MAY 2006 GROTTO NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE
• Calendar, 2
• Camden Park, 2
• Minutes, 3
• Indiana Caves, 4
• Buddha Cave, 5
• 7 Caves, 7
• MSU Caving, 6
• Wet Tarkiln, 8

Wet, Wetter, Wettest!

ESSO Grotto has received a
2006 Sara Corrie Memorial
Grant from the NSS for explo-
ration activities, specifically for
surveying equipment. The gear
was purchased from IMO with
the $250 grant: A Suunto
Tandem compass and clinome-
ter, a circle compass and a Lost
Creek survey pouch to hold
everything. The gear will compli-
ment the grotto's GPS pur-
chased several years ago thanks
to the same grant. We've got
caves located, now it's time to
survey. Plenty are without maps!

Indi- Moreaphotos,na Cavi n g At Its Fi n est

––
From Roy Vanhoozer: The
Kentucky Environmental Quality
Commission awarded the
Mammoth
Cave
Restoration
Field Camp
an Earth Day
Award. These
awards are
SHORT
given annually to C RAWLS
commemorate Earth day by
recognizing people, groups,
companies, etc. that have done
something to help the environ-
ment. The award presentation
was April in Frankfort at Berry
Hill Mansion. ESSO has had a
huge showing at camps over
the years, and done much to
help Mammoth. Way to go
guys!
––
Don't forget two of ESSO's
favorite caving events are right
around the corner - the annual
Tygarts Creek Canoe Trip the
park let's us take, on May 13;
and the annual June Picnic on
the 10th of that month, either
at the park or echo canyon.
Cave trips to be announced.
Mark your calendars now for
some fun!
Page 4-5
by Jonathon Lewis more. It is near the city of Salem, host site
nce, we considered Tar Kiln a wet of an NSS convention in the 90s. On this
O cave. But now that we have particular spring weekend we went, April
crossed borders into Indiana Caving
Country we have discovered that no cave
7-9, we had Kevin Betz coordinating a full
weekend of underground activities. We
in the Carter County area is deemed to be were concerned about the weekend’s
a wet cave from this point forward. activities on the Friday before with a terri-
It’s true that Indiana caves are indeed ble rash of storm cells sweeping the coun-
soaking wet, and bone chilling cold, but try and devastating areas of Tennessee,
do not let this detour you from visiting Kentucky, and Indiana. However, the
them. Recently, several ESSO Starve Hollow area was spared of any
Grotto members along with some
folks from the Mammoth Cave See INDIANA, Page 4
Restoration Gang traveled to Starve
Hollow State Recreation Area to set up
base for one of those wet caving adventur-
ous weekends. Starve Hollow is a seclud-
ed state park in Southern Indiana that is
ideal for rest and relaxation after a long
trip underground. It has nice shower facil-
ities and the camping is right on the lake.
The reason behind the choice of this
camping facility is due not only to its
quality but also because it is in the heart
of ideal caving country. Nearby you will
find such well-known caves as Marengo,
Clicks, Buddha, Cave River Valley and
 Page 2
Notes from the Underground

