CARROLL CAVE SURVEY TRIP REPORT

DATE OF SURVEY: 04, 05, 06 July, 03

NUMBER OF TEAMS: 04 July, 03 - 2 Teams 05 July, 03 - 3 Teams

NUMBER OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS: 11
NAMES OF SURVEYORS: Tony Scmidtt, Matt Goska, Brian Borton, Tom Lounsbury, Andy Lerch, Bob Lerch, Ben Miller, Ron Lather, Dan Lamping, Joe Sikorski, Bill Gee
NAMES OF COOKS: Pedgie Heinze, Lorely Lather
DATE OF THIS REPORT: 18 July, 03

NEXT SCHEDULED SURVEY TRIP: 02 August, 03

TIME IN: 04 July,03 - 1030 hrs ------ 05 July, 03 - 1030 hrs
LAST TEAM OUT: 04 July,03 - 1730 hrs ------ 05 July, 03 - 0130 hrs 06 July

TRIP OBJECTIVES:

Continue survey of the Upper Thunder River Main-Stream Passage; continue side passage in UL3 sections off of Upper Thunder River. Trip objectives were met with teams continuing survey on two (2) consecutive days.

Secondary objective of this trip was to evaluate impact on the cave due to multiple day trips.


SURVEY TEAM LEADERS:

Robert Lerch, Ron Lather, Ben Miller

EQUIPMENT USED:
David Inotek - Model DA 833 Survey Altimeter/Barometer,
Leica Disto lite5 - Laser Distance meters
Survey Transit
Hand Held Brunton Compasses
Hand Held Suunto KB14/compass
Hand Held Suunto PM5 Clinometer


REPORT TEXT:

The July, 2003 Carroll Cave Survey trip fielded a total of five (5) teams in the cave over the two (2) day period of 04, 05 July 2003. Of the five teams two teams worked in the Upstream Thunder River Passage continuing the base line survey ever closer to the Round Room and the UL3 side passage area of the cave. Hand teams concentrated on the UL3 side passage section of the cave off of Upper Thunder River.

The side passage teams were successful in pushing southward in the UL3 section of the cave and succeeded in surveying approximately 2000ft. of complex multi level maze. The total surveyed passage in this area of the cave now exceeds one mile. The UL3 teams will return to continue this survey. Trip times in this section of the cave are pushing toward the 20-hour mark.

The transit teams continued up-stream. The nature of this large main trunk passage requires time and effort to adequately record data and make sketches. Several geological/sedimentary observations were made and recorded. Initial response from consultants is that crystalline spar type formation may well be an aragonite spar. Alluvial concretion mounds are in question as to their origin. Further consultation and/or study may be required.

It was observed that light teams moving quickly through the cave seemed to produce a minimal impact in travel areas. The observations indicated that teams moving in the foot-prints of others and spending as little time in the water as possible tended not to create great mud washes where they entered and left the streams. It appears that light teams tend to move on top of rocks and boulders and spend as little time as possible in muddy areas. Obviously, the mud must be dealt with on any trip into Carroll Cave. Survey teams will continue to monitor the environmental issue of moving through the cave and continue to post their observations. At this point however, it appears that the smaller more physically fit team produces the least impact upon the cave.

The members of the July, 2003 Carroll Cave survey trip would like to especially thank Pedgie Heinze and Lorely Lather for providing dinner on Saturday July 05.

For the Carroll Cave Survey Committee
Brian Borton
Survey Project Manager