Well, here we are again. Last minute deadlines looming like slabs of breakdown ready to fall upon my head, and I must have forgotten my helmet! One of these days I'm going to get one day further behind than usual, and...CRUNCH!
Our February meeting was enjoyable (as usual). We had a great turnout (about 24 people), and everyone got to try the cave (newly discovered in the basement of the bank). Thanks to BRUCE ANDERSON for his ingenuity in putting together such a delightful addition to our meeting agenda. Using tables, blankets, and ending with the adjustable crawlway built by D.C. Young, we were able to put together a fifty foot (or so) cave, complete with a forking passage, soda straws, dead batteries, empty pop cans, and other things commonly found in a cave. We'll have to do it again sometime. Great fun! Naturally, we cleaned up after ourselves as all good cavers should.
We had quite a discussion about cave gear , so this prompted us to designate the workshop period for this coming meeting as another "share your favorite cave gear ideas" meeting. This will be true show and tell, so bring what you like, and be prepared to tell us why you like it. Arguing and making fun of other's people's gear is allowed, and often encouraged. From the way we carry on at meetings, a stranger might think that Norm and I could never cave together. (CARBIDE BREATH!) (DIM BULB!) Ah, such is life!
Oh, by the way, the "we" in the NNG is now forty-four members. Right here in the heart of corn country without a cave in sight. Believe that or not! This issue of the NNN is also the notorious "BLUE DOT" issue. If your MAILING LABEL has a BLUE DOT on it, it means that your 1995 DUES HAVE NOT BEEN PAID, and that this is your FINAL ISSUE. Please don't delay! Keep the NEWS coming. (If, however, my records are in error, you may beat me with a wet soda straw and I will humbly apologize).
I received a letter from Evelyn Bradshaw of the NSS Internal Organizations Committee. In it, she notes that our 1994 annual report was received, and is in good order. She thanked us for submitting the report on computer disk, which speeds up the process of preparing copy for the yearly MEMBERS' MANUAL. She also mentioned that our grotto is eligible to have three votes for the 1995 Congress of Grottos, held at the national convention.
Library note: New issues of the DESERT CAVER (Escabrosa Grotto, AZ), INDIANA CAVER (Eastern Indiana Grotto), and the GEORGIA UNDERGROUND (Dogwood City Grotto) are available for checkout from the secretary.
It looks as though this issue will not be quite as "full" as the last few. Probably due to fewer cave trips the last couple of months, there were fewer articles submitted. I was also not able to find much of interest in the internet recently. I'd like to let everyone know that Brian and I feel quite lucky because we have in this grotto a large number of very fine writers who have done a wonderful job of making the NNN the classy publication it has become. We include scientific and research articles as the better publications do, but our "first person" trip reports, often written by "rookie cavers" add a bit of sparkle to the pages, and are much more interesting than the dry, "went there-did that-surveyed it" sort of articles so often seen. In them, we communicate to our fellow members who weren't able to make that particular trip how we felt about what we saw and did. We can't all make every trip, but our trip reports in the NNN are the next best thing. Keep 'em coming!
Speaking of publications, did you all see the latest "NSS NEWS"? It features an article by our own Norm Rogers on the NSS Field Camp at Mammoth Cave, KY, along with photos by Brian Braye. We've made the big time!
We had a fine (but unexpected) "rookie" trip through Buckner's last month. It was unexpected because we had planned to tour Wayne's Lost, but when I called to reserve the key, I found that all the keys were already reserved for that day! Bummer! Whoda thunkit? In the middle of February, everybody wanted to do Wayne's on the same day. At that point, even if I had been able to locate another key, the place would have been too crowded, and I since learned that one of the reservations was by the Windy City grotto, and they had quite a large group. It turned out that few in our group have had a chance to do Buckner's, so we decided to use it as our backup.
When we arrived at the parking lot, it was FULL! Well, almost. We were able to squeeze in a few of our cars, and block them in with the others. It was a good thing that we planned to exit at the same time. A herd of boy scouts were camping out, and had all their tents set up like a small city. Luckily their group was exiting just as we were gathering at the entrance, so we didn't collide in the crawlway. With such an ominous beginning to a trip, we were happy that it turned out as well as it did, and it went very well indeed! We split up into two groups, one to visit the waterfall, the other doing the "circle route". MARTY JACOBS got her first chance to act as trip leader and guide (for the "circle route" group), and did a fine job. The only bad part of the whole trip was that Chris Bell's backpack was stolen, including his medical supplies, extra flashlights, and all. Grrr!
