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LewisCarroll
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Post subject: Memorial Day Cave - November 12-14, 2004
 Posted: Dec 03, 2004 - 04:38 PM
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Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
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Weekend in Memorial Day Cave
November 12 to 14, 2004
by Lewis Carroll
Participants: Lewis Carroll, Mark Stover, Robert Monczka, Pawel Skoworodko
We arrived at Devin’s property late Thursday night and quickly established our campsite in his barn structure. There are 4 “flat” places. This is important because it was raining. There were four of us and we were not thrilled about the idea of setting up tents in the rain and then packing up wet tents. However, three of the four “flat” spots are drip free. The 4th, well …… Robert needed to shift his position throughout the night so that he would not get a refreshing splash of rain water in his face or on the plastic next to his face.
Friday morning was still raining. So instead of the early start we had anticipated, we slept in and waited for the rain to slow down to a drizzle. Breakfast at the Gateway, and back to the barn. Now the weather was a misty-drizzle. So we suited up and waited for the drizzle to turn to mist. We entered the cave a little after 12 noon.
Robert Monczka, Lewis Carroll, Pawel Skoworodko, Mark Stover at the entrance to Memorial Day Cave - photo by Mark Stover
We went in with heavy packs. Camp equipment for both Pawel and Robert. Mark and I brought a second sleeping bag in because we were not sure of the condition of our existing sleeping bags. Lots of volume and lots of weight.
The trip was not out of the norm. We worked our way to the Puppet Buster and then were promptly abused by the small passage. Such a joyous piece of passage! I want to go back for more! Come join me! The more the merrier!
This was the first time either Mark or I saw the new rigging on the 125’ drop into Columbia Canyon. The rebelay has a weird loop under the bolt. None of us could figure out what the purpose of the loop was, but it was generally harmless, so we didn’t worry about it.
Mark Stover in the Puppet Buster about to descend the 125' drop
Columbia Canyon was a mad-dash. We pushed back to camp and set up, had dinner and then went to examine leads. Our first area was the Gun Sight Room. According to the map, there is a connection at Columbia Canyon. We found it, but, it needs a rope. Later, after talking with Ralph, he indicated that the best way to get into the room is off the Pinnacle Room. (Two rope drops already rigged.) We then went back to check out the 50’ pit Ralph and Mark talked about. We did not bring rope because this was a scouting mission. On the map it looked like a short little trip from camp. It turned into a lengthier and more complex trip very quickly. Oh well.
Finally we went back to the Hunter Traverse. We checked the “south” traverse for what we would need to get to that part of the passage as well as took another look at the dig at the end of the “northern” end. We called it a day and returned to camp, full of enthusiasm for Saturday caving.
Shortly after returning to camp, the other group (Ralph Hartley, Dwight Livingston, and Pete Penczer) arrived.
Ralph Hartley settles in to camp - photo by Mark Stover
On Saturday morning, we got up after the other group was getting ready to go push the pit lead at the end of the Gypsum Canyon passage.
Mark, Robert, Pawel and I went to our primary leads: the dig at the end of the northern end and the southern end (traverse) of the mid-level below the Gypsum Canyon. Pawel and Robert were going to work on the traverse or rappel to the southern end and Mark and I went back to the dig. Hopefully one of our passages would go. After an hour of digging, Pawel and Robert showed up at the dig. Their lead did not go beyond what we could see from the edge of the pit.
The dig was easily progressing. The problem was quickly becoming where we were going to deposit the dirt. This is going to be a major dig effort. But the bright side is that there was fresh air coming out of the passage and should be worked on with the proper equipment (haul bag, small entrenching tool, etc).
Robert Monczka looks out from the dig - photo by Mark Stover
Disappointment permeated our thoughts. Now what? So we headed back to camp to recollect our thoughts. Just then, …. Pawel decided to check out the “fissure” lead at DG35 (just before the Hunter Traverse). It went and it went to a pit about 200+ feet away! Eureka! A new pit! Pawel grabbed the rope and bolting equipment and went to rig the rope while Mark, Robert and I surveyed the 2 foot wide 40 foot high meandering canyon passage. Somewhere in the middle, Pawel return with “good news and bad news.” The good news was we were halfway through the canyon. The bad news …. I will tell you later.
Pawel went back for the camera and became the action camera man. He climbed above use and shot pictures looking down. He climbed below us and shot pictures looking up. Flashes going off in all directions.
Surveying the Polish Loop - photo by Pawel Skoworodko
The canyon made two “right-hand” turns. When we got to the dome chamber where the rope was rigged, we were standing above the Hunter Traverse! (This was the bad news.) No new pit. (The canyon has since been dubbed the "Polish Loop" - Ed.) However, the silver lining in this cloud is that we cut out 40’ or 50’ of bolt climbing to get up to were the dome continues up for another 100’. Nice clean, solid walls with a slight overhang in the very upper part of the dome.
After this “discovery” (upper Hunter Traverse), Pawel informed us that “this” always happens to him when he finds and pushes a lead – it loops back on known passage. If we had known this, we would not have let him charge off. This way we could have had a chance at a new pit or a new section, but NO! He tells us after the fact!
Pawel above the Hunter Traverse - photo by Mark Stover
Back to camp. We get there and get dinner ready when the other group arrives. They have spent all day at the back end of the cave. They dropped the pit and got 200+ feet of survey. We appear to have achieved a lot more than them with knocking off three leads, digging for several hours and surveying 250’.
Dinner conversation focused on what we found and ultimately when we plan to leave in the morning. I informed the other group that we planned on leaving early (8:30 or 9:00) and then the other group insisted on leaving earlier. Pete was not pleased. He argued that we would not leave that early and therefore they could leave by 10 and still be ahead of us. But it was still early and Pete could get his 8 hours of beauty sleep, so…… he ‘gave’ into the wishes of Ralph.
Formations near Hunter Traverse - photo by Mark Stover
They got up early on Sunday morning and left camp around 9 am. We got up about 9 and started packing, eating breakfast and taking inventories. We departed a little after 10. This way there was 1 hour of separation and we would not be waiting at the bottom of the rope for them to climb out. We traveled fast and made the rope in 1:45. Ralph and Pete were still at the bottom of the rope. So we waited.
We made the surface at 2:45ish. Gordon Brace was there doing a final check of the area. Introductions were made (Pawel and Gordon). Discussion followed, more discussion, then we finally headed home.
Mark completed his PSC initiation on the drive home. Mark 1, deer 0.
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Enjoy this article? Well be sure to check out the extended collection of photos from this trip in the photo album at:
http://psc.cavingclub.org/modules.php?set_albumName=November2004&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=1
Also feel free to post your comments on the report in the "Reply" box below - Ed. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Dec 11, 2004 - 08:32 PM
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| Hello. I enjoyed reading your trip report. In it, you mention that there was "a weird loop under the bolt" at "the new rigging on the 125’ drop into Columbia Canyon." I'm wondering if the rigger used a "soft interface". This rigging goes by other names, but consists of a smaller diameter rope Prusik-knotted to the main rope then clipped onto the anchor carabiner, allowing the main rope to slack free several inches between the biner and Prusik knot: The idea being to keep the main rope anchor knot from being tightened to the point where where it can't be easily untied if necessary. This rigging system has additional advantages in rescue and highline scenarios. Just curious. Dan Peden Pittsburgh Grotto Cavenut@pobox.com |
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