SEPTEMBER 2006 GROTTO NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE
• Calendar, 2
• Howie, 2
• Minutes, 3
• Gorge, 4
• Wormfest, 5
• Survey, 6
• ESSO history, 7
• Bat bombs?, 6

Gorging on the ‘Gorge’

In case you missed it the
August issue of the Bee on the
Internet contained an extra page
or two for Preston Forsythe’s
report on Mammoth Cave
Restoration Camp ‘06.
Regrettably, it is too large to
reprint in this issue. Please
download your copy at the
Yahoo Groups site (see page 2)
or write me if you don’t have
Cavers enjoy surface
Internet access, and I’ll send
you a photocopy: Allen Blair,
features at Red River
3520 Elizabeth Ct., by Jonathon F. Lewis
Catlettsburg, Ky. 41102.
With fall fast approaching, now is
–– the perfect time to enjoy some surface
Attend this month’s meet- features before descending to the under-
ing for a short presentation on ground grottos this winter. One which is
the next Carter County Cave of particular interest is the Red River
Bulletin - new and improved! Gorge area of the Daniel Boone National
Plus, we will of course be dis- Forest. The Gorge is located approximate-
cussing all
ly one hour south of Lexington, Kentucky
those wonder-
ful ESSO get- on the Mountain Parkway. It is in a rural
togethers area of eastern Kentucky, a hamlet for
coming up,
officer elec-
SHORT
rock climbers, backpackers, and campers.
Recently, ESSO Grotto members
tions, trip reports,
the Christmas
CRAWLS went down to the Gorge area on Labor
Day weekend to absorb some of this nat-
party and Crawlathon (which ural beauty. What we found was indeed
will be here before we know it), a surprise to even us. The hiking trails
big cave finds, you name it. Be
are in excellent condition, the camp-
there or be square!
grounds are remote, secluded, clean and
–– very affordable. The people are very
friendly, making the atmosphere perfect
NEXT BIG TRIP: Indiana for a weekend or weeklong retreat. There
Weekend Caving Sept. 22-24 in
Salem, Ind. Email Jonathon
is plenty to keep you busy for some time
Lewis at jonlewis@zoomnet.net in the gorge, whether surface hiking,
for updates: camping, climbing, or general vertical
“It is going to be a NICE work is your interest. One thing for sure
weekend to get the Indiana is you do not want to miss an opportuni-
Caving in your blood, so I will ty to see this natural wonder for the eyes.
have to highly recommend it to When planning a visit to the Gorge,
everyone!” it would be best to avoid the major holi-
–– day times, seeing that good camping
facilities are limited in the area.
The schedule for
Crawalathon Staph meetings Recommend campsites are the Koomer
calls for the first one Oct. 7, Ridge Campground, Natural Bridge State
See GORGE, Page 4
followed by one on Nov. 18. Park Campground, and the John Swift
In memory of Steve Irwin, the ‘Crocodile Hunter’ and the world’s original ‘Wildlife Warrior’ ... 1962-2006
 Page 2
Notes from the Underground