The trip back to the back part of the cave was fun. I'm not sure, but I think that it was Rich Bell (Chris' brother) who convinced him that Norm and I had taken the stream crawl. He got rather wet before he figured out that he had been duped. I suppose that it could have been a better day for Chris! He also got momentarily stuck on the way to the waterfall. He showed good presence of mind, and was able to free himself by stopping, relaxing, and carefully trying different moves until he found what worked. (The canyon passage to the waterfall DOES get rather tight and nasty. It's a difficult trip.) After seeing this part of the cave, we had to decide where to go from there. Since no one in the group but me had done the circle route, we chose to go that way, even though it had been quite a while since the other part of the group had taken that direction. We wondered if we could actually catch up with them. I had no fear that they were lost. Marty knows Buckner's very well, and it would be tough to get her more than "momentarily confused" here. We had gone about one third of the way around, when Chris and Rich decided to head back to the T-Room and exit that way, since Chris was experiencing some pain in his hip. Isaac Taylor, Dan Voorhees, Norm Rogers and I continued around the circle. I swear that I've never done the circle that fast. We fairly flew! Sure enough, when we reached the T-Room, Marty's group was waiting for us. I let everyone else go on out the crawlway, while I popped back for just one more look to see if Chris's pack was anywhere around and had just been overlooked, but no such luck! On the way in, I had set my personal record, doing the crawlway in 13 minutes, but trust me, it took a bit longer than that to exit. All in all, a fine trip, and now everybody can say that "they've done Buckner's". The tale of this trip from the point of view of the other group is told by Tonja Horn, later in this issue.
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
As many of you know, we will have a joint NNG/MTG trip the weekend of April 22, 23 and 24. We have been invited by our good friends of the MARK TWAIN GROTTO to join them in a weekend of camping and caving in Leclede and Wright Counties near Lebanon, MO. They have obtained cave and camping permits. The featured cave (Sunday, the 23rd) is Smittle Cave, an absolutely awesome spectacle! I will bring pictures to this meeting. Some of us plan to head down there friday afternoon, but directions will be available for those who drive down saturday, as well. (It's about a six hour trip). I will make a signup list at the March meeting. There are other caves available, such as Little Smittle, Pittman and Lowell, so come early and stay late! We will probably camp in front of Lowell on Friday night. Dave Mahon points out that Pittman is of particular interest. It is the largest cave in Leclede County, and because of a small, hidden entrence, was just recently discovered. He says that it is in pristine condition, and is located on state forest property.
The KENTUCKY SPELEOFEST will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29 at Camp Carlson, Fort Knox, Ky. Plenty of caves, pits, and all 'round good "clean" fun will be available. Last year's event was attended by over 700 people, so it's a popular gathering. Pre-registering by May 10th will save you $1.50 per person. I will have copies of the registration form at the meeting.
Oregon County, MO will be the scene of the 75th MVOR (Mississippi Valley Ozark Region), in the Mark Twain National Forest on Eleven Point River, May 5-7. Camping, canoeing, caving, banquets, bonfires, parties and geology field trips are featured. I have registration forms.
The NNG will be well represented at the Mammoth Cave Field Camp in August. I believe that there will be eight of us down there. (Norm can correct me if my memory has a "hole" in it.)
The Wayne's Lost trip will be rescheduled, and this time I will reserve the key well in advance. Promise!
The first weekend in April, Tim Shaffer, Pat O'Connell and I are heading down to Missouri to further check out the potential of the land owned by a businessman that Tim met last year. At last report (NNN, November '94), the area held some promise, with numerous sinkholes, including one that blows moist air. This entrance appears to be totally vertical, with a considerable drop. We also plan to do some ridgewalking in order to locate some other possible openings. We hope that there is enough to find so we can begin another survey project. If there is, we will need to have more people with vertical skills to help. Survey skills will also be needed if the area pans out. We will report at the next meeting.
[I thought that since we've just celebrated our fourth year in existence, our newer members might enjoy this account of the formation of the NNG, and our first meeting, November 18th, 1991., as published in the NEAR NORMAL NEWS, Vol. 1, No. 1-Ed.]
