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7-16-06 Turkey Vulture Cave
A few weeks ago, Tom Feeney discovered a new cave out in the Archer karst. He had to hack his way to the entrance and then pull out logs and brush just to get to the entrance. There was a small pool of clear water at the bottom, similar to many of the caves in that area. Most of these caves have some water but little underwater passage to speak of, with the notable exception of one very large underwater room in an undisclosed location. Tom thought we should go out there and check it out to see if the underwater part went and could push the extent of the cave as well.By Brian Williams Photos By Tom Feeney Saturday, Bill Walker, Buford Pruitt, Tom Feeney and Brian Williams decided we didn’t have anything more stupid to do on a hot and humid day in Florida and so we said, "Sure, let’s go plow through some briars in the middle of an overgrown clear-cut and look at a new cave." Oh, yea, did I mention the vultures? Stinky, loud hissing feathered nasties lurking in one recess of the upper level of the cave. Fortunately we were able to drive fairly close to the cave as all the land is currently for sale. It’s a good thing we could drive close as it was 102 degrees according to the thermometer. You haven’t lived till you put on a wetsuit in 102 degree heat after getting covered in sweat and standing in the middle of a humid over grown clear-cut, fabulous! We were able to get by the little stinky friends, who were getting their flight feathers and soon would scurry forth from their underground putrid palace to begin their career in the world of rotten carcass management.  Clearing the entrance during the initial discovery  A vulture in that awkward phase of development - not quite a cute baby and not quite a gruesome adult  Tom Feeney in the water passage  Brian Williams gearing up in the hot Florida sun The pool was the largest on one side but unfortunately this was not the side that went. There was another small hole that looked like it might go. After sticking my head underwater for a quick look, I could tell this side needed further exploration. The hole was tight and heading down at an angle. After squeezing into position, the tanks were passed over and I managed to get geared up with some difficulty and much stirring about in the mud. Dropping down into the body-sized tube I had to wiggle my tanks about to get through, popping into a wider spot I could turn around in. Continuing down the tube narrowed again and at about 25 ft. began to curve somewhat and trend horizontal. I never hit the bottom and the passage is still going but it was tight. No vis due to all the clay and silt. Feeling my way down feet first I could tell the body sized tube was kind of loose with breakdown, I was even able to stick some silt screws in the side of the passage, which means that the breakdown was being held together with clay, yikes! I didn't go any further this time. We need to go back later now that I have a line established and know how to get in there quick and try to beat the silt down so I can check out the passage and make sure it's stable before going further. There's always the possibility of a big room down there somewhere, but it’s not worth pushing until we can be sure that no chunk of breakdown is going to "cork" the hole while someone is in it. After getting out I realized that I had all my orifices exposed in water right below that nasty vulture nest. Hopefully I didn’t pick up any mean micro organisms...time will tell. I guess what doesn’t kill ya' makes you stronger!  Bill Walker and Brian Williams  Brain diving in the zero vis water  Bill Walker and Buford Pruitt. Here's Bill thinking to himself, "this is the most absurd thing I've ever seen." |