March 2009, V44, #3 The Carbide Dump

17 The Carbide Dump March 2009, V44, #3

The Carbide Dump is published monthly by the Blue Ridge Grotto of the National Speleological Society in Roanoke, . Distribution date is approximately the second week of each month. An issue may be skipped if insufficient material is received. Contributions of articles and artwork are invited and will be gratefully acknowledged. Art work originals will be returned. Contributions should be sent to the editor. Regular and associate grotto membership ($10) includes a Carbide Dump subscription. Subscriber rate is $10.00. Exchanges with other grotto and organizations are invited. Direct exchange mail to Al Stewart.

EXCHANGE MAIL/TRIP COORDINATOR EDITORS Al Stewart David & Mary Sue Socky 2528 Montgomery Ave. S.W. 6572 Woodbrook Dr. S.W. Roanoke, Va. 24015-4204 Roanoke, Va. 24018-5402 H: (540) 989-0483 H: (540) 989-7693 W: (540) 387-8613 email: [email protected] or [email protected] The Blue Ridge Grotto holds its monthly meetings every third Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of the Vinton Firehouse, 120 Jackson Ave, Vinton, VA 24179.

GROTTO OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES Chairman Vice-Chair Secretary Treasurer Safety & Techniques

Susan Burr David Socky Aaron Moses Carl Cornett Dan McConnell H: 540-989-5809 H:540-989-7693 C: 540-520-6507 H: 540-342-3950 H: 540-966-1345 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Opinions expressed in The Carbide Dump are those of the editors, unless otherwise acknowledged. No part of this publication may be reproduced, except by the National Speleological Society and its various internal organizations, without the written consent of the Blue Ridge Grotto. You can access the Carbide Dump electronically at: http://blueridgegrotto.org/carbidedump.htm Copyright 2009 by the Blue Ridge Grotto

Contributors: Dave & Mary Sue Socky, Marian McConnell, , Rick Shortt, , Carl Cornett, Carol Tiderman, Carol Zokaites, Wil Orndorff, Jerry Fuller Cover: Map of McClungs with trip route. Graphics by Dave Socky. Photos by Rickey Shortt

There is a moratorium on wild April 10-12: Annual Restoration May 22-25: 2009 Speleofest, Lone Star visitation &exploration through April Work Weekend in Grand Caverns/ Cave Preserve, Bonnieville, KY. Hosted 15, 2009. Please honor this closure, Fountain Cave. Free primitive camp- by Louisville Grotto. Go to http:// and learn more about decontaminating ing, food and beverage provided for louisville..org/Speleofest.html for your cave gear and preventing the lunch & dinner Saturday. Info p. 25. info and registration. spread of WNS in bat colonies. April 17: BRG meeting, 7:30p Vin- May 28-31: 58th annual SERA Cave March 12-14: 3rd National Cave and ton Firehouse. Trip TBA. Carnival, in Walker Co. GA. Hosted by Karst Conservancies Forum, Lewis- Nashville Grotto. See http:// April 19-25: Virginia Cave Week. burg, WVa. Contact John Pearson jpear- www.sera2009.org for more info. April 24-26: Spring VAR, at Grand [email protected] or 304-497-3939 for info. June 13-20: NCRC National Cave Res- Caverns, VA. Hosted by Tri-State March 20: BRG meeting, 7:30p Vinton cue Operations and Management Grotto. See info on p 25-26 Firehouse. Cave trip to Boarhole, WVa. Seminar , Stalker Elementary School, May 1-9: ER-NCRC Weeklong March 22: Vertical Practice @ Roc- Bedford, Indiana. See the NCRC Na- Training (cave rescue), Rockingham Wood Indoor Climbing Wall. 9a-2p. tional Web site for more information. Co. Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, VA. June 19: BRG meeting, 7:30p Vinton Bring your personal vertical gear if you See http://www.caves.org/committee/er have it. Contact Marian McConnell 540- -ncrc/training.html for registration info. Firehouse. 309-4707 or [email protected] to sign July 19-26: 15th International Con- May 2-3: Resurvey of Grand Cav- up. BRG members only. gress of Speleology. Sponsored by the erns/Cave Hill. Survey & exploration April 4-5: Resurvey of Grand Cav- projects. Contact Carol Tiderman NSS in Kerrville, Texas. For more infor- erns/Cave Hill. Survey & exploration mation contact the Secretary or visit the [email protected] to reserve a slot. projects. Contact Carol Tiderman ICS website May 15: BRG meeting, 7:30p Vinton [email protected] to reserve a slot. July 21-25: NSS Convention, Kerrville, Firehouse. Trip TBA TX.

