The WIre Wiggle was named after the wire used to set off explosive
charges used to enlarge the passage in the 70s. We had almost given
up getting through (we were digging our way in), but we realized we
could see through to a bigger space. We placed a charge (probably
kinapak), and that broke it though. I don't remember who was with
me. So it impassable and we dug on it, then used the chemical
persuasion for the last bit to open it out. We planned to return and
open up the passage some more to make it bigger, but we couldn't
decide which way to go, so we left it small and kinky. >:-} We had
noticed there was an upper level there, and thought that might be the
easier thing to enlarge.
wm
At 10:59 AM -0600 2/14/12, Preston Forsythe wrote:
To the best of my knowledge, Bill Russell pioneered that famous
route at the back of Airman's Cave. I know my trip there was with
Bill. That section of the cave has some amazing long thin selinite
needles. But, the 120 degree tight bend in the Wire Wiggle is a
killer as the knees will not easily bend to accommodate the
maneuver. Rumor is that passage was enlarged, somehow, by blasting?
As for other interesting cave passage names, I particularly like the
secondary entrance name to Cool Springs Cave, KY. That crawlway is
known as Roach's Runway. Reminds me of the old days at 1307 1/2
Kirkwood and the huge numbers of roaches before I led the boric acid
attack in the kitchen. Roach's Runway is another tight passage,
similar to the entrance crawl in Airman's. However, The Wire Wiggle
in the back of Airman's is way tighter than it's entrance crawl.
The current most incredible tight passage that I know of is the new
connection at Mammoth Cave between Donkey Cave and Pohl Avenue under
Flint Ridge. This tight virgin passage was pushed hard by Joyce
Hoffmaster on May 28, 2011. Donkey Cave became the Eleventh
Connection to Mammoth Cave. If you have access, see Roger Brucker's
write-up of this story in the Feb.. 2012 CRF Newsletter. I do not
know if the crawl was named or not. It may be the Donkey Kong push
(?) as the lead was a drain out of the Donkey Kong Pit.
And, while I am running on: how about that Drama in Lukina Jama in
Crotia by Bruce White in the new Feb., 2012, NSS News. One of the
best caving stories I have read.
Cavingly,
Preston in Muhlenberg Co., KY
==========================================
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
To: <mailto:[email protected]>Preston Forsythe ;
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] ;
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 7:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Schetromph cave
The Wire Wiggle in Airman's. Now there's a noble destination. All
Texas cavers should aspire to passing through its confines at least
once. We should have a club for those who have been through it.
Bill
--
William Hart Russell
4806 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78751
H: 512-453-4774 (messages)
CELL: 512-940-8336
