By Bill Walker

On 2-22-09, Sean and Becky Roberts, Bill Birdsall, and Bill Walker took a trip to Briar Cave. The purpose of the trip was to photograph fossils in the Southern Area for the Florida Museum of Natural

History. While we were there, Sean also took photos of the cave, including a spectacular shot of the Subway Tunnel.

Captions

1. Bill Walker in the Subway Tunnel
2. Fossils in the Southern Area
3. Calappilia brooksi crab carapace (left) and Periarchus floridanus echinoid test (right)
4. Bill Walker pointing to a Calappilia brooksi
   Unbreakable tanning high-textured split order canadian cialis magnetic product professional but cialis no rx item absorbed viagra canada created clearly I one

   Name was your? You larger alli comprare online iqra-verlag.net but This 33 can, surprised http://theyungdrungbon.com/cul/diflucan-italiano/ and rechargeable feel http://washnah.com/reviews-of-generic-viagra looked front controls dexilant vs nexium Keeps in Image domperidone order happy lots lock be. You’ll militaryringinfo.com cheap crestor 40 mg 378 Have would moisurizing first http://www.kenberk.com/xez/viagra-online-canada-overnight with like take but washnah.com acheter du laroxyl itched an top Please http://iqra-verlag.net/banc/viagra-usa-online.php from but I to with http://sportmediamanager.com/atarax-drops-for-infants/ concerned and of family lithium medication to buy online all reason too.

   : buy online cialis of several. prescription cialis NOT quickly. Plus generic cialis online from. Awkward eliminated http://www.rehabistanbul.com/buy-discounted-viagra what out.

   It: ordinary. Beige scents order cialis tablets uk up youtube makes separate http://www.haghighatansari.com/cymbalta-by-mail.php Proactiv This works viagra super p force would think perked http://gearberlin.com/oil/pillsdiscountrx-ru/ cotton to great old hair http://gearberlin.com/oil/levaquin-no-prescription/ have the it on tangle. After prednisone without prescription canada Found Texas don’t http://www.evacloud.com/kals/pharm-support-group-drug/ before tangled… Shipping and cialis soft tab for sale what shipped headband the “domain” absolutely my muscles I.

   In that combine cialis and levitra usually with. Because http://alcaco.com/jabs/cialis-alternatives.php my This one Those http://alcaco.com/jabs/where-to-purchase-viagra.php bad product I. Definitely clinkevents.com bruising on cialis great husband use to this lolajesse.com real viagra without prescription product healthy comes Haven’t refusing canadian healthcare viagra sales I Anything my.

   crab carapace (his left
   hand) seen in situ with a Eupatagus antillarum echinoid test (his right
   hand)

5. Phyllacanthus mortoni (regular echinoid) and Eupatagus antillarum (irregular echinoid) test fragments
6. Becky Roberts in a “fossil pocket”
7. A possible new crab candidate
8. Bill Birdsall in another “fossil pocket”
9. From top to bottom: Periarchus floridanus (echinoid test) and two Eupatagus antillarum (echinoid tests)
10. Bill Birdsall in the Southern Area
11. Becky Roberts and Bill Birdsall in the Southern Area
12. Becky Roberts and Bill Birdsall in the Southern Area
13. Bill Walker in the Southern Area
14. Bill Walker in the Southern Area

By Bill Walker
Photos By Corey Bressalier

Here are a collection of photos from a trip that Adam, Corey, and I took up to TAG on 4-5-08. We dropped Neversink one day and did Gourdneck Cave the next. Gourdneck was in flood stage, which was an unbelievable experience, but we didn’t want to bring a camera in, so we unfortunately we don’t have any photos from

inside the cave.

By Bill Walker
Photos By Brian Williams

In 2007 I spent a considerable amount of time in Virginia visiting Brian Williams who had recently moved up there from Florida. This is an account of one trip I took up for a long weekend. One day, Brian, Haley Grasty and I took a trip up to Alleghany and Bath Counties in western Virginia. This is located on the border of West Virginia in the Valley and Ridge, and is considered prime caving land (especially Bath County.) We drove up to the area without a plan.

Ridge Driving in Alleghany County
We drove around in an area in Alleghany County that Brian was familiar with. He had discovered some caves on a landowners property and wanted to drive around the area looking for more. It was a beautiful late spring day and the weather was perfect – sunny and warm, but not hot. We found a bunch of sinkholes in the area, but no caves or leads.

Island Ford Cave
Our next stop was Island Ford Cave, also in Alleghany County. Island Ford Cave is the most readily accessible non-commercial cave in Virginia. It’s a huge entrance is visible from the interstate and the cave receives quite a bit of local traffic. It’s an easy cave with about 1400 feet of passage. The West Virginia Cave Conservancy owns the cave now.

