Record . ': West Virginia Cave Conservancy to Purchase. Maxwelton Sink. Vol. XI No.3 Summer 1998

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1 :..,,,!I- --::.-::.:._... :._... ': Vol. XI No.3 Record West Virginia Cave Conservancy to Purchase. Maxwelton Sink by D.ave Cowan The recently formed West Virginia Cave Conservancy is negotiating the purchase of approximately 4.5 acres of land at the end of a blind valley with> 100 feet high cliff and a stream swallet leading into a cave which was dug open in the late I 960s and closed 3 years later by debris washed in as a result of Hurricane Agnes. The land IS located north of Lewisburg In Greenbrier County. Maxwelton Cave, aka Cow Shit Pit, had been mapped to -10 miles before closure. The,new owner purchased a 64 acre tract which includes the cave for $175,000 at auction May 16, 1998, as part of the Willard Hedrick Estate. The land is in a prime location for development, <0.5 mile from the Greenbrier Valley Airport near Lewisburg. The WVCC has agreed to purchase the land at the per acre price ($ ) that he paid for it. We will not have an exact figure until a survey of the parcel is completed. Preliminary survey indicates the parcel to be -4.5 acres. This will include all of the cliff included within the 64 acre tract, -10' wide strip along the top of the eliff (which will include all of the trees along the top of the cliff), the swallet and short section of the stream bed, an acre or two of bottom land, the slope up from the bottom to the base of the vertical cliff and a 50' wide shared access way from a paved road to the bottom of the valley. The owner also agreed to granting an easement to "explore, map and enjoy" whatever cave passages on the 64 acre parcel that we might intersect underground from the WVCC parcel. The only compromise, with the exception of price, from our original proposal that we were forced to except was the reduction in the width of the buffer zone. along the top of the cliff. We proposed a 50' strip to act as an ecological buffer/greenway between the cliff and potential developed sites. The access way to the bottom is steep in places but should be easily negotiated with any 4X4 in good weather and is the only reasonable location to move equipment to the valley floor. Assuming the WVCC is successful in obtaining suffcient funds from donations to complete the purchase of the parcel, it is their intcnt to attempt to reopen the cave USing heavy equipment. Editors. note: The following is quoted from. an article by Don Schleicher in a 1970 issl/e of (he Netherworld News fl1{(( described the discovery and initial mapping of COW Shit Pit. Clearly. this will be a big cave once an entrance is again opened up. "... Over the past couple of years various persons... have worked, blasted and dug their way into the debris of the entrance.... Finally, on the Sunday afternoon; December 6, 1970, Randy Flora and Pete Williams went into the blasted-dugcursed opened crawlway and removed two and a half (2 Y2) feet of add,itiorpl debris and were in an enlarged passage. This two and a half feet was the remainder from a. group of WV ACS who were digging the previous day. '"From this point, Pete and Randy were in virgin cave that opened and went and went and went and went.. "...The following Saturday... two. teams of mappers went in, and in one day, got what' has to be a record number of feet mapped, over 13,000. One team... mapped a circle of over 7,000'feet themselves, probably another record".

2 Volume Xl Number 3 VA R Offcers Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary Treasurer Committees Conservation: Landowner Awards: Craig Hindman 7600 Pindell School Rd. Fulton, MD (410) H tidennan@erols.com Judy Fisher (304) H Carol Tiderman ( 410) H Ted Kayes (804)272-43IOH Andy Reeder 1235 State Park Rd. Huddleston. VA (540) lH (804) W Don Anderson P.O. Box 966 Dublin, VA Region Record Staff Editors: Distribution: Bob Hoke Pauline Apling Barry Chute Evelyn Bradshaw (540) H is the quarterly publication of the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society. Any articles, announcements, or other material of general interest to cavers in the Region is welcome. Send all material to Bob Hoke (6304 Kaybro St.. Laurel, MD (30 1) bobhokc@smart.net). Electronic submissions ( or disk) are encouraged. but any form of input is welcomc. Non-copyrighted material contained in the Region Record may be reprinted by organizations that are affliated with the VAR or the NSS, provided that proper credit is givcn Lo the I?ecord and the author. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual author. and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the V AR, the NSS, or their internal organizations. is printed by members of the DC Grotto and the Potomac Speleological Club Virginia Region of the NSS Regional Calendar Aug. 3-7, 1998 NSS Convention in Sewanee, TN. Sep. 3-7 Old Timer's Reunion. Join about 2,000 Sep. 19 Oct. 17 other cavers for a long weekend of fun and (maybe) a little caving). You must be a TRA member to attend. Contact Bill Bussl.Y at for TRA info. Bowden Cave Cleanup trip. Help DC Grotto and the Potomac Speleological Club do the periodic cleanup of ttash and graffti in Bowdcn Cavc. This is a good excuse to see the cave. Suitable for novices. Contact Pauline Apling for inf at Trout Rock Conservacation V Help clean the caves and property owned by the NSS. Contact Dave West for info at (301) Sept Fall VAR meeting at the Friars Hole Cave Preserve. Randolph County, WV Cav in th 40+ miles of Friars Hole or Apr. 30- May 2, 1999 some of the many other area caves. See flyer in this issue for additional details. Spring VAR meeting hosted by Tri-Statl: Grotto at Natural Chillllll.y, Virginia. Spring, 2000 Spring VAR meeting, to be hosted by VPI Grotto. More details later. July 12-16, 1999 June 26-30,2000 NSS Convention in Filer, ID. NSS Convention in Elkins, WV.

