USA January 10-14, 2011—12th Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes And the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst. St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Web site: www.pela.com/sinkhole2011.htm or e-mail: [email protected] April 1-3, 2011—Texas Speleological Association (TSA) annual Spring Convention held at Fort Clark Springs, Brackettville, TX. The annual Spring Convention features presentations from cavers about developments in cave sciences, project updates, national and international exploration, and more. The TSA Spring convention is a great time to come together with family and friends to enjoy group meals, presentations, the map & photo salon, business meetings, and your favorite Aaron Atz speleovendors. For more info contact Ellie at Allison and Andrew Dubois in the Pothole Section downstream of the Mountain Room in (509) 899-0007 or email [email protected] Binkley in 2001 April 16-23, 2011—Cave Rescue Operations and Management Seminar, Guajataca Boy Scout Camp, San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. The seminar provides approximately 100 hours of instruction in cave rescue over eight days. Its classes are physically strenuous and participants must be in good physical health. Students should be prepared to work in difficult situations, both above Everton Dave and below ground. www.caves.org/commission/ ncrc/national/2011seminar/seminar2011.htm REGISTRATION (includes meals lodging) $548.00. Please register ONLINE as it is much easier. May 13-15, 2011 — Western Region Speleo- Ed Seminar, Three Rivers, California.Held at Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia Natl. Park. For information: www.caves.org/region/western May 13-15, 2011—Mid-Appalachian Region (MAR) spring meet at Shade Gap Fire Department Fair Grounds, Shade Gap, PA., hosted by Franklin County Grotto. email: [email protected] There will be caving, band, food and vendor. May 26-30, 2011—Memorial Day Weekend: 40th Kentucky Speleofest hosted by The Louisville Grotto at the Lone Star Preserve, Bonnieville, KY.. Come and be sure to bring old pictures, stories and help us celebrate 40 years of wonderful caving memories with old and new friends. We will have a food vendor, on Rope 1, camping, warm showers, howdy party with DJ, banquet, band, kayaking, hiking, cave social and all caving will be based on the newest information from the Ky Fish and Wildlife. Lots of childrens activities. More info: contact [email protected]. June 16-19, 2011—Greater Cincinnati Grotto is hosting Karst-O-Rama at the Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve in Mt.Vernon, KY. Website: http:// karstorama.com/ July 18-22, 2011—NSS Convention in Glenwood Springs, Colorado June 25-29, 2012—NSS Convention in the Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia October 3 – 7, 2011—National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, Zermatt Resort, Midway, Utah. Web site: http://www.nckms. org/2011/ For more information contact Camille_ [email protected] or [email protected]. INTERNATIONAL July 21-28, 2013—16th International Congress of Speleology, Brno, Czech Republic. Web site: www.speleo2013.com
Send items for the calendar to davebunnell@ comcast.net at least 6 weeks before desired month of publication (i.e., by March 15 for the May issue). Pat Mudd in Geeding’s Dome, Binkley Cave, Indiana
2 NSS News, February 2011 POSTMASTERS OR MEMBERS: Send address changes to National Speleological NSS News Society, 2813 Cave Ave., Huntsville, AL 35810-4431. February 2011 NSS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Volume 69 Number 2 Gordon Birkhimer 2807 Hogan Court Falls Church, VA 22043 (703) 573-4653 [email protected] Administrative VP Operations VP Geary Schindel Indiana Wm Shrewsbury 11310 Whisper Dawn st 124 4th Ave NW San Antonio, TX 78230 The 51 Year Under the Sinkhole Plain Largo, FL 33770 210-479-2151 [email protected] [email protected] After the Book: the Rejuvenation of the Exploration of the Binkley- 727-424-2901 Blowing Hole Cave System. Part One...... 4 Secretary/Treasurer Executive VP Peri Frantz Gary Roberson and Dave Everton John LaMar Cole 16345 Englewood Ave. 1196 Millcreek Dr Los Gatos, CA 95032-4621 Lexington KY 40517-2984 (home) 408-356-8506 859-245-3383 Cave Science [email protected] [email protected] Notes On The Geology And Meteorology of Sites Infected With National Speleological Society Office White-Nose Syndrome Before July 2010 in the Southeastern 2813 Cave Ave, Huntsville, AL 35810-4431 Tel: (256)852-1300; FAX (256)851-9241 United States ...... 15 e-mail: [email protected]; web: www.caves.org Christopher S. Swezey and Christopher P. Garrity Please contact the office for address changes or back issues.
NSS NEWS EDITOR Society News Dave Bunnell Box 879 Celebrating our Success in Serving our Science Mission: The Angels Camp, CA 95222 [email protected] Journal of Cave and Karst Studies...... 28 Louise D. Hose Please include “NSS News” in your subject line when e-mailing material to help me sort it from the spam. Thanks! Questions about submitting features and photos? Please see the style and submission guidelines:on the NSS web site: www.caves.org/pub/nssnews/style.html
ADVERTISING Complete advertising information, including ad costs, deadlines, and Underground Update...... 26 News and Notes...... 29 guidelines for preparation, are on the NSS wesite at: www.caves. org/pub/nssnews/ads.html Payment info, contact: President’s Message...... 27 Reading...... 30 Advertising Accountant: Society News...... 27 Classified Ads...... 31 Bert Ashbrook 107 Avonbrook Road, Wallingford, PA 19086 (610) 627-2378 evenings [email protected]
DEPARTMENT EDITORS Conservation NEWSletter Review Front cover: Rand Heazlitt at the Teardrop in the Upper Flood Route in the South Jim & Val Hildreth-Werker Kim Gentry Branch of Binkley Cave, Indiana. Photo by Dave Everton. PO Box 207 110 Beechwood Lane Hillsboro, NM 88042-0207 Mt. Washington, KY 40047 (575) 895-5050 [email protected] Back cover [email protected] Right: Kevin White and John Harris outside the main entrance to Binkley Cave, spelean spotlight In the Media Indiana. Photo by Dave Everton. Ron Zuber Bill Klimack [email protected] 23 Monet Bend Place Left: Rafting up the Virgin River in then-newly-opened Baelz Section of Binkley Safety & Techniques The Woodlands, TX 77382 Cave 1970. Photo by Dave Des Marais. [email protected] Aaron Bird (281)-362-5001 [email protected] Bottom: Kevin Smith in Big Orange Country in the Baelz section of Binkley Cave, Indiana. Photo by Dave Everton.
Deadline: Ads, articles and announcements should be sent to the editor by the 15th of the month, six weeks before the month of issue (e.g., material for the March issue needs to be in by January 15).
The NSS News (ISSN 0027-7010) is published monthly with This issue contains a lengthy piece on WNS-infected sites in the Southeastern the Members Manual and American Caving Accidents published as U.S. Normally when I get a science submission with two full News pages of refer- additional issues by the National Speleological Society, Inc, 2813 Cave Ave, Huntsville, AL 35810-4431. Periodicals Postage Paid at Huntsville, ences alone, I figure it is more appropriate to submit it to the Journal. But since Al and additional mailing offices. Tel: (256)852-1300; FAX (256)851- things can take a year of more before getting published there once submitted, I agreed 9241, e-mail: [email protected], web: www.caves.org Regular membership in the NSS is $40 per year. See http://caves. to publish it given the importance of getting the data out quickly. I do not want to org/info/membertypes.shtml for descriptions of other membership generally encourage people to publish scientific work in the News, lets keep such categories. Subscriptions to the NSS News are $27 per year; individual copies are $3.00 each. Contact the Huntsville office for membership things for the Journal. applications, subscriptions, orders, or for replacement of issues missing On another note, the normal Conservation issue is being delayed from March or damaged in the mail. Moving? Please report changes of address to the office promptly or online at: www.caves.org/info/changeinfo.shtml to April this year, allowing more time for the editors to gather articles and to be able to run Part 2 of the Binkley article. Coming up in May, our first-ever special issue Copyright ©2011 by the National Speleological Society, Inc. devoted to caving in Alaska, and in June, exploration in New York’s Thunderhole.
NSS News, February 2011 3 The 51st Year Under the Sinkhole Plain: After the Book—the Rejuvenation of the Exploration of the Binkley- Blowing Hole Cave System, Part One Gary Roberson and Dave Everton
Background & Early Exploration The modern exploration of the Binkley Landmark and Cave Country Canoes into George Jaegers and I were sitting well Cave System had begun in 1958 as the first regional recreation areas, other aging ISS back in the crowd of over 1,000 cavers project of the newly-formed Bloomington members were busy building businesses at the closing banquet of the 2007 NSS Indiana Grotto. The next year (2008) would or broadening their horizons beyond cave Convention in Indiana, which was being held mark the 50th anniversary of mapping and exploring. However, in the second half of the in the Marengo Underground Warehouse - surveying in the cave, so I decided the book 1990s, the local ISS contingent (now enter- formerly a limestone rock quarry. That far should be titled “Fifty Years Under the ing their 50s) set to work attempting to dig back from the platform, the voices from the Sinkhole Plain.” In 2007, Binkley Cave and blast upstream around the breakdown speakers reverberating off the walls of the was just over 22 miles in length and nearby at the base of the historic Binkley entrance. tunnel combined with the shouts of noisy Blowing Hole Cave had nearly two miles of This would become the last burst of activity as children playing in the back of the huge underground rivers mapped. While there had a group. After 19 dig trips over several years, chamber made it nearly impossible to hear. been some surveying activity every decade we finally broke through in December, 1999; George turned to me and said “You know, since the 1950s, it was somewhat sporadic, the new area was thus named the Millennium we really need to write a book documenting since everything rises and falls on leader- Passage. Just over a mile of new passage was our work in the Binkley Cave System before ship. The Bloomington cavers had surveyed added, bringing the length of the cave to over everyone is gone.” I knew he was right; but 6.47 miles from 1958-62, then the Indiana 21 miles and finally passing longtime rival I also knew that if the book was going to be Speleological Survey (ISS) reactivated the Bluespring Cavern near Bedford to become written, I would have to do it, although I had project in 1967. The initial burst of their Indiana’s longest cave. never written more than a few trip reports activity from 1967-69 increased Binkley’s for Grotto newsletters. I thought about it for length to 11.35 miles, along with 1.8 miles After a flurry of activity in early 2000, a a minute and told George I would undertake mapped in Blowing Hole Cave in 1968. In number of mop-up surveys were undertaken the project, if he would help me with the 1970, a six-weekend digging project opened during the next several years, bringing the layout, photos, and other technical aspects. the Baelz entrance of Binkley’s along Indian cave length up to 22.07 miles at the time of He agreed, and a project was born. We Creek, which was quickly connected to the 2007 convention. By that time though, quickly relayed the plans to fellow Indiana Lower Flood Route in the cave, bringing Indiana cavers were already proclaiming that Speleological Survey members Richard “Fig” its length to over 13 miles. At that point, the rapidly-expanding Lost River Cave near Newton, John Benton, and other Indiana three local ISS cavers, Terry Crayden, Ken Orleans would become Indiana’s longest caving friends. I knew that if we told enough Hoover and I agreed to help Fred Conway, a cave. A major breakthrough had been made people it would be harder to back out. A local entrepreneur and childhood spelunker, in 1996, leading to quick survey of a maze video previewing the 2009 International develop nearby Boone’s Mill Cave as “Squire of passageways in a relatively compact area. Congress of Speleology (ICS) was just then Boone Cavern.” Terry was the acknowledged Although technically Binkley was still the being shown, and I decided our book would unofficial leader of the ISS and cartographer longest, Lost River was now only about 1.5 be published in time for the Texas event two for the group. With three of the main ISS years from then. members sidelined for two years, the Binkley project languished. After the completion of Squire Boone Caverns, the ISS experienced
a short rejuvenation in the mid-70s, includ- Everton Dave ing briefly incorporating as a non-profit organization and holding meetings at Indiana George Jaegers George University Southeast. During that period, the Coontown Extension entrance to the cave system was opened and another two miles of mostly-difficult wet, low passage was added. In the mid to late 1970s, most activity moved to the Strike Section, where another nearly two miles of cave passage was added. By 1978, the cave passed the 18-mile mark.
In 1982, the downstream Baelz entrance tunnel collapsed, and work in the cave ground nearly to a halt for the rest of the decade. Although occasional trips were made, only small amounts of new survey were added during that time. While Richard “Fig” Newton at the newly opened I was busy building Marengo Cave National Tim Pride in the Dripstone Domes upper level Baelz entrance to Binkley system in 1970 of the Strike Section of Binkley Cave
4 NSS News, February 2011 John Benton Dave Everton Dave
ISS caver John Benton, in the Coontown Extension entrance to Chris Schotter drilling at the start of the narrow downstream canyon Binkley Cave system dug open in 1976 in Sinks of the Indian Cave in 2008
miles behind, and had over 300 unsurveyed wondered if that might be a hundred years over 3 miles back into the cave to get new leads remaining. Terry Crayden (the ISS in the future. It would not only document pictures, and I also gave him his first taste leader) had moved to the Black Hills of South past work, but serve as a guide of where to of Binkley surveying in a low, slimy upper Dakota in 2005, leaving the project without look if a new group decided to take up the loop off the Two Mile Hike. Additional photo its leader of nearly 40 years. The 2007 challenge of continuing the effort. expeditions were made to the North Section Convention Guidebook featured Lost River in August and the Coontown Extension in Cave and a pre-convention field trip was I quickly set to work trying to track October. held there. Binkley was hardly mentioned in down old Bloomington Indiana Grotto and the convention materials, even though the ISS members. I scrounged around for old In August 2008, John Bassett (a hydro- convention site was barely 10 miles from trip reports, knowing that would be a chal- geologist from Bloomington) and I went to the cave. lenge, as until the late 1960s or early 1970s Blowing Hole to measure the underground most cavers did not routinely document their stream flow in base level conditions. Only The majority of the remaining ISS trips. By early 2008, it was obvious that 200 feet inside the entrance, we found the cavers were now entering their 60s. Most more pictures would be needed to illustrate passage totally blocked by a major ceiling were no longer up to battling the cold water the book. Back in the heyday of the ISS, collapse. As a result, later that month we and mud that characterize much of the cave taking photos in long, wet, muddy caves recruited Chris Schotter (a well-known system. The days of 15-20 hour trips while was difficult. In March that year, someone Indiana caver who on occasion had helped constantly in water were a decade or two suggested that I contact Dave Everton from with the Binkley work and also very proficient behind them. As a loose-knit group of NSS Bloomington to help. Dave was a good in micro-blasting) to help the local contingent cavers, the ISS had difficulty bringing in new photographer and had earned a reputation of old ISS cavers reopen the passageway to blood, and no other group of Indiana cavers as Indiana’s “waterdog.” The decision to the river. The task was quickly accomplished seemed inclined to take over a project in one ask for his help proved to be a pivotal one. and my resulting trip report, which included a of Indiana’s wettest caves. The book that He scheduled his caving calendar weeks in report of huge airflow downstream, inspired George and I had decided to write would advance, but it was June 23, 2008 before be the ISS legacy to the next generation we could arrange the photo trip. However, of Binkley cavers, although we privately during the 13.5 hour trip length, we ventured
Left: Inserting a 20 Everton Dave foot section of plastic culvert into the newly re- opened Baelz Entrance
Dave Everton Dave to Binkley in January 2009
Right: Rand Heazlitt heading up the scaling pole into the hole leading to an upper dome into which huge air flows in the winter
NSS News, February 2011 5 The fall of 2008 continued to be extremely dry. On November 8th, Rand, John Benton (another old ISS member), and I dug in a small trash-filled sinkhole at the head of a ravine leading into the dry bed of Indian Dave Des Marais Des Dave Creek not far downstream from where it sinks in low flow.
