Post by countbad on Aug 26, 2007 17:19:29 GMT -5
Hello,
On friday at my place in wisconsin (the old family dairy farm), I discovered that a small hole I've known and wondered about for years is actually the entrance to a small cave. I am not a caver so I figured I would come here for some help and information. It is found in an outcropping of flat granite slabs. I moved some stones to enlarge the entrance and was happily suprised to find it leads to a tiny cave.
During the last Ice-age the area was scowered down to the granite bedrock by the glaciers. Granite outcroppings liter the land and in some spots the granite bedrock is exposed. This part of land is dry but there is marshland within 100 yards and a river about 500 yards away. I am no expert, but I have noticed that the granite in this area can be brittle in spots and can fracture from water. The cave entrance is found in between some large flat granite slabs, it seems weaker granite below the surface slabs was fractured and eroded away by water. Plausible or was it formed by a completely different process?
I have only stuck my head inside and looked around. I want to know if it is safe before I consided crawling inside. I am going back up there this weekend and I will take pictures using a better camera to scout it out . I did take a short video clip using my phone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6US4i0cS4
Also while the ceiling is some large slabs the floor of the cave is a rock pile, can it be safely excavated to enlarge the cave ? Of course I only would consider even going in if I know the ceiling is safe after scouting it out.
Earlier this year i found a couple a of sink holes less then 200 yards away so now I suspect there could maybe be more little caves on the property.
Nick
On friday at my place in wisconsin (the old family dairy farm), I discovered that a small hole I've known and wondered about for years is actually the entrance to a small cave. I am not a caver so I figured I would come here for some help and information. It is found in an outcropping of flat granite slabs. I moved some stones to enlarge the entrance and was happily suprised to find it leads to a tiny cave.
During the last Ice-age the area was scowered down to the granite bedrock by the glaciers. Granite outcroppings liter the land and in some spots the granite bedrock is exposed. This part of land is dry but there is marshland within 100 yards and a river about 500 yards away. I am no expert, but I have noticed that the granite in this area can be brittle in spots and can fracture from water. The cave entrance is found in between some large flat granite slabs, it seems weaker granite below the surface slabs was fractured and eroded away by water. Plausible or was it formed by a completely different process?
I have only stuck my head inside and looked around. I want to know if it is safe before I consided crawling inside. I am going back up there this weekend and I will take pictures using a better camera to scout it out . I did take a short video clip using my phone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6US4i0cS4
Also while the ceiling is some large slabs the floor of the cave is a rock pile, can it be safely excavated to enlarge the cave ? Of course I only would consider even going in if I know the ceiling is safe after scouting it out.
Earlier this year i found a couple a of sink holes less then 200 yards away so now I suspect there could maybe be more little caves on the property.
Nick
I'm sure they would be happy to come take a look at it for you. If /when you check it out remember to wear a helmet, bring at least 3 sources of light (two forms of backup light) if one fails. Always cave with a least three people and let someone know where you will be and what time you plan to return. 