March 2009, V44, #3 The Carbide Dump 18

Not unexpectedly and understand- ANNOUNCEMENTS Meeting Notice able, the Boar Hole and Portal Caves in West Virginia have been closed by The February 20, 2009 meeting of the TREASURER’S REPORT Dave Cowan and Carroll Bassett. So Blue Ridge Grotto will be held at Vinton FEBRUARY 20, 2009 the cave trip has been cancelled. See Firehouse, 120 West Jackson Ave. The General Fund: $ 7031.73 below for the alternative plan: meeting will start at 7:30 pm. Conservation: $ 156.09 Equipment: $ 341.00 PROGRAM - This month’s program Devil’s Marble Yard Hike Cave Bucks: $ 115.30 will be announced before the meeting. Virginia (A hike - no caving) Total $ 7644.12 Grotto Trips Date & Time: Meet at Hanging BRG Meeting Minutes – can be read Boar Hole Cave Rock Orange Market at 9:30 am on on the BRG webpage at: Greenbrier Co., WVA Saturday, March 21, 2009. http://blueridgegrotto.org under the ‘Organization’ button.

Leader: Susan Burr 540-989-5809 Date & Time: Meet at Hanging Rock Requirements: Hiking boots, Orange Market at 7:45 am on Saturday, Grotto News clothes, water and food. March 21, 2009. Let There Be Light – Thanks to Doug Trip Limit: No Limit Feller for purchasing 5 new headlamps Leader: Susan Burr 540-989-5809 This is a pleasant 1 to 2 mile hike to (just like the old ones) to keep BRG Requirements: Basic caving gear. a talus slope of huge white boulders. ‘grotto gear” functioning Clean and decontaminate all gear. You can almost cave in some places. Membership Stuff — All BRG mem- Trip Limit: 8 cavers max. (Trip is full) It’s near the be- bers should have received their BRG tween Roanoke and Sharp Top. membership cards, lime green lists, and Takes about 45 minutes to get there. yellow rescue call down cards. Additional BRG Membership Lists, Res- cue Cards, extra copies of the Carbide Dump, and a few hardcopies of the VAR Closed Cave List are available at BRG meetings. If you need an extra copy, Membership Update s please pick it up at the next meeting.

15 cavers and friends attended the Feb- BRG trip, let them experience caving ruary 20, 2009 BRG meeting. at its finest, with the best cavers Safety & Techniques Dave Socky presented his slide show of around. Sunday, March 22, 2009 – Recent Cave trips into Scott Hollow BRG Vertical Practice @ RocWood Cave, WV, Buttter Knife Cave, VA, Big Cave Softly and Safely Indoor Climbing Wall. Gear sorting John’s Cave (Natural Bridge), VA, Gap begins at 9a. Practice is from 10a -2p. Cave, VA and Doe Mountain Cave, VA Required: Helmet, boots, gloves. Membership Updates Please bring your personal vertical gear Mike Frazier, NSS 53334 RE, submit- if you have it. (Cash donations to Roc- ted his membership letter. Mike is New Subscriber Wood are greatly appreciated) Contact sponsored by Susan Burr. Mike’s pro- Mike Frazier NSS 53334 Marian McConnell to sign up three- posal is tabled, to be voted on at the 4704 Salem Road [email protected] or c/540-309-4707. March 2009 BRG meeting. Spout Springs, VA 24593 BRG members only – this is a perk to BRG has 53 members and 2 subscribers c/ 434-609-3423 being a BRG member or subscriber. for 2009. Everyone should have re- [email protected]

ceived an envelope with your member- ship card, membership list and cave New Address Conservation rescue info. If you have NOT received Cyndi Hutchison NSS 49174 IMPORTANT – ALL WILD CAVES in your envelope, please contact Mary Sue PO Box 12273 Virginia are currently closed to due to Socky. Pay your dues to Carl Cornett. Roanoke VA 24024 WNS. Please honor this moratorium, c/ 540-309-3912 which will be lifted April 15, 2009. Know of a potential caver? Bring them [email protected] Please disinfect your cave clothes, gear, to a BRG meeting, sponsor them on a car trunk, etc. after each cave trip.

19 The Carbide Dump March 2009, V44, #3

(Announcements continued from page 18) A few hardcopies of the list are avail- Conservation able at the BRG meetings. Plan Ahead! Use the VAR Limited Ac- Grotto Store Hibernacula – some caves are closed cess Cave List before you go caving These goodies are available at each for hibernating bats. Please avoid and every Grotto meeting: http://www.caves.org/grotto/dcg/CC/cc- closed caves. Most will re-open in frameset.html April or May. · Snot Gloves: $1.50 pair If a cave is marked with "WNS Clo- · T-Shirts: $7.00 each http://www.caves.org/grotto/dcg/CC/dcg- sure" please do not go to it. · BRG Patches: $4.00 each closed-caves.html · Bumper Stickers: $1.00 each

