Looks like one team was left off from the previous report.
Jim, Yazmin, Tone, and Jason set out with the task of checking caves and
karst features in the prolific Lively Pasture. Their objective was to tag,
photodocument, and write detailed descriptions of everything they came
across. They successfully located and documented SAB 267 (Gas Pipe Cave),
SAB 225 (Slick Mudder Karst Feature), SAB 226 (Embryo Cave), SAB 224 (Cave
#6), SAB 721, SAB 386 (SABK005 karst feature), SAB 239 (Centennial Cave),
SAB 737 (Trash Sink), SAB 708 (Park-N-Dig), SAB 733a& SAB 733b
(Marchmallow Cave), SAB 812, SAB 203 (Space Heater Cave), SAB 257 (Earth
Day Delight Cave), SAB 179 (Sore Toe Cave), and SAB 178 (Varmint Trap Cave).
Full Report:
Team 7: Jim, Yazmin, Tone, Jason
Reporter: Jim Kennedy
Total hours: 26
Objectives: Check caves and karst features in Lively Pasture for
completeness, i.e. tags, photos, coordinates, descriptions, and future dig
potential. Record additional biology.
*SITES VISITED:*
GAS PIPE CAVE (SAB0267) [karst feature] - The entrance is in a small
sinkhole, about 1.1 meters long and 0.5m wide. A small tree with the cave�s
namesake gas supply pipe is nearby. The entrance drops through soil to a
bedrock crevice of the same length and only 0.33m wide. From the bedrock
interface it drops another 1.5m to the sediment of the cave floor. Downdip
the cave continues at least 2.6m more as a tight crawl over soil fill
before becoming impassable with little hope of continuation. Reduvidiid
bugs, harvestmen, cave crickets, and fresh porcupine scat were noted on 12
Oct 2013. Previously mapped in 2008.
SLICK MUDDER KARST FEATURE (SAB0225) - This is a 4-meter-long elliptical
sinkhole formed along a prominent bedrock joint. It is 1.5m at the widest
point, sloping down through the soil cover to the bedrock crevice, which is
no more than 0.3m wide. The crevice is largely soil-filled, with a few
small drain points no more than 1m below the surface, but indicating some
potential for passage below. No critters were noted.
EMBRYO CAVE (SAB0226) [karst feature] - The entrance to this small cave is
a tiny sinkhole only 1.5m from an internal fenceline. The opening has
maximum dimensions of 0.8m x 0.4m. It is easily free-climbable through
multiple chert layers to a depth of 2.4m. There is a low crawl at the
bottom that heads northward at least 2m more, but it is only 0.2m wide. It
has a dirt floor and is diggable but does not look promising. One raccoon
was noted as well as harvestmen and cave crickets, an unidentified spider,
and porcupine quills. Mapped in 2008.
CAVE #6 (SAB224) - At the surface, this cave is a 10.3m-long crevice with
various openings in a cedar elm copse surrounded by dense, nasty brush. The
center hole leads to the majority of the passage. It drops 5m as a free-
climbable fissure, then heads southeast 2.6m before becoming too tight. The
drain continues with a dirt floor and may possibly be dug; and a larger
passage can be seen through the restriction. Uphill, to the northwest, the
cave goes up a 1m climb and continues at least 2.6m. A small surface hole
to the northwest connects to this passage but is too tight for humans. See
profile and cross section sketches. A mouse (*Peromyscus *sp.), cave
crickets, harvestmen, a large black beetle, a large toad, an unidentified
caterpillar, and 3cm scat (possibly from a ringtail, *Bassariscus astutus*)
were noted in the cave. Surveyed in 2011, no map yet drafted
SAB0721 karst feature [no other name] - This is a shallow L-shaped fissure
with one leg about 3m long and the other 5m. Maximum width of the short
side is 0.5m and depth is 0.45m. Maximum width of the long side is 0.8m and
depth is 2.2m. The fissure is largely dirt-floored with some rocks,
although dig potential seems minimal. An unidentified garter snake and
harvestmen were seen in the fissure on 12 Oct 2013. This feature was
previously untagged, so tag SAB 0721 was placed on a tree nearby.
SABK005 karst feature (SAB0386 - This is another shallow, dirt-filled
fissure with minimal dig potential. It is marked by old car parts and other
metal ranch trash. It is somewhat L-shaped, with the short side totally
plugged and the long side approximately 2.7m long and 0.7m wide, with a
maximum depth of 2.4m. No critters or critter sign was noted. We placed a
tag on a nearby tree.
