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THE REGION RECORD Autumn, 1970 Vol. 1, No. 2

• •••

24 THE CHAIR SPEAKS ............... Tom Vigour

·25 LIKEWISE, THE EDITOR ........... Kim Smith

27 MINUTES OF THE SPRING MEET. Janet Pickens

28 A HAPPENING AT FRANKLIN .. Anne Whittemore

36 CAVES OF WAR ................... Peter Hauer

41 CARTOON ...................... An onymous

42 SPELEO PHOTO SCENE ...... The Whittemores

44 ON DINING AT THE BIRD ........... Tom Vigour

45 YOU BET YOUR LIFE ... Robert L. Huffman and Phil Lucas

THE REGION RECORD is the offiCial quarterly publication of the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society. Subscription rate is $3.0 0 per year. All correspondence should be sent to: THE REGION RECORD, Box 3585 C.RS., Johnson City, Tennessee 37061. Managing Editor of THE REGION RECORD is R E. Whittemore. Associate Editors are Tom Williams and Kim Smith. Contributions for publication should be submitted one month pri0r to the publication dates of January, April, July and October.

No. 2, Autumn 1970 23

Greetings again, dear Virginia Region cavers and subscribers to the REGION RECORD. I guess Whitt has made his point to the world regarding the capacity of the Region to produce a publication. I hope the skeptics in Baltimore realize this and get off their backsides and subscribe.

As you know. the VPI Grotto, with assistance from the Region. is hosting the 1971 NSS Convention in Blacksburg next June. All of us involved kept our eyes open at Watoga and State College looking for things that could be improved upon next year. '71 Convention chairman is Jim "Moose" Dawson and he would appreciate any suggestions you might have that would facilitate next year's convention, so speak up!

Our Spring Project at Moncove Lake back in May saw a fantastic turnout of cavers. The twin highlight of the week

end was, I'm sure, the absence of rain and the distribution of the first issue of the REGION RECORD. B u t t h e gathering was also highlighted by lots of cavers doing lots of caving--7000 feet surveyed. plus several I e a d s checked and verified. But all this activity ceased in time for lots of fellowship and partying to happen both Friday and Saturday evenings. My only comment is Wow!

Congratulations are i n order t o Bill Biggers and wife, Sue. Although Bill still has his ups and downs (he's head elevator jockey at the Washington phallic symbol), I guess he's decided to calm down somewhat and stop freaking out residents of Tucson, Lawrence (Kansas), and Jenny Lake Campground. But alas and alack, another institution has fallen this summer also. Yes, the perennial dirty old man, John Holsinger got sidetracked to the alter, and now has a sidekick for his devilry, his sweet wife , Carol. Rumor has it that Carol and Annie Whittemore are cooking something up for Thanksgiving in Pennington Gap.

Oh yes, the Virginia Region i s now represented on the NSS Safety and Techniques Committee by Bob Thrun of PSC. If you have any complaints, suggestions or information for that committee. see Bob and he'll pass it along.

Enough o f t his. Continue reading t h e Virginia Region's best publication (and rather than loan your copy to a friend, make the bum subcribe!).

peace, Tom Vl r, Chairmau

THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1 24

Darned if I know what I'm supposed to editorialize about, but the note attached to the manila envelope did say "do an editorial". Really, I have no axes to publicly grind; I can't think of a single hard-hitting c o m m e n t which would suddenly bring light to any particular darkness. And Lord knows the standard "editorials-for-the-sake-offilling-space" subjects like Motherhood and Apple Pie have been done to death (besides they could start a dangerous crossfire from the women's lib element). I could talk about myself, but Whitt's shameless memoirs in the last issue caused me to t h i n k twice about that approach. Couldn't I just content myself with jumping into our author ' well-ordered and hard-won b'ains of thought with ill-timed and irreverent editor's (Ed. You mean like this?) notes?