3 Volume XI Number 3 Chairman's Report I wish to thank all the people who put in all the hard work to make the Spring Meet a hit The Fall Meet will be held at Frairs Hole Cave Preserve. This was the first time in a long time that there were competitive bids to host a meet. I like the idea of competitive bids. I take it as a sign of all active group wanting to show case and share different areas with the grottoes of the VAR. I wish to thank Warsaw Underground Society for their bid to host the Fall VAR and I hope they will consider presenting another bid in the future. Also, a lot of people wish to thank the Front Royal Grotto for the hot breakfast food and drink for a small fee before the Sunday morning meeting. ' Since the Spring Meet several, cavers and I took part in a joint venture with the Nature Conservancy f Maryland, at the Round Top Mines. The project consisted of bat friendly gates placed at 5 entrances to the mines. I've seen a lot of mines and caves. to me the entrances were cave's before they were mined for limestone to make cement to build the C&O canal. What struck me most was the number of non cavers who turned out to help in the project. While talking with them I discovered the main reason they volunteered was simple, it was because they. were members of the Nature Conservancy and they were needed to help on this project. Most had never been in a cave and had no need or want to go into one. They were there to lift steel and do whatever was needed to be done. Although gates have been installed, kevs are available for field trips to sec the mines. So cavers are not locked out and the bats and inverte- brates are safe. It appears to be a Win-Win deal. At the time of writing this, it has been brought to my attention that there have been several changes to the closed cave list. The South Friars' Entrance has been sold, but the new owner is allowing access. There are changes going on at the Friars Hole Cave Preserve. The Cave Preserve is only open with prior permission from the owner. The owner does not want their name to appear in print Without prior permission you will be turned away. We as cavers are always upset when a landowner closes a cave or a gatc is put up, or a landowj?cr restricts access. We as cavers like to talk about respecting a landowner's wishes, but how often do we really do that? We arrive unannounced; we bring more people than we said, we park where we are not to and we party to the wee hou rs of the morning. We go caving and we go home. When was the last time we talked to a landowner without wanting to go in their cave, you know just happen to be ill the area and stopped by to say Hi? When caves are closed, we like to blame Boy Scouts, locals. anyone but cavers. Occasionally we need to step back and take a good look at ourselves and how we are treating the cave owners and determine if that's the way we would like to be treated if the situation was reversed. Speaking about landowners, there arc many who deserve a long overdue thanks from the caving conununity. We have a small way of saying thanks and that is the Landowner recognition Award. Between now and the Fall Meet, talk it over with your friends and nominate a few for the award. Without them, all our caving would be done vicariously through books. Craig Cecil Porterfield Given VAR Landowner Recognition Award by Eileen O'Malley On November 9, 1997, Cecil Porterfield, owner of Pig Hole Cave (Giles County, VA). was presented with the VAR Landowner Recogl11 tion Award. VPI members gathered with those from New River and Blue Ridge Grotto as Don Anderson gave Mr. Porterfield an engraved plaque and a heartfelt thank you. The award is given each year to a landowner in appreciation of their good relations with cavers and a willingness to allow us onto their property and into their caves. Cavers are especially grateful to Mr. Porterfield for re-opening Pig Hole several years after a fatality occurred there. Pig Hole has long been a favorite of many VPI cavers. Mr. Porterfield was also given the original cave register from Hess Hollow and a typed, bound copy thanks to the work of Steve Wells and Steve LePera. (They also left a new register in its place, so be sure to sign it on your next tnp.) After the presentation the grotto members mingled over snacks and frothy beverages. Mr. Porterfield shook the hand of each caver as snowflakes swirled onto the field. Cecil Porterfield (right) holding the VAR Landowner Recognition Award. Don Anderson is on the. left. page 3

