Post by Sharon Faulkner on Nov 21, 2005 10:39:45 GMT -5
This past Saturday, November 19, Casey and I met J.J. Broome, Phillip, Allison, and Dean from the Clocktower Grotto (Georgia) at the base of Scottsboro Mountain for another fun trip to Bluff River Cave. J.J. had e-mailed me about leading a few folks back to Bluff River after reading my TAG-Net post of our November 5 visit to the cave.
With Saturday being the opening day of gun season (deer hunting) our drive on Highway 72, and while passing thru Roaches Cove, looked like the woods had exploded, spewing out hunters by the dozen. We reached the parking area, and though not on hunting land or the Wildlife Management Land, we made a point of wearing a great deal of apparel in the very fashionable hunter orange. Other than stopping for a group photo or two at the entrance, we quickly entered the cave, which seemed hot with the recent change of weather. We negotiated down the large mud bank to the stream and were on our way, stopping to take photos of the larger formations. As previously noted, this cave consists of walking passage in large borehole with a few pools of knee or thigh deep water thrown in for good measure. I do believe the water in these pools was a few inches deeper this trip, possibly due to the heavy rain earlier in the week.
Exiting the cave into the brisk mid-afternoon air, we pulled on fleece shirts we had left outside the entrance, hiked back to the truck, and changed clothes. I had become spoiled with the late fall and lingering mild weather, but winter caving and camping appears to be upon us now. After having dinner, Casey and I camped on Scottsboro Mountain along with a dozen or so others. Saturday night and Sunday morning were chilly enough to make having a campfire a necessity as opposed to just a friendly gathering spot to discuss the day’s caving adventures or make new plans. On Sunday morning, a few folks put more time and effort into finding the boundary markers for Dr. Sheppard's property, even using a metal detector I had brought along for the cause. I am not sure what the final word is on the project, as I left before those folks returned from the second phase. All in all, another fun weekend in TAG!
With Saturday being the opening day of gun season (deer hunting) our drive on Highway 72, and while passing thru Roaches Cove, looked like the woods had exploded, spewing out hunters by the dozen. We reached the parking area, and though not on hunting land or the Wildlife Management Land, we made a point of wearing a great deal of apparel in the very fashionable hunter orange. Other than stopping for a group photo or two at the entrance, we quickly entered the cave, which seemed hot with the recent change of weather. We negotiated down the large mud bank to the stream and were on our way, stopping to take photos of the larger formations. As previously noted, this cave consists of walking passage in large borehole with a few pools of knee or thigh deep water thrown in for good measure. I do believe the water in these pools was a few inches deeper this trip, possibly due to the heavy rain earlier in the week.
Exiting the cave into the brisk mid-afternoon air, we pulled on fleece shirts we had left outside the entrance, hiked back to the truck, and changed clothes. I had become spoiled with the late fall and lingering mild weather, but winter caving and camping appears to be upon us now. After having dinner, Casey and I camped on Scottsboro Mountain along with a dozen or so others. Saturday night and Sunday morning were chilly enough to make having a campfire a necessity as opposed to just a friendly gathering spot to discuss the day’s caving adventures or make new plans. On Sunday morning, a few folks put more time and effort into finding the boundary markers for Dr. Sheppard's property, even using a metal detector I had brought along for the cause. I am not sure what the final word is on the project, as I left before those folks returned from the second phase. All in all, another fun weekend in TAG!
)