1 was just congratulating myself on the softest editor's job I'd ever fallen into (I didn't even know the first issue existed until I got it in the mail) when Annie Whittemore, after coming within a fingernail of running over my drinking hand with the Bronco during the Fall Council Meeting, accosted me with the aforementioned m a n i 1 a envelope. It contained assorted sundry writings, a cartoon, some maps and a bunch of pictures. The attached note from Whitt (who HAD to go fishing that weekend) indicated that I should take all that stuff and whip it into Vol. 1, No. 2 of this sterling publication. Swell. So much for the cushy job.

The astute reader will have noticed by now that this Vol. 1, No. 2 is dated "Autumn 1970", whereas Vol. 1 No. 1 was dated "Winter 1970". I

No. 2, Autumn 1970

could say that the entire region was caught in a time warp and that spring and summer simply did not occur here, but I suspect no more than two or three people w 0 u 1 d buy that tale. Actually, it was in the winter of 1970 when the last issue was put together, but due to a time warp of another (and more commonplace) type, it wasn't printed until this summer. Someone just forgot to change the date. So here's what we're gonna do. Rather than get off on the wrong foot by being three issues late before we ever get started, we'd like you to take out your copy of Vol. 1, No. 1 and mark out the "Winter" date slug. Then write "Summer". Now! We're all up to date (how's that for getting out of an awkward situation?).

Now that I think about it, that means we'll now have to either limit Volume 1 to just two issues, or wait until next summer to begin Volume 2. Oh well, we'll worry about that le.ter (as Scarlett said, "Tomorrow is another day", to which Rhett replied: "My dear, I don't gi ve a damn'') .

Now to this issue. Anne Whittemore remarks somewhere in the pages ahead that Virginia Region cavers are the "best cavers and partiers in the East", a fact no Region member would dare deny. However, I'm wondering w hat those people outside the Region think after they've read this issue of the Region's official publication. That we know how to have one hell of a good time is amply documented, but there is precious little evidence to indicate that we ever set foot into a ca ve. Come on, youse guys, let's let these doubters know that the Virginia Region has the best cavers not only in the East, but in the United States as well (today the country-t 0 m 0 r r o w the world)! The best way of doing that, short of getting dirty, is putting your exploits on paper. The editors of THE REGION RECORD (all three of us) are dying to get some mileage out of our blue pencils! {By t h e w a y, T o m

25

Williams, it's your turn to write the next editorial.)

I heard several topics being discussed at the fall meeting which would make excellent subjects for dissertations in these pages. What about the gating project suggested for one of West Virginia's most beautiful caves now endangered by vandalism (although that might well wait until AFTER the gate has been installed!), or another gating project which was mentioned. How about a history of the CRCN? Everyone is waiting to hear something about the progress of the West Virginia Cave Survey (something besides "we're still working on it"), or for that matter how about anything at all on West Virginia caves and cavers? The potential for good stories is limitless. There are some excellent writers (who by some happy coincidence happen to be excellent cavers) within the Region. Now, don't try to deny it, because we've seen some of your work! How about letting us all in on it?

Before I cease these aimless ramblings, it must be said that this issue, with the shiny new format, would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Bruce Bannerman of the W. Va. Tech Outing Club. He has put as much time into giving birth to this issue as anyone, which of course, he was under no obligation whatsoever to do. What did he do? Suffice it to say that Bruce is a printing major at Tech. Get the picture? Thanks, Bruce Baby!

Anytime, Kim, just ask.- Bannerman

75. DQ. !

/L

Letters

AND ASSORTED RECRIMINATIONS

Deal Editol-San,

Conglatulations on Numbel One Issue.

One small complaint, howevel. Yellow covel have lacist tendency.

Will folgive this one time, as obvious ignolance. But do waIn that one mole use of lacist telm "yellow" will lesult in bad scene fol bigot usel. Will pulsue lound eyed usel of complomising B.S. wi th much vigoul.

Humble Thanks, /s/F .L. Wong Baltimole Judo and Anti Defamation League

(Dear Foot Long: No one complained about the black ink. Ed.)

MINUTES OF THE SPRING COUNCIL

ME ETING OF THE VIRGINIA REGION

April 4, 1970, Washington D. C.