By early afternoon of the next day, we had removed enough rock and trash for Rand to slide into a low crawl about 10 feet down. There was good air movement and he quickly reached a small room. We quickly returned to the entrance and began a survey. Although there was strong air flow from a narrow canyon to the left of the first room, it was too narrow and constricted to enter, so we surveyed upstream in larger passage netting 244 feet. Sand and shells clearly indicated that the cave was a conduit shuttling water from one of the upstream sinks down into the yet undiscovered mythical trunk channel, Baelz Hall is the largest room in the Baelz Section of Binkley Cave. which Rand was determined to find. Chris Schotter was again recruited to see if his Todd Webb (another southern Indiana caver showed that they had mapped what certainly Hilti could help open the way downstream. who had attempted to visit Blowing Hole a appeared to be a bypass loop around the Unfortunately, before the shaving trip could couple of times) to plan a trip to push the left side of the Torrent Room. They had to take place, a steady, cold rain caused water low airspace crawl in the downstream end be close to a breakthrough just upstream to start flowing again in the dry bed and a of the cave while it was dry, since base level of the breakdown! Unfortunately, later that sump blocked access a few feet down into flow was at probably a 10 year minimum. evening, an electronic malfunction (and the narrow canyon. 2009 turned out to be subsequent user error) caused the Palm Pilot a wetter year, and Indian Creek never dried Todd’s team was burning up after to lose the survey traversing the dry, rugged entrance passage data before it could in their full wetsuits, so they decided to be recorded and head upstream in the deeper water instead. added to the map. Nearly a mile upriver, near the Torrent Everton Dave Room breakdown (the upstream known end), D y e t r a c e s Todd pushed a crawl through low airspace i n t h e 1 9 6 0 s to explore about 300 feet of hands and had shown that knees-sized passage with water rushing over the underground rimstone dams. Todd and Jamie Winner also river in Blowing boosted Brian Welp about 12 feet up the wall Hole Cave doesn’t of a small dome in another passage, where surface, but crosses he found going cave. Those discoveries made under Indian Creek it evident that for modern cavers armed with and carries it a wetsuits and better lights, Blowing Hole m i n i m u m 4 . 1 might have more potential. miles straight-line distance through an When Todd’s trip report was circulated, as-yet undiscovered it stirred up some excitement in us old ISS conduit northwest cavers, who hadn’t been able to successfully to Harrison Spring push the low airspace water crawls in the on Blue River. In late 1960s for lack of wetsuits and difficulties base level water inherent with carbide lights in low airspace. conditions, the It also piqued Dave Everton’s interest as a entire flow of Indian result of his photo trips in nearby Binkley Creek (which drains Cave. November 1st found Todd leading over 200 square Dave, Rand Heazlitt (who had joined the ISS miles north and as a 15- year old student in the mid-70s), east of the cave) and Louisville caver Pat Mudd up the river sinks underground in Blowing Hole. No significant discoveries about one-half mile were made, but they surveyed 360 feet in west of the Blowing Todd’s water crawl to a point where there Hole Cave entrance was strong air movement up into overhead and also emerges at breakdown, but no way on. Dave’s Palm Pilot Harrison Spring. The Rock Island Road leads to the Living Room and the start of the D&B, almost 4 miles from the Binkley entrance by the preferred route. 6 NSS News, February 2011 Dave Everton Dave Aaron Atz
Dave Goodman and Gary Roberson in Rocky Hall near Lamon’s Rand Heazlitt coming out the Waterfall Crawl. The breakthrough into Cutoff in Binkley upper Blowing Hole occurred here in October 2009. up below the sinks. At of the writing of this We were close, but it would take many more by Fig and me down to the entrance. It article, there hasn’t been another chance to hours to open a hole large enough to install a was still in the low 20s, but a veritable heat push Sinks of the Indian Cave. culvert, and everyone was tired and cold. We wave compared to the previous workdays. needed Chris and his Hilti again to persuade Surprisingly, the vertical section of culvert Baelz Entrance Reopened a few large rocks to move; a breakthrough slid quickly into place. However, it took until On the Friday after Thanksgiving 2008, would have to wait. On probably the cold- well past sunset to complete the connection I asked Dave to help me get some GPS read- est night of the winter, Chris, Rand and I between the vertical and horizontal sections ings of the various Sinks of Indian Creek and returned to the entrance area to eliminate of pipe. Only a bare minimum of rock fill other karst features nearby. My intention was the obstructing boulders and protruding was thrown into the open space around the to prepare an illustration for the upcoming ledges. Chris was very efficient, and quickly culvert. Most everyone was too tired to even book showing how the karst features near obliterated the offending limestone before go down the ladders to check it out, and we the Sinks correlated with the general passage we froze to death in the strong breeze being still had to haul all the tools and equipment trend of Blowing Hole Cave. After obtaining sucked into the breakdown by over 20 miles up the steep bluff. A few cavers did venture the readings, he asked if I would take Adam of cave upstream. into the cave to where one can first stand Craig and him to see the collapsed Baelz up to check out a small opening that Rand entrance of Binkley Cave. Although I had Two weeks later on January 17th, nine had noticed on the 17th from which a major no idea at the time, this visit was to lead to cavers, including several newcomers, arrived amount of warm air was issuing into the a major revitalization of the cave project. to resume the job; it was again extremely main passage, creating a fog bank where The glimpse Dave had received from his cold. The hole was rapidly deepened another the warm air mixed with the cold air howl- photo trips into the cave indicated there three or four feet, and just before 2 p.m. ing in from the entrance. Prior to the 1982 was still huge potential for new discoveries. Rand was able to slide under the ledge and collapse, there had been no opening here. The ISS old timers had done a lot of work into the dirt floored-overflow passage. Our Now, there was an 8-inch high narrow open- and surveyed over 23 miles of passages, but shaft made a perfect bull’s-eye into the ing over silt, which had nearly filled what difficult conditions in the cave and a lack of middle of the passage. It was so cold inside obviously had been a walking passage at one modern equipment had left more for a new that frostwork and ice crystals covered the time. Perhaps during the 500 year flood of generation to do. Because he was a “water floor, walls and ceiling for several hundred 1997, the extreme water pressure at the dog,” he was intrigued and found it appeal- feet into the cave. Dave called for a short downstream end of the large cave system ing, when most other cavers seemed to be break and celebration. Rand seemed the had blown out the fill, allowing air to flow out repelled. He then asked me if it would be most elated, as the Baelz entrance had been okay to reopen the Baelz entrance. While the site of his first major cave trip more than the old timers would never have initiated the 30 years ago at age 15! Now he was back. project, we were all thrilled that he wanted to. Although the entrance had been reopened,
On a very cold Monday December 29, 2008, there was still a large frozen mound of rock Everton Dave ten cavers scrambled down the narrow trail and ice that had to be removed in order to along to bluff of Indian Creek to begin work. install a culvert. In anticipation of this, Rand had brought along a weed burner and a I showed them where I thought they tank of propane, which turned out to be an needed to dig to intersect the cave passage effective piece of cave digging equipment. below. Since it had been nearly 30 years Still, it took until dusk to finish enlarging the since the tunnel collapsed and the area had 24-foot-deep opening to accept a 30-inch been modified by floods and erosion, I wasn’t diameter plastic culvert, which was to be entirely sure I was right. Everyone worked installed the following Saturday. hard all day. With Dave and Rand Heazlitt Pete Crecelius, a driving force in the ISS in the taking the lead, by the end of the day, we had The next weekend on January 24th mid 1970’s, returned from Idaho to participate excavated a steeply-sloping hole about 15 a sizable crew assembled to drag 36 feet in the breakthrough trip into Book Avenue. feet deep and could hear a booming reverb of culvert, concrete bags, a wheelbarrow, This picture was taken in the Living Room just before the start of the 300-foot dug D&B when we hammered on rocks at the bottom. and sections of steel ladder pre-fabricated Crawl.
NSS News, February 2011 7 cliff was raining small chunks of dirt and rock estimated he had seen about 1000 feet of down on the culvert. The passage was just passage which had eventually opened up to a little too small for Brian to crawl without walking size. This accidental find was the digging. However, using a trowel, he was most significant in almost 10 years, and a Dave Everton Dave able to advance only 15 feet, although he survey trip was quickly organized for the could see ahead a good ways. This was not next Saturday. to be an easy project. While Brian was push- ing the dig, Rand and Dave led the first trip When it arrived, a team of six cavers up the Virgin River in the Baelz side, which assembled to conduct a leapfrog survey turned out to be very cold and swollen with of the new passage now named “Cavefish melting ice and snow from the storm 10 days Crawl.” The trip had an inauspicious start, earlier. They encountered low airspace at the as a two-inch thick slab of rock fell on Rand’s Gumbo, a short low-ceiling area about 1500 back as he descended the narrow chute in feet upstream, and decided to retreat. It was the entrance breakdown. A total of 1176 a wise decision, as they could have been feet of new survey was added, with the first trapped in the larger passages beyond for 212 feet in low water crawl with 12 to 18 several days as the water continued to rise. inches of air over one to two feet of water. The stream emerged from a low crawl to the The first weekend in February, water left that moved good air and led to several was still too high in Baelz, so Dave orga- domes. Ahead, the passage steadily grew nized a trip to dig on Carcass Crevice and larger until it was up to 10 feet high and 6 The Upper River borehole in Blowing Hole just check two other small caves at the bottom to 12 feet wide. The survey was stopped at upstream from the Waterfall Crawl connection of manholes on Hwy 135. A couple of a bend in the passage where it went under from something beyond. They dug for a few micro-shaves got Rand to the bottom of a ledge and got smaller. When the data was minutes, but it was obvious it would require the 18-foot deep crevice. There he found a plotted, it appeared Cavefish Crawl was a significant dig to find the source of the air. small narrow canyon with a low belly crawl- probably heading for a connection with the Rand dubbed his find “Revelation Road.” sized tube at the bottom filled with mud and Millennium Passage well upstream of the debris. It looked like it might open some a entrance breakdown. Our new survey had Three days later, the worst ice storm on few feet further in, but it would take a bucket, covered just over half of the distance to that record hit the southern Indiana and Louisville rope, and a small crew hauling the mud and area. It was the first significant survey trip area. Hundreds of thousands of people rock up the narrow crevice to the surface. in several years, and brought the length of were out of power - many for over a week. Nothing of note was found in either of the the cave up to 22.53 miles and moved it During a phone conversation, Terry Crayden manhole caves, so the day ended with a up to 22nd on the US Long Cave list. The suggested Rand and I take advantage of the short reconnaissance trip into nearby Miller’s next weekend, the creeks were finally down, ice and snow to look for blow holes on the Cave, which has been dye-traced to Blowing so Dave decided to attempt our first trip sinkhole plain. We didn’t find any, but just off Hole Cave. upstream in the Baelz section in 27 years. the Hwy 135 right-of-way I found a narrow Only 217 feet of new survey was added in crack about 15-20 feet deep in the bottom The work in Binkley was now scheduled several small side leads, but it was enough to of a small ravine receiving storm water off on nearly weekly trips by Dave through move Binkley into the 21st position on the the highway fill and from a culvert under e-mails sent to his large cadre of caving long cave list. The group also visited “Big the roadway. Although fairly high on the friends. Although it had been less than Orange Country” and took some photos. sinkhole plain, it was sucking like a vacuum three months since re-opening the Baelz The trip acquainted a new generation of cleaner! Rand named it “Carcass Crevice” entrance, it was clear that the leadership cavers with the main stream passage of the because of all the dead animals thrown over torch had been passed to Dave: he would Baelz Section. the side of the road by highway workers. The be leading the way forward into the 51st opening was only a few hundred feet east year under the sinkhole plain. On March 7th The last weekend in March was spent of Chuck’s Sewer Tube and just over 1,000 at my request, he organized one last photo transporting a scaling pole from Grunge Hall feet south of Dripstone Domes in the Strike trip to the Lamon’s Cutoff area of Binkley’s in the main river to Salvation Dome, where Section of Binkley’s. It might be a good spot as final editing of the book was taking place. Dave hoped to reach a large alcove which for new entrance; here was another new Just before the junction of the cutoff with the might be hiding an upper level passage. dig project. cave’s southernmost river at Station 140, The pole wasn’t long enough and the climb Rand noticed a low water crawl to the left above was deemed too sketchy, but they On January 31st, five of us hiked on a prominent right angle bend. A nice- were able to get a perfect view of the area through the beautiful snow and ice coating sized cavefish was spotted at the entrance by setting up the pole in another location; everything and descended the culvert to work to the passage. I was pretty sure it had not this revealed no passage, just a large alcove. on Revelation Road. Working all day, we been documented or surveyed by either the A short dig trip afterward to the left-hand enlarged 30-35 feet of passage to low hands- original BIG cavers who mapped this area lead in Cavefish Crawl failed to break into and-knees height, using a pink plastic sled or the ISS; it had either been overlooked or significant new cave, but potential remains. attached to ropes on both ends to ferry the more likely avoided, due to the wall-to-wall Finally, a reconnaissance into the Maze area mud fill out to the main passage for dump- water. While the others were taking photos, uncovered some complex loops and narrow ing. When the last of the group left, Dave Rand plunged into the low opening and was canyons connecting various domes, although thought the passage just might be crawlable gone. By the time the photography session no mapping was done. by a really small caver. Slender Brian Welp was finished, Rand still wasn’t back. While volunteered to push it the next weekend. the others waited at nearby Salvation Dome, The objective for the first weekend in The cold snap had broken and the thawing he finally emerged grinning ear-to-ear. He April was to continue the survey of Cavefish
8 NSS News, February 2011 Dave Everton Dave Everton Dave
Gary Roberson adds more rope to the sled used to pull mud fill John Benton and Rand Heazlitt in the Coontown section out of the Revelation Road dig 200 feet inside the Baelz Entrance.
Crawl. The passage was pretty grim, but 259 the preferred pre-trip rendezvous. Rand, ISS days, access was via a narrow ledge that feet of hard-earned footage was netted in Adam Craig, Ty Spatta, and Ryan Haesley had broken under the weight of a caver on water and goopy mud, with numerous slimy (from New Zealand) would continue the their last trip in the 1970s. They were joined rocks thrown in for good measure. Finally, work to extend Soda Straw Alley, while the for this trip by some young, but enthusiastic a large chunk of breakdown blocked our other seven would do some mop-up survey cavers: Tim Pride, Chad Montgomery, and path. Dave opened a narrow slot alongside and work on a dig just downstream of the Shane Myles. Tim would turn out to love the breakdown block by kicking donkey-style 100-foot high Mountain Room. Brian Welp water and mud as much as Dave, and all at some smaller slabs, which allowed Brad was able to finish the dig which was begun three would become major contributors to Barcom to squeeze up through the slot. The two weeks earlier, and an additional 111 feet the project. The Maze is a confusing area passage momentarily widened, but quickly of survey was added to where the passage and much of their time was spent figuring out returned to a low crawl. Everyone decided ended in the Wipeout Wall breakdown, the relationship of the multiple levels, domes, that any future work to connect Cavefish which terminates Grand Avenue. A third and pits. Only 61 feet of survey was added, Crawl to the Millennium Passage might better team of cavers added 139 feet in the nearby but the new project leaders gained valuable be undertaken from the main stream of the Death Crawl, with Shay Furbush digging insight into a new area. After the remainder Millennium. The group retreated to Station his way further. Rand’s team struggled to of the team headed out of the cave, Dave 140 to resurvey a short section upstream find a route following the strong air flow in and Rand took a quick trip through the from there for which the survey notes had Soda Straw Alley, but was blocked by two Sewer Pipe (a 900-foot long water crawl) been lost 30 years earlier. They surveyed 368 large car-sized chucks of breakdown. Ryan to recon the 110 Passage, a major infeeder feet of passage, and although most of it was penetrated the breakdown the farthest, and from the south located just 1,000 feet into only four to five feet high, it was very pleas- reported changing acoustics, a booming the breakdown-floored Fatigueway. ant compared to the back of Cavefish Crawl. reverb, and a running stream just beyond the two offending slabs. 93 feet of survey At the end of June, long-time Binkley’s On May 30th, a push trip to the airy was added, showing that the passage had project leader Terry Crayden (aka “The Dog”) downstream breakdown in Soda Straw Alley almost skirted the north side of the overlying drove in from South Dakota. On July 2nd, the (located generally at the northwest area of sinkhole and had passed near the entrance old local ISS contingent (John, Fig, Rand, the cave) was organized. Dave, Brad, and to the Davidson Dig in the northeast corner The Dog and I) planned a dig trip to Carcass Rand were joined on this trip by St Joseph of the sink. If the cone of this breakdown Crevice. Chris, the micro-shaver, agreed to Valley Grotto cavers Dave Tibbets and Burnis collapse was similar to that tunneled through enlarge the opening into the narrow crevice Piper, who together had logged over 200 10 years earlier in the Millennium Dig, they entrance. His drill was slowed by the chert survey trips in Lost River, which was now were probably on the threshold of a break- nodules in the St. Louis limestone, but the Binkley’s main Indiana rival for length. (Due through. However the frontier was now top of the crack was eventually big enough to a Forest Service closing of the cave due beyond six tight squeezes, admitting only for him to descend, and several hours were to White Nose Syndrome, their project had the smallest cavers; micro-blasting charges then spent hoisting up 12-quart buckets of temporarily ground to a halt.) An additional would be required to open a path between rock and mud. By late evening, Chris could 212 feet of survey was added through the the two large slabs. Most agreed that addi- peer over the mud and debris into a low breakdown and in a small side lead. A tional work on Soda Straw Alley should be oval crawlway. Just a wisp of air flowed out, good bit of micro-shaving was needed to tabled until the more accessible leads had but more work would be required to gain remove several large rocks blocking their been pushed. entrance. way. Eventually, they were able to advance another 60 to 70 feet beyond the end of the The Maze area was the objective for Three days later, Dave led a team to survey before the drill’s battery died. the last weekend in June. The scaling pole the Maze, while the Dog and I along with now in Salvation Dome was disassembled Nick Benton (John’s son) headed to the 110 The next Saturday, 11 cavers assembled and hauled further into the passage to Passage. A thunderstorm was in progress at Frederick’s Café, which was becoming climb up into the Maze. Back in the early before going in. While Dave’s team started
