--- Begin Message ---
Project date: 7-9 January 2011
Reported by: Jim Kennedy
Report date: 11 January 2011
Person-hours: 262 hours (164 work, 98 travel)
Personnel: (23 folks) Alexandra Albach, Gus Albach, Rebecca Albach,
Robert Albach, Don Arburn, Dale Barnard, Grace Borengasser, Laura Cox,
Ryan Fabich, Galen Falgout, Lydia Hernandez, Jim Kennedy, Vivian Loftin,
Karen Masters, Ryan Monjaras, Joe Naderer, David Ochel, Denise
Prendergast, Ann Scott, Matt Turner, Nicholas Yasui, Matt Zaldivar, Andy
Zenker
This has been one of the best turnouts in recent years. Six teams were
fielded, most concentrating on the recently-burned Lively Pasture area.
Two caves were mapped, many locations ground-truthed, more new karst
features found, a known karst feature was turned into a cave, and some
new caves were discovered, one of which (Marshmallow) is a pretty
exciting find with a lot of potential.
Team 1 Jim Kennedy, Matt Turner, Becky Albach, and (part time)
Gus Albach
Matt and I had several goals this weekend: to remove the awkward
entrance rock at Rabbit Run Grotto (SAB222), enlarge the entrance at
K-46 (SAB704 - now renamed Rebeccas Rift), and ground-truth more caves
near Embryo Cave (SAB226) and Gas Pipe Cave (SAB267). We accomplished
all of those, and more.
We once again drove back the access road toward the remote group camp
("Windmill Camp") and parked in a nearby clearing. We carried our tools
and a rope and some rigging for Rabbit Run Grotto (SAB222). We
demolished the big, awkward boulder straddling the entrance. We were
going to set a couple of bolts to facilitate entry, but Jim forgot to
bring them. A couple other groups caught up with this team about then,
and David (Team 2) began to rig the entrance and prepare for the survey.
The duo then took off for K-46 (SAB704) with Robert's younger daughter
Becky. The threesome looked at some other caves and karst features
along the way, and quickly arrived at their destination. About an
hour's worth of work had the narrow rift sufficiently enlarged that a
skinny team could probably fit. The depth was measured with a Disto at
5.8m, so it is definitely a cave. To commemorate Becky's hard work in
digging open this feature, it was renamed Rebeccas Rift.
They returned to Sharis Diet Cave (SAB205) to retrieve Team 3 and send
them on to Rebeccas Rift to push and map it, but they were already done
and gone. They were found again at Rabbit Run Grotto, briefed, and sent
off to Rebeccas Rift. Team 1 then picked up Gus Albach and headed off
to find more caves.
Trapdoor Cave (SAB690) was finally GPSed. They then found Gas Pipe Cave
(SAB267), which had two sets of coordinates, both wrong. Good
coordinates were gathered. Then off to Embryo Cave (SAB226), where
better coordinates were also collected. Slick Mudder Cave (SAB225) was
also mislocated, but eventually found and recorded. However, it is not
a cave, just a shallow karst feature filled with sediment. We found the
tag on a nearby tree, so we knew that this is the "cave" that is in our
database. We wandered around some more trying to find other nearby
caves with the GPS. Cave Number 6 (SAB224) eluded us, even though we
all walked several circles around where it was supposed to be. A small
crevice sort-of nearby was found, but it wasn't tagged (so far called
"Crevice Karst Feature"). The team also re-found SABK045, an unnamed
karst feature, and SB231, and unnamed cave in a dense thicket.
Coordinates were a bit off for both, and it is unsure whether or not
they are actually on the Park property, so no further investigation of
these two occurred. One more obvious trash-filled sink ("Trash Sink")
right next to the road was also recorded. Surprisingly, no one ever
recorded it before.
The highlight of the day, however, came with the discovery of another
new cave, Marshmallow Cave (no SAB number yet). As usual, Jim noticed a
shallow slump under some trees. A few rocks were removed, revealing a
larger collapse, mostly covered by soil and large rocks. After an hour
or so of work by Jim, Matt, and the kids, the entrance was large enough
for Jim to enter. A fairly easy climbdown of about 3.5 meters opened to
a dry stream crawl of easy hands-and-knees dimensions. After about 30m,
the passage picked up another infeeder, and dropped 4m to another going
dry stream passage. The air was a little bad there, and two
impressionable young children were along, so it was decided not to try
anything foolhardy at that point. This cave is trending towards Tie
Slide Creek, and looks like a good one. Becky came up with the name,
based on the white rocks at the entrance.
