VOLUME 24 NO 8&9

CASCADEInternational Journa I of

Vulcanospeleology

Published by the Cascade Grotto, N.S.S.

Editor: Mark ShermanAssistant Editor: Ben Tompkins

AUG - SEPT 1985

The CASCADE CAVER

The CASCADE CAVER is published 10 times a year by the Cascade Grotto, a member of theNational Speleological Society. Annual dues for the Grotto.are$7.50, which can be sentto the Grotto Treasurer, Al Lundberg, at; 19221 38th 'Place N.E., Seattle, WA 98155.Other corresl)Qndenceshould be made to: The Cascade Grotto, P.O. Box 75663, Seattle, \~98125-0663

GRCYrl'OOFFICERS

.~

Chairman:Sec/Treasurer:Grotto Store:

l-larkShermanAl LundbergJim Harp

524-8780365-7255745-1010

Vice Chairman: Jim HarpRegional Rep: Ben TompkinsEditor: l-larkSherman

745-1010524-9526524-8780

JAN 21

FEB

FEB 18

GRCYITOEVENTS

Grotto Meeting 7:00

Grotto Fund ~ise~ and, PizzaFeed. call Hark Sherman 524~8780 for details

Grotto Meeting 7:00

GRaITO NEl-lS

\-lORKPARrY. On Feb. 1, the Grotto isgoing to have' a work party at BobBrown's place in Elbe. Bob will donate$100 to the Grotto if we help him dosome remodeling. Afterwards, he willsupply pizza and movies. Anyone in-terested please call Bob at 569-2724 orMark Shennan at 524-8780.

BARCH 8-9 I1claughlin Canyon. Call AlLundberg at 365-7255.

JUNE 14-22 Bighorn Cave, Hontana. Calll-larkSherman at 524-8780 orBen Tompkins at 524-9526 forn~re information.

June 22-28 NSS Convention, New Mexico.Contact Bob Brown for moreinformation at 569-2724.

CONTENTS

52•••••••••Grotto Ne\Js

52•••••••••Bighorn Cave Interim Recom-mendations

54•••••••••Thanksgiving Cave Trip

54•••••••••Heekend Tourist-Style Cavingin Santo Domingo

55•••••••••Letter to USGS and reply

56•••••••••Grotto Map Library

CASCADE CAVER [52]

GLASSES FOUND by .JeffForbes in PapooseCave. If they are yours call Jeff at547-2780.

COVER. This ~nth' s cover ShOV1SGrahamHeslop coaching Silas Studley on a climbin Little Red River Cave and was drawnby Linda Heslop of VIC&;o

BIGHORN CAVEDRAFT INTERIM RECOHMENDATIONS

By Mark Shennan

The Bighorn cave Management Recan-mendations Committee met during theLabor Day weekend at Lovell, \'lY, tocreate an interim plan for lnanaging thecave until final recommendations can bemade and a plan adopted. The committeeis composed of Mark Sherman (Chairman),Bob Brown and Rob Stitt (representing\lashington),Phil Whitfield and Pat Shaw(B.C.), Terry Shannon and Rick Rigg(10), Dave Ursin (UT), Tom Tucker (MT),Bob Montgomery and Wayne Sutherland

AUG - SEPT 1985

(WY), John Scheltens (SO), and DaveAllured (CO).

The following recommendationsresulted from this meeting and thereview period that followed it. If youhave any comments or questions pleasecontact me or any of the committeemembers.

ORAFI'INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONSTI1e~anagement Recommendations committeerecommends that the National Park Ser-vice, in furtherance of its policy to"manage caves for the perpetuation oftheir natural, geological, andecolog-ical conditions, and historic associa-tions," should adopt the following setof basic management objectives for Big-horn Cave, to be in effect during theinterim management period:

- Protect the natural features of thecave, including its delicate mineralformations and ecosystems.

- Study the cave in order to understandit better and to develop permanentmanagement recommendations.

- Provide reasonable limited access tointerested members of the generalpublic.

To further these objectives and to beconsistent with applicable laws, andIndian and Park Service regulations, thefollowing policies should be adopted forthe interim period:

1) The cave (as noted below) will beopen to access for recreationalcaving by properly equipped persons.