ESSO could help bat exhibit

From Lisa Pruitt-Thorner
Caving Calendar
President
I took it upon myself to contact Camden Park about their bat exhibit. I
May 6-7, Mammoth Cave
spoke for probably a half hour ... with the staff member who is coordinating Restoration Camp. Email rvan-
the bat exhibit. hoo@aol.com.
I asked about the possibility of ESSO's involvement in various ways with May 6-7, Grotto Vertical Workshop,
the exhibit. She told me that she had contacted the state of Kentucky about Plummer’s Farm and Carter Caves,
Carter Caves and she has talked to Coy. Coy told her that he didn't know if email bsaul2000@yahoo.com.
they had the budget for a cross promotion but he would get back to her. May 13, Annual ESSO canoe trip
I told her what ESSO is all about and that we could help out with all of
on Tygarts Creek. Caving, canoeing
that and possibly provide the public with more information about bats, caves,
caving and even do promoting for Carter Caves too. I mentioned two or three and getting wet, what fun! Check
times about a vertical exhibit one or two weekends during the exhibit's run. the group or email Brian for more
She didn't know if they had anyplace for that but she said she would talk to details.
her general manager. I asked May 15, Grotto Meeting! Flatwoods
if I could meet with her soon At Camden Park library, 7:30. Come early and eat
and she said, yes, very possi- “A new attraction awaits visitors to Camden at Giovanni’s. Vote early for your
bly. So I will call her back ... Park’s 103rd Season. Masters of the Night - favorite cave! (Next day is election
and see what we can cook up. BATS will open in Camden Park’s Discovery
At the very least we can day in Kentucky!) Program:
have a passive table with
Center opening day May 6. Covering 5,000 National Geo. tape and/or NSS
square feet of the Discovery Center, visitors will
information and there is defi- find a gothic castle, cave and rain forest. With Convention promotional DVD!
nate strong possibility for special effects and models, the unique story of Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-
some live cross promotion of bats is told as you visit the center and see their 29, Speleofest, Hart Co., Louisville
ESSO and Carter Caves. As world: sometimes updise down! Visit www.cam- Grotto,www.caves.org/grotto/louisv
to vertical, well, I don't denpark.com.” illegrotto
know. We'll see.
She asked for my help in
May through August ... The True Story of •
getting in contact with the
Bats attraction dispels popular misconceptions June 1-4, SERA Summer Cave
about bats, describes their ecological importance Carnival, Scottsboro, Ala. See
right people to find some live and gives visitors a true appreciation for the
bats for the exhibit. I told her wonders of the bat world. www.caves.org/grotto/cag.
about BCI and that I could Your journey begins in a Gothic portal that June 10, ESSO Grotto annual pic-
contact Crash Kennedy ... opens the way to see the world as bats see it - nic, Carter Caves or Echo Canyon.
If she sets up a meeting, I upside down. A rain forest setting at dawn is Trips to be announced.
would like for a couple of recreated to provide a realistic look at bat¹s habi- June 23-25, 53rd Cave Capers,
members/officers from ESSO
to join me.
tat and appearance. Roosting habits, hibernation Mitchell, Ind., www.cavecapers.com
and other behaviors are depicted through interac- •
Be thinking about the tive displays in a cave that simulates a daytime
prospects you guys. This is entrance and an exit at dusk.
July 1-2, Sloans Valley trip, 10-15
exciting! people max, with camping, email
bsaul2000@yahoo.com.
July 9, DUG meeting with Roger
Eastern States Speleological Organization (ESSO) Grotto, Inc. Brucker program on Floyd Collins,
www.dugcaves.com.
July 14-16, Karst-O-Rama, GSP,
Rockcastle County.
July 23-29, MaCa Restoration
Week.
Meets third Mondays monthly in Flatwoods, Ky. •
Lisa Pruitt-Thorner, President; Brian Saul, Vice President; August 5, US 60 Yard sale fund-
raiser.
Cindy Duncan, Secretary; and Shelia Gilliam, Treasurer August 18-20, Wormfest, C Caves,
Shriner’s campground.
HTTP://WWW.CAVES.ORG/GROTTO/ESSO August 25-27, ESSO van trip to
Tennessee caves. Possibly Camps
HTTP://GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/ESSOGROTTO Gulf, TBA.