After arriving back at the trucks, Jim decided to make one more journey
back to Rabbit Run Grotto to check on the status of the other teams.
Heading in a GPS-directed beeline, he soon found two more good looking
leads that will need enlarging, but should turn into a cave, Cairn Sink
1 and Cairn Sink 2. People and gear were gathered, trucks were entered,
and camp was returned to.
Team one's hours: 27.0
Team 2 David Ochel, Grace Borengasser, Joe Naderer, Robert
Albach, Alexandra Albach
This team hiked into Rabbit Run Grotto (SAB222) from the Lively Pasture
trailhead (Windmill Parking Lot). Some team members had to return to
their vehicles for additional vertical gear, and got lost on the way out
and back, causing delays. Rigging was achieved and survey started while
these delays occurred. Eventually, David and Robert got most of the
rest of the cave surveyed. More time was spent getting Alexandra,
Grace, and Joe kitted up and on rope. This was Joe's first ever wild
cave trip, so he started off with a bang! Alexandra explored a lead at
the bottom of the cave which eventually got too tight. It looks
diggable (mud) and reasonably promising. Multiple variations of
chimneying, rock-climbing, and single rope techniques eventually got
everyone out of the cave. Team 3 showed up again, and Nicholas and Andy
toured the cave before derigging it and returning to camp. 31.15m were
surveyed, with a depth of 13.13m.
Team two's hours: 40.0
Team 3 Andy Zenker, Matt Zaldivar, Nicholas Yasui
This team, affectionately known among us as "Team Flaco," was to go
directly to recently-opened Sharis Diet Cave (SAB205). However, despite
clear directions and even being re-found on the Park road and given
directions a second time, never found the correct access road and ending
up parking and hiking much further than necessary. The cave was entered
and the survey completed in 2 shots to a too-tight drain at the bottom.
Survey length is 10.12m, and depth is 10.07m.
Afterwards, the team went to Rabbit Run Grotto, met Jim and the others,
were pointed toward Rebeccas Rift (SAB704), and took off following the
GPS which they did not no how to use. After wandering in the wrong
direction for a while they finally figured it out, and reached their
destination. They removed more of the small rocks left by Team 1, but
there is still one more in the way, so no survey was achieved. This
cave still needs a little more modification before anyone returns.
Frustrated, they returned to Rabbit Run Grotto again and Andy and
Nicholas toured the cave before it was derigged.
Matt went back to camp with Team 1, and the remaining GPS-challenged
cavers thrashed about in the dark hunting unsuccessfully for their
vehicle. Luckily Robert from Team 2 found them along a road and gave
them a lift back to their car, saving them hours more hiking.
Team three's hours: 27.0
Team 4 Don Arburn, Ann Scott, Denise Prendergast, Galen Falgout
This team was comprised of three experienced cavers just wanting to get
out and hike, and the enthusiastic "new blood" in the form of Galen.
They parked at the Lively Pasture trailhead and followed the trail up
Gorman Creek. Their first objective was SAB187, an unnamed, unmapped
cave. However, they either missed it, or it wasn't where the
coordinates indicated. They did find a variety of other unrecorded
holes and karst features, stuffing Galen into each as far as he could
go. It was determined that they could estimate the depth of each
feature by multiplying how many body lengths he could fit, and coining
the "Galen" as a unit of measurement (1.8m). SAB198, another unnamed,
unmapped cave, could not be found, and obviously has bad coordinates.
They continued, re-finding Cenote del Carne (SAB196) and correcting the
location coordinates. They then tried to find Dog and Butterfly Cave
(SAB197), but the current coordinates are very bad and it remained
unfound. SBK068, an unnamed karst feature, was found, and the
coordinates were pretty good. Sore Back Cave (SAB194) was passed
nearby, but another nearby unnamed, unmapped cave, SAB193, was also not
re-found.