(American University Grotto Hosting)

OFFICERS:

Tom Vigour, Chairman; Phil Lucas,

Vice Chairman; Janet Pickens, Secre

tary-Treasurer

REPRESENTATIVES:

D.C.-Pat Moretti, George Corbett;

Triangle University-Ed Palczewski;

PSC -John Moore, Bob Thrun; U. Va.

Roger Baroody; Holsten Valley -Jim

Beck, RE. Whittemore; WVACS-Jim

Hixson, Lynn Vinzant; A. U. -Kendall

Free, Lanny Lehto; VPI-Jim Dawson,

Pete Schnaars; Shenandoah Valley

ED Bauer, Gorden Kerby; W.Va. Tech

26 THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

Outing Club-Bill Holmes, Bill Rawollions; B lu e R i d g e-John Tichenor, Craig Peters; George Washington U.Paul Broughton

The Chairman, Tom Vigour, called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm. The list of representatives present was read. Minutes of the Nineteenth Annual Virginia Region Fall Meeting and the Treasurer's Report were read and approved.

Lynn Vinzant read and discussed the Closed Caves List, which was distributed to the representatives present, and had previously been sent to the Region members with the notice of the meeting.

Phil Lucas reported that the gating of Porter's Cave was successful. Only NSS members are being allowed into Porter's by the owner.

Tom Vigour expressed the hope that the Region would have a better representation at the next meeting of the Congress of Grottos during the August NSS Convention.

Tom also recommended the weekend of May 30 as the date of the Region's Spring Project, being held at Moncove Lake in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. A steak roast may be planned. John Holsinger moved that the site of Moncove Lake be accepted. Passed.

Bob Thrun announced that he is in charge of the data processing section of the August convention. Papers should be submitted to him.

Lanny Lehto said that Bill Biggers is looking for volunteers to lead cave trips for the convention.

Don Cournoyer mentioned that the Board of Governors will be holding its first annual retreat during the convention. John Cooper will MC the banquet, and Jim Comstock will be the speaker.

John Moore announced that t h e PSC

No. 2, Autumn 1970

Fieldhouse must be kept clean when being used by visitors during the convention. It was suggested that an article to the NEWS would inform potential guests of the problems surrounding the Fieldhouse and would make them aware of the need to remain civilized while in that area.

John Holsinger moved that the Bylaws of the Region be changed to admit interested groups in the states of Kentucky and Ohio. The motion was defeated unanimously.

John then moved that the Region encourage the NSS to acquire a national headquarters. The motion was passed unanimously. The Congress of Grottos is expected to discuss this problem at its next meeting.

The Twentieth Annual Fall Meeting of the Region will be held October 3 at the lodge of Massanutten Caverns, north of Harrisonburg, and will be hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Grotto.

"Whitt" Whittemore announced that the Region publication will be published quarterly. The first issue should be out within two weeks. More subscriptions were solicited.

Jim Dawsonmoved that the Region cohost the 1971 convention with VPI, The motion was passed unanimously. VPI handed out copies of the tentative proposal for the convention, which sets the date around the middle of June.

John Holsinger suggested t h a t t h e official history of the Region be up_· dated. Ed Bauer was appointed chairman of the committee to write the recent history (suggested name: Commi ttee for Action on the Virginia Region's Evolution, or CAVRE). A report of the committee will be submitted at the next meeting.

Ed Bauer requested a status report on the CRCN. John Tichenor will try to

(continued on page 41)

27

28

"Step right up I folks and register here. Sign the book, NSS number, number of OTR's attended...." "Including this one?" "Sure thing; home group, registration $2.00, banquet $2.00" "Can I pay later for the banquet?" "If there are any tickets left." "Who are you?" "I'm HIM!" "Where are you camping?" "Thorn Spring." "That'll be $1.00/ tent/night.'" 'Grumble." • 'Display this orange tag where it can be seen from the road on your tent." "What's going on today?" "It's in the program." "Where's that?" "End of the table." "Do I get one of these bumper stickers?" "Twenty-five cents each." "Who are you?' , , 'I'm HI M! " "The ladies room is out of paper." "Grumble." "How many stars do we get?" "When's the banquet?" "Read the program."