Minutes, News
April’s meeting minutes ...
by Cindy Duncan
The April 17, 2006 meeting of
ESSO Grotto was held at the Greenup
County Library in Flatwoods, Ky.
Those in attendance were: Ernie and
Sheila Gilliam, Jonathon Lewis, Cindy
Duncan, Brian Saul, Terry Waechter,
Dave Junker, Susie and Steve Duncan,
Lisa, Chole, and Camille Thorner,
Allen Blair, Brent Ray, Jim Fox, Chris
Smith, and Tim Mootz.
The minutes and treasurer's
reports were read and accepted. Sheila
mentioned that ESSO's check to the
KSS had never been cashed so she
added it back into the treasury.
Old Business: MaCa Weekend is
May 6 and 7. There will also be a verti-
cal workshop that weekend at the
Plummer's Farm. Canoe Trip: May 13.
Allen said he had contacted the
NSS Sarah Corrie Memorial Fund to
help ESSO purchase a Suunto tandem
for surveying. The grotto received a
grant of $250. We need an under-
ground radio to be invented by one or
some of our extremely talented mem-
bers. I know we have some!
Also discussed was Bridge Day
coming in October.
Maybe we can connect with the
park and see about a tire cleanup in
Tygart's Creek. It was suggested to use
the "ratty" canoes for towing. Reed's
on Rt. 209, possibly back a truck down
to the creek for at least one major load
of "stuff."
Cave Class: Shawnee University,
Brian Saul and helpers April 22, and
Tar Kiln April 29.
June ESSO picnic. June 10 at the
park or Echo Canyon. The park is main
idea but you know us, anywhere we
can fix food and feast will work. (HA)
New Business: Burchett's. We real-
ly need some members to take the
Lands out to dinner and talk with
them about ESSO's use of Burchett's or
possibly a purchase of an entrance.
Susie Duncan and Jonathon Lewis are
two for certain with this because they
know members of Land family who
could possibly help us with our quest.
Also mentioned was Coy Ainsley, but
only as a "civilian" or Larry Matiz.
Jonathon had the idea of getting
Vanessa on the speaker phone about all
our concerns at our next meeting. That
sounds like a really great plan.
Lisa brought up the idea of giving
gift baskets to five landowners during
our June picnic, but have them made up
for the Fourth of July. It was first
motioned my Jonathon and seconded
by Susie. Also voted and accepted was
to give Lisa $150.00 from the treasury to
purchase the baskets and things to fill
them. Some of land owners are Tarkiln,
Burchett's ,Wilburn, and I can't read my
writing for the rest. (Editor's note:
Possibly Fern and Flood, Skyscraper,
etc., which is Dr. Lewis, and others.)
The meeting adjourned at 9:45
I would like to apologize to the
grotto for our speaker not showing up.
I never had any indication he wasn't
going to. The last I had heard from
him was the Friday before our Monday
meeting and he said he was looking
forward to telling us about this un-
named cave. Truly it sounds like a
great place to investigate. I haven't
heard from him at all since then. I
doubt I do that again. It truly would've
been interesting to hear about. Again I
apologize for his no show.
Check
out Mine
Cave
Branch
PAGE 6
Page 3
Be planning for August’s yard
sale fund-raiser, coming up at the
big giant US 60 yard sale through-
out Carter County. Last year, we
made enough money to fund the
van trip to Tennessee! Put back
some stuff you’re dying to donate
for the sale table and wait for
instructions. We should iron out
details soon. If you can’t wait
send word to the editor, mrallen-
blair@gmail.com, and I’ll make
sure your info gets to the right
person!
––
Wanna do some caving on
Memorial Day or that weekend?
Check out the Yahoo Group. There
could a trip near you!
groups.yahoo/com, or email
Jonathon Lewis at jonlewis@zoom-
net.net.
––
Ohio Valley Region of the NSS
- MINUTES - March 26. 2006; 2:30
p.m., Hamilton, Ohio … The first
order of business
was the election
of officers. All
current officers &
directors agreed
to accept their S HORT
current positions
as follows: John Cole,C RAWLS
Chairman; Brian Leavell, Vice
Chairman; Kathy Welling,
Treasurer; Bill Walden, Director;
Jim Greer, Director; Don Conover,
Director. Others will be asked …
Andy Franklin is running new OVR
listserve: ovr@ontosystems.com,
Kathy Welling will check with Tom
Rea about the possibility of NSS
website space. Brian Leavell will
take responsibility for all grotto
emails & contact persons in OVR,
creating address book and main-
taining updates.
Conservation Projects: It was
unanimously agreed upon that the
first new conservation project of
the OVR will be held the weekend
of October 21, 2006, and will be
held in Kentucky at Redmond
Creek. Bill Walden,
wwalden@columbus.rr.com, will
provide additional details ... 7
Caves in Ohio ... Buckner's Cave in
Indiana is in the process of ongo-
ing restoration and may appreci-
ate assistance from the OVR...
Next Meeting: The next meeting of
the OVR will occur July 16, 2006
at 12:00 noon at the GSP pavilion
at the close of Karst-O-Rama
(immediately following the RKC
meeting). See http://ovr.tuningor-
acle.com/