Howie Plummer: ESSO caver Caving Calendar

and grotto’s, county’s friend September 15-17, Basic NCRC
From Ann Honaker Course - Level 1, Eastern Kentucky
I know that a lot of you don't University, Richmond, Kentucky.
know who "Howie" Harold Plummer September 18, ESSO Grotto meet-
is, but he really supported our group ing, 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library,
for many years. He is also Sam eats at Giovanni’s.
Plummer's Dad and owns the farm September 22-24, Wet Indiana
that you guys have practiced rope on. Caving, jonlewis@zoomnet.net.
I was told last week that Howie fell
and broke his hip. They chose not to
Starve Hollow Camping / Clicks &
put a cast on it. I'm not sure what that Buddha Caving (Campsites 223,
means, but must be for the best. 221 & 219 / all electric.)
Howie is in the nursing home at September 22-23, "Living
Grayson. See more photos, Page 7 Archaeology Weekend,” Red River
Howie opened his farm up for Gorge, Gladie center.
Carter County Weekend for ESSO had a nice warm fire going when they September 22-24, Fall VAR.
Grotto for many years. We camped all arrived there on Friday night
out, used his cliffs for rapelling. He because Howie made sure of that.
September 30-Oct. 1, ESSO Bridge
always made sure that the extra sweet Along about one or two p.m. or a bit Day Team vertical training,
corn was ready by the time we had later on Saturday, Madge would show Whiteside Mountain in North C.,
the campout. He cleaned the corn and up with greenbeans (sometimes bsaul2000@yahoo.com.
put it in a big wash tub sitting it on an Howie would fix greenbeans on the •
open fire to cook for the dinner Sat. old wood burning heating stove in the October 7, Crawlathon Staph meet-
night. Madge, his wife fixed sliced garage) and cornbread or brown soup ing, 10 a.m. at welcome center.
tomatoes, peppers, onions and beans and cornbread for the hungry
October 5-8, TAG Fall Cave In,
anyother thing she could think of that crew sitting around discussing the
we might eat at the cook out. We next "big cave" they were going to Dogwood City Grotto, www.tagfall-
(ESSO Grotto) had many fine times at find. I know that Howie and Madge cavein.orgs.
their farm. were an inspiration, they excepted the October 13-15, Possible ESSO
My son, James, Don Kemper, boys as they were, and the boys Grotto trip TBA.
Steve Duncan, and Sam Plummer always had someone to talk to if need October 14, Scouts need guides.
spent many nights in the cabin just be. Howie has promoted Carter Leader needed, or ESSO’s offer of
below the garage area (called the County by having archeologist dig- help will be canceled. Email mral-
ESSO cabin). They played many tricks ging around the farm or near his
on Howie and I think Howie played a farm. He has always been interested lenblair@gmail.com.
few on them too!! But no matter what, in the history of Carter County. October 16, ESSO Grotto meeting,
when it was cold outside, the cabin Let’s all wish him well. 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library, eats
at Giovanni’s.
October 21, Bridge Day, West
Virginia, www.wvbridgeday.com.
Eastern States Speleological Organization (ESSO) Grotto, Inc. October 28, CCSRP hosts: Ghost
Stories in a Cave (Cascade).
•
November 4-5, Mammoth Cave
Restoration Camp weekend.
November 18, Crawlathon staph
Meets third Mondays monthly in Flatwoods, Ky. meeting, 10 a.m. welcome center.
Lisa Pruitt-Thorner, President; Brian Saul, Vice President; November 20, ESSO Grotto meet-
ing, 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library,
Cindy Duncan, Secretary; and Shelia Gilliam, Treasurer east at Giovanni’s.
•
HTTP://WWW.CAVES.ORG/GROTTO/ESSO December TBA, ESSO Grotto
Christmas party, at Carter Caves?
HTTP://GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/ESSOGROTTO
 Page 3
Minutes, News