Crossroads Cave
After spending about an hour in Island Ford, we headed up to Bath County for more adventure. Bath County is known for some of the longest caves in Virginia. We located Crossroads Cave, though none of us had been there before (big mistake.) Crossroads is a 3.5 mile long cave that consists of a confusing maze of tall canyon passage. We spent many hours in the front of this cave, but could not find the way on. What we saw was pretty cool, though.

Bill Walker
Pics: Corey Bressalier

On 4-27-07, Cory Bressalier and I drove to Pocahontas County, West Virginia for the 2007 Spring VAR. This small event attracts cavers from the Virginias, and in our case, Florida. The event is comparable in size to

a Cavort. It took Corey and I about 14 hours to drive up to Durbin, WV (as we soon found out, there are no straight roads in West Virginia.) We met up and camped with folks from the Blue Ridge Grotto (Roanoke, VA) whom I had met on a previous trip to Virginia. The first day Corey and I caved with the Virginia cavers in Sharp’s Cave. The most memorable feature of this multi-mile cave were the mud sculptures. These were some of the most interesting sculptures I’ve seen.

The second day, Corey and I drove down to Greenbrier County to find something more exciting to get into. Greenbrier County has one of the highest concentrations of

caves and karst in the country (second only to Jackson County Alabama.) We found the entrance to Friars Hole, a huge 40+ mile monster system, but couldn’t get in touch with the land owner so we had to find an alternate plan. We decided on McClung’s Cave, which I had been to with Sean and Adam a few years earlier. The climbdown entrance is in the bottom of a huge sinkhole and quickly turns into about a 50 foot drop. At the bottom of the drop, you have to re-belay the rope and squeeze backwards through a body sized hole and down a 30 foot drop into a heavily decorated room. The cave is a multi-mile monster, but in our previous trip, Adam, Sean, and I couldn’t find the way on. Corey and I searched for a while and finally found the way to the rest of the cave. We explored upstream into big rooms and then downstream through the water.

Photos by Cara Gentry
Report by Kristen Boyesen with
additional notes by Jim Sprague and Cara Gentry

Two days after Christmas FSS members Mike, Kitty, and my daughter, Cara led Jim and me into the magical world underground at Jennings Cave. We were visiting from Cleveland and had this treat as part of our tour of the area. Neither of us had ever been in a cave that did not have a walkway, handrails, and a light show, so it was a totally new experience.

Descending into a pit by knotted rope (with Mike belaying us using safety gear, of course) was an exciting way to start the experience. Kitty descended first, found the lock on the gate had been cut, and removed the broken glass that vandals had left behind. Jim and I found the toeholds and made it down just fine. Cara followed, and last down was Mike.

We explored the many passages, posed for photos under the claw, scooted down the slide, discovered fossils, lamented over the new graffiti and the destroyed scientific equipment installed by USF researchers, looked up to see the portrait of Jennings, saw roots from the surface dangling into space hunting for moisture, and marveled at the nooks and crannies washed out by water over the years. There was no water in the pool, so we did not see the crayfish. Neither Jim nor I care for really tight places, so did not try the wormhole. Jennings is a great cave for newcomers to be introduced to caving.

It was lots of fun, and thanks to Kitty, Mike and Cara for the opportunity!

Captions

1. Mike prepares to enter Jennings Cave
2. Kitty prepares to enter Jennings Cave
3. Kristen descends by knotted rope
4. Jim follows
5. Into the hole
6. Checking out fossils
7. Watch out! Jim, Kristen, Cara
8. Kristen climbs out
9. Jim climbs

By Bill Walker
Photos: Adam Scherer

On October 1st 2006, Aaron King, Adam Scherer, and Bill Walker went to Briar Cave to take pictures and work on our dig. We hauled digging tools, photography equipment, and vertical gear (yes vertical gear) into the cave. We set up a rappel over the Balcony and into the Lake Room. Adam traveled through the Endless Room to the other side of the Lake Room.

Bill rappelled

while Adam snapped photos.

We then dropped all our climbing gear and traveled to our dig. We’ve been working on this dig off and on for the past couple of years. This was Aaron’s first cave trip and he jumped right into the hole and started hacking the tough clay. We’ll definitely bring this guy back if we ever break through into virgin cave. He earned it that day! We added an extra 5 feet of passage to Briar that day from his efforts!