Indiana Caving!
INDIANA
- From page one
major damage and the weekend
was continued as planned.
Caution was heightened however
due to the large amount of rain
that had occurred over the recent
36-hour period. We relied on
Kevin’s and John Kirk’s past expe-
rience in the local caves to deter-
mine the safety in the water levels
that we were witnessing.
To say the least this was con-
firmed to be the highest water lev-
els witnessed in the caves in recent
years. Some passages were nearly
sumped that were typically walk-
ing passage with a trickle steam
flowing through; others were just
really wet, again to say the least.
For those with a desire to see new
caves totally different from that of
typical Carter County Caves do
not let this discourage you, it is
worth the time, effort and plan-
ning to enter these special caves.
On Friday, the gang went in
Cave River Valley, on a unique
tract of land that is full of interest-
ing caves such as Lamplighter and
River Cave. The caves on this
property are so full of long inter-
esting passages that a group can
easily spend a three-day weekend
on this property alone. River Cave
was indeed named correctly, for
the entrance is the home of an age-
old earthen and concrete dam that
holds back enough water to make
a nice river deep into the cave.
In order to gain access to this
cave it is necessary to bring along a
trusted flotation device or better yet
a small inflatable boat as some do.
Part of the adventure in touring this
cave is in the unique needs to enter
it and the journey through it. Even
though the water flows out this
particular entrance, it is not difficult
to travel upstream, and this cave
would be classified as a Level 2
horizontal cave with a strong rec-
ommendation for wet-suit.
Saturday, after a good night¹s
rest, we headed out early follow-
ing a hearty breakfast to hit some
awesome caves in the Cave River
Valley area. The CRV area is
owned and managed by the city of
Salem. Its access is granted on a
limited basis daily, by the city
police department downtown. It is
a good idea if planning a trip to
contact them in advance to deter-
mine if access is going to be possi-
ble. The property encompasses the
Page 4
entire valley and is entered by a
rough 4x4 road. Once in the valley
parking area, however, you are
surrounded by several true
Indiana-style caves. Once suiting
up with proper wet gear we
entered first Middle Cave.
This cave is unique in the fact
that access to the lower lever is
easy; with a walk-in entrance and
a small 5-foot water wall climb up
you will soon discover your next
obstacle and the end of the lower
level, a 25-foot waterfall. This very
pronounced obstacle helps to not
only keep out unprepared adven-
turers but also those who would
be inclined to vandalism. The only
way to get to the upper level is
right thru the waterfall.
Kevin Betz developed a few
years ago a one-of-a-kind light-
weight ladder that is broken down
into three major pieces to be able
to bring it into the cave, then
assembled in the waterfall cham-
ber. It is one of the most valuable
assets to someone entering this
cave, making access to the upper
level easy to even to us cavers
who are strictly horizontal cavers.
Typically, the waterfall is pouring
over enough water to get you
good and wet but not at the levels
found this particular weekend.
Kevin said it was indeed the most
he had witnessed in his time at the
cave. The water was estimated to
be pouring over 150 gallons a sec-
ond, making it very difficult to
take a breath when climbing
through the waterfall up the lad-
der. But it was not something to
fear, merely another challenge
worth the effort.
Finally upon entering the
upper level, you notice instantly
that the passage is very different
from that found almost anywhere
else. It reminds you of the kettles
found in the ceiling of caves such
as Saltpeter Cave at CCSRP. Here
however, bells of various sizes litter
the floor instead of this upper pas-
sage everywhere! Ranging various
sizes from 1 foot in diameter and 1
inch deep, to 20 feet in diameter
and 10 feet deep! This makes the
trip truly worth the effort if only to
witness this first hand. Sadly on
this trip, with the water levels
where they were, the silt prohibit-
ed us seeing them, also making the
trip all the more difficult through
the rest of the passage.
Continued on Page 5

