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NEST TRIP REPORT
Alexander�s Trip Report 14 Feb 99
The NEST, Northeast Sump Exploration Team, returned and continued its
exploratory work in Alexander�s Cave on 14 Feb 99. NEST is a formally
recognized Project of the NSS and consists of a team of sump divers and
dedicated support personnel who are pursuing original exploration efforts at
several caves in the PA, Virginia and West Virginia areas. The team
surveys and further documents these sites through the use of still and video
techniques as well as engaging in biological surveys and water sampling at
these locations. NEST is also available to support the NCRC in situations
involving flooded passage and beyond sump rescues. Below is an account of
the Teams most recent explorations.
I gently finned into the first room of J1 and found Laura hovering above
the final natural tie in as planned. At this point a second line is
attached at a 90 degree angle that crosses the room and runs downward
through the restriction, beyond this lies another 300 feet of sump. The
restriction is at a depth of 17 feet, fairly snug and to make it more
entertaining includes a 45 degree gravel covered unstable slope. After
snapping a few quick shots of Laura on a still camera as she entered and
passed the restriction I followed her. Once again her finning technique
was excellent and I enjoyed a good 10 feet of visibility for most of the
dive. It had been a while since we had worked this site and at one location
I had to pull the line from the floor where a section had been buried in
fine gravel by several surges in flow. Laura and I surfaced and waited in
the head pool to capture Eric on film as he exited from the sump.
We then proceed with the second part of our plan, taking Photos of Eric
as he made the crawl between the first and second sump through 200 feet of
low muddy passage. Even though our gear configuration is optimized for this
type of activity it is never a fun experience and Eric was ready to cool off
when we reached the second sump. The best way to do this is by diving,
which he did inspecting the line for damage up to the canyon drop while I
captured him underwater on slide film as he passed into the over head
environment.
With our objectives accomplished we worked our way back to the first
sump and exited with Laura leading and myself bringing up the rear. With
some time and ample gas remaining we made a quick jaunt up the main trunk
passage toward the E series of sumps. This large passage is 30 feet high by
40 feet wide and contains a river over 6 feet deep stretching from wall to
wall flowing down its center. Influence by surface run off the river
reflects the seasonal temperature unlike the J series which is close to a
constant 50 degrees year round. Today the temperature was a nippy 42
degrees and the current and visibility were up. I entered first to verify
the line was still intact, the one foot of visibility was exceptional for
the river and I was able to easily examine the Tesnau Pyramids, concrete
line belays with stainless eyes on top. The pyramids had worked themselves
into the bottom with only the upper parts showing. They had done there job
well, preventing line abrasion during high flows and the flow was
definitely up today. I had to fin for all I was worth and except for the
42 degree water and one foot of visibility I almost felt like I was in the
lips. I surfaced on the other side and worked my way up stream to a point
where I was able to stand up. With my lights off I waited for Laura to
appear, a minute later her meteor four lit up the river with a warm glow.
Watching a sump diver near the surface on the other side of a sump is an
incredibly beautiful experience. The entire area around the diver lights up
and this light filters through the water to illuminate the cave walls above
and around the sump giving it a completely different perspective. It is
almost like watching a spectacular sun rise. I turned my light back on as
Laura broke the surface to give her a reference point and she swam toward
me. She tried to stand and I had to grab her arm to prevent the swift
current from sweeping her away. Eric soon joined us and after a quick look
around in the beautifully decorated passage on the other side the cold began
to take its toll. With our teeth chattering we turned and let the swiftly
moving river flush us out of the system. We then pumped up our dry suits
and the current pushed us along on our return to the dock. This is the only
way to travel, it is like being a small raft. As you float along you can
leisurely observe the pure white flowstone formations that cover the ceiling
and walls of this spectacular Pa cave.
All in all a good day for the team, despite several small equipment short
comings discovered before the dive and corrected with on site spares packed
in for just these contingencies. Laura had gotten her introduction to the
first two sumps in the J and E series being the first woman to ever pass
them and see the cave beyond. We had also gotten several excellent
preliminary photos to help us plan a more detailed shoot in the future and
a good water sample of the main river. During his dive of J1 Eric had
discovered a small canyon in the ceiling that we had overlooked in the past
that would need closer examination in the future. Although snug it appeared
to reach an air surface and might have significant potential. The support
team had as usual performed flawlessly.
Once again we would like to recognize our sponsors and all of the
supporting cavers who helped make our efforts possible. A special thanks to
Arnold Jackson Of American Underwater Lighting who supplied our exceptional
primary lights, meteor 4�s, and Jon Breazile of the Fifth Dimension Dive
Center who has provided us with other vital support. We would also like to
thank Terry Brady, of the Brass Anchor who has provided us with generous
audio visual support. Additional sponsors include Lamar Hires of Dive Rite,
Gene Weisheit of East Coast Divers, Alex Sproul of Inner Mountain
Outfitters, Brad Bason, of Bason Rescue Equipment, Adrew Kipe of Maryland
Reproductions, and Robert Carmichael of Brownies, The Doing It Right
Equipment Company, Tim Walker, Hank and Jane Anderson, and the Sovik and
Mothes families without whose support none of our efforts would have been
possible.
Diver Explorers
Joseph Kaffl
Eric Tesnau
Laura Kraus
Support Team Members
Dave Hollick, Pa Project Coordinator
Jody McNerney
Jim "JD" Lewis
Eric Hiris
Rob MacCracken
..
JOSEPH
KAFFL
SUMPDIVER@MS*.CO*
NEST
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