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."