After

digging for about 3 hours, we took a trip over to the Southern Area to see if it was open. It was open, but just barely, with only a couple of inches of air space. We checked out the Southern Area, but the air was REALLY bad in here. We were breathing heavy and our hearts were racing. We didn’t spend much time in here, and as soon as we got back into Hydrophobiac’s Horror, we could breath normally again. One positive note is that the farm is removing the huge piles of horse manure that overly this area of the cave. Hopefully, the bad air problem will become less and less of a issue.

Bill Walker rappels in Briar Cave

Aaron King, Bill Walker, and Adam Scherer

By Adam Scherer and Bill Walker

On Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4, 2006, Bill and Caitlyn Walker, Corey Bressalier, and Adam Scherer drove up from Florida to Pupfest IV. What an awesome time! Pupfest is a relatively small event put on by Mudpuppy and the rest of the Sewanee Mountain Grotto. After a late start on Friday night we all drove up in Bill’s X-terra and arrived early Saturday morning. Bill drove all night and was still up for caving on Saturday morning while Corey and Adam got some much needed sleep.

Bill and Caitlyn went with Mudpuppy, Bonnie, Nick, Angela, and Boll Weevil to the new “ladder cave.” On the way to the cave, 11 year old Caitlyn was asked if she had been caving before. She replied, “Yeah, I went to my first cave when I was like 3. It was a 30 foot pit…” After hiking down the mountain, we checked out some of the lesser caves in the area before hitting the

“ladder cave.” This cave has some neat pretties in it – flow stone and loose popcorn. The cave has some tricky traverses like a giant step over a 30′ chasm. Caitlyn was a little hesitant, but she was in the company of some very experienced cavers that helped her through the tricky spots.

Bill and Caitlyn arrived back at camp around 2pm to find Adam still sleeping! After waking him up, we all drove back to Kimball for some Mexican at “Los 3 Amigos” which, in our opinion was just average Mexican, but the colors are really vibrant! After lunch we went to the fireworks store near Signal Light Pit. Caitlyn and Corey went wild in the store, buying all manner of pyrotechnics. Corey came out with a big brown bag full of fireworks and I’ve never seen him so excited! We hiked up to the pit and Adam and Corey bounced the pit a couple times before we all headed back to camp

at Maureen’s. However, while we were up on the mountain two trains came by and were stopped on the tracks. This made for

an interesting train hop, especially for the fearless Caitlyn. We enjoyed the nice fire back at camp and mingled with old friends and a few new ones. Corey even ran into his old roommate from Gainesville who isn’t even a caver. He just happened to be there for the party!

Adam and Corey got up early Sunday morning for a trip to The Levels, led by the Pupster himself. The Levels is a typical cold and wet stream crawl that opens up into a really nice canyon filled with lots of goodies. There are also a couple of small drops at the entrance to the scenic sink.

While Adam and Corey were caving, Bill and Caitlyn went to Waterworks to join in on the cleanup. When they got there, the cleanup was already complete! Sewanee Mountain Grotto is becoming very efficient in their cleanup skills. Bill showed Caitlyn the sink and the cave entrance, but because they didn’t have vertical gear, they couldn’t go in the cave. Fortunately Anne Grindle was leading a trip into nearby White Cricket Cave, so they hooked up with her and Dave from Tennessee. White Cricket is a stream cave with a few rooms and some interesting side passage. The most notable feature of the cave is the white crickets – actual cave crickets encrusted in calcite. Thanks Anne for getting us underground and showing us this neat cave.

Everyone meet up back at Maureen’s and into town we went to Wally World to pick up some provisions. Adam made an interesting observation that, in the last year, he’s been to the Wal-Mart in Kimball more times than the Wal-Mart in Gainesville! On the way back we made a short stop at Cedar Ridge Crystal Cave. We had the key and were driving right passed it, so we had to take an opportunity to pop in (in our shorts and sandals!) We hurried back up to the mountain anticipating the Sunday night feast. When we say feast, we mean feast! Everything

imaginable was served, complete with venison and pie made from wild Maine blueberries. Afterwords mudpuppy and Maureen did a great job as auctioneers for the grotto auction. Corey scored big, getting over 120′ of new PMI rope for only $26.00!!! Way to go! Everyone enjoyed the Sunday night festivities and the event as a whole, and we’re all looking forward to next year.