4 Volume XI Number 3 Round Top Mines Gated by Carol Tiderman On May 30 & 31, Craig Hindman and I joined volunteers and staff from the Nature Conservancy and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to assist in the gating and closure of the Round Top Mines # 1-4 near Hancock. MD. The purpose of this construction was three fold: I. To protect hibernating bats, including the federally endangered Indiana bat and the Eastern smallfooted bat from human disturbance. 2. To protect the greatest concentration of cave invertebrates in the state, including the globally rare Franz's cave amphipod and Hoffmaster's cave planarian, as well as several unranked and unnamed isopods 3. To protect human visitors from injury. The plaiued Western Maryland Rail Trail, a paved hikcrbiker path, will pass right by these mines. which can bc vcry dangerous for inexperienced cavers. While we worked, we were told of a Scout troop discovered in one of the mines setting off cherry bombs and bottle rockcts, thc tattletalc rcmains were all around the entrance room. There was also a report of people shooting at the bats inside the millcs. Some of the mines are extremely dangerous. While it is believed that they were once natural development, the limestone mining activity, that went on in the late 1800's to provide concrete for the C&O Canal, caused some to destabilize. The mines are developed in the Wills Creek formation. This is a very soft & easily fractured rock. The mining peeled the bedding planes off the walls in slabs. The project took many hands to move the up to 30 foot pieces of 4x4 Vangie steel up the steep and winding grade and the 90 degree temperatures had us taking advantage of every lull in the work to rehydrate. The cool temps at the entrance were a welcome place to linger after a steel run. Craig spent most of his time in the sun cutting the steel to the dimensions Roy Powers radioed down, although occasionally he did manage to find his way to the entrancc to cool down. The entrances that were gated will be accessible to serious cavers and researchers through the Fort Frederick State Park. There are no fonnations to enjoy in the mines, they were all part of the harvested material, but some folks find exploring mines exciting (count me out). My only plan for returning is in response to the Park Rangers request for a cleanup, after the gating is complete. The spray paint will probably disappear with the application of a still brush and a few bags of litter will probably be accumulated. Anyone wishing to help in the cleanup can contact Craig or myself. (reprinted from the Baltimore Grotto News, Vol. XXX No.4) South Friars Hole Entrance has New Owner by Doug Medville The land containing the entrance to the Friars Hole Cave part of the Friars Hole System is in the process of changing hands.' The previous owner, the heirs of the Rapp family, are selling the land to Sheila and Spencer Withrow, local folks who are currently living in Lewisburg. After the transaction is completed, the With rows hope to move to the page 4 Friars Hole Valley, living about a mile further up the valley from the cave entrance.. On June 14th, Doug and Hazel Medville and Robert Mothes spoke with Sheila Withrow about continuing access to the cave. She said that they didn't see any problems as long as cavers continued to keep the parking area clean. (Cavers have been parking above the entrance sink for over 30 years. there is no trash or litter in the area, and I really hope that it remains that way). At present, she isn't asking that cavers' ask pennission to go into the cave. I told her that exploration and survey efforts are still going on there and that most trips take place between May and October, when water levels are low. So, things are still cool at dear old Friars Hole. This is the only entrance to the lower part of the system. It is the logical entry and exit point for through trips, and is an entrance that we don't want to lose access to. For Your Information: Thc current surveyed length of the Friars Hole Cave System is feet (44.04 miles) and yes, there are still leads and some survey activity - the surveyed length has gone up by a little over 3,000 feet in the past two years. Prior Permission Required for Other Friars Hole Access by Bob Hoke Some recent problems with Ilconsiderate cavers have caused the owner of the Friars Hole Cave Preserve in Pocahontas and Greenbrier Counties, WV to impose new access restnctlons. The Preserve includes the three Snedegar en