NEW GROTTO FORMED
At a recent gathering at the Normal Public Library, the NSS's newest grotto was formed. The Near Normal Grotto was initiated on November 18th by a group of displaced troglodytes who all happened to live in or near the town of Normal, Illinois. The name also has significance for those who believe that one has to be not quite normal (maybe just "near normal") to want to enter wild caves in the first place. The idea began with John Walther, who had noticed that there were a few new local names in the MEMBER'S MANUAL provided by the NSS> After a few phone calls showed that there might indeed be enough interest to form an active grotto, work began in earnest. A preliminary planning meeting was scheduled by Jim Jacobs, held at Denny's restaurant on October 21. Attending were John, Jim, Ted Century [who has since moved to Idaho.-Ed.], and Kevin Rasmus. Plans were laid for the organizational meeting in November. Assignments were made for contacting the media, and for the preparation and distribution of advertising posters. Phone calls were made to interested people who, in turn called others, and the word spread. A second meeting was held at Denny's on November 11th in which the agenda was planned. Aside from a few more phone calls and the inevitable last-minute details, the meeting was on!
THE MEETING
The Library's Community Room was appropriately decorated. Kevin Rasmus set up a display of caving gear, tables were laid out with caving literature brought by John Walther and Jim Jacobs, and Jim had produced signs and welcome banners, complete with original caving graphics on his computer. Present at the meeting were Ted Century, Don Coons, Jim Jacobs, Marty Jacobs, Clay Johnson, David Korn, Tom Korn, Greg Kwasny, Bob Lawrence, Jeanne Lawrence, Kevin Rasmus, Debra Smith and John Walther. Walt Rudy was able to attend the after-meeting get-together, but more on that later. The meeting was very congenial, a gathering of new friends with a common interest. The Grotto's Constitution and Bylaws, drafted by Jim Jacobs were read, amended and adopted. The group's proposed name was the only real topic of lively discussion. "Near Normal Grotto" won our over "Near Normal Caving Club". Officers were elected. The first officers were: President, John Walther, Vice President, Kevin Rasmus, Secretary, Jim Jacobs (because I had volunteered to do a little newsletter. Little did I know...), Treasurer, Marty Jacobs, Member-at-Large, Don Coons. The group voted to begin with three standing committees. Don Coons will chair the Activities Committee, and Jim Jacobs will head the Publications Committee. The nominating Committee will be named later. Dues were set at $10.00/yr. for both Full members (NSS members), Associate Members (non-NSS members), and $5.00 for students (through high school).
At a post meeting get-together at the home of Jim and Marty Jacobs, Don Coons presented a fascinating slide show covering an expedition to Chicobul cave in Belize, south of Mexico.
We of the Near Normal Grotto have been involved in studying the abandoned underground limestone mine called the Blackball Mine (BBM) now for several years. The mine, which dates to 1838 is of historic interest as the source of natural hydraulic cement used for the construction of the locks for the Illinois and Michigan Canal, a National Heritage Corridor Area. It is also the principal hibernaculum for the endangered Indiana Bat, Myotis sodalis, in the state of Illinois and also a hibernaculum for other bat species. Our work which is carried out under a permit from the Illinois Department of Conservation has involved mapping the entire upper section of this two level mine and monitoring temperatures throughout both levels in order to determine conditions that are favorable for bat hibernation. The mine is posted no trespassing to help protect the bats within and to keep people out for their own safety. However, as evident from the continual amount of litter that we find in the mine, those postings are largely ignored. The entrances to the mine are easily accessible to intruders. It is apparent that something needs to be done to close off illegal entrance into the mine. That is easier said than done since there are 18 entrances into the upper level of the mine and two into the lower level. There are also two vertical connecting shafts between the two levels and an air shaft from the surface into the upper level. However, it would be quite feasible to close intruders off from the lower level only. That level contains the two areas of the mine in which the endangered Indiana Bats hibernate.
Don Coons made contact with Bat Conservation International (BCI) of Austin, Texas to enlist their support in this important project. Since that time, both Don and I have had multiple discussions with BCI about the matter. Dan Taylor, whose specialty is bats in mines has been our principal contact and I have sent him copies of our mine map, temperature data, and other information concerning the mine. I had the fortune of being able to visit BCI in Austin on January 23, 1995 and will report on the results the meeting with Dan Taylor.