NSS News, February 2011 9 teams headed for the Maze and the third ing just before entering the Living Room. to the 110 Passage. The Maze teams were Rand and Dave headed into the low crawl to plagued by misfortune. Shelly Wolf re-broke start digging, while the other three began the a wrist that was probably not adequately survey. A route was chosen that minimized healed. Ben and Carrie Hutchins were to the amount of cobble, rock, and mud that pick up the survey in the Popcorn side needed to be moved. At times it zigzagged passage lead, but due to a misunderstanding, across the passage, which was sometimes resurveyed the passage mapped a few weeks as wide as 25 feet. However, it was seldom earlier, adding only 5 feet of new survey. high enough to move forward without They did explore ahead in a miserable belly digging. The few pools in the passage were crawl that continues, but it was left for future actually welcomed, as they created more masochists. Mark Matthews free-climbed passage height and less digging. They dug down Summer’s Pit further into the Maze for a long time, slowly advancing nearly main passage, finding it not as deep as 300 feet, with the surveyors at times lying reported 40 years earlier, but only finding behind them waiting to take the next shot. another parallel dome at the bottom. Rand Finally, Rand reached a spot where he could managed to enlarge and squeeze through see up through a hole into darkness, but a low constriction into a continuation of breakdown blocked most of the opening. the main stem of the Maze. He estimated Dave began prodding at the breakdown with it continued 400-600 feet, but was absent a wonder bar. Suddenly a 2 or 3-cubic-foot the strong air movement on the other side of hunk of rock fell from what appeared to be the constriction. The two teams in the 110 a solid ceiling, narrowly missing him. After T-shirt design for the scary dig passage added 573 feet of survey in three re-evaluation, they decided to leave what is different leads. When the team ended their now dubbed “Low Anxiety Dome” for later; for the Maze, the others decided it not survey in the passage where the Dog and I it is still unexplored today. prudent to go downstream of the Sewer Pipe had started the survey the week before, Brad until they were sure a toad-strangler wasn’t checked ahead, squeezing his head through a Just beyond the dome, the crawl merci- a possibility. Two hours later, they entered body-sized opening where he could look up fully began to enlarge slowly as the floor the cave. The trip was nostalgic, as the into what seemed to be a sizable dome with sediment decreased. The cave was opening Dog and I had last visited the 110 passage formations. Being alone, he decided not to up! Dave crawled ahead to a right-hand lead 41 years earlier for a two-person survey. risk contorting his body enough to get his and when Rand caught up, they were off. At Dave’s team added only 47 feet of survey, lower torso through the hole and into the first, it was a mostly hands-and-knees crawl but checked a lot of leads and Dave widened dome. Several of the 110 leads continued, on soft mud floor, but soon they intersected the ledge traverse around Surprise Dome, but all were pretty grim and for now, not an active stream. To the right, the stream eliminating the need for a scaling pole there. priorities. flowed under a ledge into a 3-foot high by It got relocated to nearby Siphon Dome, 7-foot wide passage. To the left, the cave where it was climbed to reveal there were Book Avenue quickly opened to 6-7 feet high with the no accessible passages. While there, they In mid-July, John, Fig and I headed for water flowing on a bedrock floor with occa- measured the height of the dome at 70 feet. Texas and the 2009 International Congress sional small pools. This was what they had Meanwhile, the Dog and I struggled through of Speleology, where I would unveil my new come for! They finally turned around where the 1200 feet of belly crawl and stoopway in book Fifty Years Under the Sinkhole Plain. a 30-foot dome rose to the left. They had just Lamon’s Cutoff, the Sewer Pipe, and into the Around the same time, Pete Crecelius, an scooped about 700 to 800 feet in front of the breakdown-strewn 110 Passage. By the time ISS stalwart from the 70s and now a doctor survey team, but it was now time for leap frog we reached the left-hand lead we planned in Idaho, was excited enough to head back survey. Unfortunately, they had intentionally on surveying, Dog was complaining about to Indiana to join Dave and Rand for some left the second set of survey equipment in his back and my joints were getting stiff. We slimy sinkhole plain adventures. The two had the Living Room (not wanting to drag extra thought about just turning back; this trip was wanted to do a push trip to the low cobble gear while digging) on the other side of what much harder at 62 than at 21. Finally, we crawl south of the Living Room for some they were now calling the “D and B” crawl reached the frontier, but took only six survey time. My book indicated that the Dog and (named after an odd-shaped rock found in the shots totaling 105 feet in a hands-and-knees I thought it was one of the best air-moving passage and has a dual meaning). Two more water crawl explored by Dave and Rand a leads in the cave. With Pete driving in from trips through the 300-foot belly crawl were week earlier. Prudence again dictated that Idaho and wanting to do a long trip, now was not what they wanted to do at this point. we head out. Nick said nothing, although at the time to go. Brad was also pumped up, as After the trip back to the Living Room, Rand age 27 he was obviously ready to continue he relished physically-challenging push trips needed a long break before heading in again. surveying. Dog and I were glad to revisit and the Living Room was almost four miles Their third trip through to catch up to the the area one last time, but we both knew it from the entrance by the preferred route. On other survey team seemed to take forever. would probably be our last trip to the 110. It July 19th, Pete joined Dave, Brad, Rand and By the time they reached the survey team, took three painful hours to cover the 5,000 Jamie Winner for the trip. they had made it to the end of the scoop feet back to the entrance. In my mind, this stopping point at the dome. trip definitively marked the passing of the It took about 3.5 hours to reach the Pete’s team insisted that Dave and torch to Dave and Rand as the new leaders Living Room. There was some minor confu- Rand head upstream to begin a leg of the of the project. sion about where to start the survey, as only leap frog survey. The passage now returned Pete had been there and that was over 25 to stoopway and hands-and-knees crawl in On July 11th, a record 12 cavers assem- years ago. However, they finally found a one to two feet of water. Ugh! Pete’s team bled and were divided into three teams. Two faded survey station 62 smoked on the ceil- moved quickly, tied in to their starting point,
10 NSS News, February 2011 Gearey Entrance
Sinks of Indian Creek
North Section Coontown Extension
entrance Baelz Entrance Mt. Room Main Entrance Binkley Cave Millenium Passage
Eerie Canal Cavefish Crawl Blowing Hole Cave the Maze
110 Passage Strike Section
Torrent Room (breakthrough area)
Living Room Book Avenue
= passages surveyed before 2009 = passages surveyed March thru Oct 2009 Miller Cave graphics by Terry Crayden and Dave Everton 2010 for more maps visit http://mypage.iu.edu/~deverton/Binkley/binkley.htm Dave Everton Dave Dave Everton Dave
Shane Myles near the junction of the Strike Section Grand Avenue borehole in Binkley Cave North Section
Adam Baldridge at the North Formation Y area Aaron Boler and Gary Roberson near Soda Straw Alley Dave Everton Dave Dave Everton Dave
NSS News, February 2011 11 Pete would be in town one more week- 90. They hoped to follow it downstream end, and really wanted to return to what and possibly back into a continuation of they were calling Book Avenue (since the the silted borehole west of the big junction book somewhat predicted what they had room. Now, Dave didn’t think so. He felt the Dave Everton Dave found there). He and Rand were up for it, stream from Book Avenue probably either but in the end they decided that their bodies drained into Jaeger’s Crawl below the Living were not adequately recovered from their Room or formed the headwaters of South recent arduous adventure. They opted to stay Branch River, which they had followed for a closer to the entrance and survey the new while on their trip to Book Avenue. Dave’s extension Rand had discovered in the Maze. enthusiasm to survey the lead at station 90 It was a disappointment; the main passage was now greatly diminished. terminated in breakdown after only 265 feet. The other team only added a few stations of When everyone started to survey there, mop-up survey for a grand total of 345 feet. a lively debate over survey methods broke While several meander loops and a dome out, which soured moods furthered along area still need to be surveyed back there, no with everyone already shivering and misera- one has returned to the Maze since. ble from the 300-foot bathtub of D&B crawl. They decided not to survey that passage, but Mike Drake at a nice spot in I-64 In early August, the old guard of the instead to warm up by proceeding upstream ISS returned from Texas for another dig to the junction room and the big borehole, on Carcass Crevice. With Rand filling the to survey there. Rand and Chris headed and passed them. Just minutes later, Rand buckets at the bottom, another foot or two upstream to resume the survey of the big and Dave heard whooping and hollering of debris was removed in a couple of hours. borehole, while Dave, Brad and Kyle started ahead. Quickly tying in their survey leg, they Finally, Rand was able to slither through surveying the big silted borehole leading west rushed forward to see what was going on. about 25 feet of low belly crawl that emptied from the junction room. His group netted As they reached the other team, the ceiling in the side of a walking canyon, and John only 293 feet in 25-foot wide crawlway rise to 20 feet or more and the wall on the Benton soon joined him. The walking where it ended in a silt and breakdown plug. far side of the room appeared to be 50 feet passage extended right about 60 feet into A smoke bomb indicated little air movement. away. Borehole! The small walking passage a dome room, which was probably draining The big bore had obviously continued in this they had found earlier was nothing compared water from the Hwy 135 easement into the direction at one time, but they would have to this. There appeared to be three large cave. To the left, the passage led a similar to find a way to bypass the collapse if they passages leaving the room: the one to the distance to a small room with a drain leading hoped to find the continuation. Up to the right appeared to be almost filled by clay, downward through a small opening in rock writing of this article, no one has found a but the two on the left appeared wide open. and fill. Although it was 80 degrees outside, major bore in either Blowing Hole or Binkley Pete’s team took the passage farthest left and the air movement was minimal and no one that might correspond to this major trunk. Dave’s team took the one to the right. They could determine where it was coming from. Only the mapping of the active stream below agreed to survey for one hour, then rendez- The Dog suspected that the water draining station 90 or dye tracing will determine for vous back at the big junction. As Pete’s crew into Carcass Crevice probably empties into sure where the water from Book Avenue recorded their last survey shot, they could the Strike Section, which lies just 1000 feet is heading. Back in 2001, Aaron Atz had hear the other team’s voices coming from to the west and south. accompanied Chris Schotter and me to the a big lead to the right. It turned out each South Branch. Aaron managed to enlarge a team had been surveying one side of a big On August 8th, three weeks after the loop. Where the two passages rejoined, a breakthrough, a return trip to Book Avenue borehole 20 by 20 feet continued upstream was scheduled. This time, Dave, Brad and in an eastern direction. It was hard to turn Rand were joined by Kyle Hoyt and local around in big bore, but it was already 10:30 caver Chris Bell. Rand set a fast pace, reach- p.m. and they had already been in the cave ing the D&B crawl at the Living Room in Everton Dave 12 hours, and were at least 4.5 miles from only three hours. To their dismay, the water the entrance. Rand and Dave were facing level in the grueling belly crawl was much their fourth trip through the D&B Crawl. It higher than before, now being a tight belly was a very long trip out, with Jamie becom- crawl mostly in water all the way to Low ing dehydrated and ill from his wetsuit. The Anxiety Dome, which turned out to be the last person crawled up out of the Binkley source of the trickle that made the wide, low entrance sink at 5:30 am after a grueling crawl into one nasty pool, which included 19-hour trip, much of it in water plus a lot an ear-dipper for about 10 feet. However, of crawling in full wetsuits. It took the cavers beyond the dome, there was no evidence several days to fully recover from the fatigue of water. While Dave and Rand waited at of the trip. However, the book had been the first side passage at station 75 for the almost prophetic: there was another large others to catch up, they decided to check borehole lying along Shiloh Road, just like it out. Dave was disappointed when they Dog and I had said. They had surveyed 3223 encountered an active stream passage with feet, bringing the length of the cave to 23.52 the water flowing in what appeared to be the miles and passing The Hole in West Virginia wrong direction. Everyone hoped this lead th to move into 20 place on the long cave list. would intersect the main stream from Book Pat Mudd in Powell Avenue (aka Bugs Avenue, which exits the right wall at station Passage)
12 NSS News, February 2011 tight opening in the breakdown-filled stream the junction room before starting the four- resurveyed the 341 feet. After much work, passage to explore maybe another 1000 feet mile trek out. Chris hurt his knee and was Ty was finally able to open a small hole and upstream where the water forming the South in obvious pain from the Living Room out, Rand contorted himself up into the overhead Branch River falls from twin waterfalls in a but regardless, he kept a good pace. The last pocket. Although there was strong airflow 25-foot high dome. This makes me doubt- of the team exited the entrance sink about everywhere in the breakdown and the sound ful that Book Avenue is actually the source 12:45 a.m. after a 15.5 hour trip. A total of a stream cascading through rocks could of the South Branch stream. After finishing of 2587 feet of survey was logged, putting be heard upstream, there appeared to be no their survey in the silted up passage, Dave Binkley Cave over 24 miles, but there was way on anywhere without a major blasting and his team hurried east up the bore. When disappointment about the unstable upstream project. Everyone was now cold from inac- they caught Rand’s team, Dave’s crew took breakdown and the decreasing likelihood of tivity in the wet, low confines of the stream over the survey at that point and Rand and finding a downstream continuation of the crawl, so they retreated to the Torrent Room Chris headed further ahead to start a new leg. bore. The second breakdown was nearly five area where they checked several other small miles from the entrance, making it a 10-mile leads before heading out. The realization set The upstream survey was very pleasant. round trip in mostly-wet conditions. Adding in that even with wetsuits to brave low wet The passage averaged 30 to 40 feet wide in the miserable and now very wet D&B crawls, there would be no easy route around with large clay banks and ceiling heights of Crawl, Book Avenue seemed very remote. the Torrent Room breakdown. usually 10 to 15 feet. A very shallow stream Everyone was growing keenly aware that an meandered across the floor. It was definitely accident back there could result in either a Dave was ready to attempt another some of the nicest and easiest passage in the world-class rescue or catastrophe. Binkley angle to bypass the obstacle. Perhaps the entire cave. Later, Dave’s team was getting Cave was neither warm nor dry, and a rescue dry stream bed sinking into Miller’s Cave cold and thought they should have reached back there would be much harder than in two miles to the southeast would provide the other team’s starting point. They decided longer, but friendlier caves. It would be a better prospects for finding a route into to warm up by running ahead to find them. while before the next trip to Book Avenue. the upstream sections of Blowing Hole? It When they reached a massive unstable The rest of August was occupied with a had been dye-traced to Blowing Hole and breakdown pile, they could find no trace of reconnaissance trip to the Baelz section, Harrison Spring in the late 1960s. Although the others and it wasn’t obvious where they’d more work in the Revelation Road dig, and located high on the sinkhole plain, it too, gone. Very hesitantly, they ventured a short lastly, a trip to enlarge the crawl in Carcass drew in a large volume of air in winter, like way up into the fresh-looking breakdown, Crevice to admit larger cavers, although we nearly every other known cave or open- but thankfully soon heard voices coming decided to wait until cold weather when air ing in the Binkley/Blowing Hole area. On toward them. Rand and Chris had not set was flowing further into the cave in order to September 12th, Dave, Rand, and four their first station until they reached the top of determine where to dig. others descended on Miller’s armed with the breakdown mountain, and then surveyed everything but the kitchen sink, but short down the far side of the mountain and into On Labor Day weekend, seven cavers of micro-shaving equipment. Their inten- a continuation of the bore. Unfortunately, assembled for the first trip to Blowing Hole tion was to check every lead. They were it soon hit another major collapse, where since the previous November. The main guided by Norm Pace’s 1960 map and trip they saw no obvious way to continue. Dave objective would be to micro-blast some report, which proved quite accurate. They didn’t want to leave a hanging survey, so they overhead rocks blocking the way upward excavated a lot of wood and debris in the returned to where he had left off and finished into pockets at the upper end of the stream left fork to regain access through a crevice the survey up to the 40-foot-wide flat area at passage skirting the left side of the Torrent to a lower level complex 60 feet below the the base of the breakdown pile. Before they Room. Since the survey data stored on main trunk. They saw several hundred feet left the area, Chris Bell checked the only Dave’s Palm Pilot had been accidently of cave below the crevice that will need to be significant side passage seen, which led to a deleted, the passage also needed to be resur- surveyed at some point. However, all the air dome with a small waterfall emerging from veyed, except for the sketch. While Ty Spatta in the cave seemed to be flowing from two what appeared to be a 4-foot high passage. and three others worked on micro-blasting, openings at the back of a dome pit complex It was 8 p.m. when they took a break in Dave, Mike Drake, and Mark Matthews off of Cairn Hall in the right fork of the cave. Dave Everton Dave Dave Everton Dave
Brian Welp admires formations in I-64 Mike Knasel in an upper level of the Strike Section
NSS News, February 2011 13 Dave Everton Dave Dave Everton Dave
John Benton in the Coontown section Adam Craig in Lamon’s Cutoff
The right opening was a tight canyon-like ing it, there appeared to be no way to get Blowing Hole Breakthrough drain with much trash wedged at the top. beyond. They decided to abandon the dig After reading the September 5th Blowing Of course, it required micro-blasting, which and relocate to continue the upstream survey Hole trip report, Jamie Winner e-mailed was about the only digging equipment they in the South Branch River. With the recent Dave about a promising dig location in a had failed to bring. Considerable effort was discovery of Book Avenue and the mystery passage trending around the right side of the spent working on the nearby opening to of whether the downstream water headed Torrent Room breakdown he had seen on his the left, which Kevin Smith reported ended towards Blowing Hole or the South Branch, October 2008 trip. That got Dave excited, in a tight crawl under breakdown moving a survey of the passage seen by Aaron in so they scheduled a trip for October 3rd. In strong air. Again they really needed shaving 2001 was now of more importance. addition to Jamie and Dave, Pat Mudd, Brian equipment. Liz Allaby, the slimmest caver Welp, Todd Webb, and Tim Pride joined in the group, made two futile attempts to I had told Dave that the South Branch the party. The trip upstream was tedious, squeeze through. There were to be no easy became an obstacle course just beyond the as the entrance crawl was filled with pooled breakthrough in Miller’s Cave either. The entrance to Fantastic Avenue. Everyone water and Todd brought a gigantic orange potential was obvious in the blowing leads constantly climbed over one large boulder Pelican case loaded with a hammer drill and at the end of the domepit complex, but the after another although the passage was other tools. Only with difficulty was the case thought of dragging heavy micro-shaving nominally 4 to 6 feet high. They reached a contorted through the squeeze down into the equipment through the low cobble entrance tight squeeze, assuming it must be the one Subway and manhandled by Brian to the crawl was not appealing, so an assault on the enlarged by Aaron, although there was no Eerie Canal where it could be floated most of breakdown would not be made. strong evidence of hammering. Ron quickly the way upriver in knee-to-neck deep water. and masterfully moved several large slabs Around that time, CIG Chairman Ron and opened a space large enough to accom- When they reached the Torrent Room Adams, who had taken a marathon trip in modate everyone. Although enthusiasm for area, Jamie’s dig didn’t seem quite as appeal- Binkley in the 1980s with Joe Oliphant survey was low, they broke into two teams ing as he remembered it, but he and Brian set and also participated in a 1997 trip to bolt and placed a total of 13 stations totaling 348 to work on it anyway. Dave continued look- and traverse around the side of the Great feet. Ty and Pat explored another 300 feet ing and poking around. At the spot where he Pit, expressed an interest in taking a long plus beyond their survey in mostly stoopway. had stopped during his only visit to that area trip to build stamina for a December trip Pat stopped at a climb-up over breakdown in November 2008, what he heard got him to Lechuguilla. After much discussion, they that might be tight on larger cavers, but they very excited. Beyond a small stream coming decided to try pushing the blowing lead Rand did not reach the dome reported by Aaron. from a crack in the ceiling, he could hear had discovered in 2008, which was heading They exited the cave after a 14 to 15-hour the roar of a much larger stream beyond. towards the bottom of the Great Pit just over trip. When the survey notes were plotted, Tim and Dave relocated several rocks but 300 feet to the southwest. If a route to the it showed that all their survey had been encountered massive breakdown with no base of the pit could be opened, it would cut re-survey, and the old survey had actually way on. However, just a few feet away, water nearly two miles each way off the only known continued seven stations further. Apparently, was pouring out of the breakdown and flow- route to that area. On Sept 19th, a party of the constriction they had opened was a new ing out under a ledge, beyond which there five headed in to assault it. The working one created by flood waters shifting large appeared to be a pocket. Tim, Pat, and Dave conditions at the frontier in the passage were slabs since the original survey in the late 60s. began removing a pile of rocks blocking the not pleasant. Ty and Dave moved a consid- Possibly the tight squeeze reached by Pat was space under the ledge, using only a long erable amount of rocks of various sizes and the real frontier where the ISS cavers had crowbar. Progress was slow, since the rocks, cobble sediment in the left-hand fork. Finally, turned around 40+ years earlier? While noth- cobble, and other sediments were all partially they thought Pat might be able to squeeze ing was learned to help solve the mystery of cemented together. After much work, it was up and look around the corner. However, the destination of the Book Avenue stream, made “Pat-sized” so he squeezed in under the his report was discouraging: there was an at least a good point of reference for resum- low ledge, when a massive echoing boom obstruction straight ahead that appeared to ing the survey of the South Branch passage caused his entire body to jump sideways be holding up a huge rock. Without disturb- was established. and almost scared the coveralls off of him.