1/17: BRG Scott Hollow, WV trip. 2/1: Butter knife Cave, Botetourt 2/14: Alan Staton and Glen Hugus David Socky, Aaron Moses, Carl County, VA. Dave Socky, Cole Frantz, took a BSA group into Porter’s Cave, Cornett, Susan Burr, Pat Sims, Alan Marian McConnell, Brian Williams, VA. It was a huge trip, with Glen’s Staton, Rickey Shortt, Leanne Barley. Spencer Frantz. 10 foot wide by 5 foot kids, 18 scouts, and adult BSA leaders Went down Mastodon Ave to Mystic high entrance, sloped steeply down into a = 28 people. The little ones got tired, River and then downstream to the first large room. The room was about 150 and the bigger kids got bored. Fortu- sump. Used 35 foot ladder to get into feet long by about 100 feet wide and 30 nately they had a great meal afterwards passage beyond the first sump and ex- feet high. Small crawl under entrance back at Scout base camp. plored to the 2nd sump. which led to 2 small low rooms with lots

of big brown and black spiders. We

named the dry crawl "Cough Crawl" and 2/14-2/15: Mike Frazier, Paul 1/24: , VA. David Socky, the room on the left "Recluse Room". Stern and Lynchburg College Outdoors Bob Alderson, Lee Powell. An 18 hour students did a long road trip down to survey trip to the back end of the cave. Florida, where they did Ginnie Surveyed 575 feet. 2/7: Carl Cornett, Dan and Marian Springs, Devils Eye/Ear Spring, and McConnell took five guys from a church swam with the manatees in Rainbow

group into Catawba Murder Hole, VA. River. It was the coldest the cave had ever been 1/31 Doe Mountain Cave, VA. Dave Socky, Aaron Moses, Rickey Shortt @ 45F (a true winter cold sink!) explored this vertical cave for 11.5 2/21: Gap Cave, VA. Dave Socky, hours. Very vertical – a 40 foot en- Bob Alderson, Cheryl Pratt, Lee-Gray trance pit, 2 nuisance drops and the a 2/7: Mike Frazier took 12 BSA scouts Bose. Surveyed in Bat Scratch Crawl 160 foot dry pit, then a 170 wet into Tawney’s Cave, VA. He had “three near the end of the cave. Mostly break- Weathermaker Pit. Hard, but good trip. generations of one family” - son, father, down, but did get 500 feet surveyed in and grandfather on the trip. The kids 16.5 hours. Stream levels were up from

were great. recent snow melt and rain. 1/31: Marian McConnell and Carl 2/7: Susan Burr and Pat Sims did Cornett took a Roanoke City Parks & Rec group to Island Ford Cave, VA. some digging, excavation work in Grand Caverns. Susan reports that Someone had left a ton of trash in the there was not much room to dig, but she cave entrance! They saw the most bats has ideas for next month. they had ever seen in Island Ford, too.

March 2009, V44, #3 The Carbide Dump 20

Contact News Release For Immediate Release Rick Reynolds, 540-248-9360 3/9/2009 Ray Fernald, 804-367-8364 Virginia Investigating Possible Cases of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats Asking Cavers, Owners of Caves to Help by Reducing Cave Traffic

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Depart- conserve fat reserves. Bats emerge in asking private landowners with caves on ment of Game and Inland Fisheries the spring ready to consume insects, their properties to consider closing their (VDGIF) is investigating two recent po- give birth, raise their young pups, and caves temporarily. Caving groups and tential occurrences of white-nose syn- continue their life cycle. individuals who enjoy caving are being drome (WNS) in bats in Virginia. While Bats collected from known WNS caves asked to respect this temporary closure conducting winter surveys of caves have depleted fat reserves; some even of Virginia caves and to suspend rec- where bats hibernate, known as hiberna- reational and research caving activities have appeared to starve to death. Bats cula, biologists and volunteers from until more information about the cause suspected of having WNS appear to VDGIF, the Virginia Department of Con- arouse more often and are more active and spread of WNS can be determined. servation and Recreation, the U.S. Fish during the hibernation period. Reports The USGS National Wildlife Health Cen- and Wildlife Service, and the Virginia of bats found flying outside of mines or ter is currently conducting experiments to Speleological Survey discovered bats caves, apparently trying to find food, at determine how white-nose syndrome is that showed signs of WNS in Breathing a time when they should be hibernat- spread between affected bat colonies and Cave in Bath County. Soon after, similar ing, are symptomatic of the syndrome. healthy bat colonies. Research is being symptoms were found in bats in Clover WNS is almost always fatal to affected conducted on soil samples to learn more Hollow Cave in Giles County. Speci- bats. about the fungus. The scientific commu- mens were collected and sent to the U.S. nity is well aware that, with the rapid The impact of white-nose syndrome on Geological Survey (USGS) National spread of WNS and the high mortality, Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis- bat populations could be highly signifi- answers to the mystery of WNS and solu- consin, for analysis. It will take from two cant if the condition cannot be con- tions to address it are of the utmost im- trolled and continues to spread. Some to three weeks for results to be available. portance. Because of the potential impact WNS caves in New York have experi- White-nose syndrome was first found in enced declines of more than 90% of the of WNS, the VDGIF urges cavers and the winter of 2006-2007, when bats in cave owners to help Virginia's bat popu- bat populations. Losses in bat popula- several caves around Albany, New York, lations by reducing cave traffic until tions of this magnitude will cause a displayed a white fungus growing around substantial ripple effect due to the im- more is learned about this syndrome. their muzzles, ears, and wings. By spring portant role that bats play as insect For more information about white-nose 2008, thousands of bats had died, and feeders, as a food source for other ani- syndrome and about the bats of Virginia, conditions had spread to other sites in mals (hawks, owls, raccoons, skunks, visit www.dgif.virginia.gov New York and adjacent states. By the and other animals that prey on bats), winter of 2008-2009, WNS had spread to It is the mission of the VDGIF to main- and with their contributions to cave bats in Vermont, Massachusetts, Con- tain optimum populations of all species to ecosystems. necticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to West Virginia, and is suspected in New How WNS is spread is under investiga- provide opportunity for all to enjoy wild- Hampshire. Scientists have been alarmed tion, but it is suspected that transmis- life, inland fish, boating and related out- by the rapid and far-reaching spread of sion of the syndrome can occur by both door recreation and to work diligently to the syndrome. Little is known about bat and human traffic in caves. Many safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, WNS, but one common symptom in of the caves where WNS has been con- fish and harvest game as provided for in these cases is the presence of this newly- firmed have been popular sites for rec- the Constitution of Virginia; to promote identified fungus. How the fungus affects reational caving. Huge geographical safety for persons and property in con- bats remains unclear. No known human leaps in WNS occurrences beyond the nection with boating, hunting and fishing; health issues have been identified. migration distances of bats, and in to provide educational outreach programs popular recreational caves, indicate and materials that foster an awareness of During the summer and early fall in Vir- that people who visit caves may inad- and appreciation for Virginia's fish and ginia, bats feed on insects and build body vertently play a role. wildlife resources, their habitats, and fat reserves critical for successful hiber- hunting, fishing, and boating opportuni- nation and survival through the winter Due to concerns about spread of WNS, ties. months. Bat colonies consume thousands the Virginia Department of Game and of insects in a single night, including Inland Fisheries has closed the caves © 2009 Virginia Department of Game mosquitoes and beetles. During hiberna- on its wildlife management areas until and Inland Fisheries tion, the metabolism of bats slows dra- more is known about the transport of matically, virtually shutting down, to the syndrome. The Department will be

