BLUE RIDGE GROTTO
Meeting Minutes - November
20, 2020
Order of Business
7:00p
BRG Meeting begins (via ZOOM)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81267609234?pwd=ME9PZlZBb1lma1FZZDJ1NVRhNjZiQT09
Meeting ID: 812 6760 9234, Passcode: 517985
Introductions & Trip Reports:
Attendance:
Susan Burr
– President |
Meredith
Weberg |
Marian
McConnell – Secty |
Lynn Ott |
Lauren
Appel |
Jeff
Huffman |
John Fox |
Dave Socky
- Vice |
MarySue Socky |
Trish
Geiger - Treasurer |
Bob Gulden
& Orion Gulden |
|
Sharron
Vass |
Gene
Harrison |
|
10/17 - Porter’s Cave, VA. Susan Burr, Dustin
Womack (Susan son-in-law), Braven Womack (Susan's 7
yr. old grandson), Doug Feller, Jeff Huffman, Nick Schmalenberger, Brandon
Phibbs, Kandyce Phibbs (Brandon's 13 yr. old
daughter), Kevin Johnson, Carrie Doupnik. The entire group went in together &
headed back to the room just before the “Keyhole.” After taking a break, Doug
took half of the group through the keyhole & did the loop back there. I
took Dustin, Braven, Kevin & Carrie to what I
call the “Big Room.” In this room I took Dustin & Braven
around to explore different sections, while Kevin & Carrie relaxed a bit.
Once Doug's group was done they met up with us in the ”Big
Room.” I had Jeff take some pics of Dustin, Braven
& me up on the “Natural Bridge” in there. Braven
did tell me while I was trying to get him on the bridge that it was terrifying!
I laughed because that was my exact thought the first time I went out on it. Basically
Braven had no issues with doing anything in there
other than the bridge. After everyone had a chance to explore a bit in the “Big
Room” we moved on to the formation room & then headed over to the slit. On
the way out from the slit I sent Jeff, Dustin, Braven,
Brandon, Kandyce & Nick through what I call the
newbie torture passage. Everyone successfully made it through! Then we
proceeded to head out via the waterfall exit. I cannot report on the other
groups trip past the “Keyhole”
Dave Socky trips:
10/19: Warm River, VA. Participants included
David Socky, Bob Alderson, Yvonne Droms, Mark Minton. Mark and Bob bolted while
Vonnie belayed. Bob and I surveyed while Mark bolted.
This was in the Air Acclivity Dig. It was an 8.5-hour trip with 157 feet
surveyed. The bolt climb didn’t go ☹.
10/24: McClungs Cave, WV. Team 1 was David
Socky, Bob Alderson, and Wayne Perkins. Team 2 was Nick Socky, Chris Coates,
Eric Steinberg. Team 3 was Jake Cramer and Tommy Cleckner. Team 4 was Nikki
Fox, Alex Faunce, and David Smallwood. We surveyed a total of 3660 feet between
the 4 teams. We surveyed and finished most of Big Muddy/Little Muddy. There are
a few small leads left - mostly digs.
10/29: Butler Cave, VA. Participants included
David Socky, Mark Hodge, Amos Mincin, and Keith Sweeny. We moved 47 bucket
loads from dig face. It was a rainy drive up and when we went in, but it was
partly cloudy when coming out. Fun, short trip of 4.6 hours.
11/3: Lowmoor Cave, VA. Participants included
David Socky, Bob Alderson, and Bill Koerschner. We surveyed an isolated mine
section plus three small nearby caves. We named the caves "Election Day Cave #1,
#2, and #3". We then surveyed a lead in Lowmoor that was off the mine. The
lead was accessed by putting in nails to get across a pit. The lead only went
an extra 40 feet or so before it ended decisively in a narrow slot that was
only 4 inches wide. It was a great 8-hour day with a total survey of 684 feet.