5 Volume XI Number 3 trances as well as the Crookshank and Toothpick entrances. It seems that a grotto (which should remain nameless) made arrangements to have 35 people at the lower campground over Memorial Day. However, about RO people showed up and parking became so tight that the road to the Preserve owncr's house was blocked for an extended period. Needless to say he was not happy.. There have been other incidents over the last few years and the owner is instituting some changes in an attempt to regain some control over his property. Effective immediately, cavers must get permission to visit the Friars Hole Cave Preserve PRIOR to arriving. Jt is no longer acceptable to simply check in with the owner or leave a note at his house. He wants to insure that the groups are small and that the cavers are experienced. The V AR Limited Access Cave List has been revised to include the following information about the entrances on the Preserve: "Permission must be arranged with the landowner in advance for ALL trips into ANY entrance. Group size limited to 20 people. no beginners. Normally closed Jan-May due to poor access road conditions ". Please respect the owners wishes and check with him before you plan a trip to any of his entrances. Please note that the Canadian Hole entrance is under different ownership and remains very closed to all cavers. Elkhorn Mountain Cave Access Restricted by Bob Hoke Elkhorn Mountain Cave IS a popular vertical pit in Grant County, WV. 'Craig Stihler of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has been studying the cave's bat population for the last few years and has concluded that it appears to be some sort of mating site for endangered Virginia Big-cared bats. Stihler requested that the cave be closed from June 15 to October 15 to avoid any disturbance to the bats during their amorous activities. Elkhorn Mountain will be open during the remainder of the year, but access permission from the owner must still be obtained for each trip. Cavers are reminded that the 140-foot entrance drop makes the cave appropriate only for experienced vertical cavers. The DNR plans to continue to monitor the bat population at the eave at least onee a year to see how the bats are doing. Night vision equipment and infra-red lights will be used to count the bats exiting the cave in the evening. VAR Discussion List Now Operational by Bob Hoke A new discussion list has been opened for general discussions on caving issues and events in the Virginia Region. Any subscriber can make announcements, share discoveries, give trip reports, discuss access issues, or send any other cave related message to the other list subscribers. page 5 Walt Pirie is responsible for the creation and monitoring of the list. The VAR list has already been used to disseminate the initial information about the possible purchase of Maxwelton Sink. It is a good way to get the word out quickly for regional events, cleanup trips, changes to cave access status, etc. If you have access of any type (including JUNO) you can subscribe. It is also very easy to unsubscribe. To subscribe to the list you simply send an message to listserv@listserv.vt.edu In the body of the message type sub varlist your name That's all there is to it. You will receive a message asking you to confirm your subscription and then you will be a subscriber. There are only a few rules for using the list: 1. No flaming (personal attacks) 2. No Spam (commercial messages) 3. Do not redistribute a post without the original author's permission. 4. Posts must be relevant to V AR and to caving. Graffiti Remover Available for Cave Cleanup Projects by Bob Hoke It looks like advancing technology has finally caught up with the cave vandals. Spray paint has become the tool of choice for marking cave routes, defacing formations, and generally trashing up caves throughout the Region.

6 Volume XI Number 3 A few years ago JC Fisher (of Tri State Grotto) found a conunercial product that is specifically made to remove graffti and seems to be harmless to cave life. The stuff costs $70 per gallon, but it seems to work well. You just spray it on the graffiti and leave it alone. It essentially dissolves the paint and it seems to then disappear. The Robertson Association (the organization that sponsors the annual Old Timers Reunion) recently gave the DC Grotto a grant to purchase 3 gallons of Graffti Remover and some wire brushes for use in cave cleanups throughout the Region. The Remover is a resource that is available to any organization doing a cave cleanup. You can contact any of the folks below to work out the details of getting some remover: Pauline Apling (DC Grotto) (30 1) JC Fisher (Tri-State Grotto) (304 ) Dave Socky (Blue Ridge Grotto) (540) The conservancy will consider any legal means to acquire access management rights to caves such as: I. A formal agreement with the land owner to manage access to caves on their property. The Conservancy has such an agreement with Mrs. Freeman, the owner of McClungs Cave in Greenbrier Co. Access permits are issued by WVCc. 2. Conservation Easement where, for a significant reduction in property taxes, the land owner agrees to manage his land in manner that will protect the resource. 