August grotto meeting minutes We have a new member: Chris

Clugston of Kendallville, Ind.
Some of you may have met him at
by Allen Blair (for Cindy Duncan) some great cave. Wormfest. His email is
The August meeting of ESSO Grotto Minutes were unavailable, but the trea- cbsss@earthlink.net. Let’s wel-
came to order about 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. surer's report -- with a balance of $2,147.32 come Chris to the grotto!
19, at Wormfest in beautiful downtown -- was read and accepted. The grotto made You can see a photo of Chris
Olive Hill, at the the Shriner's just over $164 at the yard sale, puchased a as he launches a torch with a
Showgrounds. large canopy awning for $138 (being stored “torchstick” at the August
Those in attendance were John Kirk, by Brian S.) and earned about $47 at the Wormfest event, in this issue of
Sheila and Ernie Gilliam, Charlie Munn, cookout Jonathon organized for Friday the Bee, Page 5.
Lisa Pruitt-Thorner, Jerry Brandenburg, night at Wormfest. (Unless that was the ––
Roy Vanhoozer, Todd Richards, Brian Saul, number of participants. We made some Susan (Duncan) Neumeyer
Mike Rzesutock, Mark Walker, Tarvis cash at any rate!) writes about an archaeology
Ervin, Jonathon Lewis, Kevin Betz, Chris We discussed no old business, but trip event coming up in Red River
Clugston, Larry Matiz, Andy Niekamp, planning dominated new business. Since Gorge: It is called "Living
Allen Blair and any others whom I might several events were coming up in September, Archaeology Weekend" and
have forgotten. including a Whiteside mountain rappelling involves people experienced in
Big thanks to DUG members who put trip, Indiana caving, etc., it was decided to primitive (prehistoric) arts and
on one great Wormfest, plus came by our postpone the van trip to Tennessee. We'll technologies demonstrating their
gazebo during the weekend/meetings to save that for another day when we can skills.
say howdy and share stores, especially the organize a bigger and better trip somewhere. You can watch people flintk-
"silver stein." (Possibly New Year's caving??) napping (making stone spear and
Trip reports were given. The week-long Jonathon is checking on the grotto arrow points), making pottery,
Mammoth Restoration camp saw 14 grotto Christmas party possibly being hosted at and weaving grass mats. You can
members present. Roy updated us on proj- Carter Caves lodge. Be thinking of dates. throw an atlatl (an ancient spear-
ects and accomplishments. Wormfest trips In the next couple of years, ESSO could throwing device),
that attendees signed up for included host its own caving festival like Wormfest. taste a variety of
Tarkiln, Bat, Cow and Counterfeiter and a Much discussion was held about this, with foods cooked the
survey trip to Ward Walker Cave. A family the consensus that it's an excellent idea and way that prehis-
accompanied Sheila and Ernie to Bat for a doesn't even have to be limited to Carter toric Native
fun morning trip. Thanks to the park for County. Andy and DUG folks shared some Americans might S HORT
have cooked
access! Mark, Kevin, John and others guid-
ed several through Tarkiln, including parts
of their tips and tricks on organization, and
Andy thinks the grotto's in the right place them, and learn more
C RAWLS
Kevin and John had not seen before, they to do one perhaps by starting small like about the past from an interactive
said. Great muddy wet fun! they did. perspective.
Speaking of wet, the trip to C&C was Jonathon said he and a few others have The event will be held on
actually muddy one, Jonathon and Larry been brainstorming about a Carter Caves Friday and Saturday, September
reported. The normally dusty Bill's crawl restoration project/camp, perhaps just a 22 and 23 riverside below the
was NOT, even though several packed dust weekend day to start, next spring or fall. Gladie Cultural and Environmental
masks! The dozen trip participants saw Meeting adjourned about 10 p.m. Center in the heart of Red River
Gorge.
I'll be working on an interac-
Global tech tive demonstration about rock
art in the Gorge area and how
fragile our archaeological
company resources are.
For more information, check
buys Carter out www.fs. fed.us/r8/ boone/her-
itage/livingarch. shtml
Mushroom ––
Caver/writer Roger Brucker's
co-authored book, "Trapped!"
Mines about caver Floyd Collins is being
made into a movie.
Many of you are familiar with the Mushroom Mine near Olive Hill, In anticipation of that fun
Kentucky. A few of you also might of visited it in the past. It is a huge complex, event, a Cincinnati radio station
2.6 million square feet, being the remains of a major interior limestone mining interviewed Roger recently, and
operation, then converted to a large mushroom growing operation that went bust you can listen to the broadcast
many years ago. thusly:
To make a long story short, the complex has now been officially sold to Here's Roger's "Floyd Collins"
Global Data Corporation for conversion into a ultra high security facility to pre- story on WVXU. Go to
serve and protect data, records, etc for companies globally. This is very exciting http://www.rogerbru cker.com/
news, and will hopefully not only generate a positive economy, but spur on addi- press.html# trapped, and under
the "WVXU" heading, left-click the
tional area growth. first "click here" for mp3. Or, you
So big business is coming potentially to underground Carter County: can right-click and then click "save
www.globalda tacorp.net/welcome.html. target as," if you want to.
 Page 4
Labor Day in the Gorge

GORGE
- From page one

Primitive Campground, all within a short

drive of area activities. The one that is most
highly recommended is the Koomer Ridge
Campground, with its large camping pads,
and remote atmosphere it develops, this is
the site to stay at during a visit. Roy
Of the various activities in the area, Vanhoozer,
most are available year round other than a
Jonathon
few such as the Sky Lift to the Natural
Lewis and
Bridge, and a few business locations.
Mark
However fall and winter are perfect times
to visit the park, with fewer visitors and Walker
reduced rates at most places. Other things enjoy a lit-
not miss on a visit would include visiting tle climbing
the Natural Bridge at the State Park, the challenge
great views of the Red River Gorge, over Labor
Torrent Falls Rock Climbing, and all the Day.
600+ miles of great surface trails available
in the area.
Another thing that might be of interest
to those with a volunteer nature about them
would be the Red River Gorge Trail Repair
Crew. This is a group of individuals that
meet on a regular basis to do ongoing proj-
ects in the Red River Gorge Area trails.
Preston and Shari Forsythe, who are also
involved with this group, would be great
people to talk to about this ongoing project.
I’m sure they would be happy to have addi-
tional people on the task.
Overall we are fortunate for the most
part to live close to such a great weekend
vacation spot. So next time you are looking
for a great place to go to enjoy some surface
living on the weekend, choose the Red River
Gorge area of Eastern Kentucky as your des-
tination.

