Post by jonsdigs on Jul 12, 2009 23:16:10 GMT -5
The Cave Next Door
July 12, 2009
By Paul Fattig
Mail Tribune (OR)
Man hopes 10-year quest to find 'the big one' will culminate sometime this year during 100th anniversary of the creation of the Oregon Caves National Monument
David Hodges climbs down a 57-foot shaft he dug near the Oregon Caves National Monument, hoping to find the mother lode: a cave big enough to rival the Oregon Caves. Photo: Jamie Lusch
David Hodges isn't always up to climbing down into the nearly six-story vertical shaft in the mountain.
"There are times when I haven't been here for a few months and it's raining, everything is wet and slick, I look down that hole and say, 'Nope, not today,' " said the rural Cave Junction resident.
After all, the shaft plunges 57 feet straight down into the bowels of the Earth in a fashion that would curl the toes of Gimli, the stout dwarf who was at home in mountain tunnels of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
But the bearded Hodges, with steel gray eyes, also is made of stout stuff. It's a rare day when he backs off climbing down the shaft to continue his 10-year quest: to unveil a cave that could rival the Oregon Caves.
And in his gut, he knows he's very, very close.
"I believe this might possibly be the biggest cave in Oregon," he said.
Full Story
For more information on the Cave Next Door, visit www.cavenextdoor.org.
The site includes photos taken of the cave, as well as how to contact David Hodges.
July 12, 2009
By Paul Fattig
Mail Tribune (OR)
Man hopes 10-year quest to find 'the big one' will culminate sometime this year during 100th anniversary of the creation of the Oregon Caves National Monument
David Hodges climbs down a 57-foot shaft he dug near the Oregon Caves National Monument, hoping to find the mother lode: a cave big enough to rival the Oregon Caves. Photo: Jamie Lusch
David Hodges isn't always up to climbing down into the nearly six-story vertical shaft in the mountain.
"There are times when I haven't been here for a few months and it's raining, everything is wet and slick, I look down that hole and say, 'Nope, not today,' " said the rural Cave Junction resident.
After all, the shaft plunges 57 feet straight down into the bowels of the Earth in a fashion that would curl the toes of Gimli, the stout dwarf who was at home in mountain tunnels of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
But the bearded Hodges, with steel gray eyes, also is made of stout stuff. It's a rare day when he backs off climbing down the shaft to continue his 10-year quest: to unveil a cave that could rival the Oregon Caves.
And in his gut, he knows he's very, very close.
"I believe this might possibly be the biggest cave in Oregon," he said.
Full Story
For more information on the Cave Next Door, visit www.cavenextdoor.org.
The site includes photos taken of the cave, as well as how to contact David Hodges.