14 NSS News, February 2011 As he quickly scrambled backwards to the to push his torso over the rectangular edge of relative safety of the hands-and-knees crawl, the breakdown block at the tightest point. It a second reverberating boom followed. was really tight; but with Pat’s report plus the Everyone was startled, but it was particularly thundering sound of the waterfall hyping his Dave Everton Dave unnerving for Pat. While they all knew that adrenaline, he made it. Then with a hammer Jamie and Brian had been drilling holes for and chisel passed up by the boom boys, he bang, they were caught by surprise. Dave and and Pat set to work enlarging two more Tim resumed working in the opening. Soon spots to “Dave-sized.” They then climbed Pat was ready to try again, but only after up through the breakdown, through a short sending Tim downstream to request notifi- belly crawl and underneath the curtain of a The “North Y” in Binkley Cave, which cation before another blast, thereby giving soaking waterfall to stand up amazed at the leads eventually to Helictite Utopia and the him time to retreat from the dig. He then size of the room and the ceiling far above. Coontown Extension crawled into the pocket, and reported back After 41 years, the Torrent Room breakdown that there appeared to be a fairly solid ceiling, had finally been bypassed and the upstream they had seen several old cans and an old although small streams of water were falling borehole reached. What no one expected plastic dishwashing liquid bottle. No one out of numerous overhead cracks—kind of was that the upper river would be running had ever seen trash in the lower river, prob- like being in a submarine with leaky seams. at an elevation 20 feet higher than the lower ably because the Torrent Room breakdown There were several possibilities for continu- river. Soon, Jamie and Brian popped up filtered it out. However, there was obviously ing, but all were blocked by breakdown. through the waterfall as well. Unfortunately, a fairly open connection to the surface the first squeeze was still too tight for Tim, so somewhere upstream. Everyone assumed it Dave took Pat’s place and was able he and Todd remained below. It was already was probably from the dry streambed flush- to squeeze into the first pocket. He saw late in the day, as they had dug a long time. ing trash into the Miller’s Cave entrance two an opening and cleared it of rock, but Jamie was overdue to join his wife Carla miles to the southeast. The passage ahead after crawling into it, saw it was hopelessly for a Harrison-Crawford Grotto cookout. continued 25 to 30 feet wide and 8 to 12 blocked by massive rocks. He retreated to However, they had to scoop a little booty. feet high, with the water growing deeper as the first pocket and started working forward They headed upstream in big river passage they progressed. It continued in that fashion in another direction, using the area he had with the floor climbing rapidly as the water and they eventually retreated; it was time to just vacated to store the rocks he relocated descended through numerous riffles. head out. Back at the waterfall, Brian and as he edged forward. Soon, only a short Pat climbed the breakdown slope opposite squeeze separated him from the next pocket. After a few hundred feet of very nice the waterfall, which was presumably the Pat came in, and managed to crawl past him canyon upstream, they were walking in a back side of the Torrent Room breakdown. and easily squirmed through the constriction broad corridor over a breakdown floor. A It continued up and up at a very steep angle. before disappearing out of sight. Dave lay slope to the right led up into a large room Everyone headed back down the river and there listening to the loud rumble of the water with a beautiful flowstone formation on the arrived at the entrance just as it was getting crashing down through the rocks above far wall at the top. They hustled through dark. This was the second big discovery in him. In spite of the din, he soon heard the what appeared to be an overflow canyon and just over three months. They caravanned to sound of a jubilant Pat hollering. It seemed rejoined the main river at a broad junction. the Schotters and found plenty of food and like a long time after, but his light was finally The main stream apparently went around good company still present at the grotto seen returning and he was very excited. He the back side of the large room, which picnic. It had been a great day! reported emerging from under a beautiful they named the Mini-Mountain Room due cascading waterfall and climbing up into a to its similarity in shape to the Mountain This concludes part one. In the next large room and a passage with a 30-foot ceil- Room in Binkley’s Cave. On the other side issue, the survey of Blowing Hole ensues, ing that went on! By now the Boom team had past the broad junction, jammed into the with the cave length growing from the initial joined them, and everyone was pumped up. breakdown about eight feet above stream 1.85 miles to 5.19 miles (as of December Pat helped enlarge the squeeze to allow Dave level, they found a yellow hardhat! Earlier, 2010 there are 6.75 miles surveyed). Dave Everton Dave Everton Dave
Adam Baldridge at the North Formation Y area Laura Sisken at a nice spot in I-64
NSS News, February 2011 15 Notes On The Geology And Meteorology of Sites Infected With White-Nose Syndrome Before July 2010 in the Southeastern United States Christopher S. Swezey and Christopher P. Garrity U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 926A, Reston, VA 20192 U.S.A. [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract: Since 2006, numerous bat the sites in North America, the occurrences of before September 2009 has revealed that the colonies in North America have experienced G. destructans in Europe do not appear to be infection occurs over a wide range of geographi- unusually high incidences of mortality. In these associated with unusually high incidences of cal, geological, and meteorological conditions colonies, bats are infected by a white fungus bat mortality. (Swezey and Garrity, in press). In addition, named Geomyces destructans, which has been preliminary studies suggest that the Geomyces observed on bat muzzles, noses, ears, and (or) In North America, Geomyces destructans destructans fungus may be transmitted from bat wings. Although it is not exactly certain how is seen on sick bats but not on healthy bats. to bat, and that the fungus may also be transmit- and why these bats are dying, this condition The fungus invades living skin tissue of bats, ted as an unwanted hitchhiker upon humans, has been named white-nose syndrome (WNS). but does not typically cause inflammation or clothing, and caving gear (Sleeman, 2009; WNS appears to have spread from an initial an immune response (Meteyer et al., 2009; Turner and Reeder, 2009). Studies by Blehert infection site at a cave in New York, and was first Reichard and Kunz, 2009). At present, nine et al. (2009) have shown that G. destructans identified south of Pennsylvania during January species of bat are known to have been infected prefers cold temperatures for growth, that opti- 2009. By the end of June 2010, 41 infected sites with the fungus in North America. Blehert et mal temperatures for fungus growth are between had identified in the states of West Virginia, al. (2009) and Turner and Reeder (2009) list 5 and 10 °C (41 and 50 °F), and that the fungus Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Tennessee. the following six bat species that have been does not grow at temperatures greater than Most of these sites are natural caves in limestone infected with the fungus: (1) the big brown bat approximately 20 °C (68 °F). Anecdotal field of either Cambrian-Ordovician age or Silurian- (Eptesicus fuscus); (2) the eastern small-footed evidence suggests that the fungus may prefer Devonian age. Published air temperature values bat (Myotis leibii); (3) the little brown bat relatively high humidity, although no laboratory in these WNS-infected caves range from -3.3 (Myotis lucifugus); (4) the northern long-eared studies on this topic have been published yet. to 15.6 °C, and humidity measurements range bat (Myotis septentrionalis); (5) the Indiana bat from 68 to 100 %. (Myotis sodalis); and (6) the eastern pipistrelle In order to improve understanding of the bat or tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). In parameters associated with WNS, this paper INTRODUCTION addition, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) presents a chronology of events regarding In 2006 and 2007, unusually great numbers National Wildlife Health Center (www.nwhc. where and when Geomyces destructans was of emaciated bats and dead bats were discovered usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulle- identified in the southeastern United States in several caves in Schoharie County, New York tins/WHB_10_04.jsp) indicates that the fungus prior to July 2010 (Table 1, Fig. 1). In this (Blehert et al., 2009). Studies of these bats has been identified on the gray bat (Myotis paper, the southeastern United States is defined revealed no obvious disease-causing parasites, grisescens) and the cave myotis (Myotis velifer), as the region south of the Commonwealth no viral pathogens, and no unusual bacteriologi- and a news release by the Virginia Department of Pennsylvania and east of the Mississippi cal problems, although some of these bats were of Conservation and Recreation (www.dgif. River. Each WNS-infected site in this region characterized by a notable decrease in body fat. virginia.gov/news/release.asp?id=261) indi- is described below, with brief notes about the In addition, many of these bats exhibited erratic cates that the fungus has been identified on the stratigraphic setting and meteorological condi- behavior such as shifting roost locations closer southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius). tions. It is hoped that the information presented to cave entrances, emerging from hibernation Other than attacking skin tissue, it is not yet below will inform and clarify the debate about out-of-season, and flying outside during the known if the fungus affects bats in other ways WNS, and lead to greater understanding of envi- daytime. Furthermore, the bats were character- and it is not known if the fungus affects other ronmental parameters associated with WNS. ized by the presence of a white fungus growing animals besides bats. In fact, it is not yet known on their muzzles, noses, ears, and (or) wings. whether G. destructans is the primary cause of SITES INFECTED WITH WNS IN THE This condition was named white-nose syndrome the unusual bat mortality in North America or SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES (WNS), and the sites in North America where whether the fungus is simply a secondary infec- Bats infected with the Geomyces destruc- this condition has appeared have experienced tion. However, at the time of this writing, all tans fungus were first photo-documented on 16 unusually high incidences of bat mortality. isolates of G. destructans in North America have February 2006 in a cave that is connected to been genetically identical within the marker Howe Caverns, which are commercial caverns The white fungus associated with WNS genes examined. This observation suggests that in Schoharie County, New York (Blehert et is a newly identified fungus named Geomyces the fungus in North America probably dissemi- al., 2009). Since then, G. destructans has destructans that has spores with a distinctive and nated from a point source. spread rapidly among bats in the eastern unusual hook shape (Gargas et al., 2009). Until North America, making its first appearance in recently, G. destructans had been identified only There is great interest in understanding Pennsylvania (Lackawanna County, Luzerne at the WNS-infected sites in North America how WNS has spread in the past and concern County, and Mifflin County) during the winter (Blehert et al., 2009). However, in March 2009 about where and how WNS might spread in 2008-2009 bat hibernation season (Swezey G. destructans was identified on a bat near the future. However, WNS has been difficult to and Garrity, in press). During the time interval Périgueux, France (Puechmaille et al., 2010). study because of the lack of a publicly available from January through March 2009, the fungus Subsequently the fungus has been identified at list of infected sites, and because of the paucity also appeared in Bath and Giles Counties, other sites in Europe, and it is now thought that of detailed scientific data from caves and other Virginia (Breathing Cave, Clover Hollow the fungus was present in Europe prior to its infected sites in the United States. An analysis of Cave) and in Pendleton County, West Virginia appearance in North America (Wibbelt et al., environmental parameters associated with sites (Hamilton Cave, Trout Cave, Cave Mountain 2010; Martínková et al., 2010). In contrast with infected with WNS in the eastern United States Cave). From April through August 2009, the
16 NSS News, February 2011 fungus was identified in three additional caves consists of northeast-trending passages (with- WNS Infection Reported January 2009: in Virginia (including the commercial Endless out well-developed maze morphologies) that Dasher (2009b, 2010b), Stihler (2010a), and Caverns) and one additional cave in West have developed primarily in the New Creek the USGS NWHC (Quarterly Mortality Reports, Virginia. From September through December Limestone. 2009, Quarter 1). 2009, the fungus was identified in one addi- Cave Meteorology: Dyroff (1977) tional cave in Virginia. From January through published an account of a one-day study (April Cave Mountain Cave, Pendleton March 2010, the fungus was identified in five 10, 1977), which found that the air flowed County, WV additional caves in Virginia, 13 in West Virginia, consistently out of the cave during the morn- (Site 3 on Fig. 1) one in Maryland (Grieses Cave), and three in ing and afternoon, and that the average air Cave Map: Map dated 2001 in Dasher Tennessee (Worley’s Cave, Grindstaff Cave, temperature inside the cave was 53 °F (11.7 °C). (2001). and the commercial Dunbar Cave). From April Hoke (2009a,b) reported that air always flows Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian through June 2010, the fungus was identified in out of the cave during the winter, and that data Helderberg Group (Davies, 1965; Dyas, 1976a,b; two new caves in Virginia, and three new caves loggers just inside the cave entrance recorded Dasher, 2001; Swezey and Dulong, 2010). A in Tennessee. Also during this time interval, bats air temperatures that ranged from 55 °F (12.8 northwest-trending fault is present about 200 tested positive for the Geomyces destructans °C) at the beginning of winter to 51.5 °F (10.8 feet inside the main entrance of the cave. On fungus at two (non-cave) sites in New Castle °C) at the end of winter. the south side of this fault (i.e., between the County (Delaware) and at Pocahontas State Park WNS Infection Reported January 2009: cave entrance and the fault), the cave passages in Chesterfield County (Virginia). Dasher (2009b, 2010b), Hoke (2009a,b), have developed within the Keyser Limestone of Stihler (2009, 2010a), and the U.S. Geological the Helderberg Group. On the north side of this Each known site of WNS infection in the Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center fault, the cave passages have developed along southeastern United States prior to July 2010 (Quarterly Mortality Reports, 2009, Quarter 1). the contact between the New Creek Limestone is described below (in chronological order), Note that all of the Quarterly Mortality Reports and the overlying Corriganville Limestone of with brief notes about the geologic setting and of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center the Helderberg Group. meteorological conditions. Each site description (NWHC) are available online at www.nwhc. Cave Meteorology: No published data. also gives information regarding how that site usgs.gov/publications/quarterly_reports/. WNS Infection Reported February 2009: was determined to be infected. This informa- Dasher (2009b, 2010b), Stihler (2009, 2010a), tion is provided because many different white Trout Cave, Pendleton County, WV and the West Virginia Division of Natural fungi may grow on bats, and some bats that (Site 2 on Fig. 1) Resources (www.fws.gov/northeast/whitenose/ are infected with Geomyces destructans do Cave Map: Map dated 1993 in Dasher WVPressRelease13Feb09.pdf). not display the white fungus in a manner that (2001). is visually striking and obvious to the casual Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian Breathing Cave, Bath County, VA observer. In other words, laboratory analyses Helderberg Group, in most places at the contact (Site 4 on Fig. 1) may be necessary to provide definite confirma- between the New Creek Limestone and the Cave Map: Map dated 1975 in Wefer and tion of an infection by Geomyces destructans. overlying Corriganville Limestone (Haas, 1961; Nicholson (1982), and an undated line-plot of Likewise, it is important to realize that the dates Davies, 1965; Palmer, 1975; Medville, 2000b; cave in Schwartz et al. (2009). given below may not be the dates of initial infec- Dasher, 2001). However, Swezey (2003) noted Stratigraphy: The cave is located within tion (again, because some bats may be infected that at least one location (the “Square Room”) the Upper Silurian-Lower Devonian Keyser by Geomyces destructans, and not display the extends from the Corriganville Limestone into Limestone of the Helderberg Group (Deike, obvious white fungus). the overlying Lower Devonian Shriver Chert of 1960a,b; Douglas, 1964; Holsinger, 1975; White the Helderberg Group. and Hess, 1982; Clemmer, 2005). Within the A. JANUARY 2009 THROUGH MARCH Cave Meteorology: Davies (1965) reported Keyser Limestone, the cave is confined almost 2009 (bat hibernation season) air temperatures of approximately 12 °C, Hoke entirely to a 77-foot thick unit of shaly limestone During these three months, white-nose (2001) reported air temperatures ranging from between two 12-foot thick beds of sandstone, syndrome was first identified in the southeastern 44 to 48.1 °F (6.7 to 8.9 °C), and Swezey et which have been named informally the upper United States. Specifically, WNS was detected al. (2004) reported air temperatures ranging Breathing sandstone and the lower Breathing at five sites south of the Commonwealth of from 6 to 13 °C and relative humidity ranging sandstone. These sandstone beds are tongues Pennsylvania. Three of these sites are caves from 81 to 92 %. In addition, Dyroff (1977) of the Upper Silurian Clifton Forge Sandstone, in West Virginia (Hamilton Cave, Trout Cave, published an account of a one-day study (April which interfingers with the Keyser Limestone. Cave Mountain Cave) and two of these sites 10, 1977), which found that during the morning Cave Meteorology: Faust (1947) published are caves in Virginia (Breathing Cave, Clover when the outside air temperature was 32 °F (0 early descriptions of oscillating air flow (the Hollow Cave). °C), air flowed into the cave along the bottom “Breathing Phenomenon”) at Breathing Cave. of the cave passage and air flowed out of the Cournoyer (1954) published measurements Hamilton Cave, Pendleton County, WV cave along the top of the cave passage. In that taken during a 1.5 hour interval on January 9, (Site 1 on Fig. 1) study, the mean air temperature was 48 °F (8.9 1954 that revealed air temperatures ranging from Cave Map: Map dated 1988 in Dasher °C) approximately 500 feet inside the cave, 26 to 33 °F (-3.3 to 11.1 °C), atmospheric pres- (2001). although the air temperature near the ceiling was sure ranging from approximately 1002 to 1003 Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian several degrees warmer than the air temperature millibars, and 5 episodes of air flowing into the Helderberg Group (Davies, 1965; Palmer, near the floor. During the afternoon when the cave and then out of the cave at speeds attaining 1975; Dyas, 1977; Medville, 2000a; Dasher, outside air temperature was 55 °F (12.8 °C), the approximately 350 feet per minute. Cournoyer 2001). The front part of the cave is a maze of air currents reversed so that warm air flowed in (1956) also published a subsequent set of passages that have developed at the contact along the top of the cave passage and cooler air measurements (taken at four locations during of the Devonian New Creek Limestone of the flowed out along the bottom of the cave passage. a 1.5 hour interval on December 10, 1955) that Helderberg Group and the overlying Devonian Despite this reversal in flow directions, the mean revealed air temperatures ranging from 33 to 51 Corriganville Limestone of the Helderberg air temperature inside the cave remained at 48 °F (0.6 to 10.6 °C). Finally, Moore (1958) stated Group, whereas the back part of the cave °F (8.9 °C). that air temperature in the cave is approximately