CENTENNIAL CAVE (SAB0239) - Nice open air pit requiring rope to descend.
Entrance is teardrop shaped, 4.4m long and 1.1m wide at the wide end. It is
at least 12m deep. A large oak at the edge of the pit makes a good rig
point. Survey in progress by Lee Jay Graves and Karen Masters.
TRASH SINK (SAB0737) - This feature is a large-diameter (7�8m) shallow
sinkhole with ranch trash, including veterinary waste. There are no obvious
places to dig despite numerous animal burrows in the sink. This would make
a good backhoe dig due to its size and accessibility to the Park road. It
was tagged on a nearby tree.
PARK-N-DIG karst feature (SAB0708) - This dig was started and later
abandoned by Scott Serur, after noticing a small drain hole in a creek bed.
The excavated cavity is barely body-sized and appears to be a small drain
in heavily mantled epikarst and so is not a high potential karst feature.
The excavation is 0.5m across, 1m long, and 1.5m deep. Critters noted
included ants, a large black beetle with many small white mites, and
harvestmen. A tag was placed nearby.
MARSHMALLOW CAVE (SAB0733a � Discovery Entrance; SAB0733b � Back Door
Entrance) - (Discovery Entrance) This cave was discovered by Jim Kennedy
and opened by Matt Turner and him. Bad air is present in the lower levels,
so a second entrance was dug open by Turner and others from a survey
location with the hopes to ventilate the cave better. After several years,
the air in the lower levels is still some of the worst in the Park. A
survey is in progress by Turner and others. Tags were placed at both
entrances on 12 Oct 2013. The discovery entrance was also entered. A common
garden spider (*Argiope aurantia*) was seen there, along with a mouse (*
Peromyscus *sp.), cave crickets, harvestmen, a Texas rat snake (*Elaphe
obsoleta*), and fresh raccoon droppings inside the cave. The team exited
through the Back Door Entrance.
SAB0812 [no other name] - This is a small swallet in a creek bed with no
real potential for going cave. Tagged on 12 Oct 2013 on a nearby tree.
SPACE HEATER CAVE (SAB0203) - This cave has an obvious entrance at least
5m deep, which requires rope to descend. Another nearby entrance connects
but is too small for humans. Much ranch trash was removed from this cave in
the 1980s, and some remnants, including a small furnace (the namesake
�space heater�) remain nearby. This cave was previously mapped and tagged.
A raccoon (*Procyon lotor*) and skunk were seen near the small entrance.
Map produced in 2007 from 1996 survey.
EARTH DAY DELIGHT CAVE (SAB0257) - This small cave has also been previously
tagged and mapped. It is for very thin persons only. Surveyed in 1996 and
again in 2007, but no map yet produced.
SORE TOE CAVE (SAB0179) - The entrance is in a large, bowl-shaped, bedrock
depression. A shelter leads to a pit which appears to be climbable. A skunk
was seen climbing out of the entrance shelter. Previously tagged. Surveyed
in 197 but no final map has been produced yet.
VARMINT TRAP CAVE (SAB0178) - The entrance is approximately 0.5m in
diameter, and it is climbable to a depth of about three meters, then
offsets down a second climbable drop before getting too tight. Through that
restriction is a third drop which may be reachable from another surface
opening that was dug on 12 October 2013 but needs more rock removal. The
cave has been surveyed in 1988, 1995, and again 1996, but a final map has
yet to be produced.
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 9:14 PM, Kris Pena<kapkanga...@gmail.com> wrote:
Project Date: October 11-13, 2013
VOLUNTEERS: Lori Karker, William Quast, Anthony Garot, Yazmin Avila, Jim
Kennedy, Gerry Geletzke, Vivian Loftin, Lydia Hernandez, Aubri Jenson,
Nicole Goodman, Justin Shaw, Galen Falgout, Ellie Watson, Davey Siddors,
Heather Tucek, David Moore, Diana Tomchick, Jason Cook, Jessica Smith,
Kasey Irons, Jessica Aguilar, Neil Buckman
HOURS: 102 hours drive + 121 volunteer hours
SUMMARY:
Jessica, Neil and Gerry surveyed SAB 314 (Spider Web Cave) and reported
that a VERY small, experienced caver should return and attempt to push the
lead. They also visited SAB 272 (Hard Wedge Cave), SAB 797 (LIVC01 Karst
Feature) which could use some additional digging, and SAB 798. They were
unable to locate SAB 350.
