Tennessee's Newest / Deepest Pit!

[Mike Green]

Yesterday, Chad Dubisson, Bart Bledsoe, and I (Mike Green) were the first to have ever descend Tennessee's deepest pit! Due to tape measure malfunction, we did not get an accurate measurement of the drop; however, we estimate that the pit's depth is approximately 290'-310'. As we wrap up our multimonth project, I will continue to disclose further details.

[L Roebuck]

Wow! Congrats to all for conquering Tennessee's new deep pit, Mike!!!

What is the name of the pit?

[Sharon Faulkner]

Congratulations guys! A new deep pit is always breaking news...can't wait to hear more details from the project.

[Brian Roebuck]

Excellent! Way to go Mike and crew! Finding and bottoming the deep ones. I understand your not posting too many details so let us know what you can as the exploration etc continues. We're all envious!

[tncaveres]

I'm jealous forsure.. ;D

Way togo The pit got a name yet?

[Mike Green]

Thanks guys! I couldnt wait to get home, and let you all know the good news. We have not come up with a name just yet, but the honor is going to Chad who set many bolts and blasted away many pounds of rock for us to have such a nice drop. I will continue to keep you all informed to our progress.

[L Roebuck]

Thanks Mike. I can't wait to hear more!!!

Since the new pit hasn't a name yet may I suggest "No Name" Well.

Wahooooo to all you guys!

[Chad Dubuisson]

Well, to be totally honest, we were the first to descend this pit from a new higher rig point. The pit has been named & it has been descended by "a few" good cavers from a previously lower rig point , but thanks to our recent efforts in this cave over the past year, we have bolt climbed, micro-shaved & pushed up-wards into this pit to find a new window, which drops out of the ceiling instead of the side of the pit, surpassing the old rig point by lets just say, quite a bit.

It was very exciting to do & especially to watch as Bart descended with a fired up carbide lamp, giving that awesome glow to the huge pit. We look forward to going back shortly & bringing in a 300' tape to get a solid number. ;D

Once we're done with our project, we'll of course disclose what we've done & which cave this is.

[Brian Roebuck]

OK then,
Not a new pit but a definite improvement in the total depth from a known pit. I imagine the overall depth was estimated previously but never really known for sure. Now your team has a good way to figure out just how deep the pit is and will have a usable deep rig point from now on. That's good caving and should be applauded by all.

[L Roebuck]

Yeap we are ready for the rest of the story.......but we can wait until after the project is complete.

OMG... Beware of Scooper's!

[Tim White]

Wow! This sounds great!

After the name of the pit is disclosed to the masses and the long line of cavers lined up to bottom the pit are finished, Berta and I would love to make a visit.

Good job guys.

[Sharon Faulkner]

verticaver said:

Well, to be totally honest, we were the first to descend this pit from a new higher rig point. The pit has been named & it has been descended by "a few" good cavers from a previously lower rig point , but thanks to our recent efforts in this cave over the past year, we have bolt climbed, micro-shaved & pushed up-wards into this pit to find a new window, which drops out of the ceiling instead of the side of the pit, surpassing the old rig point by lets just say, quite a bit.

Very exciting....I can think of one good bolt climb or traverse climb possibility that would have this result. I wonder if I've done this pit from the lower rig point? Guess I'll stand in line after Tim and Berta.

Great job guys!! By the way, I hope you all will consider writing an article on the project and submitting to Dave Bunnell for the NSS News.

[Trey]

Sounds like Hidden Well in Dorton Knob smokehole.

[Rebel Rouser]

I was just going to suggest keeping a low profile as the cave in question is on the 'closed cave list'. Rebel

[Trey]

Keeping it off the net in the first place is a good start. The need for glory is a powerful thing.

[L Roebuck]

Meh, perhaps its 'acceptance' that's the more powerful thing?

Yeah, if you want to keep a project low profile - it is definitely best not to post on any public forum or on a regional list. Here's a good saying on this subject ....

" Two cavers can keep a secret but only if one of them is dead "

[Trey]

Acceptance of what?

[L Roebuck]

Oh sorry I wasn't clear - I meant perhaps its the need for acceptance from the caving community? Or perhaps its just the excitement and wanting to share with fellow cavers?

[Trey]

I understand the urge to want to share one's finds. However, if you are working a lead and you want to keep its location/name secret, don't post about it at all till your done. The fact it is a "closed" cave is all the more reason to keep quiet.

This group's "need for acceptance from the caving community" could very well cause a crap storm as "cast of thousands" descend upon the cave to get a notch on their rack. In a cave that is on the closed cave list no less.

[tncaveres]

Trey I was just wondering how you know it is on a closed cave list. Were you with them?
Just wondering

[Sharon Faulkner]

trey said:

I understand the urge to want to share one's finds. However, if you are working a lead and you want to keep its location/name secret, don't post about it at all till your done. The fact it is a "closed" cave is all the more reason to keep quiet.

This group's "need for acceptance from the caving community" could very well cause a crap storm as "cast of thousands" descend upon the cave to get a notch on their rack. In a cave that is on the closed cave list no less.

Well, technically Trey, the group didn't reveal the location/name of the pit, you did that for them. ;D Ninety percent of the people reading this forum would not have known where these guys were talking about from their posts describing the exploration and discovery of the pit. I, for one, am glad they posted about it, exploration is what caving is supposed to be about, at least in my opinion.

Actually I tend to disagree with the theory that sharing a new cave discovery will cause a crap storm. From what I've seen, secret cave discovery projects have caused more long term friction and animosity between cavers in TAG. For instance, Stupendous Pit in Rumbling Falls created a huge controversy that continued for years. In another case, the original discoverer of Big Hammer Cave (now collapsed) invited others on trips to the newly discovered cave, creating major hostilities that still exist to this day, because other grotto members wanted this fellow's find kept secret from the caving community.

In the case of caving projects where the discoverers opened projects up to the caving community, such as the discovery of Whopper Well in Walking Fern Cave and the Guess Cave project, there weren't any "crap storms". People were invited to help survey the new cave. Now there's a shocking notion, actually inviting cavers or the caving community to take part in cave exploration and survey...the nerve of some folks. ;D

No offense meant, I understand there is some anxiety over the cave being "listed" as "closed" on the closed cave list among people who are not involved in the cave exploration.

[Trey]

Yea I gave my opinion of what cave it is. Don't even get me started on Bumbling Falls cave. Guess cave, wasn't there, don't care.

Once again, if you put it on the net ... it is fair game. Maybe someone will learn a lesson. Who knows.

Trey