NSS News, February 2011 17 52 °F (11.1 °C) throughout the year. Cave Meteorology: No published data. Newcastle Murder Hole, Shires Saltpetre Cave), WNS Infection Reported February WNS Infection Reported May 2009: three of these sites are caves in Tennessee 2009: Dasher (2009b), Lambert (2009), the Dasher (2009b), the Virginia Department (Worley’s Cave, Grindstaff Cave, Dunbar Cave), Virginia Department of Conservation and of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) one of these sites is a cave in Maryland (Grieses Recreation (DCR) Natural Heritage Program Natural Heritage Program (www.dgif.virginia. Cave), and 13 of these sites are caves in West (www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bats/ gov/wildlife/bats/white-nose-syndrome/ Virginia (Hellhole Cave, Cassell Cave, Friars white-nose-syndrome/white-nose-syndrome- white-nose-syndrome-recommendations. Hole Cave, Snedegars Cave, Norman Cave, recommendations.pdf), and the Virginia pdf), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Patton Cave, Carpenters Pit, Sites Cave, Short Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (www. (www.fws.gov/northeast/whitenose/PDF/ Cave, Sinnett Cave, Dyers Cave, Scott Hollow dgif.virginia.gov/news/release.asp?id=214). In WNSBulletinJune2009-Final.pdf). Cave, Caldwell Cave). addition, a WNS infection in Bath County (VA) was confirmed by the USGS NWHC (Quarterly Newberry-Bane Cave, Bland County, VA Tawney’s Cave, Giles County, VA Mortality Reports, 2008, Quarter 4). (Site 8 on Fig. 1) (Site 10 on Fig. 1) Cave Map: Map dated 1995 in Zokaites Cave Map: Map dated 1995 in Washington Clover Hollow Cave, Giles County, VA (1995b). and Vermeulon (1995). (Site 5 on Fig. 1) Stratigraphy: Limestone of the Upper Stratigraphy: Ordovician Elway Limestone Cave Map: Map dated 1978 in Zokaites Ordovician Wassum Formation and the over- (Holsinger, 1975; Saunders et al., 1981). This (1995b). lying Upper Ordovician Witten Limestone unit lies above the Lower Ordovician Knox Stratigraphy: Upper Ordovician limestone (Douglas, 1964; Holsinger, 1975; Wright, 1982, Group and below the Middle Ordovician Witten (Douglas, 1964; Sluzarski, 1972; Saunders, 1995; Zokaites, 1995a; Schwartz et al., 2009). Limestone. 1974; Holsinger, 1975; Saunders et al., 1981; Cave Meteorology: Air temperatures range Cave Meteorology: No published data. Orndorff, 1995). The cave entrance is located from 7.0 to 11 °C (Brack et al., 2005). WNS Infection Reported November 2009: near the contact between the Upper Ordovician WNS Infection Reported May 2009: Dasher (2010a). In addition, a WNS infection in Witten Limestone and the overlying Upper Dasher (2009a,b), Youngbaer (2010), and Giles County (Virginia) was confirmed by the Ordovician Moccasin Formation. the Virginia Department of Conservation USGS NWHC (Quarterly Mortality Reports, Cave Meteorology: No published data. and Recreation (DCR) Natural Heritage 2009, Quarter 1). WNS Infection Reported March 2009: Program (www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bats/ Dasher (2009b), Youngbaer (2009), the white-nose-syndrome/white-nose-syndrome- Coon Cave, Bland County, VA Virginia Department of Conservation and recommendations.pdf). (Site 11 on Fig. 1) Recreation (DCR) Natural Heritage Program Cave Map: Map dated 1969 in Holsinger (www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bats/ Endless Caverns [commercial (1975). white-nose-syndrome/white-nose-syndrome- caverns], Rockingham County, VA Stratigraphy: Middle Ordovician Witten recommendations.pdf), and the Virginia (Site 9 on Fig. 1) Limestone. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (www. Cave Map: Map dated 1966 in Holsinger Cave Meteorology: No published data. dgif.virginia.gov/news/release.asp?id=214). In (1975). WNS Infection Reported February 2010: addition, a WNS infection in Giles County (VA) Stratigraphy: Middle Ordovician lime- Youngbaer (2010), although the cave was named was confirmed by the USGS NWHC (Quarterly stone. The commercial part of the caverns incorrectly as “Coon Hollow Cave, Virginia.” Mortality Reports, 2009, Quarter 1). is located in the Middle Ordovician New Market Limestone (Douglas, 1964; Holsinger, Stonley Cave (Divides Cave), Tazewell 1975; Hubbard, 1995; Jones, 1999, 2009). County, VA (Site 12 on Fig. 1) B. APRIL 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER Beyond the commercial part, the main passages Cave Map: None published. 2009 (bat non-hibernation season) have developed along the contact of the New Stratigraphy: Cambrian-Ordovician Knox During these six months, white-nose Market Limestone and the overlying Middle Group. syndrome was detected at four sites in the south- Ordovician Lincolnshire Limestone. In a few Cave Meteorology: No published data. eastern United States. One of these sites is a cave areas, the caverns extend above the Lincolnshire WNS Infection Reported February 2010: in West Virginia (Saltpeter Cave) and three of Limestone and into the overlying Middle Suspected infection reported by members of the these sites are caves in Virginia (Hancock Cave, Ordovician Edinburg Formation, which lies Front Royal Grotto of the National Speleological Newberry-Bane Cave, Endless Caverns). immediately below the Upper Ordovician Society (reported online at www.frontroyal. Martinsburg Formation. varegion.org/news.html). Saltpeter Cave, Pendleton County, WV Cave Meteorology: Reeds (1925) stated (Site 6 on Fig. 1) that the air temperature is 56 °F (13.3 °C). Worley’s Cave (Morrell Cave, Morrill Cave Map: Map dated 1997 in Dasher WNS Infection Reported August 2009: Cave), Sullivan County, TN (2001). Dasher (2009b) and the Virginia Department (Site 13 on Fig. 1) Stratigraphy : L o w e r D e v o n i a n of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Natural Cave Map: Map dated 1956 in Barr (1961), Corriganville Limestone of the Helderberg Heritage Program (www.dgif.virginia.gov/ and an undated map in Matthews (2009). Group (Davies, 1965; Dasher, 2001). wildlife/bats/white-nose-syndrome/white-nose- Stratigraphy: Cambrian-Ordovician Knox Cave Meteorology: No published data. syndrome-recommendations.pdf). Group (Barr, 1961). WNS Infection Reported May 2009: Cave Meteorology: No published data. Dasher (2009b, 2010b) and Stihler (2010a). C. OCTOBER 2009 THROUGH MARCH WNS Infection Reported February 2010: 2010 (bat hibernation season). Dasher (2010a) and the Tennessee Wildlife Hancock Cave, Smyth County, VA During these six months, white-nose Resources Agency (http://news.tennesseea- (Site 7 on Fig. 1) syndrome was detected at 26 sites in the south- nytime.org/node/4596). In addition, a WNS Cave Map: None published. eastern United States. Seven of these sites are infection in Sullivan County (TN) was reported Stratigraphy: Upper Ordovician limestone caves in Virginia (Tawney’s Cave, Coon Cave, in USGS National Wildlife Health Bulletin on the northwest flank of Walker Mountain. Stonley Cave, Pig Hole Cave, Starnes Cave, 2010-01 (www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/
18 NSS News, February 2011 wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_2010_01_ Greises Cave, Allegany County, MD contrast, Kouts and Brace (2001) reported that WNS.pdf). (Site 19 on Fig. 1) average air temperature in the cave is approxi- Cave Map: Map dated 1962 in Franz and mately 47 °F (8.3 °C), and Schlecht (1940) Grindstaff Cave, Carter County, TN Slifer (1971). reported that air temperature in the cave was (Site 14 on Fig. 1) Stratigraphy: Silurian Tonoloway approximately 0 °C (32 °F) during the evening Cave Map: Map dated 1981 in Adams Limestone (Franz and Slifer, 1971). of December 30, 1939. (1983). Cave Meteorology: No published data. WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Stratigraphy: Cambrian Shady Dolomite WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Anonymous (2010), Dasher (2010b), Stihler (Barr, 1961). Dasher (2010b). In addition, the Maryland (2010a,b), Youngbaer (2010), and the West Cave Meteorology: No published data. Department of Natural Resources confirmed Virginia Division of Natural Resources (www. WNS Infection Reported February or WNS-infection at a cave near Cumberland, wvdnr.gov/2010news/10news031.shtm). March 2010: Dasher (2010b), and the Tennessee Maryland (www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/press- Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee release2010/031810.asp and www.dnr.state. Cassell Cave, Pocahontas County, WV Department of Environment and Conservation md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2010/031010c. (Site 22 on Fig. 1) (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/5127). asp). Also, WNS infection near Cumberland Cave Map: Map dated 2009 in Zimmerman (MD) was reported in USGS National Wildlife (2009). Pig Hole Cave, Giles County, VA Health Bulletin 2010-02 (www.nwhc.usgs. Stratigraphy: Mississippian Greenbrier (Site 15 on Fig. 1) gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/ Limestone (Davies, 1965; Duncan et al., 1967; Cave Map: Map dated 1992 in Zokaites WHB_2010_02_WNS.pdf). Dasher, 2000). Dasher (2000) stated that the (1995b). cave has developed in the Patton Limestone Stratigraphy: Ordovician Moccasin Dunbar Cave [commercial cave] and Sinks Grove Limestone of the Greenbrier Formation and underlying Ordovician limestone (Dunbar-Woodard Cave System), Limestone (Greenbrier Group). (Douglas, 1964), probably the Upper Ordovician Montgomery County, TN Cave Meteorology: Nigh (1970) provided Witten Limestone. (Site 20 on Fig. 1) descriptions of oscillating air flow (the Cave Meteorology: Air temperature ranges Cave Map: Map dated 1978 of historic “Breathing Phenomenon”) at Cassell Cave. from 8 to 10 °C (Murray and Dietrich, 1956). section of Dunbar Cave in Geer (1980) and in WNS Infection Reported March 2010: WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Wil Matthews (2005). Map dated 2005 of the greater Dasher (2010b) and Stihler (2010a,b). Orndorff (reported online at www.frontroyal. Dunbar-Woodard Cave System in Matthews varegion.org/news.html). (2005). Friars Hole Cave, Friars Hole Cave Stratigraphy: Mississippian St. Louis Preserve, Greenbrier and Pocahontas Starnes Cave, Giles County, VA Limestone (Barr, 1961). Geer (1980) stated Counties, WV (Site 16 on Fig. 1) that the cave has developed along the contact (Site 23 on Fig. 1) Cave Map: Map dated 1995 in Zokaites between the Mississippian Warsaw Limestone Cave Map: Friars Hole Cave is part of (1995b), and an undated line-plot of the cave and the overlying St. Louis Limestone. the greater series of connected caves that in Schwartz et al. (2009). Cave Meteorology: No published data. include Rubber Chicken Cave, Snedegars Cave, Stratigraphy: Cambrian Maryville WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Crookshank Cave, and Canadian Hole. A 1977 Limestone (Holsinger, 1975). Dasher (2010b) and the Tennessee Department map of this greater cave system may be found Cave Meteorology: No published data. of Environment and Conservation (http:// in Anonymous (1977), and an undated map of WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Wil news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/4804). In the Friars Hole Cave System may be found in Orndorff (reported online at www.frontroyal. addition, WNS infection at Dunbar Cave Storrick (1992). An undated line-plot of the cave varegion.org/news.html). (TN) was reported in USGS National Wildlife may be found in Dasher and Medville (2009). Health Bulletin 2010-02 (www.nwhc.usgs. Stratigraphy: Mississippian Greenbrier Newcastle Murder Hole, Craig County, VA gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/ Limestone (Bicking, 1963; Davies, 1965; (Site 17 on Fig. 1) WHB_2010_02_WNS.pdf). Medville, 1979, 1981a; Jameson, 1983; Kempe Cave Map: Map dated 1995 in Zokaites and Jameson, 1983; Storrick, 1992). Storrick (1995b). Hellhole Cave, Pendleton County, WV (1992) stated that most of the Friars Hole Stratigraphy: Ordovician Beekmantown (Site 21 on Fig. 1) cave passages are in the Union Limestone and Limestone (Douglas, 1964). Cave Map: Map dated 2001 in Dasher Pickaway Limestone of the Greenbrier Group. Cave Meteorology: No published data. (2001). Detailed sketch maps and cross sections Cave Meteorology: No published data. WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Wil in Schlecht and Culverwell (1982), and an WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Orndorff (reported online at www.frontroyal. undated line-plot of the cave in Brace (2009). WNS infection at Friars Hole (Snedegars varegion.org/news.html). Stratigraphy: Middle Ordovician lime- Saltpetre entrance) reported online by George stone (Davies, 1965; Dasher, 2001; Zinz Dasher and by Peter Youngbaer at www.forums. Shires Saltpetre Cave, Craig County, VA and Sasowsky, 2005). According to Zinz caves.org/viewtopic.php?f=58&p=84299. (Site 18 on Fig. 1) and Sasowsky (2005), most of the cave has Cave Map: None published. developed in the Middle Ordovician New Snedegars Cave (Snedegars- Stratigraphy: Ordovician Witten Market Limestone, the overlying Lincolnshire Crookshank Cave System), Limestone. Limestone, and the overlying Big Valley Pocahontas and Greenbrier Counties, Cave Meteorology: No published data. Formation (which is approximately equivalent WV (Site 24 on Fig. 1) WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Wil to the lower Edinburg Formation in Virginia). Cave Map: Snedegars Cave is part of the Orndorff (reported online at www.frontroyal. Cave Meteorology: Masney (2010) greater series of connected caves that include varegion.org/news.html). reported that the air temperature in the entrance Rubber Chicken Cave, Friars Hole Cave, room was 36 °F (2.2 °C) and the air temperature Crookshank Cave, and Canadian Hole. A 1977 further inside the cave was approximately 40 to map of this greater cave system may be found 41 °F (4.4 to 5.0 °C) on February 10, 2010. In in Anonymous (1977). In addition, an undated
NSS News, February 2011 19 map of this cave system around the Snedegars stated that the cave is in the Silurian-Devonian (Norris, 1992; Dore, 1995; Check et al., 2006; Staircase Entrance may be found in Medville Helderberg Group. Sasowsky and Bishop, 2006; Bishop et al., (1978) and an undated map of Snedegars Cave Cave Meteorology: No published data. 2009). may be found in Storrick (1992). WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Cave Meteorology: No published data. Stratigraphy: Mississippian Greenbrier Dasher (2010b) and Stihler (2010a,b). WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Limestone (Davies, 1965; Medville, 1979). Dasher (2010b) and Stihler (2010b). Cave Meteorology: Davies (1965) reported Short Cave, Pendleton County, WV that the air temperature in Snedegars Cave (Site 29 on Fig. 1) Caldwell Cave, Mercer County, WV is approximately 48 °F (8.9 °C) whereas Cave Map: Undated map in Dasher (2001). (Site 33 on Fig. 1) Anonymous (1942) reported air temperatures Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian Cave Map: Map dated 1992 in Balfour ranging from 50 to 60 °F (10.0 to 15.6 °C) on Helderberg Group (Dasher, 2001). (1993) and Zokaites (1995b). July 26, 1941. Cave Meteorology: No published data. Stratigraphy: Middle Ordovician limestone WNS Infection Reported March 2010: WNS Infection Reported March 2010: (Davies, 1965; Balfour, 1993). Dasher (2010b), Stihler (2010a,b), and reported Dasher (2010b). Cave Meteorology: No published data. online by Peter Youngbaer at www.forums. WNS Infection Reported March 2010: caves.org/viewtopic.php?f=58&p=84299. Sinnett Cave (Sinnett-Thorn Mountain Dasher (2010b) and Stihler (2010a,b). Cave System), Pendleton County, WV Norman Cave (Bone-Norman Cave (Site 30 on Fig. 1) White Oak Blowhole Cave System), Greenbrier County, WV Cave Map: Map dated 1997 in Dasher (Blowhole Cave, Whiteoak Sink Cave), (Site 25 on Fig. 1) (2001). Blount County, TN Cave Map: Undated map in Handley Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian (Site 34 on Fig. 1) (1995). Helderberg Group (Davies, 1965; Swezey, Cave Map: Map dated 1996 in Smith Stratigraphy: Mississippian Greenbrier Piatak et al., 2004). (1996) and Matthews (2008). Limestone (Davies, 1965). Cave Meteorology: The presence of oscil- Stratigraphy: Cambrian-Ordovician Knox Cave Meteorology: The upper levels of the lating air flow (the “Breathing Phenomenon”) Group (Barr, 1961). cave are dry, and the lowest level contains an at Sinnett Cave was postulated by Schmidt Cave Meteorology: No published data. active stream (Davis and Maus, 1968). (1958). This phenomenon was later confirmed WNS Infection Reported March 2010 or WNS Infection Reported March 2010: by Plummer (1969), who documented one reso- April 2010: Dasher (2010b). In addition, WNS Dasher (2010b), Pearson (2010), and Stihler nance frequency of 28.9 mHz (approximately 35 infection at White Oak Blowhole Cave (TN) was (2010a,b). seconds per “breathing” cycle) and another reso- reported by the National Park Service (www. nance frequency of 90.2 mHz (approximately 11 nps.gov/grsm/parknews/wns-press-release.htm) Patton Cave, Monroe County, WV seconds per “breathing” cycle). Swezey, Piatak and in USGS NWHC Wildlife Health Bulletin (Site 26 on Fig. 1) et al. (2004) reported air temperature ranging #2010-03 (www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/ Cave Map: Map dated 1969 in Hempel from 44 to 60 °F (6.7 to 15.6 °C), and relative wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_10_03.jsp). (1975), and an undated line-plot of cave on humidity ranging from 66 to 88 %. topographic map in Balfour (1987). WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Camps Gulf Cave, Van Buren County, TN Stratigraphy: Middle Ordovician limestone Dasher (2010b) and Stihler (2010a,b). (Site 35 on Fig. 1) (Davies, 1965; Whittemore, 1965). Cave Map: None published. Cave Meteorology: No published data. Dyers Cave, Hardy County, WV Stratigraphy: Barr (1961) stated that the WNS Infection Reported March 2010: (Site 31 on Fig. 1) cave is in the Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Dasher (2010b), Pearson (2010), and Stihler Cave Map: None published. Limestone and Gasper Limestone, whereas (2010a,b). Stratigraphy: Silurian Tonoloway Palmer (2009) stated that the cave is in Limestone (Davies, 1965; Speece, 1983). the Mississippian Monteagle and Bangor Carpenters Pit (Carpenters Pit-Swago Cave Meteorology: About 100 feet from Limestones. Pit Cave System), Pocahontas County, the entrance, large icicles have been known to Cave Meteorology: No published data. WV form and to persist until the end of July (Speece, WNS Infection Reported March 2010 or (Site 27 on Fig. 1) 1983). May 2010: The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Cave Map: Various maps (dated 1982 to WNS Infection Reported March 2010: Agency (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/ 1992) of the greater cave system in Storrick Dasher (2010b) and Stihler (2010a,b). node/5127) and a report by John Lamb and (1992). George Wyckoff of Arnold Air Force Base in Stratigraphy: Mississippian Greenbrier Scott Hollow Cave, Monroe County, WV Tennessee (www.state.tn.us/twra/tnbwg/wnsre- Limestone (White and Dunn, 1957; Davies, (Site 32 on Fig. 1) port2009-2010(1).pdf). 1965; Storrick, 1992). Cave Map: Undated map in Schweyen Cave Meteorology: No published data. (1990), and a map dated 1994 in Dore (1995). D. APRIL 2010 THROUGH JUNE 2010 WNS Infection Reported March 2010: The 1994 map shows one area of the cave in (bat non-hibernation season) Dasher (2010b), Pearson (2010), and Stihler great detail, but the undated map shows more During these three months, white-nose (2010a,b). detail for the rest of the cave system. Other syndrome was detected at three sites in the detailed but undated maps of selected portions southeastern United States. Two of these sites Sites Cave, Pendleton County, WV of the cave in Sasowsky and Bishop (2006) and are caves in Virginia (Hupman’s Saltpeter Cave, (Site 28 on Fig. 1) Bishop et al. (2009). Starr Chapel Saltpeter Cave), and one of these Cave Map: Map dated 1980 in Anderson Stratigraphy: Mississippian Greenbrier sites is a cave in Tennessee (East Fork Saltpeter (1981) and Dasher (2000, 2001). Limestone (Dore, 1990, 1995). Much of the cave Cave). In addition, a bat was confirmed to be Stratigraphy: Davies (1965) and Anderson has formed in the Hillsdale Limestone of the positive for the Geomyces destructans fungus (1981) stated that the cave is in the Silurian Greenbrier Group, at the contact of the Hillsdale at a park in Virginia (Pocahontas State Park), Tonoloway Limestone, whereas Dasher (2001) Limestone and the underlying Maccrady Shale and bats were confirmed to be positive for the
