and were soon at the cavesite.
Actually there are three. We enter the second entrance and soon are faced with some narrow passages and small rooms. We get to one section where there is a cliff going up probably about 20' and it takes a while for everyone to scale it. Meanwhile those of us waiting our turn had time to marvel at all the beautiful flowstone formations in this room.
This cave is very active and some of the stalactites have quite a rapid drip to them. There is a rope already in place and it has been there a while as it had some stretch to it when used. It was a bit unsettling as I scaled the wall, but the rope held, so all is good.
On my ascent, I did a real bonehead thing. I am wriggling around to try and get a foothold enough to push me over the top of the wall and then hear *thump* bounce, bounce, "OOWWWW". What the heck was that?
I then hear Mike (the son) say " a water bottle just hit me in the knee". DOH! I didn't have any inside pockets in my coveralls and had totally forgotten about the bottle of water that I put in my (outside) non-zippered pocket. Obviously it popped loose as I was trying to crest the wall. Sorry Mike.
At the top is a tight, narrow, but relatively short (maybe 15') passageway demanding slither tactics. Of those that ventured up the wall, only Tim (who will go anywhere in a cave if there is a hole big enough for him to fit through), Mike (the son), Isaac, and myself pushed it, with Isaac leading.
The four of us had a great time exploring that section once it opened up. There were plenty of little rooms and holes with some gorgeous formations. We saw some soda straws, popcorn, and many stalactites and stalagmites. While the three of us were admiring the geology, Tim kept busy trying to document a bunch of it with his camera.
Some of the neater structures in that section (in my opinion) were stalactites that had once been in contact with the ground but apparently the ground had given way and had left flat patches much wider than the diameter of the stalactite still attached. Neat stuff!
After exploring it to our content we worked our way back towards the wall. The climb down seemed much easier than the ascent was, as I didn't seem to have to twist and turn or position myself as much (and I didn't drop anymore "bombs" on anyone). After that we headed out to meet up with the rest of the group as they finished up their exploring. Once together experiences were traded and Tim snapped a couple goup pics in front of the cave mouth.
From there we headed over to Pruitt cave that we had asked of earlier. I was requested to drive Tim's truck as he didn't want to get out of his caving gear to drive only to don it again a few minutes later. Mike drove his truck and the remainder of the group hopped into the bed of the two trucks. I felt for them as everyone was damp from crawling around and it was rather chilly outside -- especially at 40 mph. Luckily, the other cave was only about 5 miles or so away.
Despite them freezing, we all had fun arguing with the GPS and trying to find the location. After some rerouting, we pulled into a store to get our bearings, and Tim and I recognized where we were and knew where we needed to go. Screw TomTom (sorry, personally not a fan of GPS)!
We soon find the place and everyone gives their info to the owners and we are now cavebound again. Heh, I bet they didn't imagine a group of 10 already muddy cavers coming back. They said the cave is hard to find, but apparently not with this bunch of cavers. They must have a nose for it as they went right to it.
Upon approaching the mouth of the cave, there was a noticeable amount of "heat" coming out of it. I am not sure if this was due to it being that cold out, the cave was really that warm, or if it was just that small an opening that the air seemed to rush out of it in a more concentrated manner. We all took our turns getting down the ladder into the cave with the exception of Mike (the father) and Austin who were scouting other entrances.
The inside of this one was not as muddy (yet) and was really tight passages, but allowed us to stand rather than crawl through. Tim found him another small hole and began slithering through it with Justin in tow. They went in through the stream, but the rest of us found a drier path and we all met back up and were now within earshot of the waterfall.
It had a loud rush to it, and I was getting excited. I don't know why, but I really like waterfalls, especially when they are big, and this one from the sound acted the part. This may be because it was just echoing in the cave since the waterfall itself was only maybe a 10' drop with a 1' or so wide stream in a fairly small, but not tight, room. Not what I thought, but still pretty cool.
At the end of the room was a ledge which actually allowed a view of *the* waterfall. This one was a 15' drop and about 2-3' foot wide. Pretty nice, it also opened up into a bigger room. However, to get down to it, we would have to descend by the waterfall itself as that was where there was a ladder placed.