They then looped back down the hillside, finding another cave near
Cenote del Carne. This was labeled as 2 Burnt Ropes Cave (no SAB number
yet). It is a tight, deep hole and no handholds, and two 2m lengths of
burned rope hanging from a bush protruding from the cave entrance. A
few more digs were noted and recorded, including features previously
tagged K8, K9, and K10. These three do not seem to be in the database
yet. Eventually the group ended up at the historic entrance to Gorman
Creek Crevice Cave (SAB183a). Galen went in a ways and checked out all
the "big" passage. They then toured a bunch of entrances documented
during the October trip, finding one of Jim's lost bug bottles (empty)
at Onerock Karst Feature (SAB707). Eventually they meandered up to
Rabbit Run Grotto (SAB222) in time to see Grace enter and just missing
Team 1. They then turned back to the truck, finding another dig and
another feature, missed the first time, named Peptohole (no SAB number
yet) after Denise's missing bag of Pepto-Bismol tablets. An armadillo
was caught and photos taken. Denise's dog Radish had a major conniption
fit about the 'dillo, and tried to eat it. It was safely released and
the team returned to camp.
Team four's hours: 22.0
Team 5 Dale Barnard, Vivian Loftin, Ryan Fabich
Dale and crew returned to Sore Back Cave (SAB194), and old survey
project of his. He attempted to return in January 2010 to work on his
sketches, but that trip was aborted when team member Chris Butschek
became wedged in the entrance, requiring Park personnel for extrication.
This time he had a clipboard and photocopies of the old notes to add
details. There is no evidence of the minor rock-breaking that occurred
during the rescue. Dale sketched the second tight entrance that was
neglected in 1995, when he did the original survey. After frustrations
with his old profile, he started to resurvey part of the cave.
Eventually he decided that the old notes were pretty good after all. He
added more details, and the team left the cave. On the way back they
visited the Horseshoe Chimney Entrance to Gorman Creek Crevice Cave
(SAB183b) and the Historic (Gorman Creek Crevice) Entrance to Gorman
Creek Crevice Cave (SAB183a) before returning to camp.
Team five's hours: 18.0
Team 6 Karen Masters, Ryan Monjaras, Lydia Hernandez, Laura Cox
This team set out for Great Gaspy Cave (SAB682) and Critical Moss Cave
(SAB683) to FINALLY finish the surveys of both, and to ridgewalk the
surrounding area to look for more new caves. They began at Gaspy, where
Lydia wanted to clean up data from the December trip. All but Karen
entered the cave and collected additional information. Karen reviewed
her notes and sketch of Critical Moss, and did a little hiking around.
As the Gaspy group was exiting, they heard a loud bang. No one saw
anything, but cave monsters were conjectured. Laura unfortunately
dropped her camera, which was retrieved, but the LCD viewscreen was
broken.
The group then went to Critical Moss and entered to resume the survey.
Six bats were noted, probably Tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus).
At station 4 Karen noted that the squeeze still had bad air, confirmed
with Ryan's lighter. Lydia and Ryan entered the squeeze to assess the
air in the back room while Karen and Laura checked the data. Lydia and
Ryan returned, short of breath, and said that the air was bad to the
end. After a brief discussion it was decided not to dig, but hopefully
still continue the survey. Karen and Lydia set up at station 5, but
realized that it would take multiple shots to get through the
restriction, something none of them looked forward to. In the end it
was decided not to pursue the survey. Some crickets were noted
procreating in the cave, recorded by Ryan on Lydia's camera.
Another hour and a half were spent ridgewalking. The scenery was
enjoyable. The group re-found Polish Cave (SAB233) and collected new
(and better?) coordinates.
Team six's hours: 30.0
What Should Be Done Next:
* Re-tag Sharis Diet Cave (SAB205), which currently has a "K11"
tag on it.
* Continue to enlarge Rebeccas Rift (SAB704), and survey it.
Re-tag.
* Re-find MM Hole (SAB191), Cave #6 (SAB224), and Centennial Cave
(SAB239), map MM Hole and Cave #6.
* Map Marshmallow Cave.
* Revisit Team 4's leads to assess enlargeability and to re-find
the other caves and karst features not located.
* Go back to Critical Moss Cave (SAB683) to push lead at bottom
and finish map.
* Tag Great Gaspy Cave (SAB682).
* Ridgewalk more of burned area in Lively pasture to look for new
features and verify some questionable points, especially the area around
Space Heater Cave (SAB203), Earth Day Delight Cave (SAB257), Sore Toe
Cave (SAB179), and Varmint Trap Cave (SAB178); the area around Don't Fit
Pit (SAB199), unnamed cave SAB195, and unnamed cave SAB193; and the area
around Peps Pit (SAB315), Coon Scat Crevice (SAB273), unnamed cave
SAB291, Shrink to Fit Cave (SAB218), Hard Wedge Cave (SAB 272), Good n'
Tight Cave (SAB283), and Arizona Cave (SAB282).
--- End Message ---