20 NSS News, February 2011 fungus at two summer roost sites in Delaware. Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield in the southeastern United States were restricted County, VA (Site 41 on Fig. 1) to caves in Silurian-Devonian limestone and Hupman’s Saltpeter Cave, Highland Note: A bat in Pocahontas State Park Cambrian-Ordovician limestone. In March County, VA (Virginia) was confirmed to be positive for the 2010, however, WNS-infected sites were identi- (Site 36 on Fig. 1) G. destructans fungus. fied for the first time in caves in Mississippian Cave Map: Map dated 1949 in Douglas WNS Infection Reported June 2010: limestone (in West Virginia and Tennessee). By (1964) and map dated 1959 in Deike (1960a). Dasher (2010c), the Virginia Department of the end of June 2010, the known WNS-infected Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian Conservation and Recreation (www.dgif. sites in the southeastern United States included Helderberg Group. virginia.gov/news/release.asp?id=261), and 17 caves in Cambrian-Ordovician limestone, Cave Meteorology: No published data. the USGS NWHC (www.nwhc.usgs.gov/ 12 caves in Silurian-Devonian limestone, and WNS Infection Reported April 2010: Wil disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/ 9 caves in Mississippian limestone. Orndorff (reported online at www.frontroyal. wns_news.jsp). Meteorological data from the WNS-infected varegion.org/news.html) and Rick Lambert in caves are rather sparse. Published data on air the Highland County [Virginia] Cave Survey Discussion and Conclusions temperature are available from only 9 of the Report for May 15, 2010 (personal email Prior to July 2010, 41 WNS-infected sites caves, and published data on humidity are avail- communication, May 2010). were identified in the southeastern United States. able from only 3 of the caves. The temperature In order of abundance, these infected sites data show values ranging from -3.3 to 15.6 Starr Chapel Saltpeter Cave, Bath are listed according to state as follows: West °C, and the relative humidity measurements County, VA Virginia (n=17), Virginia (n=15), Tennessee range from 68 to 100 %. Although much of (Site 37 on Fig. 1) (n=6), Delaware (n=2), and Maryland (n=1). the available meteorological data are single Cave Map: Map dated 1962 in Douglas WNS was first documented in the southeastern measurements taken on only one day, most of (1964). United States during the January 2009 through the air temperature values are within the range of Stratigraphy: Silurian-Devonian March 2009 bat hibernation season. During 5 to 10 °C (41 to 50 °F) that is reported as being Helderberg Group (Cooper, 1962; Douglas, this time, WNS was identified at 3 caves in optimal for growth of Geomyces destructans 1964). West Virginia and 2 caves in Virginia. During (Blehert et al., 2009). Cave Meteorology: No published data. the April 2009 through September 2009 bat In summary, many questions still remain WNS Infection Reported April 2010: Rick non-hibernation season, WNS was identified at about the nature and origin of WNS. A total Lambert in the Highland County [Virginia] Cave 1 additional cave in Virginia and 3 additional of 41 WNS-infected sites were identified in Survey Report for May 15, 2010 (personal email caves in West Virginia. The big outbreak of the southeastern United States prior to July communication, May 2010). WNS in the southeastern United States occurred 2010, and these sites are located on both during the subsequent November 2009 through sides of the Appalachian Mountains. Most of Summer roost site #1 in New Castle March 2010 bat hibernation season. During these WNS-infected sites are natural caves County, DE this time, WNS was identified at 13 additional in limestone of Cambrian-Ordovician age, (Site 38 on Fig. 1) caves in West Virginia, 7 additional caves in Silurian-Devonian age, or Mississippian age. Note: Bats at two summer roost sites in Virginia, 5 caves in Tennessee, and 1 cave in Meteorological data from the infected caves New Castle County (Delaware) were confirmed Maryland. During the April 2010 through June are sparse, but published air temperature values to be positive for the G. destructans fungus. 2010 bat non-hibernation season, WNS was in these caves range from -3.3 to 15.6 °C, and WNS Infection Reported April 2010: identified at 2 additional caves in Virginia and humidity measurements range from 68 to 100 %. Niederriter (2010a,b). 1 additional cave in Tennessee. Also during Although it is not yet clear which environmental this time, a bat was confirmed to be positive for parameters may exert controls on the distribu- Summer roost site #2 in New Castle the Geomyces destructans fungus at a park in tion and behavior of WNS, it is hoped that the County, DE Virginia (Pocahontas State Park), and bats were information presented in this paper will inform (Site 39 on Fig. 1): confirmed to be positive for the fungus at two and clarify some of the debate about WNS. Note: Bats at two summer roost sites in summer roost sites in Delaware. New Castle County (Delaware) were confirmed Most of the WNS-infected sites (prior Acknowledgments to be positive for the G. destructans fungus. to July 2010) are located the eastern side of This manuscript benefited from reviews by WNS Infection Reported April 2010: the Appalachian Mountains. The first docu- U.S. Geological Survey geologists David Weary Niederriter (2010a,b). mentation of WNS west of the mountains and John Repetski. occurred during March 2010 at Dunbar Cave, East Fork Saltpeter Cave, Fentress a commercial cave in Montgomery County of County, TN western Tennessee. At that time, the nearest (Site 40 on Fig. 1) known WNS-infected site was Worley’s Cave in Karst Tours Cave Map: None published. Sullivan County of eastern Tennessee (a distance • SW China Stratigraphy: Mississippian Monteagle of approximately 180 miles from Dunbar Cave). • The Balkans Limestone (Sasowsky et al., 1995). In contrast with the northeastern United Science and culture for Cave Meteorology: No published data. States where WNS-infected sites include both scientists, hydrologists, WNS Infection Reported April or May caves and mines in a variety of rock types cavers, and companions. 2010: The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (Swezey and Garrity, in press), all of the known Visit karst institute, local (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/5127) infected sites in the southeastern United States experts, and tourist sites and a report by John Lamb and George Wyckoff are natural caves in carbonate rock (except in spectacular landscapes. of Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee (www. for the one bat confirmed to be positive for state.tn.us/twra/tnbwg/wnsreport2009-2010(1). the Geomyces destructans fungus at a park in Led by Dwight Deal, PhD. pdf). Virginia, and the bats that were confirmed to 303-632-9254. be positive for the fungus at two summer roost www.FocusedTours.com sites in Delaware). Initially, WNS-infected sites
NSS News, February 2011 21 Map showing the locations of sites infected with white-nose syndrome (WNS) and cave-bearing carbonate strata in the eastern United States before July 2010. Sites are numbered in the in numbered are Sites 2010. July before States United eastern the in strata carbonate cave-bearing and (WNS) syndrome white-nose with infected sites of locations the showing Map 1. Figure approximate order in which WNS infection was detected, and the key to location numbers is given in the first column of Table 1. Geological data were derived from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Survey Geological U.S. the from derived were data Geological 1. Table of column first the in given is numbers location to key the and detected, was infection WNS which in order approximate Mineral Resources On-Line Spatial Data, which are available online at Counties www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_112129_9109_615025_43/http%3B/ http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geology/state/. that at contain WNS-infected online sites north available of Commission, Maryland and Game west Pennsylvania are of Tennessee the of Butchkoski Cal by map a on identified of some regarding details Additional pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/marketingsites/game_commission/content/wildlife/wildlife_diseases/white_nose_syndrome/images/wnsmap.jpg. WNS-infected sites may be found in Swezey and Garrity (in press). these
22 NSS News, February 2011
Year 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010
Identified
rch May May May April April April April April June March March March March March March March March March March March March March March March March March March Ma March March March Month WNS August January January February February February February February February November
34 ft 430 980 150 ··· ···
2100 2040 2240 2350 2440 1729 2600 2560 1175 1900 2560 2650 1460 1860 2300 2290 2460 2480 1020 2240 3060 23 2450 2150 2400 2843 2250 2000 2250 1700 2128 2300 1800 2440 2225 1092
67 46 m Elevation ··· ··· 641 622 683 716 744 527 792 780 358 579 780 808 445 5 701 698 750 756 311 131 683 933 711 747 655 732 867 686 610 686 518 649 701 549 299 744 678 333
s.
tone
limes limestone
Limestone
Limestone
··· ··· ··· n Limestone n Knox Group Knox Group Knox Group Knox Shady Dolomite Elway LimestoneElway Witten Limestone Witten Limestone Witte Witten Limestone Witten Limestone Witten Limestone Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group Helderberg Group St.Limestone Louis Maryville LimestoneMaryville Stratigraphic Name Monteagle Greenbrier Limestone Greenbrier Limestone Greenbrier Limestone Greenbrier Limestone Greenbrier Limestone Greenbrier Limestone Tonoloway LimestoneTonoloway LimestoneTonoloway LimestoneTonoloway Beekmantown St. Genevieve & Gasper Ls.St. Genevieve & Gasper Middle Ordovician Middle Ordovician Middle New & LincolnshireNew Market L & LincolnshireNew Market Ls.
Devonian Devonian Devonian Devonian Devonian Devonian Devonian Devonian Devonian ··· ··· ··· ------Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician - - - Silurian Silurian Silurian Cambrian Cambrian Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician Ordovician urian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Mississippian Silurian Sil Silurian Silurian Silurian Silurian Silurian Silurian Silurian Camb. Camb. Camb. Stratigraphic Age
Bath Bath Giles Giles Giles Giles Craig Craig Bland Bland Hardy Carter Smyth Blount Mercer Monroe Monroe County Sullivan Allegany Fentress Tazewell Highland Pendleton Pendleton Pendleton Pendleton Pendleton Pendleton Pendleton Pendleton Van Buren Greenbrier New CastleNew CastleNew Pocahontas Pocahontas Chesterfield Rockingham Montgomery Location Greenbrier & Pocah. Greenbrier & Pocah.
VA VA VA VA VA VA VA VA TN TN VA VA VA VA TN TN TN VA VA TN VA DE DE MD WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV WV State
Cave
Cave
Bane Cave - Saltpeter Cave Saltpeter (Morrell) (Morrell)
(Divides) (Divides) lhole Cave Sites Cave Trout Cave Trout Coon Cave Short Cave Dyers Cave ork Patton Cave Sinnett Cave Dunbar Cave Cassell Cave Starnes Cave Greises Cave Norman Cave Hel Pig Cave Hole Carpenters Pit Caldwell Cave Hancock Cave Hamilton Cave Saltpeter Cave Tawney’s Cave Tawney’s Breathing Cave Grindstaff Cave Snedegars Cave Friars Hole Cave Endless Caverns Camps Gulf Cave Scott Hollow Cave Scott Hollow Clover Cave Hollow Infected Site Name Cave MountainCave Cave summer site #1 roost summer site #2 roost Newberry Shires Cave Saltpetre Stonley Pocahontas Park State Newcastle Hole Murder Worley’s East F Hupman’s Cave Saltpeter White Cave Blowhole Oak Starr Chapel Cave Saltpeter
Table 1. Table List of sites infected with WNS in the eastern United States before July 2010. Column 1 = Site number on Figure 1; Column 2 = Infected site name; Column 3 = State; Column 4 = # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Site County; Column 5 = Stratigraphic age; Column 6 = Stratigraphic name; Column 7 = Elevation in meters above sea level; Column 8 = Elevation in feet above sea level; Column 9 = Month that the WNS infection was first identified. Ls. = Limestone or Limestones. See text for sources of data. Year that the = WNS infection was first identified; Column 10
NSS News, February 2011 23 References Dasher, G.R., 2009b, WNS updates: The West Virginia Hempel, J.C., 1975, Caves of Monroe County: West Adams, L., 1983, Survey of Grindstaff Cave: Bat Caver, v. 27, no. 3, p. 12. Virginia Speleological Survey Bulletin 4, 152 p. Times, v. 3, no. 1, p. 7. Dasher, G.R., ed., 2010a, Rockin’ Chair: The West Hoke, B., 2001, 2001 Trout Rock caves bat counts: The Anderson, B., 1981, Sites Cave survey: The Potomac Virginia Caver, v. 28, no. 2, p. 11–12. West Virginia Caver, v. 19, no. 2, p. 11. Caver, v. 24, no. 3, p. 42–45. Dasher, G.R., ed., 2010b, Rockin’ Chair: The West Hoke, B., 2009a, White nose syndrome has come to Anonymous, 1942, Fog in Snedagar’s Cave: Bulletin Virginia Caver, v. 28, no. 3, p. 10–12. West Virginia: D.C. Speleograph, v. 65, no. 1, p. 5. of the National Speleological Society, no. 3, p. Dasher, G.R.., ed., 2010c, Rockin’ Chair: The West Hoke, B., 2009b, White-nose syndrome appears to 22–23. 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Dyas, M., 1976b, Further notes on Cave Mountain Uhrin, M., Wagner, J., Weinfurtová, D., Zima, J., Zukal, J., and Horáček, I., 2010, Increasing Check, D., Sasowsky, I.D., and Quick, T.J., 2006, Cave: D.C. Speleograph, v. 32, no. 6, p. 3–4 (and incidence of Geomyces destructans fungus in bats High-resolution monitoring of accidental drain- cover page). Reprinted in: Erh, B., ed., Speleo from the Czech Republic and Slovakia: Public age of a carbonate aquifer, Monroe County, West Digest 1976, p. 108–109. Library of Science (PLoS) ONE, v. 5, no. 11, Virginia: Geological Society of America, Abstracts Dyas, M., 1977, Hamilton Cave – new information: e13853, p. 1–7, available online at www.plosone. with Programs, v. 38, no. 7, p. 287. D.C. Speleograph, v. 33, no. 1, p. 6–7. org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal. Dyroff, T., 1977, Hamilton Trout connection?: D.C. Clemmer, G.S., 2005, Burnsville Cove, Virginia, in: pone.0013853. D.C. Culver and W.B. White, eds., Encyclopedia Speleograph, v. 33, no. 7, p. 11–12. Masney, B., 2010, 2010 Hellhole bat count: The West of Caves: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Elsevier Faust, B., 1947, An unusual phenomenon: Bulletin of Virginia Caver, v. 28, no. 3, p. 5. Academic Press, p. 60–71. the National Speleological Society, no. 9, p. 52–54. Matthews, L.E., 2005, Dunbar Cave: The Showplace Cooper, J.E., 1962, Recent work at the Starr Chapel Franz, R., and Slifer, D., 1971, Caves of Maryland: of the South: Huntsville, Alabama, National Caves – A progress report: D.C. Speleograph, v. Maryland Geological Survey Educational Series, Speleological Society, 145 p. 18, no. 3, p. 16–18. no. 3, 120 p. Matthews, L.E., 2008, Caves of Knoxville and the Cournoyer, D.N., 1954, The Speleo-Barometer: Gargas, A., Trest, M.T., Christensen, M., Volk, T.J., Great Smoky Mountains: Huntsville, Alabama, The American Caver (Bulletin of the National and Blehert, D.S., 2009, Geomyces destructans National Speleological Society, 296 p. Speleological Society), no. 16, p. 91–93. sp. nov. associated with bat white-nose syndrome: Matthews, L.E., 2009, Eastern Tennessee, in: A.N. Cournoyer, D.N., 1956, Recent work in Breathing Mycotaxon, v. 108, p. 147–154. Palmer and M.V. Palmer, eds., Caves and Karst Cave: D.C. Speleograph, v. 11, no. 3, p. 1–3. Geer, R.P., 1980, The Showplace of the South – of the USA: Huntsville, Alabama, National Dunbar Cave: NSS News, v. 38, no. 10, p. 224–232. Dasher, G.R., ed., 2000, The caves of east-central Speleological Society, p. 83–85. West Virginia: West Virginia Speleological Survey Haas, J., 1961, Trout and Hamilton Cave (Pendleton Medville, D., 1978, Description of the Friars Hole Bulletin 14, 296 p. County, West Virginia): The Cleve-O-Grotto News, Cave System: The Baltimore Grotto News, v. 16, v. 8, no. 1, p. 5–6. Dasher, G.R., ed., 2001, The caves and karst of no. 12, p. 118–121. Pendleton County: West Virginia Speleological Handley, R., 1995, The caves of Greenbrier County, Medville, D., 1979, Rubber Chicken report, part Survey Bulletin 15, 404 p. West Virginia, in: C. Zokaites, ed., Underground in 7: The Baltimore Grotto News, v. 17, no. 9, p. the Appalachians: Huntsville, Alabama, National Dasher, G.R., ed., 2009a, Rockin’ chair: The West 101–102, 108. Virginia Caver, v. 27, no. 4, p. 7–9. Speleological Society, p. 81–94.