3. Land Trust where actual ownership of the land is held by a land trust organization such as TNC, Trust for Public Land and Southeastern Cave Conservancy. WVCC is such an organization. To find out more about land trusts, visit the WVCC Web Site < It is the intent of WVCC to provide maximum access to au caves under its control consistent with the wishes of the owners and the protection of sensitive resources that are known or later discovered. present to the realtor which would protect access to Rapps and include as much of the land overlying Buckeye and Rapps as we think we can economically justify. Unfortunately most of the land overlaying the caves is potential residential sites and therefore contain a significant portion of the total land value. The realtor is unlikely to want to separate the prime land and be left with a large parcel of less desirable land which would be harder to market. The ideal situation would be to find a rich caver (ha) that wanted to retire in "almost heaven" to buy the whole parcel and develop a cavers retirement community and cave preserve by selling house sites to cavers and other conservation minded individuals. Unfortunately the property is not overpriced considering the current market and may sell rather quickly. Membership: Classes of Membership in the West Virginia Cave Conservancy: 1. Regular Membership: Includes a recognition certificate, decal subscription to the Conservancy newsletter, all for a contribution of $15.00 per year. The West Virginia Cave Conservancy by Dave Cowan The West Virginia Cave Conservancy was recently formed to: (1) gain and preserve access to significant and/or sensitive caves in West Virginia, (2) protect sensitive cave resources. (3) provide education to landowners, local governents, developers, and the general public on the value of cave and karst resources. (4) organize cave and karst conservation projects such as sinkhole cleanups and livestock barrier fences, (5) solicit funding for the above. The current Board of Directors includes Ed Swepston (President), Cliff Lindsay (Treasurer), Tim Brown, Lonnie Bums, Dave Cowan, Sandy Cowan, Ray Garton, Tina Hall, Bob Handley, and Bill Jones Actiye WVCC Projects: The Conservancy is in the process of acquiring land in Maxwelton Sink, which formerly contained the entrance to a large cave. (See the lead story in this issue of the Region Record for more information). A 350 acre parcel including all of Rapps Cave (-1 mi.) and most of Buckeye Cave (>4 mi.) is listed for sale for $325,000. WVCC is putting together a package to page 6 2. Family Membership: Includes a recognition certificate, decal, subscription to the Conservancy newsletter, all for a contribution of $25.00 per year. 3. Lifetime Membership: Tncludes a special recognition certificate, decal, subscription to the Conservancy newsletter, all for a one-time contribution of $ (can be paid in installments of $65.00 per year, for five years). 4. Benefactor Membership: Includes a special recogmtlon plaque, decal, subscription to the conservancy newsletter, special mention in the conservancy newsletter, invitations to the Conservancy annual meeting and recognition

7 Volume XI Number 3 - dinner. Minimum contribution of $ Institutional Membership: Includes a recognition certificate and a subscription to th(! conservancy newsletter, all for a contribution of$ Charter Membership: Includes a special recognition certificate, decal, subscription to the conservancy newsletter. Regular, Lifetime, and Benefactor members may upgrade their membership to Charter Member Status for an additional contribution of $85.00 for Regular members and $50.00 for Lifetime and Benefactor members. A charter member will receive a special numbered certificate and recognition in the conservancy newsletter. NO ADDI TIONAL CHARTER MEMBERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER Charter, Life, and Benefactor members will be given recogmtlon on the WVCC Web Page during the year they SUbscribe. Except for the first $15, we believe the additional portion of membership fees of classes 3 through 6 are tax deductible. Stilte lip e mail ' NSS# - -'- Caving Affiliations_ _ Daytime phone _ Do you currently receive the 'I Caver? Yes No Please list your family members: I would like to pay niy membership by Check Visa MasterCard, Name as it appears on card: Card Number: Expiration Date: Donations: Since opportunity for the purchase of Maxwclton Cliff came about before the WVCC was able to obtain 501(c)(3) tax status, the Greenbrier Land Conservation Trust has graciously agreed to accept tax exempt donations to WVCC until we obtain tax exempt. status. Please send the donations and membership applications to:' WVCC, Inc. PO Box 243 Frankford, WV land OIners DefenSe Fund b 168 Miscellaneous _0 Income $1,380 $1,213. t)en S:.Ex.ecutiv.e Cpf)mittee. $40 $0 Publication/mailing