Report published in the Nov./Dec. 2004 MSS Liaison newsletter
We can’t wait to get ‘beyond the map’ in upstream Thunder River but surveying as you go takes time especially in the maze that the new map is revealing. The new survey has now reached 40,000’. Congratulations to our Cartographers. The resurvey and other scientific work are the reasons the CCC was formed and we are all proud of what we as an organization have accomplished so far. These studies are made possible by the will and blessing of many landowners of the cave and the CCC provides the framework that makes it all possible. We appreciate the acceptance of our legal releases and the support of the M.S.S., NSS Conservation Committee, all of our members and neighbors of the cave.
There have been significant strides in surveying the Carroll passage borehole this Fall during a brief period in which we can share this portion of the cave with the varied bat populations. The surveyors really enjoyed the change of pace and reached within 1000’ of the natural entrance. Many years will be required however to survey the 100+ side passages along the Carroll stream. Surveying in upstream Thunder is strictly survey as you go and right now is bogged down in the UL4 maze with the main passage itself turning into a multi-level maze at this point with water obstacles. Hopefully in 6 months the main passage survey will be beyond where no survey has ever gone before.
Recent trips include an upstream Thunder survey on 9/4/04 led by Dan Lamping with Matt Platter and Mike Freeman. Bob Lerch led two Carroll surveys on 10/9/04 and 12/3-4/04 with help from Ben Miller, Rita Worden, Matt Goska, Charlie Knight and Joe Sikorski.
A previously unreported Biology Trip occurred 10/23/04 with Rick Hines, Bill Gee, Lawrence Ireland and Andy Isbell. They photographed to El Charca Azulceleste including a find of 1/8 inch long flatworms. Another Biology trip on 10/26/04 included Lawrence Ireland, Aaron White, Eddie Simmons, Terry Sherman, Carl Wagner, Jamie Euliss and Mike Hartley. These explorers witnessed a rapid Carroll river in torrent flow yet counted several cave fish in slower pools.
On 10/16/04 Colby Johnson led Mike Hartley, Jamie Euliss, John Ryder and Ben McCall on a Restoration trip in the Carroll river passage encountering 160+ bats in El Barrera de Agua.
The Rescue Committee ran an Incident Preparedness drill on 12/06/04 with 18 agency personnel members including 5 senior medical personnel. The drill began with a briefing at the Montreal FD station following with a live rigging and rescue randy hauling. Thanks to Terry DeFraites for leading this event.
All of these details can be found on the CCC website at www.carrollcave.org Submitted by Marty H. Griffin, CCC#44, NSS#24457L.