At this point Tim went back to his truck to get his 40' rope and grappling hook. Upon returning, we each took a turn getting down it and those of us at the bottom were cheering everyone on for being fool enough to do it. Only Austin didn't attempt it. Mike and Mike had already left as they had other plans for the evening.
This large room offered a passageway as the only other exit. Of course it was narrow and it was the exit of the stream. By now, I bet you can guess, that Tim was the first to jump down there and explore how far it went.
It wasn't long after that Justin entered, followed by Isaac, then the guy whose name I can't remember (sorry dude). It was a while then Justing returned but said it did open up. I decided to try it out. What the heck? I'm already half wet, why not finish the job?
That was my mindset. That is, until I got down there and saw it for myself. I went in a few feet and seriously entertained the thought of bailing on it. It seemed to go on forever ... and it was tight ... and wet. However bad I wanted to exit, I inexplicably just kept inching along. I am soaked by now and there is no point in turning back. I mean this is what caving is about right? If I bail, I will never know what was back there.
The tunnel (I call it the "crawl") was about 40' long. Okay, it may not have actually been that long, but it sure seemed it. Half of that was through the stream. The ceiling was so low that there were a couple points my chin also was submerged in the water. Good times!
Once the passage split off from the stream (a third waterfall), it did open up some but there were still a few tight squeezes that had to be maneuvered. I have treated my body poorly over the years. A lot when I was younger and more reckless, and some from motorcycle wrecks that are not as dependent on age. My knees and back are in bad shape, and I sure noticed it going through this "crawl". I felt sorry for Beth? behind me.
She kept asking "are you okay"
"yeah just old, out of shape, and resting a second" was the response.
There is not enough room for me to just simply move over and let her slip past, so we are stuck in this order until it ends. We finally wound up in a room that had two more ways to go and none seemed to require the agony of crawling. YAAAYY!
Jeremy couldn't squeeze in those tight sections and Tim went back to stay with him. It wasn't long and Justin is slinking through this "crawl" again. I swear he moves like a spider. I sat watching him rapidly slip through it wishing I was 21 again.
We check out a few passages and then once again navigate the "crawl". This time, I made sure I went last so I wouldn't slow anyone down as they made their way through. The formations in this cave were not nearly as pretty, as the one at Norris Dam, but this one had three waterfalls. Both were beautiful in their own way.
Tim ran two volunteers back to Norris Dam to pick up the other vehicles so that no one would have to ride in the back of the pickup truck now that it is dark and much colder and *everyone* is wet. The rest of us kind of hung out in the cave because it is much warmer than hanging outside it.
While socializing a bat buzzed within inches of my nose. It was a trip! We were just sitting there BSing and all of a sudden here's some 3D action for ya, Ed.
Before long Tim and company return and we head back up to the vehicles. By now the chill has really set in on me. I was keeping myself warm in the cave imagining how good a hot shower would feel once home, but now as I am walking along in my sloshing socks (not much worse than wet -- soaking wet -- socks) through the much colder weather, I am freezing cold.
I change into my dry clothes thinking all the time how grateful I am that Tim offered to drive Isaac and I over as it would have been a mighty c-c-c-oooollldd hour-long ride home on the bike as cold as it was and wet as we were. Getting in that truck with that heater blowing full blast immediately felt good and quickly dispelled the chills.
Upon arriving home, that hot shower was the first order of business, followed by food. The wife set up a nice crock full of hot chili. What a good woman! That really took care of any chill that may still had been lingering.
I am bruised, scraped up a bit, and sore. The next 3 days are going to be rough, I am sure, as I am already feeling it. However, it was a great time, a nice mix of caving elements, and the company was outstanding. Thanks to all that came out, it was a good group. I appreciate the tolerance and patience shown to a slow, "old man". I sure feel like one anyway. When are we going again? ;j
see you underground
Ed Rockfeller
White Pine, TN
(Note from Jeremy, The names he was unsure of were Bethany and Jamie. Thanks for the great report, Ed!)