11/7: Maxwelton Cave, WV. Participants
included David Socky, Nikki Fox, and Carl Amundson on Team 1. Nick Socky, Eric
Pelkey, and Irina Tăbărană on Team 2. This was a camp trip where
we went in Friday evening and came out Sunday afternoon. It was a 12 to 14 hour
day on Saturday with a lot accomplished. Our team did clean up around the
Giants Playground in upstream Sweetwater. But the other team had a lot more
exciting trip. The Crawl Master went from a 500 foot long crawl to a 900 foot
long crawl, but it broke out into large trunk passage, well above Sweetwater.
They found three large passages with good air. They only scooped 400 feet or so
to make sure the passages went. Team two surveyed over 1420 feet. Our team got
680 feet for a total of 2100 feet of survey.
11/14: McClungs Cave, WV. Participants
included David Socky and Bill Koerschner. Surveyed the Liberty Bell Ave. Got a
lot surveyed. Took a bunch of photos because of nice formations in area. Surveyed 984 feet on a good 13-hour
trip.
11/15: Blowing Hole Cave, VA. Participants
included David Socky, Bob Alderson, Nick Schmalenberger (and Marian McConnell).
This was an entrance near Percolator Pit on Dan and Marian McConnell's
property. The small crack going down always blows lots of air. We dug it out a
bit since a lot of dirt and debris had fallen in. Bob drilled holes for two
sets of straws. One of 3 and the other of 2. His drill broke on the last hole.
But we took off enough rock to enter the cave. After squeezing into the crack,
the cave was the top of a long narrow canyon. There was one spot to climb down
further, but then the canyon, going down, got narrower as you go down. you
could see where dirt and rocks had fallen through. It will take further digging
to continue.
11/18: Porters Cave, VA. Participants included
David Socky, Susan Burr, Doug Feller, and Mark Hodge. Susan drove Doug and I to
Porters where we met Mark Hodge at 2pm. We inspected the gate and determined
that the best course of action was to install an extender. We took
measurements. Doug and Mark also inspected the drain tubes from the bottom.
They are clogged and probably won't be used.
11/19: Windy Mouth, WV. Participants included
David and Nick Socky. Surveyed in the G and D survey areas - lower levels just
beyond the Half Mile Crawl. I actually fit through the 'tight spot' to get to
the last 3 leads we surveyed. We surveyed a bunch of leads with 422 feet on an
8 hour trip.
10/31:
Jeff Huffman – New River Cave, WV – Attendees were Jeff Huffman, Susan
Burr, Lauren Appel, Nick Schmalenberger, Brandon Phibbs and Kandyce
Phibbs. We entered the cave and
proceeded to make our way back to the waterfall. Jeff counted 14 bats and did not notice any
sign of WNS. Somehow, we bypassed the China Slide but we ascended it on the way
back. On the way back, Susan and Jeff
attempted to find the passage that led to the Forest Room. Eventually, Jeff found the passage and we
made our way to the Forest Room. We tied
a handline at the steep slope to ensure an easier climb up on the way out. Several cavers took pictures in the Forest
Room and rested. We returned to the
entrance for a trip that totaled a time of 4.75 hours.
11/18: Porter’s
Cave, VA – Susan Burr, Doug Feller, Dave Socky, Mark Hodge, to check out
the entrance gate. (See below in new business.)
This Month’s trip – Saturday November 21 to Scott Hollow
Cave, WV. You must be an NSS or BRG member to go on this trip. Mike (Dore)
knows. Meet HROM at 8:30am. December TBA.
BUSINESS MEETING
Treasury
Report – Trish Geiger, Treasurer |
Cave Bucks - 0
Conservation
- 0
Equipment – 133.97
General - 2,948.29
TOTAL $3,082.16
Committees:
·
Newsletter
– CARBIDE
DUMP – November issue went out. Thanks Dave and MarySue.
·
Membership
– Dues are due – mail to Dave Socky, 6572 Woodbrook; Roanoke, VA 24018. MarySue sent out list of who has paid and some people who
may owe a family rate.