21 The Carbide Dump March 2009, V44, #3

Recommended Caver Practices and Equipment Protocols for Reduc- ing the Risk of Transmission of White Nose Syndrome by humans

March 6, 2009 same belt of karst, it is likely that WNS 3. DGIF and DCR scientists will work Prepared by the Virginia Department of is present there as well. with other biologists studying WNS to establish and refine protocols to reduce Conservation and Recreation (DCR) There is mounting evidence that hu- the possibility of transmission of WNS Natural Heritage Program in consulta- mans may play a significant role in tion with members of the caving commu- transmitting biological agent(s) re- by cavers. The two major protocols nity and staff from the Virginia Depart- sponsible for WNS in bats. The under consideration are listed on the next page. Comment on these proto- ment of Game and Inland Fisheries strongest such evidence is that WNS is cols is welcome, especially during the (DGIF). This statement is supported by showing up first in the in the Virginia Cave Board, the Virginia recreational caves with high visitation. moratorium period ([email protected]). Speleological Survey, the Cave Conser- It is known that some of those cavers Cavers choosing not to observe the vancy of the Virginias, the Board of the visiting the affected West Virginia Virginia Region of the National Spe- Caves had previously visited WNS moratorium are strongly urged to fol- low these draft protocols. Once the leological Society, and the Butler Cave affected caves in New York. While it is moratorium is lifted, all cavers will be Conservation Society. unlikely that humans are the sole or even the primary vector, transmission asked to follow protocols to reduce the

