April 1990 - Virginia Region of the NSS

VOLUME 4, NUMBER I
APRIL 1990
THE REGION RECORD
The Region Record is published four times a year by the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society. Opinions
expressed in the Region Record are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the NSS, VAR,
or any of their internal organizations.
No portion ofthis publication may be reproduced, except by the NSS or its internal organizations, without written permission
of the Virginia Region.
REGION OFFICERS
Chalnnan
Bill Bussey
120 Manhattan Court
Cary, NC 28511
H (919)460-8968
Vice-Chalnnan
Russ "Caveboy" Carter
PO Box 478
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
H (301 )432-6838
Secretary
Tom Spina
3209 Sherry Court
Va. Beach, VA 23464
H (804)420-6126
Treasurer
Mary Barrett
Route 1, Box 160-D
Buena Vista, VA 24416
H (703)261-1642
REGION RECORD STAFF
Printing
Bob Hoke
6304 Kaybro Street
Laurel, MD 20707
H (301)725-5877
Editor
Russ "Caveboy" Carter
PO Box 478
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
H (301)432-6838
Distribution
Evelyn Bradshaw
1732 Byron Street
Alexandria, VA 22303
H (703)765-0669
THE FRONT COVER: A FANTISTIC sketch by Lauri Waterfield. Lauri would like to dedicate this issue
(and her drawing) to her "Caving Family"=irrthe"BlueRidge Grotto"and addS""May we always meet underground,
if not above." To Lauri I say thanks! I know you do this kind of work for a living, but I can only guess how
much time and effort you dedicated to provide the cavers of the Virginia Region with this masterpiece. I think:
this cover is a candidate for the NSS Graphic Arts Salon!
CAVING CALENDAR
May 4-6
Spring VAR Hosted by G.R.O.S.S. OTR Site Dailey WV
May 12-13
NCRC Cave Rescue Seminar in Franklin, WV Contact: John Hoover, 301-890-6932
May 25-28
Kentucky Speleofest, Seven-Springs campground, Contact: Steve or Johnette Gentry 502-538-7665
June 9
Earth Day 20th anniversary river cleanup near Franklin WV Contact: Fred Grady
June 23-30
Third NCR I Jewel Cave Field Camp, Custer, SD Contact: Steve Sprague 206-652-6489
July 9-13
NSS Convention in Yreka, CA
Aug 30-Sept 3 41st Annual OTR, Dailey, WV
Oct 13-14
Fall VAR Hosted By WVASS Site TBA Contact: Paul Stevens 703-451-7663
Page 2
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
THE REGION RECORD
APRIL 1990
FROM THE EDITOR
Well I didn't manage to piss off anyone with the last issue, at least not t01he point where they felt compelled to write any
hate mail. A few letters of congratulations were received and some suggestions made. One suggestion, from Alex Sproul,
was to include a caving calendar. So this issue has one!
The last issue contained some minor typos and some inconsistencies in style and format. Most of this was due to trying
to get the thing out in a timely manner (starting from scratch, with nothing already typed up before VAR was a bitch) and
the rest was due to not being proficient with the desktop publishing program I was using. While I am far from proficient
with the publishing software, I am getting better. I also started this issue a few days after getting the last issue out. This
plan of attack should make for a better issue.
You might have notiCed that the name of the VAR/FYI has been changed to "The Region Record". This was what the
newsletter was called back when the Whitmores were the editors. I think that this is a more descriptive name for what
I want this rag to be (VAR/FYI sounded too much like a flier). I'll probably get into some kind of trouble for doing this on
my own incentive (breaking the by-laws, or charter, or something) but what the hell, all you can do is fire me or make me
change it back.
CAVING PROJECTS
The Caving Projects section is intended to provide information to the Region's Cavers on cave related projects in the
Region. If you have a project that you would like to have in this column, let me know. Some projects have special
requirements. Contact the person listed if you think you can help.
Paxtons Cave Resurvey
Regular monthly su rvey trips are scheduled. The people running the survey are
willing to take on newcomers to surveying. Contact Tom Spina 804-420-6126
or Tom Kaye 703-379-8794
WVACS
Project weekends are the second full weekend of each month. WVACS is
involved in the survey and study of the caves of Greenbriar County, WV.
Newcomers must be sponsored by a WVACS member. Contact Bob
Handley 304-727-1420
Alleghany County Cave Survey
Trips are scheduled almost weekly. The ACCS is resurveying all caves in
Alleghany County, VA and locating new caves. Contact the "Caveboy"
301-432-6838.