Taylor expresses total support for the work that we of the Near Normal Grotto have done and pledges the support by BCI. The importance of the BBM as a hibernaculum for the Indiana Bat and for other bats ranks it among his top priority projects for BCI. Dan plans on initiating a study for protecting the BBM for summer 1995. Other projects planned for this period are two mines in Michigan and one in Vermont. His initial plan for the BBM is to protect the hibernacula from intrusion and also eliminate the danger of someone falling into the vertical shafts by gating the two entrances to the lower level and the two shafts connecting the two levels. He also plans a study of possibilities of increasing the mine areas that will support hibernation by altering airflow through the mine. This may mean sealing selected entrances into the upper level. Speaking for the Near Normal Grotto, I have pledged our support in the studies and also in the work that will be required later for physical closure. Taylor will soon be contacting personnel with the State of Illinois and other experts in the field of bat protection and has already asked BCI for $7,500 in funds to use as seed money for further study and fund raising specifically for the BBM. This money, if funded by BCI, will be available in June 1995. We discussed some potential sources of the funds necessary to complete the studies and the gating. Our recorded data of temperatures throughout the BBM are helpful, but considerably hampered by our exclusion from entering the mine for a period of six months during the winter. With our current digital thermometers we can only obtain high and low temperatures over this long period. Digital storage thermometers would allow retention of temperature data throughout the entire winter and the downloading into a computer. These cost somewhat more than a hundred dollars each, obviously beyond our own resources. Taylor says that air flow data is more vital than temperature data. We have tried to do some air flow measurements using a vane anemometer that I borrowed from Eastern Illinois University, but better instruments would facilitate these measurements. As far as the cost of actually closing entrances, Taylor cited an average cost of $11 to $12 per square foot of area to be closed with an opening gate, less without the gate.
What can we do while BCI make contacts and works on fund raising? Several things:
1. Finish some already permitted mapping. Namely, obtain vertical profile data within the mine and close the survey on a local bench mark.
2. Make accurate measurements of the dimensions of entrances to facilitate plans for gate construction or filling.
3. Obtain documented photographs of entrances and mine interior.
4. Continue to collect temperature data with existing thermometers.
5. Make more air flow measurements with available equipment. 6. Try to obtain a permit from the Illinois Department of Conservation to map the lower level. We only have a rough map of that level which was done years ago by the Windy City Grotto. As an alternative to remapping this level, we need the original survey data from the Windy City Grotto. Don Coons has stated his intent to try to obtain this data.
7. Observe entrances at which the bats swarm in the fall. Bats preparing to hibernate swarm in and out of the entrances that they use to their hibernacula while feeding to store up fat reserves. This swarming occurs in the evening in late August. Knowledge concerning these entrances is essential. Dan stressed that whenever we observe bats by using artificial light, the light should have a red colored filter to minimize disturbance. 8. Meet with Dan Taylor this summer when he plans to visit us and the BBM this summer. He will try to make a special trip for this purpose, but also told me of an NSS Cave Management Symposium scheduled for Bedford, IN around October 23-27, 1995 (the week before Halloween). He suggested that this would be a good time for a get together with all involved.
[At the January grotto meeting, we discussed what lessons each of us had learned from the Buckner's trip. These are summarized by president Rogers, and presented, along with additional comments by the editor.]
1. MAKE A LIST OF GEAR. A list of all the things you will need to go caving, and all the items you will need afterward. [translation: Norm forgot his boots! My lesson learned was to reserve the key for Wayne's Lost well in advance-Ed.]
2. TAKE A SMALLER-LIGHTER PACK. If you are planning on just a few hours in a cave, there is no need to be over-burdened by a cumbersome pack. However, if you know you are going to be in the cave for a while, it's better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Packs that are made specifically for caving seem to work the best-large or small.
[translation: don't bring too much, just everything you might ever need!-Ed.]
3. TRY DIFFERENT CAVING TECHNIQUES. Trying different ways of getting around in a cave, different ways of moving through a crawlway or a stooping passage may lead to a more comfortable caving experience. There are some great ideas in the NNS book, CAVING BASICS by Tom Rhea.
[one point that Rhea missed is to make sure not to follow Norm in a tight crawlway after he has been eating Beanie Weenies.-Ed.]
4. GET GOOD KNEE PADS. Since we spend a lot of time in caves, it makes sense to get good knee pads. Pads with velcro straps come off when the straps get muddy. Pads with a hard plastic outer shell don't provide good traction when climbing or crawling.