2) Surveying, inventory and research inthe cave will be allowed only byspecial permit from the National ParkService. Such activities must assistthe Park Service in its managementstudies. TI1ese activities must bewell-coordinated with the Park Ser-vice and with other study projects inthe cave.

3) I>laximumparty size shall be limitedto six, with a minimum of three re-commended. Parties of two may be

CASCADE CAVER [53)

allowed by special permission. Allparties shall include at least oneperson who has been in the cavebefore.

4) Twenty four persons per rronth shallbe the maximum usage allowed. No rrorethan two parties will be allowed inthe cave on anyone day.

5) Access will be by permit only. Thefollowing procedures are recommended:

5.1 Advance reservations may be made.

5.2 The key may be picked up and thepermit signed at the visitor center.

5.3 The key is to be returned to thevisitor center or mailed back within48 hours.

5.4 Users are responsible for makingtheir own "surface watch" arrange-ments.

5.5 Permits should include a conser-vation statement, a disclosure ofrisks, an acceptance of risks state-ment, and a liability waiver. Theuser's signature should constitutecomprehension and agreement with allof these sections.

6) Users are expected to remove all mat-erials that they bring in and to notdisturb features of the cave or theresearch sites. Users will be sup-plied with a write-up or brochurethat describes cave conservationrules and philosophy in detail. Thebrochure should emphasize conserva-tion ethics and the more subtle con-servation precautions that are neededin Bighorn, such as how to avoiddisturbing angel hair, floor crusts,mud features, ecosystems, researchsites, etc.

7) A map will be provided to allparties. Areas not shown on the mapare closed. These closed areas willinclude the northwest extension (SandTube area) and east of the Big Room.

AUG - SEPT 1985

THANKSGIVING CAVE, VANCOlNER ISLANDBy Jeff Forbes

8) These recommendations should' beimplemented as soon as possible.

The Thanksgiving holiday seemed anappropriate time for a trip to Thanks-giving Cave. Dan and I arrived at HeadBay about 2:00 PM on Thursday after get-ting directions fran Bill Bourdillon inCourtney. Although the roads near Tahsiswere bare of sn~~, we felt sanewhatapprehensive. This since the south endof the Island had just been dwnped on,and more was forecast. He had heardabout the Head Bay Speleo-Hut from Bill,but we weren't expecting the likes ofthis Taj t-lahal.

That evening \>Ie rigged the Stair-case Entrance and rappeled past somenice icicles and on to the base of Stai-rcase Aven. From there we explored ashort distance west to Terror Aven, thenheaded out, doing some photography alongthe way. Being newcomers to this cave,we were surprised to note that thestrong breeze was blowing down theStaircase Entrance series on this coldwintery night, indicating that Staircasewas by no means the upperrrostentrance.The cabin was a welcome sight that clearmoonlit evening, and we managed to getthe place toasty wann with the new wood-stove. The next day we decided to trya Staircase to l"lain Entrance traverse.Upon reaching the previously riggedsecond drop, Dan reported that the ropewas caught on something down below. Byretying the anchor, he was able to getenough slack to get on rope and rappeldown. At the bottom, the rope was foundto be nicely frozen into the ice. Nowthat's one we hadn't thought of 1 Dmm-stream from Staircase Aven, I wasimpressed by the degree to which thepassage shape was controlled by geologicstructure. He would follow strike for a

Date:PersOlmel:

November 28-29, 1985Dan McFeeley, Jeff Forbes

way, then take a right-angle turn andjog down the dip. The Dip Chamber wasindeed aptly named. vlhen we reachedApril Pole Aven we found the water flowto be "non-trivial". Only a momentsdiscussion and we said "Let's go forit!". Since we planned to exit via thel"1ain Entrance, we rigged the ropedouble, allowing a pull-down. By usingthe incredibly well placed naturalanchor, it was possible to do the dropwithout getting soaked. Being reasonableintelligent Homo sapiens, we of coursedecided not to pull our rope down unlessand until we had found the l"lain En-trance. This we did in short order. Ithad begun to snow lightly as we returnedto the cabin after retrieving the ropesfran April Pole and the StaircaseEntrance series. Visions of sn~~boundcavers danced through our heads. Sincethe Gold River - Tahsis road was to beclosed for construction the next day, wesneaked away in a pre-dawn departure.And not a moment too soon. vlliilewe hadslept, Head Bay had received a blanketof silent new snow.