Cave Mountain Cave Survey
The DC Grotto is resurveying Cave Mountain Cave. Contact Bob Hoke
301-725-5877
Simmons-Mingo Cave Project.
DC Grotto again. Promise to train new surveyors. Contact Linda Devine
703-255-1584
Rockbridge County Cave Survey
RASS is conducting a resurvey of all Rockbridge County, VA Caves.
Contact Mary Barrett 703-261-1642 or Ted Andrus 804-239-9135
. Shenandoah County Cave Survey
The Annapolis Grotto is surveying the caves of Shenandoah County, VA.
Contact Brad Blase 301-588-2841
Botetourt County Cave Survey
The Blue Ridge Grotto is conducting a survey of the caves of Botetourt
County, VA.
Contact Randy Winoker 703-586-3941
Page 3
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
THE REGION RECORD Are you for Cave Conservation? This loaded question has
either on their property. Responsible cavers don't
tolerate either on their trips.
been bantered around friends in my grotto as kind of a joke.
Of course we dol A question like that is like "Are you for
America?" or "Are you for Safe caving." To answer nega­
tively would bring some questioning from the party asking or
6.
at a minimum have them silently questioning morals or in­
telligence. So we answer "of course ," and go on and change
the subject.
But are you FOR Cave Conservation?
aware of cave conservation than eastern cavers." Really?
EaUdrink before you are ready. Keeping alert
helps you move in a more coordinated manner.
4.
Know where your body is at all times. Do you know
how high your helmet sticks up or your pack sticks
out? Practice at home. If you aren't sure, tell a
friend to "spor through a low or delicate passage
terner's because they have to. One can't eliminate body
wastes in western caves because with dryer conditions in
or remove pack or helmet.
the caves, it doesn't go away. They always make plans to
carry it all out.
Western caves have fewer but prettier
3.
governmental agencies which have mandated conservation policies which limit access to and numbers in caves also
tend to make western cavers more aware of cave conser­
2.
While I think Eastern cavers and those who cave in this
region generally practice soft caving, the Westerners do
1. conservation.
caves.
10. 9. 8. Carry out all waste, human and otherwise. Better
yet, plan and eat or drink accordingly to hold it!
Stay on obvious trails. If caves are heavily visited ,
perhaps groups which regularly visit/maintain
should consider marking trails with flagging tape.
Smoke (if you must) outside the cave. That ciga
rette butt never seems to make it out. Formations
are defaced from accumulated soot from the
smoke. Smoking interferes with the breathing of
companions.
7. Consume alcohol or drugs (if you must) after stop
ping for the night in a private place. Alcohol and
drugs (and their containment vessels) don't belong
in a cave. Landowners don't like strangers to use
Keep noise down both in the cave, and outside. Be
aware of landowners and others living in the area.
Go electric in pretty areas. In formation rich caves
in Australia, carbide lamps are outlawed. The soot,
though minor, builds up over the years, dimming
the luster of formations.
vation.
have a point. Perhaps we aren't as aware of or practice cave
conservation as we should. We can always improve. Sothe
following is my list of the 10 best ways to practice cave
coordinated manner, less likely to damage forma
5.
Western cavers cave far more conservatively than eas­
formations which absolutely positively can't be broken, so
there is increased importance of caving softly. Dealing with
Stay in shape. Being fit means you move in a more
tions you pass.
I've had some
western cavers tell me that ..... westerner's are far more
APRIL 1990
If its not yours, don't touch it. That goes for forma
tions, bats, salamanders, companions or their
gear.
Cave conservation is a lot more than gating or closing
Its keeping caves open by practicing good land­
owner relations; avoiding drugs and alcohol on the way to.
inside, and from caves; making sure your friends cave
softly; and staying in good shape. Its being aware of the
impact we as cavers have made on the cave every time we
visit, and while enjoying the trip, making a constant effort to
minimize the impact. Its hauling out our trash and picking
up a bit of others as well. Its being tolerant of our compan­
ions, holding tempers and put-downs till later because angry
cavers don't cave softly.
These are among the many "little" things we can do for Cave
Conservation. I challenge you to think of more. They all can
make a difference. Try and do at least one thing "for" Cave
Conservation the next time you go caving.
Bill Bussey
CHAIRMAN'SCRAWLS
Page 4
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
APRIL 1990
THE REGION RECORD
A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Well Hot-Damn, it's almost time for another VARI I just can't
wait to get there and ......... do what? Sit around and B.S.?
Drink? Go on a sports caving trip? Ah hell. What willi do?
