Carroll Cave Trip Report

12/28/04

Permit #:  0412-3

Purpose:  “Thank you” trip for Bill Hays and Photo trip

 

Rick Hines (CCC #1), Trip Leader

Randy Bruegger (CCC #181)

Bill Hays (CCC #43)

Quentin Hays (CCC #268)

Chad Hines (CCC #119)

Craig Hines (CCC #147)

Amy Kirch (CCC #267)

Marsha Walker (CCC #138)

 

Randy and his daughter Amy joined me and my two sons, Craig and Chad, for the 3.5 hour trip from my home on the south side to Kansas City to Carroll.  We arrived at the Schoolhouse about 9:15 and found Bill and Quentin waiting for us.  While we were doing introductions Marsha arrived.   We all piled in my van for the ride to the backdoor.  At this point we were running ahead of schedule. 

 

Bill Hays, an attorney and partner in the law firm, Shook Hardy & Bacon, have helped the CCC through incorporation and the IRS 501 c 3 process (pro bono).  I was delighted to finally get Bill underground for a “Thank You” trip. 

 

Getting everyone geared up took a little longer than expected. Randy rigged a rope and we were started down the shaft by about 10:30, only about 30 minutes behind the plan. 

 

We made our way down the Carroll Passage, observing and photographing formations and people along the way.  The crew carried and positioned 4 slave flash units for our digital photos.  After a number of photos at the water barrier we made our turn and headed back to Thunder Falls.  We climbed down below the falls for the view and photos.  From Thunder Falls we moved up Thunder River and climbed up to the Angel Pool passage for a few final photos before returning to the ladder and climbing out.  We were out just before dark after a very enjoyable trip.

 

It was the first trip into Carroll for Bill, Quentin, and Amy and it was Quentin’s first wild cave trip.  I hope to see them all back again.  Quentin said he would be back and with his interest and biology (working on a degree at Missoula MT) he could be an asset for Lawrence

 

I left 2 500 watt shop lights in the silo to correct a problem with lights reported on a previous trip. The one incandescent bulb on the ceiling is under a drip and cracks and burns out.  The fluorescent lights in the silo worked fine for us since it was a fairly warm day but they do not work on cold days.  Randy and I sprayed the silo door lock with WD-40 and it works better now but may still need to be replaced if trip leaders have problems in the future. 

 

Rick Hines