Indiana Caving!
Slowly moving along, the adventurer
must take full caution in each and every
step, risking harm if not. You never know
if that next drop was only an inch or sev-
eral feet! Soon we came to our final obsta-
cle, the next waterfall, which was a climb-
ing risk today that we were not willing to
take. We soon backtracked and headed to
a warmer environment.
After taking a break to warm our
bodies outside we soon ventured down
the valley a ways to take a look at another
cave that is posing a challenge to venture
into. Similar to Middle Cave we were just
at, this cave, Waterfall Cave, after a short
trip through the entrance passage we
come to a rear chamber, which is the con-
nection point for a pit-dome. Down below
you find a bubbling brew of water and
debris, churning about in a crazed state,
due to the large amount of water pound-
ing down from above. Looking up you see
the water pouring over, leaving only to
the imagination what lies above. Kevin
reports that the upper level has been to
some degree surveyed, meaning that oth-
ers have been successful in reaching that
area. The difficulty lies in making a sound
decision on how to tackle this challenge,
something we had to hold off on for
another day.
Soon we were back outside and head-
ing to the final cave of the day, Mill Cave.
Once the water flowing out its entrance
was used for a hydraulic ram of sorts,
with remnants of this long forgotten com-
mercial venture still remaining. This is a
two level passage cave; entering from the
lower, wet level. The lower passage has an
active stream flowing thru, but not with
water levels found at the Middle Cave
thankfully. The lower level terminated
several thousand feet back in the hill at a
breakdown point that has a nice waterfall
coming out from it. This cave has been
surveyed well and reports no penetration
to passage beyond the breakdown.
Backtracking a little ways you will find
the connecting point to the upper level.
There you will find a different environ-
ment, to say the least.
From the lower levels of wet clean
rock to the upper levels mud, more mud
and even more mud. In order to even
travel in some spots, past cavers have cut
deep into the mud hills steps to aid cavers
to come. Those were appreciated to say
the least. However the upper level is void
of formations and is, simply put, reminis-
cent of some of the mud holes found in
Carter County.
After a quick search in this area we
were soon having thoughts of the burgers
that would be on the grill back at base
camp. Needless to say, we soon were outta
there and heading back to camp.
Following an awesome meal we soon all
were ready to get some rest and prepare
for the next day’s adventures.
On Sunday, we were honored to have
the opportunity to enter Buddha Cave,
about a 30-minute drive from the base
camp. Buddha, which was featured on the
March 2006 NSS News cover, is a cave
that is well known to cavers in a large sur-
rounding area. The cave is littered with
many large formations and has several
unique challenges to it, which only entice
cavers. It is owned by a conservancy, mak-
ing access easier than that typically found
with private landowner relations situa-
tions. Proper paperwork however is neces-
sary to gain proper access.
Upon arrival to the Buddha Cave
property, I had to make the difficult deci-
sion to either wear the stinky, still wet
wetsuit or only poly-pro base layer. I had
been told that this was a drier cave than
the others we had visited in the area. But
due to the heavy rains I made the deci-
sion to go with a wetsuit. Boy am I glad!
After the lengthy walk to the cave I was
beginning to doubt my decision. Then
upon entering the cave you must do a
climb up to gain access to the upper level
passage, the only way into the rest of the
cave. There we found additional dry pas-
sage, with several holes leading to the
lower level.
I was beginning to not like the wet-
suit for several reasons. But then we came
to the major challenge of this cave. The
upper passage terminates in an abrupt
end, which shows a drop down to the
lower level. On the far side of the room is
a waterfall pouring over into the darkness.
The bottom was impossible to see, even
with the 3-watt beam from my trusted
Page 5
light. We soon rigged a cable ladder to
this particular point, which would allow
us to come down approximately 25 feet to
an ideal landing platform. The water level
was still an additional 10 feet down, mak-
ing this a long and un-nerving drop for
some, in other words me. The drop looks
as if it is going to be a friction drop also as
you descend down the cable ladder. The
first 5 feet appeared that way, making a
comfortable climb down. Then suddenly
the walls fall away from you and become
the ceiling, putting you right into the void
of the lower level. The comforts of the
walls are gone, and now you are fighting
for that comfort that you had only seconds
ago. Now is not the time to rest and clear
your thoughts, your energy is quickly
draining, fighting the cable ladder. Soon
however you find your feet on solid
ground, marking another challenge that
has been met.
Sadly however your mind makes note
that sometime or another you will have to
venture back up that challenge in order to
see sunlight once again. When getting
down to the lower level you soon realize
that the wetsuit was indeed a wise deci-
sion. One direction leads to a pool at the
bottom of the waterfall, the other direction
leads to a near sump, with air clearance of
approximately 4 inches. Boy is this wetsuit
going to be appreciated or what! John
Kirk soon takes the lead and we surge
thru the near sump challenge coming thru
and into the continuance of the walking
passage. Soon we find the formations that
we have heard about and saw past photos
of. The challenges and effort to be here are
being repaid. We have arrived!
We continue to walk through the
meandering canyon style passage viewing
the formations throughout the passage,
placed in a way as if strategically. Soon we
come to a terminal sump and make our
way back to the cable ladder starting
point. From here we must climb up to a
lip and thru a small crack to gain access to
the continuing passage that is found
behind the breakdown wall behind the
waterfall. Whew! We make it and continue
on for quite some time. The passage
changes and soon become what would be
reminiscent of a sewer pipe. An unnerving
feeling comes upon you when you see
fresh debris hanging from cracks in the
ceiling. Several continue on in a party to
push the passage till a sump.
Buddha cave is part of a system that
connects to Christian Cave, however it
must be a rare dry period for a connection
to happen. Soon too our group discovers
that today is not one of those days. We
regroup and head back to the waterfall
breakdown. John Kirk, however, remem-
Continued on Page 7
 Page 6
Caving Daniel Boone

