December and January Government Canyon Karst Project trip reports: December 7, 2013
Participants: Christin Miller, Marvin Miller, Angela Young, John Young We headed up the trail on this cold morning, happy that the objective was to survey and explore the warm interior spaces of Big Dome Cave. We first finished the survey of the entrance area, even venturing back outside to survey the 2nd entrance. Angela was able to push just a little farther in the entrance room than I and Rick Corbell had been able to on the previous trip, but not even far enough to bother setting another station. The eastern borders of the entrance room just get too low to follow. We then headed on into the cave and started surveying at station 10 to the downward lead at the north end of that room. From previous descriptions by people who had checked the lead, I expected it to get small quickly but was pleasantly surprised to find some interesting passage and more leads. We surveyed 21.81 meters in this area and a total of 34.57 for the day. The cave survey length now stands at 247.9 meters. One more thing we did that day was take a look at Big Dome with the goal of planning a climb to check out the obvious leads at the ends of the ceiling channels in the roof of the dome. John and Angela, being rock climbers, were excited by the prospect and we identified several routes that would require a combination of crack protection and bolt placements. I had a collection bottle with me and, when Christin spotted one, I nabbed a resident Rhadine beetle. 4 January, 2014 Participants: Niki Lake, Marvin Miller, Jonathan Villastrigo, Angela Young, John Young John and Angela and I brought out all our gear and spread it out on a tarp in the parking lot and picked out what we needed to do the climb in Big Dome Cave. Niki and Jonathan Villastrigo also joined the team. Jonathan was a first time caver. After doling out cams and slings, hammers and rope for the trek to the cave, we loaded everything into my 4Runner and drove up the Joe Johnson Rd. to our parking area at the Little Windmill Trail junction. We were in the cave and setting up by 11:30. John, Angela, and I tag-teamed on the climb. John started and then I made it to the top on the north end, finding no leads. John traversed from the north end of the dome to the south end and set a bolt just below the narrow channel on that side. Angela then climbed up and, using an etrier to boost herself up into the channel, managed to clamber up to a safe stance where she could look around. Unfortunately, the channel on that side also did not lead into any passage. We got some good pics of all the climbers and some good long-exposure shots of the dome with Angela up there lighting up the ceiling channels. While we were climbing Jonathan and Niki poked around in the holes and hollows of the Breakaway Room and the Ramblin' Roland Passage leading to Big Dome. The next project day is February 1. We will meet at the Volunteer/Research Station at 9:00. Take the first right after entering the park. Go through the gate and 1 mile further to the parking lot at the VRS. If you want to camp, contact me. Marvin Miller (210) 415-5190
