WARREN CAVE TRIP
Part 3

On Sunday, May 27th, while one workshop group was exploring Bat Cave, Woody, Matt and Andy, ( ¾ of Team Vinzant), led a trip into Warrens. Most of the group was made up of cave divers. In addition to the guides, there was Debbie, Dan, Dyson and Frank ( all from Dive-Rite). Mike, a caver from New York and Debbie (Dallas) Meeks from the FSS tagged along also. Really all we should have to say at this point is “Warrens Cave”. If you have been there, that’s all that you need to know. For those that haven’t, we will continue with our story.

Three of the group had never been on rope before, but the vertical sections of the cave went smoothly. Matt had previously rigged the rope on the first drop so we were ready to go. Several people were saying “What a good cave dive Warrens would be...” until Cashew Squeeze. “This is kind of tight” was heard more than once. We didn’t say anything about the “Second Squeeze”.

At the Infernal Triangle, we discussed all of our options. We decided to see as much of this cave as we could on the way to the Sand Room. Matt joked about “going until we reached our thirds. After we use up 1/3 of our energy, we’ll turn the trip. That way we have 1/3 for the trip out and 1/3 for an emergency,” spoken like a true cave diver. We dropped our packs and then Matt and Andy started leading to the upper passage where one can observe the “Hawthorn formation” limestone. Woody took a few enthusiastic cavers up the fissure in the ceiling of the right branch to meet the rest in the upper room. Everyone wound up sliding down that same fissure, which made a great photo opportunity.




We took the right branch and crossed the diggings. Then we crawled around in what we call, “The Bill Friedman slept here passage.” We then made our way back to the Infernal Triangle. We grabbed a quick drink and took the left branch to see “The Solution Pipe.” After returning to the triangle we took a good rest and water break. Every one was covered in sweat and our bodies were steaming.

After donning our packs, we were back on the main line. At the runway, Woody explained, this was the last chance to stand up, so enjoy it and run. Andy took off with Matt following. Woody took off behind them. The passage reached out to slow Woody down by snagging his leg. A nice new “cave bite”. That’s going to feel good in the shower tonight. After running down the “Runway tunnel” we waited for everyone to catch up. The TV boys were the only runners. (The other cave divers must have been conserving their air.)

Here is where we start to crawl. Dan had been here before, so he opted for a nap while the rest of us continued. At the second squeeze, Dyson said, “ Oh man! I don’t know.” He worked his way through just fine along with the rest of the group. We took a well deserved, sweaty, steamy, water break at “Fame and Glory.” Then we did the last push through the “Long Haul” to the “Sand Room.” We sat in total darkness while drinking and eating snacks. After a short rest, a few of us went and experienced “O’Neal’s Ordeal,” and the Crystal Crawl, another good photo opportunity. After returning to the group, we grabbed our packs, shook the sand from our pads and began the trip out. I think we were well past our first “third” (in our rule of thirds). After the Infernal Triangle, we noticed a few of the group were beginning to stumble a little and lag behind. At the top of the “Second Drop” Matt and Andy helped the group put harnesses on. Andy had suggested we rig a second rope to rappel the back drop instead of the usual climb down on belay. Woody rappelled down to belay the others. It was definitely faster and easier with a group this size to rappel with 8’s, rather than do a climb down on prusics. It proved to be a good call, especially with some of the group quite tired. With some encouragement (and knowing they were almost out of the cave) everyone finally made it back up the “First Drop”, and on to the exit. Fresh air, sunlight, cold drinks, life is good.

Our trip to ‘The Sand Room” was anything but the beginners trip and we covered a lot more than usual. We heard one cave diver comment, “This is a lot harder than cave diving!” He forgot to add the part, “especially if Team Vinzant” leads the trip.”