of the disease by humans may increase risk of transmission of WNS. White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a condi- both the rate of expansion and geo- tion that has resulted in the deaths of hun- graphic extent of WNS. dreds-of-thousands of bats in the north- Draft protocols to reduce trans- The Virginia Cave Board and Natu- eastern United States since 2006. It is mission of WNS in Virginia by associated with a Geomyces spp fungus ral Heritage Karst Program are ask- humans ing for a moratorium (a voluntary that grows at cold temperatures and colo- ban) on all underground caving ac- nizes the skin of animals in cold environ- 1. Geographic isolation of caving activ- ments. This is consistent with properties tivity in Virginia until April 15, 2009. ity and/or gear: Cavers are requested to predicted for a causative agent of WNS- limit their caving activity to one caving associated cutaneous infection. More on A new statement will be issued on or area as defined by a county or group of WNS can found at: before that time. Please note that at that counties. The designation of caving areas http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ time, we may ask to further extend the appears at the end of this document. We moratorium. During the moratorium, white_nose.html are asking this because sterilization pro- This winter cases of White Nose Syn- three tasks will be accomplished. cedures are likely not 100% effective, drome (WNS) have been confirmed in 1. Scientists from DGIF and DCR will especially since neither the specific Pendleton County, West Virginia. In Feb- work to identify significant bat caves causal agent nor mode of transmission ruary (2009), surveys of significant bat to which access will be limited in an has yet been definitively identified. and recreational caves in adjacent High- attempt to slow the spread of WNS Cavers choosing to cave in more than land and Bath counties in Virginia dis- by humans. A significant bat cave is one of the defined caving areas are asked covered what appears to be WNS in defined as a cave used by rare or to dedicate a specific set of clothing cav- Breathing Cave in Bath County, located endangered bat species, significant ing gear for each respective caving area. near the Highland County border. numbers of common bat species, and/or a high diversity of bat species. If you must go caving in multiple areas, On March 3 (2009) in response to caver Input from cavers is sought and en- complete disinfection of vehicles is rec- reports of dead bats, a survey of Clover ommended between trips to different Hollow Cave in Giles County identified a couraged ([email protected]) areas. Special care should be taken to second apparent WNS outbreak. Speci- . A list of these caves will be posted segregate any cave clothing & equipment mens from both sites have been sent to dedicated for use in a given area from all USGS National Wildlife Health Center in on the VAR List of Closed and Lim- ited Access Caves. Please note that other sets of clothing and equipment Madison, Wisconsin for analysis. many of the significant bat caves are dedicated for use in other caving areas. This winter, 18 Virginia caves in Giles, already gated, closed, and/or have Bland, Page, Wise, Lee, Bath, and High- limited (seasonal) access. land counties have been surveyed for 2. Strict adherence to decontamination 2. Additional caves will be visited by WNS. So far, signs of WNS have only procedures when moving between biologists to better assess the current been observed in Bath and Giles counties. caves (even within the same geographi- However, since Highland County lies extent of WNS in Virginia. We will cally designated area) work to temporarily restrict access to directly between Bath County and Pen- (Continued on page 22) dleton County, West Virginia, along the caves in which WNS is present.

March 2009, V44, #3 The Carbide Dump 22

After exiting one cave and prior to enter- dered as soon as possible following New River South: Bland, Pulaski, and ing another cave, even within a desig- caving trips. Wythe counties. nated caving area, decontamination prac- *Holston: Smyth and Washington coun- tices as outlined by the U.S. Fish and ties. Wildlife Service must be strictly adhered List of Virginia Caving Areas *Clinch: Scott, Russell, and Tazewell to. Alleghany Highlands : Alleghany, counties. ALL equipment must be cleaned! Bath and Highland counties *Powell: Lee and Wise counties. These procedures are posted at: http:// : Frederick, www.fws.gov/northeast/ Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Rocking- ______whitenosemessage.html#containment ham, Augusta, and Page counties. * - These areas are in the upper Tennes- Middle James and Roanoke River see River basin, and include the north- To reduce the risk of harboring or carry- basins: Botetourt, Rockbridge, Roa- eastern boundary of the range of the Gray ing the disease on their persons, cavers noke, Craig (except Rt. 42 south of Bat (Myotis grisescens). This species is should thoroughly clean and scrub Newcastle) counties. not yet affected by WNS. If you are cav- themselves with soap and hot water ing in these areas, please only cave in New River North: Giles, Montgom- following each trip to each cave. All these areas. If you are not caving in ery, and Craig counties (only RT 42 clothes worn while traveling to and these areas, please do not start. from the caving area should be laun- south of Newcastle).

WNS in Plain English From notes all over; compiled by Mary Sue Socky

At the February 2009 BRG meeting, gloves, and disinfect helmets, · Use a clean plastic garbage bag to the cavers had a discussion on what lights, pack contents and what- contain all your muddy cave gear. can be done to prevent the spread of ever else may come in contact Discard the old bag in the trash, & White Nose Syndrome (WNS): with the cave dirt. use a new plastic bag for each trip.

· Disinfect yourself, your gear tub, We don’t know if the bats are spread- WNS – Geomyces spp. is a cold and your car trunk, too! ing WNS amongst themselves, or if loving soil fungus that does not live cavers are tracking the fungus to new above 75F. Ways to kill this fungus · Lysol disinfectant spray is touted as caves on their caving gear. We can- on your gear are: “kills viruses, bacteria, mold & mil- not control bat behavior; but we CAN dew”. (It will also remove paint control our behavior: ALL CAVERS from walls.) People use this prod- NEED TO: · WASH all clothes, etc. in hot wa- uct to disinfect bedrooms and bath- ter and detergent. A mild bleach rooms after the flu; I wouldn’t use it 1) Keep out of ALL Bat Caves and solution should be used where on my vertical gear, but it should WNS caves listed on the VAR Lim- appropriate. This includes perox- work on car trunk upholstery . ited Access Cave List and honor ide-based bleaches, such as ALL cave closures. “Clorox 2”. · Some cavers are putting their “can’t put it in a washing machine” cave Put everything that can be heat · If a cave is marked with · gear & vertical systems in an empty "WNS Closure" please do dried on the hottest dryer setting dishwasher and running it on the not go to it. possible. hottest setting without dishwasher detergent —”steam cleaning” their · If it is marked with · Stuff that cannot be washed gear. (do-it-yourself autoclave) "Potential WNS Cave" should be treated, wiped down please follow the decon- with 70% isopropyl alcohol. As we learn more about WNS, we will tamination procedures be- · Boots, helmets, etc. should be change our gear cleaning methods. fore you visit the cave. sprayed with a cleaner, such as For right now, please act on the safe 2) AFTER EVERY TRIP – clean and “409 Antibacterial cleaner”. side, take steps to prevent any possi- disinfect YOURSELF and ALL OF Clean and disinfect contents of ble spread of this bat killing disease. YOUR GEAR. If visiting multiple · Honor all cave closures, and disinfect caves, then wear a complete your pack, too. Bag everything in or replace your cave gear. change of suit, boots, pack, Ziplocs, and change baggies af- ter each trip.