WEEKEND TOURIST-STYLE CAVINGIN SANTO IXll-lINGO

By William R. Halliday, M.D.

Readers of the Cascade Caver knowof Joel Skok's impressive successes incave-hlmting in the hinterlands of theDaninican Republic, and over the years Ihave gathered information on a number ofother caves in this beautiful Caribbeancountry. But all the major ones are muchtoo remote to be easily accessibleduring weekend minivacations in SantoDomingo, it's capital city (I haven'tyet found out what can be accomplishedin similar long weekends in Puerto Plataon the other side of the island). Incontrast to the high mountains fartherinland, Santo Domingo and its airport 15miles to the east are built on two.emerged coral benches (Maybe more thantwo, I guess) which are quite karstic,with numerous sinks, blowholes in thelittoral zone, and caves in the small-

CASCADE CAVER [54] AUG - SEPT 1985

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to-spacious-but-short category. Los TresOjos del Agua (literally The Three Eyesof Water) is a popular public attractionbetween the airport and city limits, ina beautiful park. Once it was a spaciouscavern several hundred feet long and upto aln~st 100 feet in diameter, but itis largely collapsed, leaving severalcavernous side segments with large oldspeleothems and three pools of waterLos Tres Ojos. At the far end is anopening to a large Yucatan-style cenote,with an even larger pool. Althoughlittle of the cave is in even darkt\iilight, electric li~1ts are present,and a hand-drawn barge conducts smallgroups of visitors across the thirdlake; really a nice place to pass acouple of hours.

A much smaller cave right in town(on the edge of the higher emerged coralterrace) is the site of a plush restau-rant, named (in Fractured French, a laSpanish) La Meson de la Cava. TI1efoodis good, if a bit expensive, and it is areal spelean experience to be served onfine linen by formally dressed waitersbringing fine wines to one's tablealongside massive stalagmitic masses.Alas! It was only at La Meson de lacava, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, that I learn-ed that another cave about 1 km fartherwest, in the Paseo de Los Indios park isopen to the public, with electriclights, on Sundays. Next time, maybe.

Also on the way home I got aroundto reading the English language SantoDomingo News, and found the followingitem: "CUEVA DE LOS HARAVILLAS. Cave of~arvels is located 15 km east of SanPedro de Macoris, where rock carvingscan be seen made by the Indians of pre-Columbian days. Visits can be arrangedthrough the Museum of Dominican r'1an,inSanto Domingo." A winter grotto fieldtrip, anybody?

P.S. A little restaurant at the junctionof the airport road with the main southcoast highway, on the lower emergedcoral bench, is called La Cuevita - TheLittle Cave. It might be fun to find outthe reason for the name.

CASCADE CAVER [55]

LEITER TO THE U.S.G.S.By Larry McTigue

Dear Sirs,It has came to our attention

recently that the Provisional 1983Series of tOI~graphic maps for the Stateof Vlashington include many sensitivecave locations. As an affiliated chapterof the National Speleological Society,it is our desire to protect the bio-logical and geological forms that arepresent in-side the caves of Washington.As such, we would like to request thatyou remove some of the more sensitiveand less well known caves fram yourfinal draft edition of this map series.Specifically, we would like to requestthat you remove all cave locationsprinted on the 7.5 min. series of theGuler !'ltn.Quadrangle except perhaps,the location of Ice cave and Cheese cave••hich have been known for many years. Wewould ask that you also remove all cavelocations from the Htn. St. Helens N.~'I.and S.W. Quadrangles (7.5 min. series)except Ape Cave, \"/hichhas also beenknown for a long time. OVer the years,we have worked with many state andfederal government agencies includingthe Forest Service, National ParkService and BLM in order to preserve andprotect these caves fr~~ further sense-less vandalism. Obviously, there aremany other quadrangle maps in thisseries here in the State of Washingtonand throughout the entire U.S. that havecave locations printed on them. It isour desire that it become the policy ofthe U.S.G.S. to eliminate the printingof cave locations, with the exception ofcommercialized or, tourist caves whichare well known and protected by theirowners.