Those are the same things that I do at OTR. I guess VAR
is just another OTR, only a lot smaller. Really? Naw, VAR
is a lot more important, we just don't do anything! Should we
do something? Should VAR be just a mini OTR? Or, should
VAR be a bi-annual together, where the cavers of the region
join forces to accomplish something? Do what? Hey how
about something caving related? A survey project? Naw,
not everyone surveys. A Conservation/Cave Clean-up
project? Naw, not everyone is into that. A photo trip? Naw,
I don't have a camera! Maybe a combination of the three!
Naw, then some one would have to organize the thing! Hey,
how about the host grotto? Naw, then we might never have
a host grottol Oh well I guess I'll just go B.S., Drink, and
maybe do a sports caving trip.
The above paragraph was going to be the extent of what I
JUST ANOTHER CHEESEY
had to say. However, after consulting with the Vice-Chair­
man advisory committee, I decided It might be best to be a
bit more constructive.
I would like to see the region use the region meetings in a
more constructive manner. Region projects have become
a thing of the past, but why shouldn't they be the trend of the
future? The hosting organization could select a cave or
caves in the area that they choose to host the VAR and plan
various projects, set goals, and encourage participation.
WVASS is hosting the Fall VAR, and I plan to speak to them
about this very thing this spring. But, the big thing I need to
know is this. Do the cavers of the region, who attend the
meetings, want to have some kind of region project? Talk
about it during your next grotto meeting and then make your
VAR delegates aware of how you feel.
Russ Carter
OTR KIDDY KORRAL GETS BUCKS
CAVING STORY
::
BY Russ carter
By E. Bradshaw
What do cheese and caves have in common? Well, if you
are talking about Roquefort cheese, a lot. Roquefort
Cheese, made only in Roquefort sur Soulzon, France, is
cured in limestone caves. All activity in Roquefort takes
place under ground. The cliff on which the town is built is
honeycombed with giant fissures, called florines, some of
which are three stories high and two miles long. The air that
blows through these fissures is 46 degrees and has a
humidity level of 95%, which is perfect for ripening blue
cheese. There are eleven under ground factories that
produce Roquefort cheese. Roquefort cheese is the only
blue cheese that is made from goats milk, and is the only
blue cheese that is aged in limestone caverns. The lime­
stone aging process is said to give the cheese a distinct
G.R.O.S.S. has turned over $121.95 to Nancy Hamm for
OTR's Kiddy Korral at OTR. The money was earned by
collecting aluminum cans and turning them in for recycling.
Rocky Parsons notes that the price of recycled aluminum
has dropped from fifty cents per pound in 1988 to forty cents
in 1989 and is currently at thirty cents (looks like we will just
have to drink more beer!) G.R.O.S.S. will have to advertise
more at the next OTR as, they are still not collecting as many
cans as they could.
flavor.
Rocky adds that the upcoming VARIMAR will be an excel­
lent opportunity to have more work crews collecting alumi­
nurn for the Kiddy Korral. Since G R O.S.S. is running the
regional meeting, they will be pretty busy but will accept
cans.
THE CAVEBOY'S CORNER
THE CAVEBOYS CORNER IS A REVIEW OF THE EX­
CHANGE NEWSLETTERS RECEIVED BY THE REGION
RECORD. IT IS MEANT TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN
THE READERS [YOU}. EDITORIAL COMMENT, EN­
CLOSED IN [ }, EXPRESS THE OPINION OF THE AU­
THOR[ME}. WARNING I call a spade a spade. If you don't
agree with my opinions or analysis, feel free to drop off a
letter to the editor [address is listed inside the front cover].
If your newsletter isn't reviewed either I didn't get it or there
wasn't anything I felt like writing about [sorry I decide what
is newsworthy]. [NOTE TO NEWSLETTER EDITORS: If
you want an article in your newsletter reprinted, in full,
elsewhere in the Region Record please send along a note
telling me so.]
Page 5
Continued on Page
7
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
THE REGION RECORD
APRIL 1990
WHATS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT CAVING? I, anonymous writer, do not have any intention in this life, or
in the ground to see if they can find undiscovered teeny­
any life hereafter, of even setting the most miniscuIe section
of my much maligned big toenail in anything that remotely
weenie holes to get stuck in. He says they squeeze into
these holes that are barely large enough for Webster to get
resembles a cave, cavern, grotto, or large hole in the
ground, that I might never get out of alive...thank you very
kick, and shove until their heads pop out the even smaller
much.
hole at the other end of the teeny-weenie offshoot. And 10
Maybe I should preface that statement with some back­
room in the cave for all to rejoice over. Believe it or not, this
ground, since most of you readers out there (if there are
actually happened to me once. The only difference was that
through (now, that's SMAlLl), and then they push, wiggle,
and behold, they more often than not discover a brand new
any) are about ready to tie me, by my much maligned big
after I got myself out of the teeny-weenie hole I was in, some
toenail, to a bungi cord that's about three feet too long and
idiot in a green suit grabbed be by the feet, hung me upside­
toss me off some suspension bridge in the middle of "No
One Will Ever Find You Here", West Virginia.
down, and smacked my tuckus so hard that teeth that hadn't
even formed yet flew out of my mouth and clattered up
against the opposite wall. If I had known what a searing
uppercut was at the time, I would have decked him!