VARYI Cave Management Conservation Projects Grants Organizational Dues Bank Servce Charges 0 0 landavvner Recognition MisCellaneous _0 Expenses $1,710 $1,293 Separate Account balances: Prevo. E& Add. Sal.. landavvner Recognition $265 $122 $ lavv Moor Project lando.ners Defense 1, Checking accoont balance $3,236 Certificates of Deposit 6,580 Total Assts $9,816 Virginia Speleological Survey: The State Report by Phil Lucas..... You may copy the following form for use as a membership application or you may subscribe on-line at the WVCC Web Site < WVCC Membership Form. Yes, I wish to join the West Virginia Cave Conservancy and help conserve West Virginia caves. Enclosed is my contribution. Regular Membership Family Membership Lifetime Membership Benefactor Membership Institutional Membership Charter Membership Name Address City VIRGINIA REGION of the NATIONAL SPELEOLOGiCAL SOCIETY 1997 Mid Year Budget Report by Ted Kayes 1 October April 1998 INCOE: Jail '97 Meeting $500 $519 Spri ng"9 8 Meeti ng Individual Dues Interest operating Patch Sales 20 (} land Oimer Recognition Virginia has a rich history of caving that dates back to the early years of the NSS and earlier. Knowledge about, Virginia caves representing tens of thousands of man-hours has accumujated over the dccades by V AR cavcrs. The primary mission of tile VSS is to gather, mainulin and safeguard. this data in an information database. The following report was submitted at the I 998 Spring VAR meeting in Pu laski County as an. overview of the latest number of caves and surveyed miles of cave passages in 26 Virginia counties. More stati tical information will be forthcoming. 390 miles of "s urveyed" passages in Virgin ia caves 1,386 cave maps and sketches page 7

8 Volume XI Number 3 The Region Recorti 954 caves that have been mapped 323 "significant" caves COUNT CAVES MILES AVG Allel!hanv AUl!usta Bath Bland 27 Botetourt Clarke 4 0 Crail! Frederick 19 1 Giles Hil!hland Lee Montl!omerv Pal'e Rockhrid c Rockilll!ham FEEE Pulaski Roanoke 5 81 Russell The Huntsville Grotto is hosting a 780 Pre-Convention Camp starting 246 Friday afternoon July 31. It is Scott Shenandoah 85 3 owners will host a low-cost brcak Smyth Tazewell Warren 70 3 Washin on Wise Wyhe j96 _ Caving before and after the NSS Convention by Scott Fee Pre Convention Camps 1371 limitcd to a limited number of Pre 490 Registered cavers who do not live in 726 the TAG region. There will be an NSS Offce Open House on Friday evening along with a led trip into a lantern lit Shelta Cave next to NSS Offce. On Saturday night. there will be a Chili supper followed by a 293 Band. On both Saturday and 308 Sunday mornings, the campground fast bar. Outdoor showers are available in the campground. The caving with include guided trips to both Horizontal and Vertical caves, including Fern & Kennemer, Average length for all caves: 594 feet and many more Madison county. There are 10 open air pits of at least 200 feet in depth within the city limits of Huntsville alone! You get all this for $12. Profits will go to advanced vertical caving.. For Pre Registration, Alan Cressler by July 1,1998. He will have alternate list if too many sign up. Registration will be collected on sit.e. Camp restricted to cavers who are experienced in advanced vertical techniques. This is not a training environment. Alan reserves the right to refuse entry into any cave. References may be required. Minimum age 13. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent The cost is $30 for the wet:k. No refunds for partial week. Only week long commitments will be considered. Proceeds to SCCI and Skyline Wildlife Management area. Contact Alan Cressler at cressler@usgs gov The VPI Cave Club is hosting a Pre NSS Convention Field Camp at the Bat Ranch in Newport. VA. Limited to 20 people, it will open Thursday, July 30, about the middle of the afternoon. There will be guided and self guided trips to caves in Giles County, which include Clover Hollow, Newberry-Banes, Starnes, Tawney's, Links, Stay High, and other caves which were opcn for the 1995 NSS Convention. Registration is $15, Children 12 and Fifth Annual OTR under, $7. This includes a ham Southeastern Cave Conservancy. Yard Sale Contact Roger Haley PO Box 822 by Grayson Harding ley@ingr.com (205) The FI FTH ANNUAL OTR YARD Alan Cressler is hosting a Pre SALE will be held Sunday, Aug. Convention Deep Cave Camp in 30 from 9:00 AM to I :00 PM in the North Alabama. July 25-July 31. p:lilion at the Old Timers Reunion There will be primitive camping in Dailey, West Virginia. Bring lots near Champion Springs, of STUFF (It need not be cave miles from Stevenson, AL on related). There is no charge and Skyline Wildlife Management area. what you take in, you keep. You Please note that the closest