We would appreciate knowing thepolicy of your office and the U.S.G.S.in general regarding this particularmatter. He would like to work with youin formulating a policy concerning thissubject and welcome any suggestions youmay have. He look forward to hearingfrOInyou at your earliest convenience.

AUG - SEPT 1985

rules for borrowing them.

2) The rental fee for members is $.10per map per loan period. Non-members maynot borrow maps.

Maps are listed geographically bysquare degree of latitude and longitude.Each square degree is identified by thecoordinates of the southeast corner.

5) Do not remove maps from the plasticwrappers unless really necessary. (71/2' naps are folded so 1/2 of the mapis visible; 15' maps, so that the entiremap is visible through the plastic.)

foldthey

damaging map enough to greatlyusefulness will be expected toreplacing the map (currently

1) The loan period is the period fromone Grotto meeting to the next. I'lapsborrowed between Grotto meetings are dueon the second following meeting. Re-newals will only be made in extra-ordinary circumstances (the object beingto keep maps available to everyone).

3) Anyonereduce ispay for$2.50).

6) The librarian will bring any maps toa meeting, that members have notifiedhim they want to borrow. Members mayborrow maps by mail so long as they payl)Qstage (a 15' map weighs 1 oz.; a 71/2' map 1 1/2 oz. The Grotto maplibrarian is:

Rod Crawford, I1useum(DB-10)University of WashingtonSeattle, \;rA 98195(206) 543-9853 late evenings

4) Do not make any marks on maps orth~o in any way other than the wayare presently folded.

CASCADE GROITO ~lAPLIBRARYBy Rod Crawford

After talking about maps in theprevious letter, I thought it might be agood tline to mention the Grotto ~BPLibrary. I-lanyof you might not realizethis, but the Grotto has a fairly largecollection of topographical naps ofWashington State. Here is a list of ther.laPSthat "Ie currently h2.ve and the

REPLY FROM THE U.S.G.S.J •R. Swinnerton

Chief, Hestern I'lappingCenter

In response to your letter of Octo-ber, 21 \vehave reviewed the materialrelating to the caves shown on Mt. St.Helens, NW and SW (published names Mt.St. Helens, Mt. ~litchell), and GuIerMtn., Washington, 7.5-minute quad-rangles.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)shares your concerns regarding the en-vironn~ntal effect of depicting cavesand archeological sites on the nationaltopographic series. He have soughtadvice from professional societies,state, and national agencies on thismatter. As a result of these contacts,our accepted practice is to show pro-tected and managed caves on topographicmaps produced by the USGS. We believethat the selected omission of naturalfeatures on topographic maps would raisequestions as to the completeness ofother map detail.

We will further evaluate yourrequest when the maps are revised orreprinted. We welcome your comments andhope you understand our position on thismatter.

48/124:Clallam BayP'-JshtCape FlatteryOzette LakeLake pleasant

19571957195719561957

15I QUADRANGLE t1APSOF WASHINGTON48/123: Anacortes

Port Angeles 1961 Orcas IslandJoyce 1950 LyndenLake Crescent 1950 Van Zandt

48/122: vhckershamBlaine 1952 samish Lake

195119571954195119511954

CASCADE CAVER [56] AUG - SEPT 1985

Clear LakeDeception Pass

48/121:Mt. BakerHt. ShuksanLake ShannonHamiltonHt. Challengerl'larblemountGlacier PeakOsoGranite FallsSilverton

48/120:1-1azarnaDoe HtnLucerneHolden

48/119:Horseshoe BasinLoomisConconullyTiffany MtnOrovilleMt BonaparteAeneas ValleyTonasketQ:nakLakeDisautelBoot !'itnLoup LoupOkanoganBridgeport

48/118:Bodie MtnCurlewRepublicAeneasTogo 1.ltnOrientKettle FallsSherman PeakTwin LakesIncheliumHunters\Iilmont CreekSeventeen-MileKellerBald Knob

48/117 :Newport (30')