I was recently introduced to the caving scene by a fellow
worker[my BOSS] whose whole life seems to center around
lowering himself into openings in large rock outcroppings
To top all this fun off, these guys then go around trying to
and sliding around century-old mud that resembles and
often tastes like Hawaiian poi. If you took psychology in
college, you will remember that Freud stated that caving
discover new life forms in pond scum, and then collect bat
guano samples for God knows what. If you ask me, discov­
and making love to women were similar - both involved
stuff of horror films. I just have this feeling that some day,
ering new life forms in deep, dark holes in the ground is the
entering large openings and sliding around in a substance
one of these cavers, as a joke mind you, is going to draw a
that resembles Hawaiian poi. Since this guy hasn't had a
pentagram around one of the bat guano collectors while
girlfriend in about 17 years, I imagine caving is a fair
he's not looking, mutter something unintelligible (like "Caving
substitute.
is the most fun you can have while wearing more clothes
than you would ever need during a Siberian winter".), and
BOOOOOOMMMMMMM !!!I!! Up pops this thing that looks
Anyway, it was not my intention to learn about caving at all.
It has been learned through the ancient and well-proven
theory of S.P.I.T. (Sports Participants In Training). Most of
you are familiar with this phenomenon as it occurs almost
continuously in bars, high school cafeterias, and college
study halls. It seems that when there is nothing better to do
(like work or classes), hordes of men will band together and
like a giant Tootsie Roll with teeth and hair, and it forces all
of the cavers to eat the bat guano samples.
BBBBRRRRRRRI!! I get chills just thinking about it.
The most amazing thing of all is that even though all these
terrible atrocities have more than likely wiped out the major­
talk about nothing but sports trivia, sports statistics, and
ity of cavers in the world, the few that are left will always GO
favorite sports stories. Then they will argue about sports
BACK AND DO IT AGAIN! I'm sorry, but I can think of lots
trivia, sports statistics, and their favorite sports stories. For
of things I'd rather do than caving, like going 15 rounds with
days at a time. Or at least until they run out of beer. They
talk about things like the fact that a guy named Billy Joe Bob
Mike Tyson with my hands tied behind my back. Or going
15 rounds with Robin Givens with my hands tied behind my
"Diesel" Chawspit broke his leg in no less than 17 places,
back.
and still managed to finish playing the last 31/2 quarters of
insurance salesman.
the game. And kicked four field goals to boot! This S.P.I.T
theory is how I am learning about caving. When there's
Besides, I don't like poi.
nothing better to do (like work), for days at a time, I just sit
there and listen with a smile on my face because the guy is
my boss. I just haven't got the heart to tell him that I value
Or spending three days locked in a cell with an
Mark Feurst
my job more than dents in the terrain that smell like poi.
So my boss keeps relating these macabre stories to me
[Mark Feurst is a would-be free-lance writerlcomedian/ex­
employee of mine.]
about how he and his caving buddies go into these big holes
Page 6
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
THE REGION RECORD
CAVEBOY CORNERCONTINUED
Vol. 2 Number 4 of the VirginiaCellars finally hit the streets
in December 1989. [The VSS assures me that this kind of
delay won't happen again.] Editor Dave Collings cites the
reason for the delay as post VAR burnout. Charles "Man­
son" Lucas will be editing the next issue, which is due out
soon. Inside the Cellars, Russ Carter relates his experience
mapping Morris Hill Cave, Alleghany County, Va. It seems
Russ and Dave Collings fell pray to a graffiti artist's prank
and climbed 50' up a dome pit to lOok for a lake that was not
there. The accompanying map depicts 988' of passage and
includes a profile of the lower passage of the cave. Charlie
Lucas describes Hammer and Pill Box caves, which are
located on the ''Lucas Spread" in Highland, County, Va.
