Ahh David, That brings back memories. John Chelf had a trip to the pit once. His pickup and camper was packed with 6? 7? 8? Cavers. Not all did the drop. One was ol’ Jack Ralph. He got hung up for a some time while crossing the knot. His seat sling got shifted and boy did he get in a pinch, so to speak. We drove up the flat slick-rock mountain as far as the truck could pull, then we walked. That night when we left we got lost driving across the desert to the oasis. We realized this when we started crossing fresh truck tire prints in the sand and they were ours. Then there was that cow.
Jon Cradit From: Texascavers <texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com> On Behalf Of David Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 10:48 AM To: CaveTex <texascavers@texascavers.com> Subject: [Texascavers] Rancho del Elusive Pit The gate to the ranch is about here and was the only gate in the area around 1995. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JhahJ7GmyLhWBCVW8 Gate was constructed of pipe and painted bright yellow, with a protected single heavy-duty key lock. There is a ranch house about 1/4 mile southwest beyond the gate. Only one spot required serious four-wheeling across an arroyo before the house. Bring lumber, 2×6. The rest is flat with sharp rocks and tall sharp plants. So there, you just need good ground-clearance and really tough tires Ranch hands lived in Candela 4 blocks south of Municipal building. Locals called it "La Mina de Something. ??" Owner's adult daughter lived on Nebraska St . in Laredo, Texas about ten years ago. See Eustorgio Garcia ( R.I.P. ) Using rebelays, the pit could be rigged as 3 easy drops ( 2 ledges, one of which is large enough to get off rope in an emergency ( I tested it ). Leads are around but up high, but I think those passages may be mined tunnels. There could potentially be more passage beneath 20 tons of guano. I would recommend doing all the popular caves in the region there and just skipping Illusive Pit. I ridge-walked the lower elevations of the west face of the mountain several times while searching for it and while hoping to find other caves. If there are other caves, they would probably be higher above Illusive Pit. Most likely there are more caves, on that mountain. I do not know if the east face gets more rain. I did not re-find it by myself. The ranch-hands knew of it, but did not know where it was exactly. They were one ravine off, as I recall and about 100 meters off elevation. I gave them a 12-pack of American beer, which did not please their wives. I think I made up for that on the second trip. I recall Terry Raines saying he verified the ledges interrupted the free drop. My opinion is that you would have to install bolts if you did not bring a 600 foot rope. We tied 3 ropes together and crossed knots which unfortunately were not placed at the ledges. ( The first time we did it ) D. L. ***This is an external email - beware links & attachments from unknown senders***
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