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Memorial Day TAG Trip Mike Gordon Pics: Dan Brinton The idea of having a get-together in TAG started out as one of those “I wish we could.....”. Then it went to, “Do you think we could”?....Then finally,” Why not, lets go”. So some quick plans were made and my first trip to TAG was set to begin. It was suggested by Dan and Annette that maybe we should brush up on our rope work. So we planned on a quick trip to the quarry to work out the kinks of some new equipment. We met early and ran into no problems finding our way to the top of the sheer wall. After the usual equipment check, Kitty, Dan, Annette and I began our descent. It was a beautiful morning and while on the wall practicing change overs with my friends, a hawk flew overhead casting its shadow across the face of the cliff. It's an image I'll probably not forget. After all the gear was stored back at the vehicle, we set a schedule for our trip to Tag. Since it looked like the four of us could get there early we decided to camp first at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia. Finally the day came and the trip was under way. After setting up camp at 8:00 in the morning we set off to see Hurricane Cave in Rising Fawn. Dan and Annette were great. They planned ahead what caves and sights we should experience first. Next was Rusty's Cave. D & A let me drop into it first as they are always willing to do if it's your first time seeing it. Again, I can't say enough about the concern and consideration the Brintons show other cavers. It was a terrific sight filled day. Upon waking up, the days' plan was already laid out. Off we went to Fox Mountain. Following the SCCI trail markers we made our way up to Jack’s Hole passing Horseskull Cave. Jack’s was great and so was High Hole a little further up the trail. Dan wanted to try out his new strobe so he snapped a few pictures and we headed back down the mountain. By the time we got back to the parking area we had enough time if we hurried to still do Signal Light Pit. Kitty and I had a tough time keeping up with those two but we managed. Once down and inside I saw etched in the wall the names of six workers of the TVA that had in 1965 made the climb down into the pit. I wondered if any were still caving and what type of gear they used to make the descent and climb. When we got back to camp we tore into some steaks and mapped out our next days early departure for Lost Creek where we would meet up with the rest of the crew that made the trip. My first couple days in Tag were great. Six caves in two days and a fantastic sunset to top things off. I couldn't wait to see what the next day held. I was told the size of the caves we were going to see were hard to describe. The promise of waterfalls and borehole passages was fulfilled. But that’s a story for another day...
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