·
ROCKS
– Dave: Blowing Hole Cave (Murder Hole
property). Lowmoor too.
·
Safety
& Techniques – None at this time.
Membership Proposals: None at this time.
Old Business
·
Christmas cards (80) are done and will
be mailed out by MarySue. Thanks to Marian for
getting them done.
·
Grotto Christmas party – 5 people showed
up at the McConnell’s/Murder Hole for fellowship and ridge walking. Dave, Nick
Sch. and Bob Alderson did some excavating on Blowing Hole entrance pit, across
the driveway from Percolator Pit.
·
Grotto Elections in November – Slate was
Marian McConnell (Chair), Lauren Appel (Vice), MarySue
Socky (Secty), Dave Socky (Treasurer). Susan moved
and Dave seconded that slate be accepted and voted upon. All members present voted
in favor – passed.
·
All Grotto meetings will be held
virtually via ZOOM until further notice. Due to time restrictions (40 minutes
to be free) we probably will not be doing cave trip reports – so please submit your written cave trip reports to
the secretary sockymss@cox.net for the minutes, and to
sockydr@cox.net for the Carbide Dump.
New Business
·
Cave-Sim is wishing to expand, and wants
to know if we can continue to support them. Dave Jackson is building a 2nd
Cave Sim trailer so there will be two. TX, MO, CO, very successful. Has a video
to share with us. About 12 minutes. And would like to be the program for
December BRG meeting. Mary Sue will send out the clip/link to look at.
·
Dave Socky updated our BRG website to
show Zoom meetings (not in person), etc.
·
Porter’s Cave Gate Project – Susan
suggested project to improve gate. Dave and MSS presented to VAR; then Mark
Hodge, Doug, Susan, and Dave went out on Weds 11/18 to assess the situation and
take measurements. The landowner (Mrs. Simmons) has given us the ok. Dave suggested we get other cavers involved
to get help from more than just BRG. Susan has a key to the gate. Meredith said
at VAR may be able to help get funding (through grant request) once there is a
plan. In order to fix the gate must extend the culvert out 5-6’; digging out
will be temporary and has filled up much more than originally thought. Will
check out oval culvert, cost of materials, etc. can write up
proposal/grant/other Grottos to get funding for it. Probably a couple thousand
dollars. Once get money, purchase materials, schedule work date(s) for Region
to fix the gate. Susan willing to contact RASS. Meredith: RASS is a good place
to get money for the culvert, but they do have a grant request process; not
sure how strictly they adhere to it now. The same with the VAR process; but VAR
is not going to pay more than several hundred dollars. May be able to get a
Conservation grant through the NSS. Also TRA (The Robertson Association). Dave
has some inquiries out on getting materials.
·
“Roanoke Outside” weekly postings: BRG’s meeting info was out of
date. Mary Sue contacted Pete Eshelman, the point of contact; he deleted the
event for us and said we will have to resubmit our event online at https://www.roanokeoutside.com/submit-an-event/. Marian made the changes to advertise it as follows: “Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, BRG meetings will take place virtually. Announcements and
links will be sent via email. BRG Virtual meetings are on the 3rd Friday
of every month at 7:00 pm. Click here for details.”
Announcements:
Program: 12-minute video on topless caving – slot
canyons in UT by Dave Socky. “Cheesebox Slot” [video
showed up in Zoom like a slideshow, jerky shots]. They were in Utah for about
35 days. Mid-September to Mid-October. Did a total of 4 technical slot canyons.
All on BLM land. The weather was great; it only rained 1 day. Definitely do not
want to do slot canyons when rain is forecast. You can watch it on Youtube on Dave’s timeline.
Cold Beer!
2020 CAVER CALENDAR:
·
Next
BRG meeting is December 18 at 7p via ZOOM.
·
Spring
2021: MAR/VAR at Grand Caverns, VA.