supplies might even consider participating as or phone is in Stevenson. Maxi a grotto fund-raiser. mum of 25 people. Questions may be addressed to Grayson Harding at 2321 Grove Ave., Falls Church. VA (703) or <cxhibitcentral@juno.com>. Pre-Convention Camps The area caves include Thunder Hole, Blunder Hole, Stoned Well,' IlIiad-Odyssey Cave, Elmos Canyon, Teddy Bear Well, Mandy's Pit, 67 Dollar Pit, Little Coon Never Hole, other horizontal caves. The main purpose of camp is to do page 8 burger/hot dog BBQ Saturday night. A 3-hour Geology Field trip Madison, AL at rdhafeaturing Geology of the Clover Hollow area will be led by Wil Orndorff on Saturday morning. The campground includes porta john, shower, potable water, hot tub, creek, bonfire, picnic tables, gas grill, anj eanol.illg. Contact Sandy Knapp (540) sandyk@vt.edu or Mike Newsome (540) caveman@swva.net (See the flyer in this issue of the Region Record}. Post Convention Camps The Pine Mountain Grotto is hosting a Post Convention Camp at the Wilderness Road Campground 111 Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the KentuckyNirginia border. The featured

9 Volume XI Number 3 caves include guided trips to Cudjos and some of the many others in the area. Starts noon Saturday after convention. There will be a small charge of $5 to cover beer keg. Contact Doug Hufziger (606) cavedoug@sun-spot.com The Southpol,t Chronic Cavers are hosting a Post Convention Field Camp starting at noon on August 8th at Southport Saltpeter Cave in Maury County, TN. Check with contact for directions. There will be led trips into Southport Saltpeter Cave and possibly other Maury and Lewis Co. caves. There will be very primitive camping with no utilities with room for about 20 tents. Bring food and drink with you. Shelter and firepits will be provided. Contacts are Rob Robbins h. (931) w. (931) cvmnrob@edge.net or Buddy Baldwin (931) The Bluegrass Grotto is hosting a Post Convention Field Camp at the Great Saltpetre Cave. Camping is $2 per person. The showers will be open, and depending on demand there will be some caving trips as well. This is open to anyone coming home from convention and offers a good stopover before heading home. Contact Pat Johnson Cavwitch@aol and 1997 Speleo Digests Now Available The NSS has had a burst of creative energy rccently and the 1996 and 1997 Speleo Digests are both available. The annual Speleo Digest contains virtually all the significant cave related articles and maps published in grotto newsletters during the year it covers. The 1996 Speleo Digest This 514-page compendium of American caving in 1996, containing over 300 articles by over 200 authors, is a font of wisdom for cavers everywhere. Have a huge ceiling to measure and distance triangulation is getting you The Party Machine can helpl down? Read all about this alternative way to measure ceiling heights in caves (and, in the same article, what to do when the Imodium you took doesn't work fast enough). The 1996 Speleo Digest contains descriptions and maps of 299 caves, most of them new discovcries, from across the country and around the world. Imagine the horror of exploring Millipede, Groundhog Carcass, Cockroach and Dead Goat Caves and empathize with the dashed hopes of the surveyors of Fixin'-to-Die Cave, Illusion Pit and Still-a-Short Cave (or, for a more pleasant read, speculate about the naming of Bat Love and Climax Caves). Perhaps the articles about Baby Head Voodoo Cave and Cave Of The Not So Very Distant Shoes will pique your imagination as well! Fear not, we didn't forget to include Lechuguilla, and all the cave art and cartoons you'd expect in sllch a tome, as well as entire chapters on archaeology, biology, conservation, caving equipment, geology, history, hydrology, safety, lighting, locating caves, photography, surveying and vertical caving. The 1997 Speleo Digest If you want to know the dangers of exploring cracks, and the challenges, check out the '97 Digest. From sump diving in the northeast to exploring places like Gator Hole, Alien Abduction Cave, Amnesia Cave, Cyclops Cave, Hellhole and Prison Den Cave, it's 548 pages of the best work from many of the NSS' finest grotto newsletters. Over 300 articles written by nearly 200 authors from across the United States are included in this Speleo Digest. With topics like aerial ridgewalking, caving for bones in Jamaica, or wondering what it's like caving with Stephen King, this book won't cure your addiction to cracks - it will only make it worse. The 1997 Speleo Digest even provides revealing social commentary: If you have friends who have toured the country and stayed at a caver's home every night, or who sift the good carbide from what others have left after changing carbide, you probably know a Tight-Asscd