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TAG Fall Cave In 2005 - TAG Time Mike Gordon The drive to TAG seems to be tougher then it really should be. Eight hours of dodging and swerving around other commuters while you’re preoccupied with thoughts of borehole passage and deep pits can be challenging. This time there was a new element to face while on the last leg of the journey - fog, thicker then pea soup as they say. With all the twists and turns on mountain roads and visibility at maybe 15 feet, it made the arrival at the site a giant relief. After checking in then negotiating through the mud avoiding groups of celebrating cavers stumbling along the rutted road, we decided to find our group on foot. Dan and Annette met us around vendor’s row. They gave Kitty and I the low down on where everyone was camped and what areas were the least muddy and wet. It was late, around midnight, so we decided to camp in an out of the way (kind of restricted for vendors area) for the night. The next morning after seeing the condition of the campsite, I'm glad we camped where we did. After a quick breakfast, we were ready to hook up with our friends and do some caving. A plan was hatched and nine of us took of to do “Horseskull”, “Jacks hole” and “High Hole”. It was a fun group and although we had a problem with one of our ropes, the day was spent hiking caving and laughing. Heading back to camp to see the lighting of the bonfire was a must. A group of us stood watching the mini twisters the huge bonfire created spinning some 50 feet from the fire. It was a good relaxing night enjoyed with our friends. The next morning we were off with Bill Foote and Laura to go see “Rusty's cave”. We took our time hiking the mountain trail and arrived at the site a little behind schedule. We rigged, dropped and enjoyed the cave as long as time would allow. Our plans were to leave that site and make it to “Sauta Cave” to see the bat exodus before dark. Dan and Annette were going to be in that part of Alabama so they said they would meet us there. Sure enough when we pulled in there they were, so the six of us headed to the gated entrance to watch the show. Just in time, the bats had just started exiting. As we sat and observed up close to the entrance we spotted some other cavers heading our way. Bill Walker, Dave and Pat also wanted to see so they joined our private showing. Before long two more people came through the darkness. Adam and Corey made it just in time. We all sat watching while getting pooped on occasionally. It was a great way to wind down before the drive back home in the morning. There wasn't as much caving this year at TAG for us. But the company and friendship we enjoyed made up for it. I'm hoping for good weather next year and an earlier start for us with borehole passage and deep pits. |