A trip to the forest with MSU’s Caving Club

by Jonathon Lewis
Well it was a wonderful day. Whew
and am I tired!! I think that heat is what
drains me, because the conditions were
not difficult, just that heat. With summer
creeping in on us, we are going to have to
once again get used to the warmer condi-
tions associated with traveling to caves.
This trip was a collaboration with the
MSU Caving Club and Jamie Hogge with
the Club was the trip organizer.
Jamie had planned for us a few caves
near Cave Run Lake and in Daniel Boone
National Forest. One of the caves he had in
mind had to be reconsidered due to Turkey
Season in effect, leaving us a good reason
for a return trip. But we still had several
holes to check out in a off the beaten path
are of the forest call Mine Cave Branch, an
appropriate title for an area of caves. Those
in attendance for this adventure included
from ESSO, Jonathon Lewis, Todd Richards
and Mark Walker. The MSU Caving Club
had two undergrad students not including
Jamie the trip leader, in attendance also. Dr.
Gary O'Dell, professor at MSU was not able
to attend this event. Gary has been very
active for years in the Rockcastle Co. caves
area of Kentucky. Mark Walker at Mine Cave Branch for an April trip.
We gathered near MSU's Main
Campus Saturday morning and then were able to enjoy and we soon found and more importantly warm up a bit.
headed towards the lake, taking a 30- ourselves crawling thru. The water was Overall a nice cave, and had one
minute journey thru some scenic back cold; possibly traveling from deep within important feature that stands out in my
roads that were showcases for the redbuds these hills, for it was not only cold, but mind and probably the minds of all who
in full bloom. Soon we found ourselves on also colder than the waters I found recent- enter: The amazing amount of chert found
a long gravel road that led us deep into ly in several Indiana Caves, which was in the ceiling and near the top of the walls.
the heart of the Daniel Boone forest, driv- interesting. But there was nothing to fear, This cave was literally covered from one
ing us deep into nature. Jamie soon led us for we only receive water onto our bodies end to the other without disruption with
to a nice pull off where we got our gear up to our knees and when crawling our chert nodules of varying sizes and designs
prepared and soon dropped over the ridge legs and hands. No levels warranting a that kept your attention not on the pas-
and into the thick of the forest. wetsuit to say the least. sage, but on the ceiling.
Thankfully Jamie is very familiar with this The cave is of walking height however Upon exiting the cave and attempting
area, for it would be very easy to become for almost 500 feet before becoming a to remove the coolness from our bodies,
disoriented and lost in these woodlands. hands and knees crawl, then after a few we began the trek back towards our start-
After a nice hike we finally came to the more hundred feet turning into a comfort- ing point, all the while stopping and vari-
lower levels of this valley and soon notices able belly crawl, and then into a possible ous places to check out other leads.
signs of more to come: Sinking streams, dig. Jamie had mentioned that he had Several leads turned into small caves, with
small and medium sized sinkholes, and pushed a lead that led into a passage filled one being a sinking stream that Mark and
finally Karst windows. Upon passing all with light, but beyond that which he could Jamie turned into a thru trip with relative
this we arrived that our destination, the push. On this trip we had Mark Walker go ease. Sadly however none of the leads
main entrance, reminding ourselves to back while we rested, to verify the situa- turned into major borehole nor gave up
check out many possible cave leads on the tion. Upon returning Mark confirmed the much beauty beyond that found in a typi-
return back. light and the lead that would turn this cal stream passage. Jamie however notes
The Main entrance, aka: Mine Cave cave into a thru trip. The situation was that the other cave we was destined for,
Branch Cave was a nice sight for a bunch positive, in that the passage was an easy until the discovery of Turkey season has
of overheated cavers, with its small stream dig in loose soil, needing only a few inches several things to make it noteworthy. Until
exiting and perfect ledges with ample to make the passage passable. It was noted then we will have to draw a close our
shade, this was the ideal place to break and we will remember a trowel on a possi- adventures in Daniel Boone Forest Caving.
and prepare for the entry into this unfa- ble second trip. Upon all this we soon got This was an enjoyable trip and was a
miliar place. Soon we were pumped up, the notion to get the heck outta here and good opportunity to build relationships
with a strong desire to know what lurks towards sunlight to warm our chilled between the two organizations. We have
on beyond the light. We soon found out damp bodies. On the return back out we much we can do to help one another, and
that this is a nice cave, with a small stream paused to view out the karst window, aka I look forward to seeing the possibilities
traveling thru the entire cave, in which we second entrance, to appreciate its beauty unfold in the years to come.
 Page 7
Indiana & Ohio