Both caves are small and are developed in the Coeymans
limestone. These caves were explored in the Lucas'
ongoing project to find a way into the back door of Aqua,
Bultler Sinking Creek, Bobcat, and Better Forgotten
which all find their way under the Lucas property. Dave
Collings submits descriptions of Hospital Cliff, Little Hos­
pital Cliff, and Hospital Waste Caves, Alleghany County,
Va. These caves were originally reported by Phil Lucas in
Holsinger's Descriptions of Virginia Caves; however, no
description was given. The largest of the caves is Hospital
Cliff, at 128.6 feet. Bill Balfour describes Bailey's Cave,
Lee County, Va. This cave was investigated during the
1988 Dirty Old Men, held each Thanksgiving in S.W. Vir­
ginia, and was surveyed in May 1989. The accompanying
map, which received an honorable mention in the 1989 NSS
Cartography Salon, shows 2850' of passage. Bill states that
Bailey's Cave is an integral part of the larger Reasor Pump
System and the two are connected hydrologically. Bill also
goes on to say that a physical connection may be possible.
In the November 1989 Tidewater's Ooze AI Stubbe details
survey progress in Bob Gee Cave, Greenbriar County, WV.
A November 11 th trip netted another 700 feet of passage
bringing the total to around 3000' Tom Spina reports that
after 15 years of on and off digging in a sink in WV, Mark
Passerby finally succeeded where others had failed. On
Oct. 14, 1989 Mark dug open Cemetery Pit, Greenbriar
County, WV. The next weekend three survey teams netted
about 3000' of virgin passage. In true Tom Spina style, he
and Wade and Gary Berdeaux found themselves surveying
a 1000' of low, belly-crawl suckhole, while the other two
teams raced through 30' by 30' ''Trunk'' passage. In the
January, 1990 Ooze, Tom Spina outlines the results of the
1989 Dirty Old Men. Projects undertaken this past year
include: 2000' surveyed in Flannery Cave with leads still
going; several hundred feet surveyed in Silica Crystal
Cave, with progress stopped at a flowstone impasse with
visible passage beyond; 400' surveyed in Quarry Cave,
with a tight stream crawl remaining; and about 600' sur­
.
APRIL 1990
veyed in Frank's Cave, bringing it's total surveyed length to
around 2 miles with some going leads and a too tight
blowhole. Tom also relates the results of the 1989 Christ­
mas in Alleghany County. On this trip, the Caveboy and the
Dirtboy did some ridge walking around the Gaithright Dam
property and located six new caves. This brings the total
amount of caves on the property to 13, with 10 of them being
found in December 1989.
The November 1989, Carbide Ourm> asks: 'Where's Gurnby
Dambit!" [During OTR '89 the inflatable grotto mascot was
abducted by a person or persons unknown after the RASS
banner was paraded around the ca
fire sans the aR" in
RASS.] Blue Ridge asks the abductors of Gumby to please
return him unharmed. No questions will be asked. Randy
Winoker provides some tips for carbide light users in the
Dec. 89 Dump. Randy wrote this article after a recent trip
when a fellow caver experienced several problems with his
lamp. Randy says that some simple preventive mainte­
nance procedures can solve most problems. Cleaning the
tip, emptying the carbide chamber, draining the water
chamber, cleaning the reflector, and inspecting all of the
parts after each trip should do the trick. He also adds that
putting some Vaseline on the threads of the base will make
the la
easier to open. [Vaseline is a great idea, I have had
several problems separating the two halves of my lamp.
Maybe some day I will learn!] Blue Ridge grotto along with
NSS diver Eric Tasso did a sump dive in Goodwins Cave,
Roanoke County, Va. on Nov. 18, 1989. When they arrived
at the cave they encou ntered a sizable stream issuing from
the entrance. After making their way back to the lake, Eric
suited up and started to explore. While he was away, the
others tried to convince Mary Sue that, technicalities aside,
she should be sacrificed as a virgin to the cave god.
Fortunately, Eric returned after about 15 minutes and said
that the lake went down about 18' and then became a sub­
human sized crack. Marc Stewart reports that the grotto
has started the survey of Eagle Rock Cave, Botetourt
County, Va. This trip saw a survey crew doing work on the
first level and another crew doing some trash removal.
Cavers are reminded that this cave is still offICially closed.
Blue Ridge has negotiated with the owner for two years for
permission to survey the cave. Anyone not authorized, in
writing, by the owner will be prosecuted as a trespasser. If
you would like to help with a survey or cleanup trip contact
Marc Stewart (703) 992-1944. Jeff East reports on the
discovery and survey of Lost Cave, Botetourt County, Va.