23 The Carbide Dump March 2009, V44, #3 BRG Annual McClungs Trip to Hell By Dave Socky Photos by Rickey Shortt

February 28 to March 1 – Dave Socky, stream altogether. Then we went through a turned right. Ahh, that was where we messed Rickey Shortt, Alan Staton. section of narrow canyons and crawls and up. We quickly headed the correct way, thought it might be the Meat Grinder. which in most cases actually seemed to go in We entered the cave at about 10 am, rappel- Maybe it wasn’t as bad as we imagined. the right direction. We tried following our ling into the Lightner entrance. Alan and I We came to an intersection and went to the progress on the map, but there really wasn’t brought in extra clothes just in case it was right. The passage got really muddy with a enough detail. We soon got to a section freezing cold when we exited. Our route this tight little crawl next to a steady water drip. which we decided must be the Meat Grinder. year led us down the Tufa Trail and then a left The crawl was only about 10 feet long and A long belly crawl over rough rocks and cob- up Freeman Ave. We went to the Second opened back up into a small muddy room bles interspersed with tight spots. This was Breakdown where we descended to Chocolate with formations. In order to continue on really painful, and the crawl went on and on. Avenue. We went upstream in Chocolate we would have to crawl around a formation We estimate it was about 300 to 400 feet long. Ave where we again looked for the start of and possibly break off some soda straws. It The Meat Grinder finally opened up at an the 'G' Survey lead. First, we checked the end seemed like it might be virgin on the other intersection. The right hand lead looked bet- of the stream passage (upstream) and soon side. Rickey found he could get through ter and more heavily travelled than the left. came to the conclusion that there was no con- without breaking stuff – so he did. He ceivable way to continue through the stream. So we turned into the right hand narrow can- explored ahead for about 10 minutes and yon. The way wound around, it seemed, in I even got wet belly crawling through a pool determined that it went and was indeed every direction. But as far as we could deter- just to be sure. We checked every side lead virgin. We decided to explore. The floor mine, it trended north-east. The canyon was we could get into from the end, working back on the other side of the formation crawl mostly walking, but had multiple downstream. Finally, about 100 feet from the was really muddy – goopy, wet, slimy mud end, on the right hand side of the passage, we fins, flakes, and ledges coming out from the – about 2 feet deep. Yeech. The passage walls which made is necessary to belly crawl got up into a high lead in the breakdown forward included some crawling, some around corners, squeeze through tight spots, where Alan found flagging tape on the ceiling stoop walk, and some walking. But the and contort yourself every few feet to con- and a wide low hands and knees crawl going problem was that it was going in the wrong tinue on. There was a lower level, but it did- off into the distance. It was well travelled. direction. We were trending south-west, We correctly concluded we had found the n’t seem like there had been any traffic down but we wanted to go north-north-east. We below. This canyon went on and on and on. way! After only a little while, the passage pushed for about 400 feet where the pas- Around every corner we expected to come out was constricted by a bunch of breakdown and sage continued through a hole in the ceil- into the connection with the Wind Tunnel we had to belly crawl for a while, but it broke ing, leading to what looked like a large extension passage, but it just kept going. back out into the same wide easy hands and room. Ahhh – a connection into known knees crawl. Finally we reached a point where the only cave? I pushed up and through, but the way we could continue was to squeeze room was smaller than it looked and did not There was more walking and stoop walking through a tight, but short crawl. I didn’t fit. have any leads except for a low crawlway. than we expected, but more than enough Rickey came forward and tried. He didn’t fit Oh well. We decided to head out of this hands and knees crawl. After a long while the either. At this point Rickey admitted to being dry passage broke back into the stream. After section and find out where we went wrong. a little “psyched” because of the remoteness this we alternated between upper bypass Back through the thick mud and around the of our location and that he was feeling a little routes and walking/stooping in the stream formation, we went back through the crawl claustrophobic. Rickey didn’t look happy, passage. After a while, we got away from the until we came to the junction where we had but in spite of the situation he dug a little on the floor of the crawl and finally managed to squeeze through. While Rickey explored, Alan and I dug some more until Alan was able to get through. I stayed put since we decided to wait to see what Rick found. We were close to 9 hours into the cave. With a call back time of 3am, we had 8 hours to get back. It was getting to the point where we would have to decide whether to continue on or turn around and go back the way we had come. No one really wanted to go all the way back through the Meat Grinder or all the passage we had trav- ersed so far. But if we didn’t find the way through pretty soon, we could miss our call back, and no one wanted a rescue! Dave Socky (left) and Alan Staton in one of the long crawlways. (Continued on page 24) Photo by Rickey Shortt.