7 Caves back to ‘nature’ tours

The 2nd annual Celebration of
Scholarship Undergraduate
Conference will be held May 18 at
Shawnee State University (SSU) in
The Highlands Nature Sanctuary & the Arc of Appalachia, www.highlands-
Portsmouth.
sanctuary.org, purchased a Southern Ohio area known as 7 Caves, to return it to Invited speaker is Bristol,
nature. They still need a couple hundred thousand dollars and many volunteers England native Dr. Hazel Barton,
to turn it into an education center for the public. Visit the Web site to learn more, Ashland Endowed Professor of
meanwhile here's part of an article from a recent e-newsletter: Integrative Sciences at Northern
"Volunteers and staff have been working hard over the winter to transform 7 Kentucky University, and a director
Caves from a regional tourist attraction to a world-class natural area. When the of the National Speleological
lights came out of the caves last winter, you can't believe how many bats showed Society. She examines microbial
up to hibernate!! Now they are stirring, awaiting the flush of insects the coming communities in caves and is also
season promises... an avid cave explorer and cartog-
What's been accomplished besides removing lights??? Some of the cement rapher and has
sidewalks in the Caves are now dismantled, successfully rewilding the caves. appeared in an
Many of the old metal hand railings have been removed, creating both a more Imax movie,
natural (and more photogenic) scenery. Old cave signage referring to storybook "Journey into
characters and Mother Goose tales have also been taken down, and in some cases, Amazing Caves."
archived, just because they do retain a certain amount of historic charm. All in all, For information, S HORT
call Gary
the main landscape features at 7 Caves are being emancipated from the limita-
tions of human mental constructs. Visitors are now invited to behold the real-life Gemmer at (740) C RAWLS
351-3341, email
magnificence of nature -- in all of its breathtaking diversity and beauty. ggemmer@shawnee.edu or con-
Come Visit this Summer for Candle-light Cave Tours. From May through tact Marilyn Mangus at (740) 351-
October we will be leading tours into the caves on Fridays, Saturdays and 3456.
Sundays. If interested in details, please see our website www.highlandssanctu-
ary.org and click on Visiting 7 Caves in the upper left-hand corner. However, we ––
appreciate you not dropping by before the May 5th date. We have ever so much The editor was planning to
publish the annual membership
to do to get ready by May. However, if you want to come to help, that's another
list in the May Bee. But too
story. Please click on www.highlandssanctuary.org/Donations/donations.htm for a many good trip reports inter-
Donation form if you wish to help. We would be ever so grateful. If you wish to fered. It is coming soon, so if
volunteer at the Caves, please call Larry Henry at 937-365-1600. you need to update info or see
this newsletter but haven’t paid
your dues, please contact an
INDIANA get my butt outta here!
I take the first step, then another, and
appropriate person or the editor
- From page 5 at mrallenblair@gmail.com.
in rapid succession go heel / toe / heel / toe Thanks.
bers back to when the pool below the and without recognizing it have made it to
