Fall VAR 2006

Cave Trips

Updated: 09/08/2006 10:40:31 AM

Trips

Below are trips scheduled for VAR weekend.  Please check back often for new trips and status of listed trips.

All trips subject to change.

   1)   James Cave: Trip leader Sandy Ramsey, limit 12 people.  Status: FULL

   2)   Clover Hollow (Vertical): Trip leaders Ray Sira and Judy Wasilewski, limit 8 people.  Status: OPEN

   3)   Pighole (Vertical): Trip leader Chris Garguilo, limit 8 people.  Status: OPEN

   4)   Alva Blankenship Cave (ABC) (Vertical): Trip leaders Philip Balister and Philip Schuchardt, limit ?? people. Status: OPEN

   5)   Kessle Dig in WV: Trip leaders Brian Perkins and Chris Printz, limit 6 people.  Status: OPEN

   6)   New Castle Murder Hole (Vertical): Trip leader Geoff Lewis, limit 6 people. Status: OPEN

   7)   Beacon Cave: Trip leader Rob Story.  Status: OPEN

   8)   Stay High Cave (Vertical): Trip leader Wil Orndorff, limit 6 people. Status: OPEN

Signing Up

Please email Carrie Blankenship to signup for trips.  Only pre-registered attendees can signup for trips early.  Sign-up sheets for trips will be available at VAR.

Cave Descriptions

1) James Cave:  To view some of the most beautiful formations in southwest VA and encounter every horizontal caving technique known, go to James Cave. No vertical gear is necessary, although there are a couple of spots where a hand line would be found useful to many cavers. Throughout the cave you'll experience crawling, stoop-walking, walking, some climbing, chimneying, canyon-hopping, bouldering and just good old fun muddy caving. Notable sites include the Mineral Room, the Volcano Room, and a large almost with totem pole stalagmite named By God. The Formation Room, a 200 foot long chamber containing the Dagger, and beautiful rimstone pools, make the cave a sightseers' dream.  Travel time to the cave is about 30 minutes.

2) Clover Hollow: Although known for many years, Clover Hollow Cave remains one of the showpiece vertical caves of the area.  VPI Cave Club and many other grottos have been enjoying Clover Hollow Cave since the early 1940's.  The cave is a must-see for vertically competent visitors to the area. This is an advanced level trip with vertical experience and equipment required.   Trip will last 6-8 hours and involve about 230 feet of vertical work over 4 drops, the longest at 90 feet.  Parking is within 100 yards of cave entrance.  Travel time from VAR site is about 45 minutes.

3) Pighole: Requirements: vertical, advanced. Until recently, Pig Hole Cave was closed to all cave exploration due to past accidents. The owner has recently agreed to reopen the cave to very competent vertical cavers led by members of the local grottos, but the relationship with the owner is still considered sensitive. Any complications or disregard for the landowner's wishes may close this cave again indefinitely. Please take care. No novices.  A through trip consisting of rappelling the vertical entrance, visiting the Queen's Bath, then exiting through the culvert should take 2-3 hours of leisurely caving. An ambitious vertical trip may take up to seven hours.  Travel time to cave is about 30 minutes.

4)  Alva Blankenship Cave (ABC):   Found/opened summer of 2004 in Giles County.  Travel time from VAR site is about 20 minutes.  Parking is within 100 feet of the entrance.  The current length is 2.8 miles.  The entrance passages are "not large."  Trip will be moderately strenuous.  Vertical experience and equipment is required.  There are three pits near the entrance; 25 feet, 40 feet and 35 feet.  A cows tail is required for protection at exposed rig points.  Travel in the cave will include visiting large rooms and stream passage.  Trip will last around 8 hours, or longer if group is having fun.  Trip will very likely miss dinner.  Surveying virgin cave may be an option.

5) Kessle Dig in WV:  Don't miss your chance to get in on the ground level of this exciting dig.  The cave is approximately 60' long with good airflow. Participating diggers will enjoy: filling polyethylene sandbags with dirt; levitating them out of the cave; and removing excess rock.    One way travel time to the cave is approximately 45 minutes.  The duration of the digging will most likely not exceed 6 hours.

6) New Castle  Murder Hole:  Located a little more than an hour from the VAR site in scenic Craig County.  The 1.5 mile cave has a lot of vertical work with lots of exposure.  While not a particularly decorated cave, its is a climber's delight.  The landowner requests that only vertically experienced people visit; this is not a cave for beginners. 

7) Beacon Cave:  Beacon Cave is located in East River Mountain in Bluefield WV. The cave trip will be all horizontal, with some simple climbing skills required. A lengthy entrance series leads to a large stream, which can be followed to a deep, slow-moving whirlpool at the sump. This cave trip can be for both beginners and advanced cavers alike, and will probably last between 3 and 5 hours.

8) Stay High Cave: Discovered in 1988 by VPI members, the cave is now a Natural Area Preserve owned by the Virginia Department and Recreation (DCR) and managed by the Natural Heritage Division of DCR.  The trip will last about 3 to 4 hours and will require vertical experience and equipment.  The entrance limits may limit larger cavers from entering, but all who make it through the entrance should expect to get wet on the trip.  Travel time from the VAR site is about 45 minutes.