Lydia, David, and Kasey�s team and Jessica, Vivian, and Nicole�s team
crossed the river in search of unknown features. Together they found
several promising features that could use some digging and two caves were
tentatively named (Rack Cave) and (Minor Mishap Cave).
Justin, Galen, Ellie and Diana set out to continue the dig on SAB 199
(Don�t Fit Pit) and SAB 718 (Two Burnt Ropes Cave). They were unable to
locate (Don�t Fit Pit). They did find and begin digging on (Two Burnt Ropes
Cave), only to find that the cave continues as a tiny crack that would
require endless digging.
Will, Laura, Aubri, and Lori completed a survey of SAB 599 (Cody�s Well)
and explored SAB 769 (Deep Dream Cave). A subsequent trip is required to
complete that survey.
Heather and David explored an area labeled �new karst area� and confirmed
that it requires a larger karst walking team. They successfully located SAB
338 and tentatively named it (Fred�s Cave), but they were unable to survey
it as it requires additional digging. They were also able to locate and
describe (French Press Karst Feature) and to survey SAB 245 (Slumps Below
Cave).
Caver Camp was full of gnats, making sitting and eating difficult.
Saturday night had thunderstorms on the way. The combination of these
factors led some to leave Saturday night while others embraced them and had
a great night watching the lightning roll in.
FULL TRIP REPORTS:
Team 1:
Jessica, Neil, Gerry
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. total hours: 18
Data: Pouch #4
Objectives: to survey caves and describe karst features. (SAB 314, SAB272,
SAB273, SAB797, SAB798, SAB350)
Report: SAB 314 (Spiderweb Cave): survey (see pack number 4). A more
experienced and very small experienced caver should retry. If you head
toward the fence in the cave you have to travel on your side on the ground.
A helmet barely fits through. Ahead you can see a tiny room with a column
and stalactite formations. Beyond that, another tight crawl space exists.
This one is horizontally formed. It looks to be 10 feet long and beyond
that is unknown.
SAB 272 (Hard Wedge Cave): the tight fissure entrance dropped about 12
feet to the first ledge. The entire drop is about 20 feet. This cave is
extremely narrow. Could not see beyond.
SAB 797 (LIVC01 karst feature): the entrance was covered in overgrown
shrubbery. Could not get around it or see inside.
SAB 273 (coon scat cave): description given from 7/8/95 is correct except
the entrance dropped about 10 feet down.
SAB 798 (karst feature): 4 feet deep and very narrow. No way to fit beyond.
SAB 350 (SABK001): could not locate.
Next tasks: send screening, experienced cavers to investigate the type
passage of spiderweb cave.
Team 2:
Lydia, David, Kasey
Time 10:00 - 18:00. Total hours 24.
Data: GPS Garman Ellie Watson
Objectives: Ridge walk across the east side of the river and look for
karst.
Report: we ran across the river after walking down the trail to Gorman
from the conference center. We hiked along the East Park boundary fence and
fanned out looking for karst. We finally found something at the end of the
hike 3.6 km from our start point (048). Karst feature was blowing air,
needs modification (HEB). Then we swam in the river we cross and helped a
scout leader back to her camp and went on a trip to Spicewood Springs. Then
back to camp for food and fun.
Team 3:
Jessica, Vivian, Nicole
Time 10:00 a.m. � 5:00 p.m. Total hours 21.
Data: GPS number #1
Objectives: search for new caves.
Report: This was my first time out. We crossed the river followed the
fence boundary until the turn and split into two groups. We came across one
hole that looked promising then found a cave that we named "rack cave". I
had found a deer antler, so we wanted to name it something along those
lines. We were able to climb in and saw a couple of passage ways. But they
were too tight to continue too far.
We found another promising sinkhole near here. Continued walking the rim,
then decided to meet our other group. Then we ran out of water, so decided
to head back. I got a little lost! Then we came across another large cave
Vivian called this porcupine Cave because she thought one lived in it. We
were getting tired at this point so continued back, removed our clothing
and took a nice dip in the river. This made us feel so much better! After
this, or other group came back and we check out the springs on the other
side of the park. I learned a lot of new things on this trip, which was my
objective. So overall a good trip.
