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NEST TRIP REPORT
Blue Springs Trip Report 25 Sept 99
The Northeast Sump Exploration Team, NEST, began work at a new site
located in Virginia on 25 Sep 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.
The site reminded me of Central Florida, the spring formed a pool over
60 feet long and 20 feet wide and was nestled along the bank of the Little
New River. I was able to drive to within 30 feet of my entrance point and
lay out my gear on a nice manicured lawn. As I organized my equipment a pet
goat grazing on the slope near by looked on. In addition to my OMS 45s I
had also brought my PS 120 side mount configuration as well as deco bottles
for the site was rumored to have been sounded to a depth of 300 + feet.
While Paul rigged a bottle of O2 and a reel from one of the cliff faces
that surrounded the head pool, I donned my new FC 200 tech dry suit and
kneeling in the run attached my large sidemounts. I floated in the shallows
and performed a final reg check before gently finning out into the pool.
The light from my AUL 14 disclosed numerous ledges and cavities just below
the water line as and as I finned by I checked them carefully to see if
they might go. At the end of the pool just below the water level I came
across what appeared to be two separate freatic tubes that continued into
the hillside. Unable to fit with my large tanks I observed them from a
distance and then finned back to the reel that Paul had hung from a tree
growing out of the cliff face. With this firmly in hand I began my decent
into the deep section of the pool. At a depth of 18 feet the floor leveled
out forming a step for a short distance before continuing downward as a pit.
Could this site be as deep as the locals claimed, I was about to find out.
In a freefall position I continued my decent. The visibility was good but
not spectacular. At a depth of 30 feet the bottom came into clear view as
well as a 10 foot wide by 4 foot high passage heading in the direction of
the river. I did a tie off on a conveniently placed tree limb and moved
slowly into the passage. It continued but became gradually lower. Placing
the reel on the bottom I surfaced and reentered with several Disler Spikes.
I followed my line down, recovered my reel and continued forward 25 feet
placing two spikes in the process before the ceiling lowered to the point
where further progress was not possible. Again placing my reel gently on
the bottom I turned and surfaced. The large side mounts were fine for the
initial look but now it was time to get serious.
After a short surface interval I donned my OMS 45s and reentered the
pool. Compared to my large sidemount rig I felt like I was free diving.
With a new reel rigged from the left side of the cliff I pressed forward
into the first of the tubes on the far side of the pool. The tube was snug
but continued for about 10 feet. I surfaced in a small air filled void that
immediately ended. I backed out and tried the tube to the right which was a
mirror image and also ended in a small air pocket after a few feet.
Frustrated by this turn of events I returned to the pit and followed the
line to its end. I was able to move forward another couple of feet before
the ceiling again became too low to allow any further progress. The passage
continued but was not safely passable. The visibility despite my careful
finning technique was abysmal and the passage floor was covered in a deep
layer of mung. My 18 inch long spikes disappearing into the sediment and
showed no signs of hitting bottom. Disappointed I backed out reeling in my
line as I went.
Blue Springs was not going to give up her secrets easily if at all. My
activities had pretty much silted out the site and although there where one
or two small holes I had not pushed they would have to wait for another day.
Based on the configuration of the site the sediment no doubt holds artifacts
collected over a long historical period and would prove an interesting
archaeological excavation. Minus the sediment a significant passage might
be accessible.
After a quick dinner we joined Scot at Clator lake and boarded a boat to
look at some other sites along the 26 mile shore line. As we sped along the
surface and the spray blew in my face I could only conclude that it was not
a bad way to spend a late September weekend.
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 other critical gear 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, Adrew Kipe of Maryland Reproductions, and Robert
Carmichael of Brownies Third Lung and HALCYON, The Doing It Right Equipment
Company, and our most recent sponsor, DUI for our outstanding CF 200 series
Dry Suits, 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
Support Team Members
Paul Montgomery
Robin Brickey
..
JOSEPH
KAFFL
SUMPDIVER@MS*.CO*
NEST
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