waterfall was not as full and you could go the crack. Using muscles I did not know I ––
underneath the breakdown and emerge in had and all the adrenaline in my body I This from GCG: A Wells Cave
the pool. Today however the water level is force myself in the crack and emerge suc- cleanup (Pulaski County) is sched-
so high that you would not even see the cessful. Soon in rapid succession everyone uled for Saturday, June 3. Wells
passage without knowing it was there. With else is up and we have got the gear packed Cave is an NSS preserve. Check
it only being approximately 5 feet through, away and are making our way to the exit. out the link at caves.org.
John holds tight and surges thru, emerging On the way out we stop to check on other
in the waterfall pool. Without hesitation, I leads, turning into possible passages that go ––
gain confidence with his success, and do off the map. We find one and make mental Suggested reading from
the unimaginable, surging thru the icy notes to check with the map in detail upon Preston Forsyth, new Kentucky
water and emerge in the waterfall pool, our return home, to determine if we have Speleological Survey president:
with the excitement still shaking thru me, I found new passage. Indeed this trip to "Selected Poems of Robert Penn
do it once again! This time however for a Buddha has been worth it. Warren," edited by John Burt. Pg
photo op. Again I say it; the wetsuit was a Not only that, but the weekend has 217 offers from Being Here,
good decision. been a success. No accident reports to write "Speleology," … "I cut off the light.
Soon however the excitement dwindles up, no horrible stories to attempt to forget, Knew darkness and depth and no
and the chill from the icy water overcomes only good memories. The photos will not Time."
me once again. And then the fear of the show much, only wet fellers in a dark place. They recently stopped at
dreaded climb that has been lingering in The real memories will lie with those who Robert Penn Warrens home in
the back of my mind comes back full force. took the risks and met the challenges. There Guthrie, KY … Robert is said to
As I watch Kevin climb up first, I see him they will lie and be treasured. If you do not have been a local caver. His wife
have some slight difficulty at the top of the have any treasured memories of Indiana
was from Cerulean Springs, in
ceiling where you must force yourself into caving, perhaps you need to be making
nearby Trigg County, and some of
the crack that I was so fond of coming plans to join the next group heading up
that way. western Ky's finest caves and
down. I begin to fear my turn, knowing largest concentration of caves are
that I am next. I clear my thoughts and Is it time to make some memories of
your own? in that area.
focus my mind of the situation at hand: to
‘Tween a Rock and a Wet Place: A Shawnee State student takes
a wet Tarkiln crawl April 29, the second weekend of class visits to
Carter Co. led by instructor and ESSO member Brian Saul. Watch
for more details and photos in the June edition of the ESSO Bee.
May 2006

Allen Blair
3520 Elizabeth Ct.
Catlettsburg, Ky. 41129

NEXT ESSO GROTTO MEETING: MAY 15, 7:30 P.M.

AT GREENUP CO. LIBRARY - FLATWOODS, KY. - EAT EARLY AT GIOVANNI’S