Caver. You know the ones - they dig the used tires out of sinkholes and take them home to put on their cars. From the earliest cave maps in the United States to the latest, for tips on terminology, for the lowdown on caving in other countries, for the best caving cartoons, for the latest theories on the genesis of formations, and for the best scoop on what is going on in the caving world today, get one before they're all gone. (There are a lot of addicts out there.) Both publications can be ordered from the NSS offce at a cost of $19.00 each, plus $4.50 shipping. Only 500 copies of each Digest were printed, so you may want to order soon. The NSS address is 28 I 3 Cave Avenue. Huntsville, Alabama, 35810, (256) 852- I 300, nss@caves.org. (The above material was extracted from information provided by Scoll Fee) Next Region Record Deadline The next Region Record will be mailed in late August and the deadline for submitting material is August 15. page 9

10 fall '8 September Friars Hole Cave Preserve Pocahontos County, West Virginia Hosted by the Baltimore and Sligo Grottos Registration includes: Primitive camping Guidebook Saturday supper Plenty of cave close by, gorgeous karst setting, party Saturday night--everything a caver could ask for. Register by August 3rt. All participants must be registered, including dogs and children. (follow OTR rules for dogs--includes having dogs leashed at all times) Adults $20, or $27 after August 31 st. Children six thru twelve $14. Children zero thru five free. Dogs $15, or $20 after August 31 st Make checks payable to the Baltimore Grotto. Send form and check to... Bob Gulden 1333 Chapel View Drive Odenton MD Friars Hole Cave Preserve (1,-- LeWiSbUrgN rall-98 VIR Number Make checks payable to the Baltimore Grotto. Send form and check to... Bob Gulden 1333 Chapel View Drive Odenton MD $20 by August 31 Number of after August 31 = $ of Children 6-12 Number of Children 0-5 Number of $15 by August $20 after August 31 = $ Total= $

11 ILl 1998 Pre-convention FI,ELD CAMP! July 30 thru August 2, 1998 Hosted by VPI Cave Club A : ;.. Located in scenic Giles County, Virginia (near Blacksburg) Campground: We have a porta potty, shower, water, creek, bonfire, picnic tables, and a gas grill. Caving: All levels of vertical and horizontal caving within one hour of the campground. Three, caves within walking distance! Self-guided and led trips available. Good Food: Join the cookout Saturday night. Hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. included in registration fee. Geology Field Trip: Learn the geology of the Clover Hollow area. 3.5 hours on Saturday morning. Led by Wil Orndorff. Other Stuff: Hiking (near A.T.); nature trail, tubing, hot tub, and squeeze box at the campsite. Questions? Contact Sandy Knapp at or at sandyk@vt,edu. Make checks payable to VPI Cave Club. Send with registration form to: VPI Cave Club, P.O. Box 558, Blacksburg, VA Please Register (Hurry, space is limited.) No. interested in Geology Field Trip: Name:,_ ,_._..._...._...._... _. Address:,.,. _... No. interested in led horizontal trips:.. Briefly describe the horizontal experience of this group. address: Phone number:, No. of adults: No. of kids under 12: x $15 = x $7 == No. interested in led vertical trips: Briefly describe the vertical experience of this group. (Fee includes food Saturday night.) Total enclosed: $

12 Nati onal Speleological Society Leavel ls Rd. Fredericksburg, VA Address Service requested. Non Profit Org U.S.' Postage PA ID Annapolis Jet, MD Permit #2530 Regional News If you want to continue receiving the Region Record, please read this... Individuals may receive the Region Record, the newsletter of the Virginia Region of the NSS, either by regularly attending Spring or Fall VAR (regional meetings) and paying registration fees; or through subscription. Subscriptions are $3.00 per year and may be prepaid for up to three years. Checks should be made payable to VAR and sent to the circulation manager. You do not have to be an NSS member to receive the Record. Complementary copies are sent to grottos in the Region and to other groups with which the Region exchanges newsletters. In addition, newcomers to the Region will receive one or two complementary copies. Please copy or send this entire page. The address label contains information we need to expedite processing. Thanks. _ I want to continue receiving the Region Record. Enclosed, to maintain my subscription, are dues in the amount of: (please circle one) $3.00 for one year $6.00 for two years $9.00 for three years Name Address City State ZIP (+4) NSS Number Grotto (or other caving organization that I claim as my primary caving affiliation) Please make checks payable to V AR and send to: Evelyn Bradshaw, Leavells Rd, Fredericksburg, VA