The cave was discovered in April '89 while ridgewalking and
the survey completed in June '89. The cave was surveyed
to a length of 395.3' and a depth of 102'. Joe Caldwell'S map
complete with a profile is also offered. [The map also
contains the cave's Latitude and Longitude; a feature I feel
is better left off the map. While the cavers at Blue Ridge are
a responsible and close knit group, the grotto does ex-
Page 7
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
THE REGION RECORD
change newsletters with a wide variety of caving organiza­
tions, some of which may have members possessing ques­
tionable ethics. Precise cave location information is some­
thing that is better distributed as needed. Some Cartogra­
phers feel that the cave location is an essential part of any
cave map, so as to preserve the cave location for as long as
the map survives. I feel that this is the job of the state cave
surveys (i.e. VSS and WVASS).] The January 1990 Car­
bide Dump starts out with Marc Stewart announcing a new
grotto vertical trip policy. Henceforth, before a person can
go on a grotto vertical trip, they must demonstrate the ability
to tie basic knots (i.e.: Bowline, Figure 8, Water Knot, and
Prusik or Helical knots.) The reason for the new policy is
that several of the old members have forgotten how to tie
these knots and the new members are suffering by thinking
it's not important. In the Conservation Cuts section, Jeff and
Trisha East proclaim that cavers who are concerned about
cave and bat conservation should broaden their concerns to
"a total commitment" to our environment. ''To do otherwise
is somewhat hypocritical." They go on to say that saving ou r
planet has to start with you, the individual. Recycling is one
way to help. Others include using plastic bags at the grocery
as, they can be recycled into anything, and joining conser­
vation groups such as TNC or Green Peace. Gumby's
Back. Yes someone heard Blue Ridge's plea and returned
Gumby deflated but safe.
APRIL 1990
to find big cave in the little county.] The December 89'
Register contains a story about an incident in Crossroads
Cave, Bath County, Va. It seems that a RASS sponsored
group was nearly arrested for trespassing after exiting the
cave. Fortunately, they had obtained permission from the
landowner before entering. During the discussion with the
Va. State Trooper, the landowner showed up. Mr. Brooks
said that he was more than agreeable to allow organized
NSS and/or Grotto affiliated cavers to visit the cave but
some simple rules must be observed. Mr. Brooks requests
that gates be kept closed at all times and not be blocked by
vehicles. Vehicles must be legally parked (all tires offof the
paved road), and no parking in the pasture. Also he wants
the cave kept clean and would like cavers to not over-load
the cave by keeping trips small and the number of vehicles
at a minimum. RASS has several people who are interested
in resurveying Crossroads; however, they don't have any­
one who is willing to [capable of?] lead the project. Ted
Andrus reports that the Rockbridge County Cave Survey is
still alive and kicking despite rumors to the contrary. Ted
reports now that his personal life is settled down some he
will once again become active with the survey and urges
anyone interested to contact him for trip information ..
The December 1989 West Virginia Caver is led off with an
article by Tom Spina on the resurvey of Poor Fann Cave,
Greenbrier County, WV Tom outlines the sordid history of
the resurvey which started in Sept. 1987 and was finally
completed in February 1989. The finished map shows
about 3/4 of a mile of passage and a vertical relief of 93'.
Tom also describes the judging criteria used for the 1989
NSS Convention Cartography Salon. Tom's map of Spring
Creek Cave, Rockbridge County, Va. was the medal winner
at the convention scoring 176 of a possible 180 points. Tom
says that True North as apposed to Magnetic North arrows
were absent from the majority of maps. Additionally, some
maps lacked graphic scales and some did not make it clear
where the entrance was. The judging was tight as the point
spread between the medal winner and the meriVhonorable
mention awards was a scant 5 points. George Dasher
describes the effects of the wet weather that has plagued
the Virginia Region over the past year. He reports that the
upper levels My Cave and Sharps Cave, Pocahontas
County, WV are coated with mud greasy mud. George
claims that this condition is probably due to surface water
filtering down into the caves. He also goes on to say that it
is safe to assume that the other "hanging conduit caves" are
probably in the same condition. He also blames the rain for
the recent collapse in Poor lann Cave, Greenbriar County.
WV. which has cut off 1/2 to 213 of the cave, depending on
who you talk to. [by the way, Tom Spina says that WVACS
must dig the passage back open and restore it to the original
.