Climbing through the gorge via ‘Via Ferrata’

by Jonathon F. Lewis
As a non-vertical caver, this adven-
ture started off on the wrong foot, literal-
ly. Doing any activity that requires me to
trust my life to a few strands of rope is
not what I would consider the natural
thing to do. My body was pleading for
me not to go thru with it, but deep inside
of me something was saying HOW COOL
IS THIS!
What we were doing that was such an
adventure was the rock climbing course,
aka Via Ferrata at Torrent Falls in the Red
River Gorge. A question that usually
arrives when you use the term Via Ferrata
is, “What is a Via Ferrata?” Basically it is
predetermined rock climbing course in
which the climber is aided by hand and
foot holds where natural holds are not
available. At the one in Torrent Falls, the
climber is also protected by the permanent
cable system installed that enables the
climber to be securely protected at all
times in the climb. Mentally I knew that it
was a safe sport, and a great way to work
yourself out of those vertical fears, howev-
er it does indeed take a while to get
adjusted to the heights and become com-
fortable in a harness.
On Labor Day, three ESSO members
met this vertical challenge: Roy
Vanhoozer, Mark Walker, and I. Starting
with a brief training lesson , simulating the
course you will encounter up above, you
get accustomed to the gear and proper
grips, stances and more that will prepare
you for an enjoyable adventure. Following
this you are released to the course, and
encouraged to begin on the easier sections
and work your way thru them. The course
is broken down into 6 levels, levels 1-3
being a joy to travel thru, with 4-6 being
more difficult and that which stretches the
body and mind. As you progress thru the
levels you will become more dependent on
upper body strength, and rely more on
your gear, resting at points you would not
ever consider a good resting point. The
course is developed so you can stop at a
level that is beyond your comfort level,
enabling participants to adjust the adven-
ture to themselves.
Torrent Falls is indeed however a
family event, an adventure that all the
family can partake in. All you need is $32,
be at least 10 years old, and have a willing
body and mind: ready for the challenge
ahead. Personally I had a blast, and am
looking forward to returning again in the
near future.
 Page 5
Memories of Wormfest!

ESSO Rocks!

Vertical ascending practice along Tygarts Creek at the Shriner’s Showgrounds in

Olive Hill -- site of DUG’s 15th annual Wormfest, co-hosted by ESSO last month --
ended with a little treat for rope enthusiasts: A “zip line” rigged by Jerry
Brandenburg and Brian Saul. Riders zipped along the rope from the top of the cliff
back down into the water a couple hundred feet later. Above, Mike Rzesutock takes
the plunge as Brian stands by for safety. Brian also has edited a video (warning,
large file size) that can be accessed here: www.briansaul.com/videos/zip.wmv.
Photos by Allen
and Jonathon

New member Chris Clugston, left, tosses a torch

using an authentic reproduction Mammoth Cave
“torchstick” during Wormfest in August. Larry Matiz,
John Kirk made the kerosene-soaked torches while
Jonathon Lewis loaned the stick for the fun. Bob
Yuellig, Harry Goepel and Ray Rough help Allen
Blair survey in Ward Walker Cave during the fest.
 Page 6
Survey, Bats in the News

Surveyors set 20 stations in

Ward Walker Cave at Wormfest
by Allen Blair
A last-minute trip offering at
Wormfest prompted three veteran sur-
veyors - Bob Yuellig and Harry Goepel of
SURVEY Ohio and Ray Rough of Louisville - to
Complete help me start a survey the grotto has
Rhododendron Pit, eyed for a while in the little known Ward
70-70 Pit Walker Cave near Big Sinking Creek.
It’s just downstream of Tarkiln and
Ongoing has one huge entrance area. In fact, the
Wilburn Cave, (8 sketcher, that’s me, used a slightly too
stations), small scale and could not fit it all on one
Fern & Flood survey book page! A canyon continues
(grotto began with a streambed floor, and wide expans-
years ago), es above, see photo at left.
Owl Cave, You finally climb out of the canyon
Ward Walker along breakdown and enter a low wide
Cave/Fox Den, Big room, after passing some unique graffiti
Sinking Creek and historical names. We surveyed to
(Potato Cave that point, about 200 meters. The cave
already surveyed) continues for a while, and eventually
pinches out, according to Mark Walker.
Wish list? There are intriguing side leads, and if
Overpass/Dam-in, we can continue the survey, who knows
Upper Horn, what we might find hidden under break-
Horseshoe, down. Or we could connect to something
Bone In Cave near miles longer and surpass Tarkiln. It’s in
Tygarts Creek the same rock, and same area ... There’s
only one way to find out. Let’s survey!

