T-Junction Dig 3
1/27/01

Diggers
Wayne Burnett, Bill Copeland, Steve Dalton, Terry DeFraties, Jeremy Eaton,
Andy Free, Rick Hines, Ron Lather, Tom Lounsbury, Lisa Teufel, Ryan Thompson

We plugged the hole
After about 4 hours of jack hammering we had opened a cylinder about 3.5 feet
in diameter and 2 feet deep at the top of the bedrock. At that point we
found the hole plugged for the second time that day. The first plug was
easily removed with a steel fence post lowered on a rope. Attempts to remove
the second plug with the fence post failed. Dropping one of the 15 feet by
2.5 inch steel tripod legs on the plug 70 feet below also failed. The final
attempt to ram out the hole used a 100 pound, 10 foot long 4 inch I-beam.
The I-beam also failed. During the attempts to remove the plug water filled
to a depth of 14 feet above the top of the plug.

How we plan to remove the plug
I assume (hope) 14 feet of water pressure will wash the mud out of the plug
and drain off into the cave. This will make the ram more effective, without
the water to slow it down. Without the mud the ram should break the rock and
clear the plug.

Before we return we will round up a heavier ramrod. A section of railroad
rail or pipe weighing about 500 pounds sounds about right.

To keep additional mud from washing in and to get ready for plan B it the
ramrod does not work we will obtain a 10 foot tall by approximately 5 foot
diameter pipe. We will weld some horizontal fins on the pipe, place it on
the bedrock and back fill around it. The fins will lock the pipe into the
ground giving us a solid anchor to push against if it becomes necessary to
use a hydraulic jack and a long pipe to push out the plug.

If you have other suggestions of how to remove the plug (other than
explosives) please let me know.

Other activity
Gerry Gattenby is making progress on obtaining a 16 foot diameter by 40 foot
tall silo. He hopes to have a crane lay the silo on its side so we can
disassemble it. It is formed from 5 by 8 foot section that are bolted
together. The roof and two 8 foot tall section could make a secure building
over the entrance.

Greg Fry has arranged for electrical power to be brought to the dig. He has
granted the power company an easement for the new poles and line. Since we
are a 501 c 3 organization the power company will install the line at a
reduced rate, which should be less than $400. The power company will locate
a transformer near the dig so will have adequate power for 240 V welders or
other high power equipment. We need to clear some trees along the fence to
make way for the power line. Any volunteers?

We de-rigged the sinkhole dig and moved ropes, chains, block and tackle,
ladders, pulleys and outer item to the T-junction dig. When I went down into
the sinkhole dig to pull up the ladder from the cave I found everything about
the same as we left it. The dig still looks secure and the cave below still
looks unstable.

We need to enter the T-Junction dig from the gravel road and not Hwy 7 to
minimize damage to the pasture. Vehicles not hauling gear should park just
inside the fence and walk to the dig. Carpool when possible.

Greg Fry, son Dillon, Dillon's grandfather Bruce, and Dillon's grandmother
visited.

CCC thanks go to:
Lisa, for the tasty beef stew that filled us and warmed us Saturday night!
Steve, for obtaining and hauling the tripod, compressor, jackhammer,
generator, lights and other tools to the dig!
Greg, for making the arrangements with the power company and for putting up
with us!
Danny Schupbach, at Journagan's for his help with steel, compressor and
jackhammers!

See attached photo.

Rick Hines