March 2009, V44, #3 The Carbide Dump 24

(McClungs continued from page 23) my leg around the corner and I was feeling really claustrophobic. “Hey, guys, I don’t remember it being this tight. This can’t be Rickey finally came back after about 15 to 20 the right way! I’m backing out”. It turned minutes and reported that the passage kept out to be harder than I thought it was going going, just like it had been before – no better to be. I had to back up around tight corners and no worse. However, we still didn’t know for about 30 feet before I could turn around. if we were in the right passage and if we “We must have missed our turn some- were, how far it was to the connection with known passage. We had to make a decision place”. “Our only choice is to go back and find the turn off we missed.” “How much pretty soon because we where fast approach- food do you have left?” “I’ve got about 30 ing the time when we would be late even if oz of Gatorade left”. No one was feeling we turned around and went back the way we very happy, but we trudged back the way had come. The worst scenario would be if we decided to go for the connection - continuing we had come. After about 100 feet we came to the turn off we had missed. It was into the cave, and then find that the passage really obvious what had happened once ended or we came upon a constriction we all seen from this side. We had all walked couldn’t get through. Then the trip back right by it – but now that we were back on would be even longer and we would really be late getting back. No one really wanted to track, we felt better. More trudging, crawl- ing, stooping, and even some walking. We repeat all the crawling we had done, but we got to a point where we recognized a for- finally agreed that it was better to err on the mation section. And then there was the side of caution. It may be painful, but at least Forests of strange rock/mud for- short little crawl by the dripping water. mations after Meat Grinder. we would get out before our call back. “You remember squeezing past this forma- It was 7:00 pm. We had 8 hours to get out, so tion?”. “Oh yes”. We continued on. A Photo by Rickey Shortt. we had a drink and a snack and started the little crawling, a little walking, some stoop- long trudge back through the narrow, con- ing and narrow canyon. A lot of mud. torted canyon. The canyon seemed just as Then Rickey said “I’m not sure about this – reconnected with the stream. Rick asked if long on the way out as it was on the way in. I it doesn’t seem right.” I moved up ahead to we should crawl on in ignorance or should we remember the canyon being narrow, awk- check out the trail and look at our tracks. look at the map and see how much further we ward, and contorted, but it seemed like it was “Which direction are the footprints going had to go. We looked at the map and became smaller than it should be. “Does this seem in?”. I looked carefully, and … and … the depressed. We still had over 1200 feet of right?” was a question soon asked. And then tracks were going in the same direction we passage to go before we got back to Chocolate I contorted myself around a particularly tight were presently going in! How could that Ave. However, some of it was walking pas- corner only to find the passage continuing, be. Both Alan and I agreed with Rickey sage and lots was stoop walking, but of but smaller than it should be. I couldn’t get that the passage just didn’t look right. It course, there was plenty of hands and knees was too muddy. It was too wet. I looked crawls. At one point we got into some small ahead a little more and come to an intersec- crawlways which we didn’t remember. tion. An intersection? That didn’t seem Again, we got concerned about being on right. I checked ahead a little up the right course, especially when our tracks weren’t hand lead and came to another intersection! apparent. But a little further on, we could see Both ways had no footprints at all. I went plenty of our old tracks, and then we found back to the first intersection and decided the survey tape hanging from the ceiling. that the way on just wasn’t right. Back Back at Chocolate Ave at last! It was 1am, so with Rickey and Alan, we all decided we we still had two hours to get out and to a had again made a wrong turn again. How phone. could that be? We turned around and headed back the way we had come. Just The rest of the trip out was pretty standard, before we got back to the formation area, I although we all were pretty sore and tired. saw a helectite formation that I seemed to The hand-line climb after the Champagne recognize. I looked at it from the other squeeze was a pain, but we all got up. At the direction and knew exactly where I had bottom of the drop Rickey climbed out while seen it before. It was in the virgin passage Alan and I changed into warm polypro in we had explored on the way in. At the preparation for the cold. Between hauling same time, Rickey looked around and real- gear and de-rigging, Alan and I finally ized where we were. The formation we had emerged from the cave at 2:30am – into a squeezed around should have been the clue. beautiful snow fall. However, there was only At this point we realized how tired we about an inch of snow on the ground, not the really were to actually cave right past such expected six inches. Rick had called Mary an obvious landmark. Sue while we were climbing out, so a rescue was averted. Everyone was bruised, sore, and Weird drippy formation at connec- We were back on track, and knew we were tion with stream. Photo by Rickey tired, but we were out and safe. It was a gru- going the right way when we got into the eling 16.5 hour trip – one to go into the annals Shortt. Meat Grinder. On and on it went. We of the BRG yearly McClung’s trips. finally reached the point where we had

25 The Carbide Dump March 2009, V44, #3

20th Annual Grand Caverns Easter Restoration Camp Grand Caverns Regional Park, Grottoes, VA - April 10-12, 2009