Next project: possibly dig the potential caves we found today. Learn how
to survey.
Addendum: As there are several Porcupine Caves in the park, Vivian would
like to instead name the cave Minor Mishap Cave.
Team 4:
Justin, Galen, Ellie, Diana
Time 10:00 � 15:30. Total hours 22.
Data: Justin has fieldnotes.
Objectives: Enlarge constriction at end of Don't Fit Pit and explore and
survey. Enlarge entrance of Two Burnt Ropes Cave and explore and survey.
Report: We departed caver camp at 10:00 and headed out to find SAB 199
(don't fit pit) with the goal of enlarging a constriction that is the
current and of the cave. Unfortunately we didn't have the SAB number, and
our GPS only had the numbers, no names, so we were hoping to find it by
memory. Gorman Creek Crevice was along the way, so we popped into the
entrance for about 15 minutes. Oxygen level was measured at 20.9% at 10:30
� 10:45 AM. Searching through lively pasture we thought SAB 198 might be
it, and Galen went in to discover it was not. Around 11:30 we found
ourselves at Radish Run Rift and observed that the shrubbery we had cut out
of the entrance has regrown and is obstructing the entrance. More caves
were found and checked SAB 197, SAB 724 were not what we were looking for.
Just after noon we decided to go find Crash and see if his GPS had cave
names and numbers. We couldn't find Don�t Fit Pit in his GPS but did find
Two Burnt Ropes Cave SAB 718. At 13:00 we arrived at SAB 718, a fissure
that you could see down into and appeared to have passage going off in one
direction. We dug the fissure until I could squeeze in to see that the
crack was tiny forever and would require endless digging to further
penetrate.
Team 5:
Will, Laura, Aubri, Lori
Time: 10:30 � 4:15. Total hours 24.
Data: Aubri's field book
Objectives: to resurvey SAB 599 (Cody's Well) and SAB 769 (Dream Deep
Cave) as well as collect data on whoop ASS cave.
SAB 599 � We hiked for 30 minutes and we had some difficulty finding
Cody's well with the current GPS coordinates but we found it eventually.
The initial description of the karst feature was a 10 foot drop and we
dropped more than 40 feet (no vertical needed). We found a small passage at
the and and it leads to be tighter passage and unable to make it further.
We completed the survey with 10 points and unable to go further than that.
At the other end, we found a drop point where the initial report had
described and used it to climb out.
SAB 769 (dream deep cave). We found it without issue, dropped down with
vertical (vertical is a must) for approximately 60 feet. We noted there are
two more exit points at the top to check out. We found an ancient beer can
from 1976 (Schultz) inside the cave after we slid down between two walls.
Our time ran out and we were not able to survey Dream Deep so that remains
an objective for the next trip. Other objectives remain to be completed. P.
S. On the way back to the car I think will was trying to be lost on purpose
as we hiked back for what seemed to be ages.
Next project: complete the survey for SAB 769, collect data on Whoop ASS
Cave.
Addendum: SAB 769 is actually named (Deep Dream Cave).
Team 6:
Heather, David
Time 10 AM � 4 PM. Total hours 12.
Data: loose leaf
Objectives: check out "New Karst Area". Get data on SAB 338, resurvey SAB
245, write description for "French Press Karst Feature", locate Lone Bat 1
& 2 Caves.
Report: We started out looking for a new karst area, that we had GPS
coordinates for, but nothing else. We located a current feature but nothing
else. The area could use a full day with lots of people karst walking. We
attempted to locate SAB 807 on the way back to the car, but was not where
it was supposed to be. We then went to Lemon's Ranch area, and found SAB
338. We had no data other than the GPS coordinates. We named it "Persimmon
Cave", since there were three old Texas persimmon trees right at the
entrance. We wrote a description for it and took preliminary measurements,
but it will still need to be dug out before it can be surveyed. We located
and wrote a description for "French press karst feature". We located and
surveyed SAB 245, or "Slumps Below". It was a 3' x 1' pit, full of
crickets. There is a voice connection to another pit but it is too small to
fit. We could not locate either �Lone bat caves�.
Next project: Full karst walk of "new karst area", dig and stabilize
persimmon cave for serving. Find lone bat one and two.
Addendum: �Persimmon Cave� will tentatively be named �Fred�s Cave� as
the
use of persimmon may be confusing with existing caves.