In the November 1989 RASS Register .Ron Morton de­
scribes dye tracing techniques that he learned during the
1989 NSS Convention. The advantages, disadvantages,
and limitations of four different dyes are discussed, along
with methods of detection. Ron plans to use these newly
learned skills to trace the hydrology of Youle Cemetery
Cave, Rockbridge County, Va. [Be on the lookout for green
ducks.] Jeanie London discusses ways of being prepared
for winter caving. Dehydration, body heat loss, immersion
foot, and hypothermia are discussed along with their pre­
vention and treatment. Jeanie points out that dehydration
is not just a problem in the summer, as water in the body is
used rapidly during strenuous activity, such as caving. She
adds that Gatorade is good for treating dehydration but is
not always available. A mixture of 1 gallon of water, 1 Tbs.
of salt and, 2 Tbs. of sugar makes a comparable solution
that will be rapidly absorbed by the body. [Unfortunately, I
usually don't carry salt and sugar with me when I cave.] Ron
Morton reports on a May 1989 survey trip to Wilsis Cave,
Agusta County, Va. Ron and Hulley Harkleroad surveyed
to a 8" hole that was tight for the anorexic Ron and
impossible for Hully. After aborting the survey trip Ron and
Hully scoped out some 10' to 15' crevasses that lead to
lower levels of the cave but all proved to be subhuman size.
Ron plans to return with a group of small cavers to continue
the survey. Ron's interest in the cave and nearby Broken
Face and Paterson Mountain caves is due to their poten­
tial geologic Similarity to the caves on Cave Hill. [Ron hopes
Page 8
.
CONTINUEDONPAGE 11
Kiddie Corral
Needs Your Help
........... . ' ..:::::::::::::;:;;::::::.: .... .
Italian Feast
Spring Fling VARJMAR ushers in a
new era in gastronomical pleasure. The
Saturday evening Italian Feast is cer­
tain to tickle your palate with a host of
Italian Dishes..
Spring Fling Italian Feast Menu:
Summer Preview Salad
Italian Bread
Spaghetti Class/co
Fettuch/ni Basi/etta
Linguini with Garlic
Vino Class/co
Draft Beer (kegs tapped
supper)
with
Team Activity has
Great Prizes
On Saturday, a Mystery Activity
be held for teams of cavers. We
can't tell you what the activity will be,
but we can tell you it will be fun, chal­
lenging, and rewarding.
We've gotten some really great
prizes and awards, and everyone who
participates will have an equal chance
to win. There's a one-dollar per person
entry fee to cover our expenses.
So get your team together, and plan .
to be at the registration area at 10:30
a.m. Saturday morning.
will
Spring Fling VAR/MAR Event Schedule
Friday, May 4:
3:OOP-10:00P
8:OOP-1:OOA
Saturday, May 5:
7:OOA-7:OOP
10:00A-5:00P
10:30A-11:00A
11:00A-6:00P
1:OOP-5:OOP
6:30P-8:00P
8:OOP-8:30P
8:30P-9:OOP
9:OOP-1:OOA
Sunday, May 6:
10:00A
12:00N-6:00P
•
Registration
Light Music in the Pavilion
Registration
Kiddie Corral Work Party, Kiddie Corral Area
Mystery Event Team Registration, Registration Area
Mystery Event
Squeeze Box Events, Behind Pavilion
Italian Feast Supper, Pavilion·
Jack Lake, WV ACS, Paper and Slide Show, Pavilion·
Awards and Prizes·
Dance to the Music, Pavilion· (Music by Johnny)
VAR General Meeting, Pavilion
Campsite Cleanup, A Safe Trip Home
Beer Provided
Registration Fees
To keep it simple, the registration fee for Spring Fling VARIMAR '90 will be:
$12.00 per person 18 years old or older, $U.OO per dog or other animal,
$6.00 per person aged 12 to 17, $3.00 per person aged 6 to 11, under 6 free.
The registration fee includes camping, an Italian Feast supper Saturday night,
door prizes, and music. For those of legal age it also includes beer Saturday
night. Because of the low registration fee, no discounts will be given for late ar­
rival, no beer, or no supper.
Spring 1990
Saturday afternoon Nancy Hamm
(for the OTR kiddies) needs your help
working on the Kiddie Corral She
plans to erect a fence (ground condi­
tions permitting) and put up climbing
platforms.
Why is this important? Well, the ex­
perience our kids have at caving out­
determines the future of V AR,
MAR, OTR, and caving as we know it!
Especially needed for the work
party are an electric generator or some
long extension cords, power sanders,
and people with hand tools.
Please come prepared to help, with
tools, if you can. You're needed, no
matter what skills you have.
Other Events:
Squeeze Box Fu n
Saturday afterno on the f amous
"Squeeze Box" will be available for all
the nimble, skinny cavers. Try it out,
and see what all that beer does to your
ftgure!
Saturday Evening
Program Features
Jack Lake
Saturday evening, toward the end of
the Italian Feast supper, Jack Lake of
WVACS will present a slide show and
paper in the pavilion. He will give the
preliminary conclusions of the Lower
Spring Creek Hydrology Study. You'll
enjoy seeing and hearing about this fas­
cinating work.