24 NSS News, February 2011 Medville, D., 1981a, Geography of the Friars Hole of little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus): Acta and geological data from caves and mines infected Cave System, U.S.A. in: Proceedings of the 8th Chiropterologica, v. 11, no. 2, p. 457–464. with white-nose syndrome before September 2009 International Congress of Speleology, v. 2, p. Sasowsky, I.D., and Bishop, M.R., 2006, Empirical in the eastern United States: Journal of Cave and 412–414. study of conduit radial cross-section determina- Karst Studies. Medville, D., 2000a, Hamilton Cave, in: G.R. Dasher, tion and representation methods on cavernous Swezey, C.S., Hadden, R.L., and Piatak, N.M., 2004, ed., The Caves of East-Central West Virginia: West limestone porosity characterization: Journal of Nitrate concentrations of soils in “saltpeter caves” Virginia Speleological Survey Bulletin 14, p. 92. Cave and Karst Studies, v. 68, no. 3, p. 130–136. in West Virginia (USA): NSS News, v. 62, no. 12, Medville, D., 2000b, Trout Cave (Trout Rock Cave), Sasowksy, I.D., White, W.B., and Schmidt, V.A., p. 342–345. in: G.R. Dasher, ed., The Caves of East-Central 1995, Determination of stream-incision rate in Swezey, C.S., Piatak, N.M., Chiehowsky, L.A., West Virginia: West Virginia Speleological Survey the Appalachian plateaus by using cave-sediment Hadden, R.L., Hackley, P.C., Doolan, C.A., Bulletin 14, p. 130–131, 133. magnetostratigraphy: Geology, v. 23, no. 5, p. Alemán-González, W.B., Bingham, P.A., and Meteyer, C.U., Buckles, E.L., Blehert, D.S., Hicks, 415-418. Hoke, R.B., 2004, A guide to the geology of the A.C., Green, D.E., Shearn-Bochsler, V., Saunders, J., 1974, The Sinking Creek project: The Sinnett-Thorn Mountain Cave System, Pendleton County, West Virginia: The Potomac Caver, v. 47, Thomas, N.J., Gargas, A., and Behr, M.J., 2009, Tech Troglodyte, v. 12, no. 3, p. 15–19. no. 1, p. 3–14. Histopathologic criteria to confirm white-nose Saunders, J.W., Ortiz, R.K., and Koerschner, W.F., syndrome in bats: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic III, 1981, Major groundwater flow directions in Turner, G.G., and Reeder, D.M., 2009, Update of Investigations, v. 21, no. 4, p. 411–414. the Sinking Creek and Meadow Creek drainage white nose syndrome in bats, September 2009: Bat Research News, v. 50, no. 3, p. 47–53. Moore, G.W., 1958, Time of stalactite growth: Journal basins of Giles and Craig Counties, Virginia, USA, of the Yale Speleological Society, v. 1, no. 2, p. 12. in: Proceedings of the 8th International Congress Washington, J., and Vermeulen, S., 1995, Tawney’s Cave, in: C. Zokaites, ed., Underground in the Murray, J.W., and Dietrich, R.V., 1956, Brushite and of Speleology, v. 1, p. 398–400. Appalachians: Huntsville, Alabama, National taranakite from Pig Hole Cave, Giles County, Schlecht, W., 1940, Descent into Hell Hole: Bulletin Speleological Society, p. 55–57. Virginia: American Mineralogist, v. 41, nos. 7–8, of the Speleological Society of the District of p. 616–626. Columbia [Bulletin of the National Speleological Wefer, F.L., and Nicholson, I.K., 1982, Exploration and mapping of the Sinking Creek System: Bulletin Niederriter, H., 2010a, Delaware bats moni- Society], no. 1, p. 11–17. of the National Speleological Society, v. 44, no. tored for white-nose syndrome: News of the Schlecht, W., and Culverwell, T., 1982, Descent into 3, p. 48–63. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Hell Hole: The Potomac Caver, v. 25, no. 11, p. Environmental Control, v. 39, no. 273, available 172–175. White, W., and Dunn, B., 1957, Swago Creek System: online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/News/Pages/ Schmidt, V., 1958, The ins and outs of Breathing Cave: The Netherworld News, v. 5, no. 1, p. 8. DelawareBatsMonitoredforWhite-noseSyndrome. The Netherworld News, v. 6, no. 11, p. 236–239. White, W.B., and Hess, J.W., 1982, Geomorphology aspx. Reprinted in NSS News (1959), v. 17, no. 1, p. 6–8. of Burnsville Cove and the geology of the Butler Niederriter, H., 2010b, Fungus associated with white- Schwartz, B.F., Orndorff, W.D., Futrell, M.S., and Cave – Sinking Creek System: Bulletin of the nose syndrome detected in Delaware bats: News Lucas, P.C., 2009, Virginia, in: A.N. Palmer and National Speleological Society, v. 44, no. 3, p. of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources M.V. Palmer, eds., Caves and Karst of the USA: 67–77. and Environmental Control, v. 39, no. 137, avail- Huntsville, Alabama, National Speleological Whittemore, R.E., 1965, Caving along the St. Clair able online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/News/ Society, p. 39–51. Fault: The Tech Troglodyte, v. 3, no. 2, p. 51–55. Pages/Fungus_associated_with_White-nose_ Schweyen, J., 1990, Cave diving in Scott Hollow Wibbelt, G., Kurth, A., Hellmann, D., Weishaar, M., Syndrome_detected_in_Delaware_bats.aspx. Cave: NSS News, v. 48, no. 6, p. 151–158. Barlow, A., Veith, M., Prüger, J., Görföl, Nigh, D., 1970, Winds of the netherworlds: Karst Sleeman, J., 2009, Wildlife Health Bulletin 2009-03, T., Grosche, L., Bontadina, F., Zöphel, U., Seidl, H.-P., Kaver, v. 4, no. 3, p. 5–9. available online at www.fws.gov/northeast/whit- Cryan, P., and Blehert, D.S., 2010, White-nose Norris, J., 1992, Scott Hollow mystery unraveled: enose/PDF/WHB2009-03WNSFinal.pdf. syndrome fungus (Geomyces destructans) in bats, The West Virginia Caver, v. 10, no. 6, p. 17–19. Sluzarski, M.L., 1972, Hydrogeologic determina- Europe: Emerging Infectious Diseases, v. 16, no. Orndorff, W., 1995, Bedrock geologic setting of tion of the origin of stream flow in Smoke Hole 8, p. 1237–1242. karst near the central and southern Appalachian Cave, Giles County, Virginia: The Region Record Wright, W., 1982, Geohydrology of the Skydusky transition: Geology Field Trip, in: C. Zokaites, [Virginia Region of the National Speleological Hollow Cave System, Bland County, Virginia: The ed., Underground in the Appalachians: Huntsville, Society], v. 2, no. 4, p. 102–105. Tech Troglodyte, v. 21, no. 2, p. 59–65. Alabama, National Speleological Society, p. Smith, J.H., Jr., 1996, New exploration in White Wright, W., 1995, Hydrology of the Skydusky Hollow 126–154. Oak Blowhole Cave: NSS News, v. 54, no. 12, Cave System, in: C. Zokaites, ed.,Underground in Palmer, A.N., 1975, The origin of maze caves: Bulletin p. 322–326. the Appalachians: Huntsville, Alabama, National of the National Speleological Society, v. 37, no. Speece, J.H., 1983, Dyers Cave: Journal of Spelean Speleological Society, p. 26–29. 5, p. 56–76. History, v. 17, nos. 1–2, p. 21, 26. Youngbaer, P., 2009, WNS appears in Clover Hollow Palmer, A.N., 2009, Cave exploration as a guide to Stihler, C., 2009, Laboratory results confirm white- Cave: D.C. Speleograph, v. 65, no. 1, p. 8. geologic research in the Appalachians: Journal of nose syndrome in West Virginia: The West Virginia Youngbaer, P., 2010, White nose syndrome: A second Cave and Karst Studies, v. 71, no. 3, p. 180–192. Caver, v. 27, no. 2, p. 18–19. year look at the conservation challenges: NSS Pearson, J., 2010, West Virginia Cave Conservancy Stihler, C., 2010a, West Virginia caves positive for News, v. 68, no. 3, p. 24–25. and WNS: The Region Record [Virginia Region white-nose syndrome: The West Virginia Caver, Zimmerman, R., 2009, The Cassell Cave survey of the National Speleological Society], v. 23, v. 28, no. 6, p. 10. project: West Virginia Speleological Survey no. 2, p. 4. Stihler, C., 2010b, White-nose syndrome update Monograph 3, 60 p. Plummer, W.T., 1969, Infrasonic resonances in April 2010: The West Virginia Caver, v. 28, no. Zinz, D., and Sasowsky, I.D., 2005, Speleogenesis natural underground cavities: The Journal of the 3, p. 15–16. within an anticlinal valley: Hellhole Cave, West Acoustical Society of America, v. 46, no. 5, part Storrick, G.D., 1992, The caves and karst hydrology of Virginia: Geological Society of America, Abstracts 1, p. 1074–1080. southern Pocahontas County and the Upper Spring with Programs, v. 67, no. 3, p. 188. Puechmaille, S.J., Verdeyroux, P., Fuller, H., Ar Creek Valley: West Virginia Speleological Survey Zokaites, C., 1995a, Skydusky Hollow Cave Gouilh, M., Bekaert, M., Teeling, E.C., 2010, Bulletin 10, 215 p. System, in: Zokaites, C., ed., Underground in White-nose syndrome fungus (Geomyces destruc- Swezey, C., 2003, Trout Cave (Pendleton County, the Appalachians: Huntsville, Alabama, National tans) in bat, France: Emerging Infectious Diseases, WV): D.C. Speleograph, v. 59, nos. 10–11, p.7. Speleological Society, p. 23–25. v. 16, no. 2, p. 290–293. Swezey, C.S., and Dulong, F.T., 2010, Some notes on Zokaites, C., ed., 1995b, Underground in the Reeds, C.A., 1925, The Endless Caverns of the the geology of Cave Mountain Cave, Appalachians: Huntsville, Alabama, National Shenandoah Valley: New York, New York, The Speleological Society, 217 p. Pendleton County, West Virginia: The West Virginia Evans-Brown Company, 48 p. Caver, v. 28, no. 2, p. 5–10. Reichard, J.D., and Kunz, T.H., 2009, White-nose Swezey, C.S., and Garrity, C.P., in press, Geographical syndrome inflicts lasting injuries to the wings
NSS News, February 2011 25 Kim Gentry
The Northeastern Caver Three maps are included; Wooden Ladder Cindy Sandeno gives a report on December 2010-Volume XLI, Number 4 Cave, which has a total passage length of cleanup at TV Tower Pit, which is located Northeastern Regional Organization 61 feet, Calico Bat Cave, with a total in the Monongahela National Forest in West The Rockeaters provide a wrap-up of passage length of 130 feet, and Birdmuda Virginia. Volunteers from Mountain State the activities in Thunder Hole in New York, Triangle Cave, which has a total passage Grotto helped to remove over 200 pounds along with a line plot and several maps. A length of 226 feet. of steel and other debris from the pit. total of 1.96 miles have been surveyed, but further discoveries seem elusive. Also is in this issue is a map of Hot Karst Window Chocolate Cave in Oregon, which was December 2010-Volume 42, Issue 4 John Dunham gives an analysis of the surveyed in 2005 by Geoff MacNaughton Louisville Grotto karst of Shepards Cave in Massachusetts and Matt Skeels. This cave has two entrances, Several articles in this issue are devoted along with map and photos. The map shows and is 44.05 feet in length from entrance to to the survey efforts of Chris’ Cave, located a total surveyed length of 475.3 feet. entrance. in Kentucky. A map is also included. Since 1990, over five miles of passage have been Also included in this issue is another Dug Scoops surveyed. article by John Dunham along with a July/December 2010-Volume 28, #. 2 map, which describes the extension made Detroit Urban Grotto Sag Rag in Dolo Cave, located in Massachusetts. Steve Gladieux details a survey expedi- July/August 2010-Volume 29, Number 4 Although unable to make a connection to tion in 2010 into the Quan Kou system in Shasta Area Grotto nearby Coon Hollow Cave, the survey China, and provides survey and topo maps. A revised version of the map of Marble was extended by about 80 feet, bringing the The system is currently 12.6 km long and Mountain Quarry Cave in Oregon is total cave length to approximately 350 feet. 530 meters deep. There are huge going included in this issue. The revision shows leads, both vertical and horizontal. Another additional passages surveyed, tacking on T.A.G. Caver expedition is tentatively scheduled for March 457 feet to the total length of the cave. To Winter 2010-Volume 1, Issue 2 2011. date, the total surveyed length is 1,820 feet. Sewanee Mountain Grotto Kelly Smallwood gives a report on the Another article in this issue by Steve SFBC Newsletter survey trips of Swell Well in Tennessee, and Gladieux describes survey efforts in November 2010-Volume 53, Number 11 provides a map and photos. The map shows Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, along San Francisco Bay Chapter a total vertical extent of 101 feet and a total with some nice photos. During a trip in Mark Conover supplies the details of the horizontal extent of 35 feet. May 2010, a total of 6,227.78 feet were 32nd Annual SFBC Empire Cave clean up resurveyed, and 737.63 feet of virgin cave in California. About five pounds of trash and Also in this issue is an article by Julie survey was obtained. 30 pounds of lumber scraps were removed Schenck Brown, along with a map describing from the cave. Most of the effort was devoted the survey of Reams Cave in Tennessee. Subterranean Journeys to graffiti removal. This cave has a length of 1,215 feet and a August 2010-Volume 5, Issue 3 depth of 196 feet. Springfield Plateau Grotto The Hollow Earth News Jonathan Beard provides the history and November 2010-Volume 17, Number 11 Jeff Bartlett provides a survey history survey map of Johnson Cave in Missouri. In Wisconsin Speleological Society of Mystery Falls Cave in Tennessee, and 2010, Springfield Plateau Grotto members Kasey Fiske provides a detailed report includes a new map. Previous survey efforts were able to extend the initial 1983 survey of the work done the weekend of August by various others left the recorded depth of of the cave by 239.5 feet. 21, 2010, in Maribel New Hope Cave, the high rig point of this cave uncertain. After located in Wisconsin. For the two days activi- sending the target plate down to the bottom Carbide Dump ties, a total of 44 combined volunteer hours of the pit and using ropes to place the target December 2010-Volume 45, Number 11 were put in. in the appropriate spot, it was measured Blue Ridge Grotto on one side and then the other, three times It was reported that Dave Socky, Bob Rimstone Reflections each. With laser measurements that mirrored Alderson, and Joe Zokaites surveyed 540 Winter 2010-Volume 2, Issue 7 the taped measurements almost exactly, they feet in a virgin area above the Nightmares Rockcastle Regional Grotto are now confident of the numbers on the Nest in Gap Cave, Virginia, in October A map of Dangle Dingle Cave in new map. The new recorded high rig point 2010. Kentucky is included in this issue. The cave is 269.8 feet. Total horizontal cave length was located in 2001 and mapped to nearly is 1,367 feet and a total vertical extent of The West Virginia Caver a mile in length. 330 feet. December 2010-Volume 28, Number 6 West Virginia Association for Cave Oregon Underground Studies and seven West Virginia Grottos Fall 2010-Issue 30 Mark Minton describes the continuing Moving? Please send address changes to the Oregon High Desert Grotto survey efforts in Cass Cave, located in NSS Office: 2813 Cave Ave., Huntsville, Neil Marchington highlights survey West Virginia. During a weekend in August AL 35810-4431 or log onto www.caves. trips in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, and 2010, an additional 737 feet of survey was org/info/changeinfo.shtml. includes several photos from April 2009. obtained.