47/124:La PushForks

CASCADE CAVER

19561951

195219531951952195319531950195619561957

1962196319441944

19561956195719561951195119571957195319521950195619571951

195819481948195819481948194819481952195019481948Htn19521953

1936

19561957

•

Spruce !'itnSalmon RiverZ,JacaffeHillTaholahDestruction Island

47/123:Nt Christie!'it.TomMount OlympusTyler PeakKloochman RockMt Angelesl>1tTeboThe Brothersl1tSteelElmaPotlatchHumptulipsHynoochee ValleyShelton

47/121 :l>1ountSiMonroeIndexEastonKachess LakeGreenwaterEnumclawBanderaSnoqualmie PassLester

47/120:Chiwaukum MtsThorp\'1enatcheeLakeCle ElumLeavenworthLibertyMount Stuart

47/119:Ephrata

47/117:Ht SpokaneClaytonDeer ParkCheney

46/123:MontesanoMaloneRochester

46/122:MineralOhop ValleyKapowsin

[57]

19581956195519551956

19471956195619461956194419531947194719531952195519551953

1960195619571961196119561956196019611962

1965195819651958196419611961

1956

1950195019491954

195519531953

195619591956

Spirit Lake 1957l~rton 1957Elk Rock 1953Ht. St. Helens 1958Cougar 1953

46/121:\Vhite Pass 1962Randle 1962Packwood 1962Mt Rainier (30') 1924Bumping Lake 1962Steamboat !'itn(30') 1926

46/120:Ellensburg 1958

45/122:Lookout Mtn 1953Bridal Veil 1954

45/121 :Wind River 1957~illsum 1957

7 1/2' QUADRANGLE HAPSOF WASHINGTON

48/123:Friday Harbor 1954False Bay 1954Haldron Island 1954Roche Harbor 1954

48/122:Shaw Island 1973Eastsound 1973Blakely Island 1973Kendall 1972l.lapleFalls 1972Alger 1968Lake \fuatcom 1972La Conner 1956Deception Pass 1978utsalady 1956LYman 1980Bow 1968Bellingham South 1972

48/122:Finney Peak 1966Pugh Htn 1966Illabot Peaks 1966Prairie Mtn 1966Huckleberry Mtn 1966Fortson 1966Rockport

48/119:The Pot Hole 1981Tonasket 1981

AUG - SEPT 1985

Riverside 1981 Addy Mtn 1965 46/124:Ornak 1981 Colville 1952 Cape Disappointment 1973Conconully East 1981 Arden 1965 46/121 :

48/119: Dunn i'-1tn 1965 White River Park 1971Bangs I'itn 1969 47/122: Mowich Lake 1971Harcus 1969 Haple Valley 1973 Chinook Pass 1971Bossburg 1969 Issaquah 1973 Cliffdell 1971Kettle Falls 1969 47/121 : bItRainier East 1971Boyds 1969 Scenic 1965 Sunrise 1971

48/117: Blanca Lake 1965 Mt Rainier Hest 1971China Bend 1969 Skykomish 1965 King Htn 1971Northport 1969 Baring 1965 Mt Adams \>lest 1970Onion Creek 1969 Stevens Pass 1965 Lone Butte 1965Deep Lake 1952 Grotto 1965 Mt Adams East 1970Boundary 1952 Snoqualmie 2N'.~ 1961 Burnt Peak 1965Leadpoint 1952 (Advance Sheet) Sleeping Beauty 1970Boundary Dam 1967 47/120: Trout Lake 1970Park Rapids 1967 v~enatchee Lk 2 StJ 1965 Quartz Creek Butte 1965Hetaline Falls 1967 (Advance Sheet) 46/120:Hetaline 1967 47/119: VJeddle Canyon 1971Abercranbie Mtn 1967 Park Lake 1975 45/122:Echo Valley 1952 Cooley City 1965 Lacamas Creek 1970Gillette Mtn 1952 Ephrata 1956 vJashougal 1975Spirit 1952 47/117:\lliite 11udLake 1952 pine City 1964

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The Next Grotto Meeting is at 7:00 on January 21st

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CASCADE CAVER [58] AUG - SEPT 1985