[I'm still searching for the perfect knee pad!-Ed.]
5. EVERYONE CARRIES THEIR OWN GEAR AND SUPPLIES. If someone else is hauling your food or gear in the cave, and that person gets separated or injured, you're up the creek.
[When Marty split off to lead the second group around the circle route, she forgot that all of their food was in Jim's pack.-Ed.]
6. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR GEAR. It's real easy to lose gloves, lights, or other gear when sitting down to rest or eat a meal. Muddy gloves tend to look like real mud, flashlights roll under rocks, things fall into cracks in the floor. Keep an eye on things.
[one might also add, if you're leaving your pack while you're exploring a side passage in a well-traveled cave like Buckner's, it's a good idea to conceal it someplace where it's not so likely to be picked up by a passer-by.-Ed.]
7. DRESS FOR THE CONDITIONS IN THE CAVE. When we go caving in the winter, we have a tendency to overdress. Our mind tells us that if it's cold outside, it must be cold int he cave. If a cave is relatively dry, you don't need so much warm clothing. On the other hand, if you know that you will get wet, dress for it. Poly-pro and wool are a must for wet caves. The best compromise is to dress for an active trip, but carry something (like a sweater) in case you get cold.
[see item #2, above.-Ed.]
8. BRING PLENTY OF FOOD AND WATER. It's no fun caving when your stomach is growling. Some people may even get sick it they don't eat properly.
[or follow someone who has been eating Beanie Weenies.-Ed.]
9. CARRY A SECOND LIGHT SOURCE ON YOUR BODY. In case you lay your pack down to check a crawl or lose or break your main light, you still have a backup light with you.
[especially if your main light is carbide. or electric.-Ed.]
10. DON'T RIDE HOME WITH SOMEONE WHO ATE BEANIE WEENIES IN THE CAVE!!
[it might be more merciful to be strapped to the fender or luggage rack.-Ed.]
I approached Buckner's Cave apprehensively. My only other caving experience had been Illinois Caverns, so I was definitely still a rookie. It was when I saw my fellow adventurers disappear into a tiny hole in the wall that panic set in. "See you all later! Have a nice trip!" I wanted to run, but with a little coaxing, in I went.
I immediately began saying good-byes to my loved ones and assuring myself that I had indeed gone insane. But then...I realized...this is what it's all about! My heart was pounding, my energy was rising, I was ready to conquer all! (With a few obscenities under my breath, nonetheless!)
We made it to the "T" room, and I had time to really let my environment sink in. It should have been so beautiful, but all I could see was the mark of the disrespectful people who had come before me. I guess in these cases, you have to train your eyes to see what lies beneath. [When I reached the "T" room, there were three young men there who were preparing to exit. One of them had a can of spray paint. He asked me directions to another part of the cave. I told him that I would show him the way OUT!-Ed.]
Anyway, this is where the bolder of us, Jim Jacobs, Rich Bell, Chris Bell, Isaac Taylor, Norm Rogers and Dan Voorhees, split off to make the trek to the waterfall. I'm still not sure whether the members of my group chose the circle rout because they wanted to, or out of pity for the less experienced. Either way, our adventure began.
Marty (our fearless leader), Leonard and Lara Storm, Julie Angel, Beth Reinke, David and I made the trip rather smoothly (ha ha) and managed to see some sights along the way. The most memorable for me, and possibly for the others, was the Crystal Pool. This was the cleanest and most beautiful spot in the cave, well deserving of its name.
The most perplexing part of the trip came somewhere between the Calcite Falls and the Gurgle Spring Passage. We were all crawling single file, and began to emerge one at a time. As Lara, the fourth in line came out, we noticed another smaller passage directly under her. She went in to do a little exploring, and heard voices ahead. They belonged to the rest of our group! Leonard said that one minute she was in front of him, the next, she was gone. He saw only one way, and kept going. We still don't know what happened. I hereby dub this passage "Twilight Zone Crawl".
This was definitely a physically challenging cave, especially for a beginner like me. but at the end, I found myself ready for more and sad to be leaving. The energy that fills me during these trips is amazing! When I came out of that final crawl, I was dizzy with excitement! I had met the challenge, and faced my fear.
Finally, I want to comment on one of the most important things I have gained by joining the Near Normal Grotto. I'm coming to look forward to the after-cave-pizza almost as much as the cave itself. The friends I have made are as valuable as the experience. Caving, anyone?