26 NSS News, February 2011 [Ed. note: the HQComm and BOG cave biology, prominent cavers, cave The right traffic must already exist to draw asked that the following note be run and karst geology, and the progressive travelers to our new Headquarters. in conjunction with Gordon’s article: development of caving technologies. The President’s viewpoints expressed • Developing DVDs and/or downloadable The NSS needs to be in a well-travelled in his column are not necessarily media presentations at meetings for area, or corridor, to attract the public to our those of the NSS Board of Governors visitors, dignitaries, and groups at the new Headquarters. A hot corridor transport- or the Headquarters Commission.The NSS Headquarters. ing visitors past our front door will prove ideal Headquarters Commission has not decided • Hosting conferences, seminars, and to pull them in like a magnet. A corridor what kind of community, what kind of site, workshops at the NSS headquarters featuring people interested in caves is the nor what type of facility it might recom- on significant cave and caving topics in most advantageous because a captive audi- mend to best serve the many different cooperation with various organizations, ence is our best customer. A well-travelled priorities that the Board of Governors has associations, and businesses including corridor of like-minded people guarantees set out for a new headquarters. Please visit state and government agencies like the visitors because you don’t have to go and the Headquarters Commission website for National Park Service (NPS), United get them—they are already there. more information: www.caves.org/commis- States Forest Service (USFS), U.S Fish sion/hq/index.shtml ] and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bat It is rare for anyone to visit the existing Conservation International (BCI), and NSS Office or the Library. If a multi-million The NSS Headquarters Commission others. dollar Headquarters were built at our current (HQComm) will soon be recommending • Increasing sales of NSS publications to location, visitation will not increase, other a location for the new Headquarters. The the general public in the walk-up NSS than curiosity seekers among our members. $2.5 million budget has been approved by bookstore which can easily be expanded Our main goal is not limited to reaching out the Board of Governors and the physical to include visitor souvenir or other sales to our existing members. Our new goal is to location of the Headquarters is the next order items. employ our new Headquarters as a device to of business for the hardworking HQComm. • Presenting workshops to our volunteers attract the general public and the non-NSS According to Chairman John Scheltens, the at the NSS Headquarters to facilitate caving public visitors. It’s about location, HQComm will recommend this spring the public outreach to include providing location, location… best place for the NSS to put down roots copies of NSS outreach curricula, and anchor us for success for the next 50 presentation supports, and posters. I understand moving the location of the to 100 years. • Coordinating outreach marketing plans NSS Headquarters even a few miles is an to promote walk-up memberships from emotional issue for many people. It would Public Outreach is the key to our visitors at the NSS Headquarters and be good to harness that random energy and future and has to be the foundation of use the influence of the Headquarters focus it for positive purposes because we will our new Headquarters. Our goal, as our as an instrument to demonstrate the need everyone’s help. Logic dictates that NSS Strategic Plan states: “The NSS will advantages of continued membership. to achieve our goals we have to relocate. significantly increase public outreach. The • Facilitating cooperative marketing or We need to put aside personal, group, or organization will work to make its name and advertising agreement efforts at the regional emotions to do what is best for the mission known among the conservation- NSS Headquarters with conservation or Society. In striving for the “Highest Good,” minded public outside the caving community exploration oriented organizations that the needs of the NSS outweigh the needs and encourage supporting memberships.” will enable mutual public outreach with of the few. Public Outreach means attracting people and all those entities participating. Gordon Birkhimer visitors to our new Headquarters. • Encouraging walk-up membership in the cave conservation supporter Volunteer Needed Our NSS Public Outreach Strategy will membership category by using the The NSS is considering initiat- focus outreach efforts to both the general NSS Headquarters as a center for ing a new webinar project to present public and the non-NSS caving public. The speleological preservation excellence. topics of interest to the membership. new NSS Headquarters will be the center- • Developing marketing techniques and These might include updates on White piece of all of our public outreach efforts, and advertising pieces to display at the NSS Nose Syndrome, subjects such as geol- it will truly be the Crown Jewel of the NSS. Headquarters for targeted journals, ogy, biology, photography, expedition We need to make our name and mission magazines, and group newsletters that reports, interviews with cavers, or any known among the public and outside the solicit cave conservation supporter other subject of interest. Ultimately, we caving community. The NSS Headquarters memberships and donations. would like to place these programs on our is where we will address and incorporate our web site for use of our members and as goal of public outreach through the follow- Like the hub of a giant wheel the NSS potential grotto programs. We are look- ing efforts: Headquarters will radiate public outreach in ing for a member who is experienced in all directions across our nation and interna- working with webinars and would like to • Opening a national caving museum at tionally. Think of our Headquarters as a tool, volunteer to work on this project. Please the NSS Headquarters with educational or an instrument, that once deployed, will contact Geary Schindel, Administrative exhibits to attract walk-up visitors attract people to our cause. The best way to Vice President at gschindel@edwardsa- and illustrating the history of U.S. pull people in is to divert them from a high quifer.org or 210.326.1576 cell for more cave exploration, cave archeology, volume traffic area to our new Headquarters. information. historical aspects of caves and caving, Unfortunately, we can’t manufacture traffic.
NSS News, February 2011 27 Celebrating our Success in Serving our Science Mission: The Journal of Cave and Karst Studies Louise D. Hose, PhD, 13138Fe The National Speleological Society has JCR, International Journal of Speleology limestone. However, the cone-shaped hills served a unique, triad mission of science, (0.90) and Acta Carsologica (0.59). Their on Abaco Island in Bahamas are formed conservation, and exploration focused on listing will help strengthen the Journal’s in very young (Pleistocene) rocks and lack caves and karst for seventy years and we rating and vice versa. With more karst many of the distinctive traits of classic have become a recognized leader in each publications included in the JCR tallies, we cone karst. A team from Mississippi State of these fields. Our Journal of Cave and can expect the impact ratings of all three University proposes a hypothesis that eolian Karst Studies, first published during the journals to climb. Our entire, international (wind-blown) sand dunes cut by a variety Society’s first year, has a starring role in the community gains strength and credibility…. of processes including dissolution (karst) international cave and karst community as and that’s good for the caves. processes, landslides , tree root-wedging, the top ranked scholarly publication on caves As the Journal has increased its and fire-induced spalling of the limestone and karst in the world. Every NSS member rating, we have seen a great expansion in in the Abaco cone-shaped hills. Testing this deserves to take great pride in our continued the number of karst researchers holding hypothesis is left to future researchers. support towards advancing science through tenured and tenure-track faculty positions the Journal. Even if you have never read a in American universities. Cave and karst Scale Analysis of the Significance Journal article, your membership contributes programs at North American colleges and of Dispersion in Mixing-Transport in to the stability and resulting influence of the universities were counted on one hand Conduits publication on behalf of American cavers and when I started my career (and you didn’t The math-phobic should avoid this caves. You help our young scholars advance need your thumb!). Now there are dozens of paper, but it is a good example of some of in their careers by providing a respected, such programs, many with multiple faculty the changes over the last decade-and-a-half stable vehicle for publishing their work. You members contributing. I believe that our that moved the Journal into international help enhance the respect land managers give Journal has played a major role in increasing recognition. The authors are affiliated with to work done by our members (and other the respect and support for cave and karst Yunnan University in China but join the researchers) by providing a credible, scholarly sciences. Every NSS member has a right to growing trend of prominent karst research- publication where research is presented to share in the pride of moving cave studies out ers that chose to publish in the Journal. the world. Steady publication of the Journal of the shadows and into the mainstream of The highly quantitative (that’s lots of math ranks as one of the NSS’s most enduring and science. We have all contributed to ensuring for the non-academic reader) study provides important contribution. that the NSS has a voice at the table when a tool for interpreting the nature of under- Several years ago, the Journal became managers and policymakers make decisions ground stream flow between two points the first karst publication accepted by the about cave and karst resources. identified by a dye-tracing test. The authors ISI (now Thomson Reuters) for coverage Have you thumbed through your most suggest that their equations can provide in the Web of Science, and as a result, in recent (December 2010) issue of the Journal hints about whether a single passage or a Journal Citation Reports (JCR). This list- yet? Perhaps you find its technical language network of cave passages connect the dye ing ranks the “impact factor” of scholarly a little intimidating? Let me summarize what input-to-output sites. Such a tool could signif- journals by compiling statistics on how often you would find if you read through this last icantly enhance the information provided by articles in a publication are cited by articles issue: dye-tracing experiments, such as the one in other scholarly publications. Most young conducted in the first article. professors’ hopes for tenure and promotion Fast, Regional Conduit Flow to hinge not just on “publish or perish” but on an Exceptional-Value Speing-Fed A New Genus of the subfamily publish in journals with respectable impact Creek: Implications for Source-Water Cubacubaninae from Caves in South- factor rankings. The impact factor is the Protection in Mantled Karst of South Central and Southwestern USA traditional (and, of course, controversial) way Central Pennsylvania. Taxonomic descriptions make tedious to determine the value of a publication in Sulpho Rhodamine B and sodium reading for most people but the Journal academic circles. When I started my profes- fluorescein dye tracing of subsurface waters provides an important contribution as a sional academic career in the late 1980s, has been a staple of karst hydrologists for platform for documenting the biodiversity in I was advised to forget about publishing in decades and this paper provides a clear caves. This short and well-illustrated article unranked journals as such articles would not example of the technique and how it can describes a new genus of cave-adapted “count”. There were no karst publications in help land managers and decision-makers silverfish collected from caves in the Ozarks the JCR at that time. protect aquifers. The work is preliminary (Arkansas and Oklahoma), Arizona, and Last week, I checked on how our but includes a good discussion of the water California. Going beyond the traditional Journal is valued and concluded that it is resource management and policy implica- taxonomic description, the researchers back doing very well with an impact factor of tions of the study. up their choice t o establish a new genus with 1.37. While it doesn’t rank with the top-tier DNA evidence. Nature (34.5) and Science (29.7) or even Symmetrical cone-shaped hills, American Naturalist (4.796) and Geology abaco island, Bahamas: Karst or Comparison of Conduit Volumes (4.368), it stands among other well-respected pseudokarst? Obtained from Direct Measurements publications I use in my professional work Geomorphologists cite the spectacular and Artificial Tracer Tests (e.g., Groundwater (1.83), AAPG Bulletin cone karst in tropical sites around the world, This paper from the Czech Republic (1.45), Rangeland Journal (1.16), and particularly in China, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, describes a relatively small and simple field Environmental Geology (1.08). Two other and Jamaica, as examples of mature (i.e., experiment and provides a great example of karst journals were recently added to the old) features formed by dissolution of soluble testing a commonly accepted but unproven
28 NSS News, February 2011 hypothesis. One reviewer called the paper “delightfully short…very original, interesting and useful.” The researchers were able to manipulate an isolated phreatic loop in a natural cave to test the reliability of tracer tests in groundwater to estimate the cave passage volume. Their findings suggest that tracer tests can provide useful volume esti- mations for simple conduit geometries but These NSS books are compelling and considerably underestimate more complex comprehensive guides on modern caving systems. techniques that belong in every serious caver’s library. The newest in the techniques series is the award-winning Microclimate Monitoring in Pozalagua Cave Conservation and Restoration, Cave (Spain): Application to the ultimate manual for cavers and Management and Protection of Show cave managers alike. Caves NSS members receive special book discounts! This study from Spain should prove interesting to anyone involved in show cave To order, visit www.nssbookstore.org or call (256)-852-1300. management. Share a copy of it with your local commercial cave manager. (Did you know that all Journal articles are available on the NSS website soon after publication? Check out www.caves.org/pub/journal/ index.htm.) The authors monitored the New Mexico Cave Closures Information about the closure can be seen All caves at El Malpais National variations in air temperature and CO2 of a on the park’s Web site:www.nps.gov/elma/ show cave for over three years and correlated Monument were closed effective December No cases of WNS have been observed in them to visitation. Both were impacted by 6, 2010 according to Superintendent Kayci New Mexico but reported cases in Western the tours. The paper proposes management Cook Collins. While nearly all of the caves Oklahoma have purportedly led the park to options and recommends approaches to in the park have been closed for some time, this blanket closure. determining carry capacity to minimize the this notice affects the five caves—Junction, [Ed. note: While cavers are kept out, impact on speleothems. Xenolith, Big Skylight, Four Windows and what will prevent WNS-infected bats from Braided—which have remained opened. elsewhere entering the caves?]
NSS News, February 2011 29 Matienzo: 50 Years of Speleology, 50 Grottes et Karsts de France Atlas of the Great Caves and Karst of Años de la Espeleología. Philippe Audra, editor. Association Française de Southeast Asia Karstologie, Karstologia Mémoires 19; 2010. ISBN Edited by Juan Corrin and Peter Smith. Matienzo edited by Michael Laumanns and Liz Price. 978-2-95-042225-5. A4 size, 358 pages, softbound. Caves, Bacup, Lancashire; 2010. ISBN 978-0- Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte, volumes 40 €29. (Can be ordered for €44 [~$58 at this writing] 9566045-0-7. A4 size, 306 pages, softbound. £20. and 41; 2010. ISSN 1616-8572. A4 size, total 338 postpaid from Switzerland at orders@speleoproj- Again the Brits have put American pages, softbound. $40 or €30. ects.com; Speleobooks has some copies in the US.) Similar in format and intent to the efforts at documenting caving projects to This amounts to an encyclopedia of earlier Atlas of the Great Caves and Karst shame. Following 100 years of Swildon’s caves and karst of France and French islands, of Africa (NSS News, October 2002), this Hole (NSS News, May 2008) and 75 years with 166 entries. A typical entry has a page is a very valuable reference on the caves of of Wookey Hole (September 2010), we now of text and a page of illustrations such as mainland southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, have 50 years of explorations in and around tables, cave maps, and color photos or Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) the Matienzo closed valley in Cantabria, on geologic diagrams. The first 61 entries cover and the island nations of Indonesia, the the northern coast of Spain. For such a large subjects in geology, hydrology, and manage- Philippines, and East Timor. Only the west- book with color illustrations throughout, ment that are applicable anywhere, though ern, Indonesian half of the island of New the price is amazingly low, although post- with examples from France. The remaining Guinea is included; Singapore is mentioned age from the UK will add substantially to it. sections cover particular caves and cave but has no caves. For each country, there are Contact [email protected] for a areas, an extensive and valuable survey that geographical and karst maps, discussions of postage quote and payment options. I don’t isn’t available from any other single source. geology, cave areas, and exploration history, believe anyone has a stock of them in the There is, unfortunately, no index to help lists of longest and deepest caves, and maps United States. you find a cave if you don’t know where in of many of them. There are very extensive Following some brief introductory France it is. bibliographies. Like all issues of this series material, the middle 230 pages contain The French are firm in their ancient from Berlin, it is in English. The stated price reports, organized by year, on the caving belief that all civilized people know French, is apparently postpaid from the publisher at expeditions to the area. From 1963 through or ought to, so I’m not expecting an English www.speleo-berlin.de/gb_index.php. Click 1968, exploration was by Spanish cavers. translation of this important book. Actually, on publications, then Michael Laumanns Beginning in 1969, there were one or more with just a little effort you ought to be able to to see an order form. It is not clear how British-led expeditions just about every year. understand most of the illustrations, at least. one pays, however; you’d have to inquire. The main text in this section is rather dry and Bill Mixon matter-of-fact, but there are many insertions Speleobooks usually has these volumes in of personal narratives that would be called the US. sidebars if so many of them did not occupy Bill Mixon several pages. Identified by a green back- ground, these are more fun to read. Here, sumps. The book ends with the obligatory opportunity to brush up on whichever is and throughout the book, there are many long and deep lists. Elevations in the area are not your native tongue. The translations are color illustrations, most of them small photo- not great, and the greatest depth is only 317 pretty free, though, and not word-for-word, graphs. Sometimes I got the impression that meters, but one cave is over 53 kilometers and the Spanish is that of Spain—no sótanos more of them were shot in the local bars than long, and there are five more caves over 10 here. But don’t expect a quick read because the local caves, but perhaps not really. After kilometers. The total cave survey in the area everything is there twice. The small type the chronological section, there are chapters so far is a bit over 300 kilometers. makes up for that. on geology, geomorphology, archaeology, Everything in the book is in both English The book comes with a folded geological and sump diving, with a catalog of known and Spanish, which would give you a good map and a data DVD with 4 GB of material
30 NSS News, February 2011 that is as impressive as the book itself. There are some three thousand photos, almost all of them unimpressive snapshots, and also some short movies, some PowerPoint shows, and a couple of cave-diving articles Firefly Slaves for cave photography: FF 2 ($75) Association. Application and information at that weren’t sidebars in the printed book, and FF 3 ($110) for digital. CD “On Three: An intro www.sequoiahistory.org/employment.htm or call 559-565-3759. 3 perhaps because they arrived too late. There to digital photography for cavers” ($15). New: Cave Cards! individual ($3.50) or sets of six cards is a “maps application” that they say works GRAD STUDENTS: NEED FUNDING? Grant ($18) with stunning cave photos, envelopes. See money is available from the National Speleological best in the Firefox browser; it seems to work newly updated website: www.pjcaver.com. V/MC/ Foundation at www.speleofoundation.org fine in Safari. This gives access to a database AMEX/Check. SITDCP, 80 Mountain St, Camden, ME 04843. 207-236-6112. [email protected] of 3337 sites, including cave entrances, AD RATES: 50 cents per word, with a 10% pits, springs, and digs. Each entry contains Caves of Grant County, WV, Bulletin 17. discount for prepaid ads running three months the location and varying amounts of other 120 pages, 90 caves, 91 photos, 35 maps. or longer. The following count as one word each: $18 postpaid from WVASS, PO Box 200, P.O. box #; street address; city; state & zip; phone information, such as a text description and Barrackville, WV 26559, 304/282-2306, number. E-mail or web addresses exceeding 10 links to an entrance photo, a detailed cave [email protected] 4 characters count as two words. Payment must precede publication, but copy should be e-mailed map, and even a .3d file from the Survex Help Wanted: Spend the summer in the Sierra. to the editor ([email protected]), to reserve program. The application also includes a Summer cave guide naturalists for Crystal Cave space. Copy should be received six weeks prior to Google Earth–based area map showing all tours in Sequoia National Park. Driver’s license/ publication date (e.g., by May 15 for July issue). Make checks payable to the National Speleological the locations superimposed on a satellite clean record required. Visitor center store positions also available. Low cost park housing. Society and send to: NSS News Advertising, 107 view of the landscape, with line plots of the Operated by non-profit Sequoia Natural History Avonbrook Road, Wallingford, PA, 19086. larger caves. It can be zoomed and panned. Much of this is also on the project’s website, www.matienzo.org.uk, but maps and other things have higher resolution on the DVD. A great model for project documentation. Bill Mixon
Right: Robert Coomer’s Popcorn Passage won an Honorable Mention award in the 2010 Print Salon Black & White Division.
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