Cascade Grotto meeting
Phinney Neighborhood Association
May 25, 2022 (in-person only)
Presentation
Panti Pit in Belize by Eric Jorgenson
Overview
- Survey expedition of 11 people
- Eric met them at convention
- near Barton Creek cave (part of same system)
- images cannot be published online due to restrictions by gov’t of Belize
- this is why the meeting could not be virtual
Goal was to push main passage
- impossible due to bad air
- instead surveyed side passages which were reachable
Base camp
- was set up at the bottom of main drop
- set up cave telephone there
- wires went down main trunk (which was very muddy)
Conditions of cave
- cave has bad air (lots of CO2)
- bacteria in mud create excess CO2
- little airflow in cave: only airflow comes from the wet season (winter) when water flushes out CO2
- CO2 level was 2% to 4% (usually is 0.2% — above 2% is unhealthy, 4% is immediately dangerous)
- could try to use rebreather (to remove CO2) but that would heat up air considerably
- cave was hot (82 F)
- very muddy!
- everyone used booties to not dirty formations w/ mud
Tried to explore other caves
- searched for Octon McCleur cave (discovered in 2001)
- looks like it should connect to Panti pit
- couldn’t find it though despite much bushwacking
- found lots of baby caves that weren’t surveyed
Relations w/ locals
- important to have good relations for expeditions to go well
- often in central america locals distrust cavers
- rumors of people stealing riches from caves
- locals showed around cave used by Mayans (Maya steps cave)
- unfortunately has been looted
Trip reports
Dead horse & J&R cave:
- May 22-23
- Trout lake area
- 17 people total
- 6 or 7 people who were on beginner trip
Beginner trip:
- Lake cave (St Helens area)
Jackman creek cave:
- Digging gained around 30 ft
- Near Concrete
Rainy creek cave:
- Lake Wenatchee area
- got stuck in snow
- met a local (Clayton) who owns the marble quarry there
- hasn’t really been explored
Upcoming trips
Oregon grotto has trips:
- Scott’s cave on memorial day weekend
- big crawler with surveying
- check their website
Bend Oregon trip:
- June 5-6
- check their website
Women’s caving trip:
- still being planned
Announcements
Graffiti cleaning:
- planning regular removal from ape cave
- meeting on May 31 w/ forest service
Scapegoat wilderness in MT:
- survey expedition planned August 27-Sept 5
- alpine caving system
- looking for surveyers
Poets crest:
- Mark Garnick is planning more exploration this summer
Convention:
- Rapid city, SD
- June 13-17
- Jewel and Wind cave
Vertical training:
- hoping to plan something in June
More trips coming!
- much is still under snow
- a trip up to Vancouver island
- cave ridge in July/August
- windy creek
- longest limestone cave in WA
Official business
Make some stickers for accomplishments
- like visiting a cave, doing a route, etc
- contact Amy for more info/suggestions/etc