Prizes Given Away
Saturday Night
Following Jack Lake's program and
before the PARTY the great prizes for
the winners in the afternoon's Mystery
Activity will be given away. Who knows,
maybe there'll even be a door prize!
Party Saturday Night
From 9:00 to whenever, you can sip
some suds and boogie to the music in
the pavilion. You'll sing, sway and
dance to the rock and roD and country
sounds of the 60's, 7fYs and 80's, with a
few 90's tunes thrown in for good
measure. Music and sound system by
Johnny.
Spring VAR/MAR News
The DC Grotto and the Potomac Speleological Club
in cooperation with
. Re.scue, In
Pendleton Cou
. .,
' :2":-: ' ."
.
·.: : ·'· :1;:.�.�:2;:>"}
"
.
.
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.
MAY 12-13, 1990
FRANKLIN, WEST VIRGINIA
This seminar, taught by the Eastern Region of the National Speleological Society's National Cave Rescue Commission,
will bring together local emergency services personnel and cavers to foster a better understanding of the unique nature of cave
rescues. Saturday will include classroom training in rescue organization, patient care, equipment demonstrations, and
practical exercises. Sunday will be devoted to a "mock rescue" in a nearby wild cave, where students will get hands-on
experience in a simulated in-cave rescue situation.
The seminar will be based at Thorn Springs Park, near Franklin. The registration fee is $25.00, which includes training
material, continental breakfast and lunch both days, dinner and a Saturday evening party. Camping is available at the Park
for $3.00 per person per night. The seminar will start at 8 AM Saturday and will be finished by 6 PM Sunday. Cavers are not
expected to have rescue training, and emergency services personnel are not expected to have caving experience. Some hard
hats and lights will be available for non-caving participants.
The deadline for registration is April 28 and class size will be limited, so register early. A detailed information packet will
be mailed to all registrants prior to the event. The form below, and a check payable to "D. C. Grotto" should be sent to John
Hoover, 14753 Wexhall Terr., Burtonsville, MD 20866. (301-890-6932 evenings)
Name:
Affiliation:
Address:
Phone:
Experience: (fire, rescue, medical, caver, etc)
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1
THE REGION RECORD
APRIL 1990
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
condition, using his map as a guide, because: "I ain't going
to resurvey the friggen thing.'1 George also says the the
Breakdown slope that cavers used to have to wonn down
through to get from the entrance to the stream has col­
lapsed in HandlineC8ve, Greenbriar County, WV. and now
you must rappel down to the stream. Helen Honaker
describes the history of exploration of Burnt Toilet Paper
Pit, Greenbriar County, WV. The cave was blasted open by
Dave Goldman in 1984. Mark Passerby and Helen returned
in 1989 to check and see if Dave had blasted the breakdown
that stopped the original exploration. He had. It was then
that Mark sucked in Bill Balfour [who sucked in me and Dave
Collings.] to push the nasty stream crawl. [this is a very
nasty, tight 700'crawl.
. ..
I]
again
I never intend to enter that thing
Well that's all for this issue. Next time more from the
Regions Newsletters and more Newsletters to choose from.
Do you want to continue to receive the REGION RECORD? Well you might not if you haven't attended
a V AR since Spring 1989 and are not planning to attend the Spring 1990 VAR/MAR at the OTR site! Or, if
there is a "P" on your mailing label, this was a free trial copy sent to you this one time only. So, if you don't
want to miss out on what the Virginia Region is up to, fill in this handy-dandy order blank and send it to Evelyn
Bradshaw ASAP!
r-----------------------------------------I
Like oh-my-Gawd! I want to get the REGION RECORD delivered to my home fer-sure dude. I am send­
ing you a HOLE lot of money.
$3.00 for 1 year
Name
_______
Street Address
City
$6.00 for 2 years
NSS Number
$9.00 for 3 years
_
________
___ ______________________________
_
_______
State
_____
ZIP
_
_______
Grotto that I claim (primary) or that will claim me, if any.
Make your checks Payable to V AR and send it to:
Evelyn Bradshaw, 1732 Byron Street Alexandria, VA 22303
L---------------------------------------Page 11
NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
NOD Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Merrirteld, VA
Permit #993
1732 Byron Street
Alexandria, VA 22303
FOWARDING & RETURN POST AGE
GUARANTEED.
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.
G 9999 3/90 VAR/FYI
Grotto
'!. Dave West
13610 Arctic Ave.
Rockville, MD 20853
D.
C.