Hop on down to the GRAND CAVERNS EASTER RESTORATION CAMP, sponsored by the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society on April 10-12 (Friday - Sunday), 2009. If you enjoy the camaraderie of fellow cavers, join us for our annual gravel hauling express through beautiful Grand Caverns, and our equally exciting conservation escapades in nearby Fountain Cave! Repair broken formations. Eradicate moss. Improve cave-owner relations and a whole lot more! A great way to kick those Old Man Winter Blues! Primitive camping, socializing with fellow cavers, and food and beverage provided for Saturday lunch and dinner! An Easter egg hunt for the kids on Sunday morning (depending upon number of kids)! And, best of all it's all free (okay, the Easter Pig is accepting donations)! If arriving at night and the gates are closed, check the left -hand gate, it is usually left with the hasp in-place so that it appears locked to the uninitiated. NOTE: NO tourist or kiddie trips into Fountain Cave. Only those doing restoration work will be allowed into Fountain Cave. If participants go into Grand Caverns, they must change clothes, etc. to visit Fountain Cave and vice versa. Directions to Grand Caverns: From I-81, take Exit 235 to SR 256, [turn left if traveling South on I-81, and right if traveling North on I-81, toward Grottoes]. Travel East on SR 256 for 7 miles to Grottoes. At the intersection of Dogwood Avenue (Rt. 825), turn South [Right] on Dogwood. Travel South on Dogwood Ave. for 1,000 ft. Turn Right into the Entrance of Grand Caverns [Grand Caverns Drive]. Phone (888) 430-2283. For more information, contact Andy Reeder [email protected] or Meredith Hall Weberg [email protected]

Spring VAR 2009 Grand Caverns Regional Park, Grottoes, VA - April 24-26, 2009 This year’s Spring VAR meeting promises to be a good one. The meeting is being hosted by the Tri-State Grotto and will be held at Grand Caverns Regional Park in Grottoes, VA on April 24-26, 2009. There will be ample camping space available, with hot showers and plenty of bathrooms. Several children’s activities have been planned including a children’s movie on Friday night (most likely Journey To The Center Of The Earth shown in 3-D with glasses provided), kids play/learning cave, playground at the park and children’s caving trips. There are also several exciting events planned for the adults including a Friday night caving movie, at least one and possibly several squeeze boxes and a slideshow presentation on Saturday night. As always free beer and a DJ will be provided on Saturday night; however as beer is prohibited in the park it must be kept discrete. Several Vendors have been invited as well. There are several led caving trips in the works for both Friday and Saturday including: Porters, Butler, Breathing, Fountain, Glade, Sites, Marshalls and Kenny Simmons. We will have sign ups available Friday as soon as registration opens with additional spaces posted Friday evening for the late comers. A guidebook will be provided. A catered meal will be provided on Saturday night with a planned menu of BBQ Chicken, whole chickens cooked in 4 different spices, pulled pork sandwiches, hot wings, green beans with small potatoes, rolls, baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, cake, lemonade, and ice tea. There will also be a vegetarian option available by pre-registration only at no additional charge. A Sunday morning pancake breakfast will also be available for an additional $4 but is limited so be sure to include it on your pre-registration form. Pre-registration: 16 yrs—adult is $33, 5-15 yrs old is $29. Age 4 and under is free. Prices will be $3 more per person after March 24, 2009. T-Shirts are available for $12-$15. (see pre-registration form on the next page.)

For more information visit the Tri-State Grotto website then click on the VAR 09 link on the left hand side.

March 2009, V44, #3 The Carbide Dump 26

SPRING VAR 2009 REGISTRATION FORM APRIL 24-26, 2009 GRAND CAVERNS REGIONAL PARK 5 GRAND CAVERNS ROAD GROTTOES, VA 24441 HOSTED BY TRI STATE GROTTO

Name ______Others you are paying for ______Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Phone ______Email ______Grotto/Organization ______

Adult (16 + years) $33.00 x ______= $______Children (5-15 years) $29.00 x ______= $______Children (0-4 years) Free x ______= $ 0.00

Extra Guide Book $ 5.00 x ______= $______

# of Vegetarian Meals requested (Available on pre-registration only) ______

Sunday Morning Breakfast $ 4.00 x ______= $______

T-Shirt Small $12.00 x ______= $______Medium $12.00 x ______= $______Large $12.00 x ______= $______X-Large $12.00 x ______= $______XX-Large $15.00 x ______= $______

Total Due = $______

Alcohol must be consumed with great discretion as it is not allowed in the park. No bottles or cans can be seen by park manager. Pets must be on a leash and well behaved at all times.

Please remember the continued concern for the spread of WNS, clean all gear before arrival (See Decontamination protocols) and if planning to attend more than one cave bring two sets of clothes.

March 24, 2009 is Pre-Registration Deadline Cost if postmarked after March 24: Add $3.00 per person Make checks payable to the Tri State Grotto & Mail with Registration form to: Bernie Wootten 431 Liberty St., Hagerstown MD, 21740