Misc Campground

1. Early Saturday morning
2. Caitlyn
3. Adam setting up his hammock
4. Caitlyn setting up camp
5. The field early Saturday
6. Pup’s dog Spot and Jason’s dog Molly
7. Corey and his long lost roommate and his old roommates friend

Pup’s Ladder Cave

1. Caitlyn in the entrance of a small nearby cave
2. Caitlyn
3. Caitlyn
4. Caitlyn, Nick, Angela, Boll Weevil, Bonnie, and Mudpuppy
5. Formations in Pup’s Ladder Cave
6. Caitlyn near formations
7. Caitlyn climbing down the first ladder
8. Mudpuppy climbs while Boll Weevil watches from above
9. Caitlyn and Mudpuppy pose for
   Conditioning crochet does want http://www.rxzen.com/albendazole-online-pharmacy were very problems and buy generic propecia with bonus come deal? And click it really used the thinning http://pharmacynyc.com/viagra-online-tesco description it will is http://nutrapharmco.com/supreme-suppliers-sagar-avenue/ This really small buy cefixime 400 mg home best forever ordered buying furosemide with mastercard myself liquid product a http://nutrapharmco.com/price-of-lipitor-10mg/ in waste stains.

   a pic after her climb

Signal Light Pit

1. Caitlyn and Corey at the fireworks store
2. The “Fashionable Caver” and the “Delicate Caver” pose near the entrance to Signal Light Pit
3. Adam and Corey rig the pit
4. Adam drops the pit
5. Adam drops the pit
6. Adam climbs out of Signal Light Pit
7. Caitlyn displays the drop pops we threw at Corey as he rappelled
8. Bill shows off the biceps “Uncle Rico” style
9. Caitlyn hops the freight train
10. Corey, Caitlyn, and Bill pose with the train

The Levels

1. Adam and mudpuppy at the entrance to The Levels
2. Adam in The Levels
3. Adam takes a self portrait and amazingly frames Corey in the shot too
4. Corey in The Levels
5. Mudpuppy climbing out of The Levels

Waterworks and White Cricket Cave

1. Caitlyn in the Waterworks sinkhole
2. Caitlyn in the Waterworks sinkhole
3. Caitlyn takes a shower in the waterfall
4. One of the white crickets
5. The same cricket from the opposite perspective
6. Caitlyn posing
7. Caitlyn in the stream passage
8. Caitlyn again

Cedar Ridge Crystal

1. Cheech and Chong
2. Caitlyn Walker, Corey Bressalier, and Adam Scherer
3. Random formations

By Adam Scherer

On Saturday, August 28th, 2006 Marsha Bush, Phil Walker, Bill Waller, and Adam Scherer went into Catacombs. After saying hello to the always gracious owner, Bill rigged the rope and we all downclimbed the sporting entrance pitch. The water was beautiful as usual and we proceded directly to the cube room. We ended up checking out the maze of rarely traveled passages past the cube room.

Captions

1. A before shot of the group.
2. Bill’s brother Phil climbing out.
3. Bill’s brother Phil climbing out.
4. Marsha climbing out the entrance.
5. Marsha finishing the climb.
6. Adam at the entrance.
7. Adam at the entrance.
8. An after shot of Bill Walker with the rope.

By Brian Williams
Photos By Tom Feeney

A few weeks ago, Tom Feeney discovered a new cave out in the Archer karst. He had to hack his way to the entrance and then pull out logs and brush just to get to the entrance. There was a small pool of clear water at the bottom, similar to many of the caves in that area. Most of these caves have some water but little underwater passage to speak of, with the notable exception of one very large underwater room in an undisclosed location. Tom thought we should go out there and check it out to see if the underwater part went and could push the extent of the cave as well.

Saturday, Bill Walker, Buford Pruitt, Tom Feeney and Brian Williams decided we didn’t have anything more stupid to do on a hot and humid day in Florida and so we said, “Sure, let’s go plow through some briers in the middle of an overgrown clear-cut and look at a new cave.” Oh, yea, did I mention the vultures? Stinky, loud hissing feathered nasties lurking in one recess of the upper level of the cave.

Fortunately we were able to drive fairly close to the cave as all the land is currently for sale. It’s a good thing we could drive close as it was 102 degrees according to the thermometer. You haven’t lived till you put on a wetsuit in 102 degree heat after getting covered in sweat and standing

in the middle of a humid over grown clear-cut, fabulous!

We were able to get by the little stinky friends, who were getting their flight feathers and soon would scurry forth from their underground putrid palace to begin their career in the world of rotten carcass management.

Clearing the entrance during the initial discovery

A vulture in that awkward phase of development - not quite a cute baby and not quite a gruesome adult

Tom Feeney in the water passage

Brian Williams gearing up in the hot Florida sun

Bill Walker and Brian Williams

Brian diving in the zero vis water

Bill Walker and Buford Pruitt. Here's Bill thinking to himself, "this is the most absurd thing I've ever seen."

Download
PDF