You dropped a bomb on me, bat baby!

by Bat Conservation International
During World War II the U.S. military envisioned
launching flights of armed Mexican free-tailed bats against
Japan. Much more than idle speculation, the bomber-bat
program was developed and tested for more than a year,
and thousands of bats died for the war effort.
The U.S. Army drafted the bats from roosting caves in
Central Texas and from Carlsbad Caverns. The program
called for fitting bats with miniature incendiary bombs
and timers, refrigerating them to induce sleep-like torpor,
then tucking more than 1,000 of them onto trays inside a
collapsible carrier that looked like a bomb. Dropped from
a plane, a parachute would deploy at 1,000 feet, the carrier
would drop away and the trays would separate.
The idea was that the bats would rouse from torpor
and fly into Japanese homes and buildings for shelter. In
the best case, from a freetail’s point of view, the bat would
gnaw through the string that held the bomb to its chest,
then fly safely away. But with or without the bat, the
bomblet would explode into flames after some brief period
of time.
It never seemed to work out that well in tests. Most of
the bomber bats simply couldn’t wake up in time to take
flight and were killed when they hit the ground. Nearly all
the others flew away, disappearing into the countryside
with their dummy bombs. When fully awake, however,
they seemed to fly at least short distances when armed
with about half an ounce of a napalm-like substance.
At an air base, some bats armed with live explosives
apparently escaped through an open door at one point,
starting fires in a hangar and a general’s car. Enthusiasm
for bomber bats waned in the Army. The bats and their
program (renamed Project X-Ray) were transferred to the
Navy in October 1943, and eventually to the Marine Corps,
whose bat-flight tests produced a number of impressive
fires. Nonetheless, the project was canceled in 1944.
Much more information and documentation about this
military project is available in Bat Bomb, World War II’s
Other Secret Weapon by Jack Couffer,and “The Bat
Bombers,” by C.V. Glines, in the October 1990 issue of Air
Force Magazine, on which this article was largely based.
BCI members can read about the U.S. military impressive
efforts to conserve bats at bases around the country in the
Summer issue of BATS magazine.
 Page 7
ESSO in History

Carter County Weekends

If you want to help lead Scout
trips at Carter Caves: Contact
Brian Saul immediately at
bsaul2000@yahoo.com, or Allen
Blair at (606) 739-8507.
––
John Jordan, the park man-
ager at Carter Caves State
Resort Park, is asking for sug-
gestions on a name and theme
for the lodge restaurant.
Suggestions for a name and
theme can be cave related or
not. A couple of ideas for cave
related names are "Down Under"
and "The Grotto".
If a cave related theme is
selected John will be looking for
caving photos
to frame and
hang in the
lodge restau-
Enjoy a few pics Larry Matiz has on file from the old Carter County Weekends rant. Photos
held in August at the Plummer farm. Larry says there are a few of Bill Eidson, Ann
Honaker, Howie and Madge Plummer; one couple is Charles Patterson and Kathy
submitted by
cavers are wel-
S HORT
Largen, Kathy was President of ESSO one year. Also is Steve D. Jim H. and Sam on
the front porch of the cabin. Roger Weir is making a speech at our 25th anniver-
come and C RAWLS
encouraged. The
sary picnic at the Plummers on a wagon with Ann and Madge Plummer in the back- photos can be of inside caves,
ground. And, at top, the picture sent to the NSS of Sara Corrie receiving the first cave entrances, cave life, cave
Sara Corrie Award from President Steve Roberts. formations, cavers, etc. Photos
taken in the Carter County,
Kentucky area are preferred but
all cave photos will be consid-
ered.
If you have a suggestion for
a name or theme, photos to sub-
mit or any questions please con-
tact John Jordan at: john.jor-
dan@ky.gov. The web site for the
park is: http://www.parks.
ky.gov/resortpar ks/cc/
––
36th Annual 2007 Kentucky
Speleofest "Underground Heaven"
will be Memorial Day Weekend,
Friday, May 25th - Monday, May
28th at Lone Star Preserve in
Upton, Ky. Hosted by The
Louisville Grotto:
New caves, old favorites, new
plans and activities, old and new
friends - Speleofest 2007
"Underground Heaven" offers it all!
Located in the heart of cave country.
––
From Allen: I removed the old
Bees on the Yahoo site to make
some room. For those who want to
visit them, as well as download a
PDF of the Wormfest guidebook,
here's how. Type www.box.net into
your browser. Once there, click
"login" and type:
essogrotto@yahoogroups.com,
then the password "cartercaves"
 That better be a wetsuit: Brian Saul tests his coveralls, and his
own self’s, endurance this spring as water flows down the usually
dry Horn Hollow valley into the aptly named H2O Cave.

Allen Blair
September 2006

3520 Elizabeth Ct.

Catlettsburg, Ky. 41129

NEXT ESSO GROTTO MEETING: SEPT. 18, 7:30 P.M.

AT GREENUP CO. LIBRARY - FLATWOODS, KY. - EAT EARLY AT GIOVANNI’S