Such was the scene Saturday morning, September 5 at McCoy's Mill, where the 21st annual Old Timers Reunion was being held. Chairman for this year: R. E. Whittemore (and next year too!).

Officially the Old Timers Reunion begins Friday night at 6:00, so you can imagine our surprise when we pulled in Thursday night at midnight and found twenty cars. Some people had been there since Wednesday! After socializing a bit and throwing a poor landed Tuna fish back into the pond, we trooped off to bed on the porch of the Mill. So soothing to listen to rain on a tin roof.

Friday morning a strong wind was blowing down the valley; pink and gray c l o u d s scudded across the lower breeze. We were anxious about the forecast, having experienced such lovely weather at State College, Pa. First on the agenda was to fix the steps to the porch. With the aid of a small hand saw, Alan Armstrong (who came all the way from Nassau especially for OTR) and Whitt made three runners and six planks for steps. A lot of people s t o o d around to watch. The steps done and railings in place, the Mill was ready for the horde; that is, if the porch floor didn't cave

THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

in.

Friday evening we set up registration to get the "early" arrivals. Some of the famous ca vers which flowed over my grandmother's Paisely shawl were Tom Vigour, the famed banjo-slinging HOVACS man; David Funsten, complete with bongos and maracas; Harold Hamilton a n d family; M. C. Childs 0 f Cleveland and veteran of 20 OTR's; t h a t tantilizing p i nk F o r d fellow, Frank L. Mielcarek from Pitt!Sburgh; M i k e Kelley, D. C. Grotto; D a v e DeArmond, Met Grotto; a charming young femme of York and Reading Grottos, residing as an upstanding citizen in Franklin, Bobbi Nagy; Bob Lutz, PSC and 19 OTR's; Wilmer McCavit of Cleveland; and of course, that old VPI man, Steven R. Kark. What a fan-tas-tic basis for the best Old Timers yetI

Here we are Saturday morning. Bright and early at 9:00 registration began; at noon the Olympics. We had the same contests as always but with fewer contestants. While rigging the large tree for the vertical contests, Gene Harrison accidentally dropped a thirty-pound snatch block on Dale Parrott's foot. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, though Dale took several hours to extricate himself from the manmade cave. And Karl Berge, judge for the cave crawl contest, was battered and somewhat bruised when he exited McCoy's Mill through the window after taking in the tickets contestants were to pick up later. We understand, too, that Stanley Leo Carts, Jr. was injured when well-wishers surrounded him in the Franklin liquor store. They were just trying to get "something for everyone.' ,

But on to better things, like some of the other cavers who showed up for the Happening. Ah yes, Bev and Jerry Frederick, a n amiable p a i r from Virginia whose door is always open to the weary caver; that reckless maniac Karl Hamm; the sweetest all-night lush

No. 2, Autumn 1970 29

in the world, Kim Smith; the everpopular Elves, Dee Snell and Jette Feduska; Dick Bishop, a corruptor of young children; Dr. Cato Holler; those groovy two from South Carolina, David and Sandy Irving; VPI # 112 and York #1l2--wonder if they know each other?; Halph Nader: John Tichenor (Stanley's campaign manager): and of course, Phil Lucas, the MUSIC MAN. But wait. We can't leave out Ted Wachter (a friendly roving electrician): Granny Hester and Uncle Jerry Nettles: that funny looking kid from Baltimore with dark glasses and big nose, with his lovely wife, Chris: Ackie and Betty Loyd, who've attended 21 and 19 OTR's: such GGG favorites as Dave Harvey, Dave Newson and Jerry Waters; Cricket! Haygood: Ken Free and Dave Street, members of the newly-formed Sligo Grotto; Dirty Jim; Pablo: that fair-haired lad from Altoona, Jack Speece: the vertical family from Huntsville, Miriam and Bill Cuddington; Don Cournoyer (the whistle-blOWing kid) and his side-kick, Attila. Not to be forgotten are Brad Cobb, owner of Massanutten Caverns: Ed Palczewski; Wheelchair Titcomb: Warren P. Brown (the Doc); Roswell Jones (famous bread baker): Charlie Schwab without his wife: John Piccininni all the way from Windy City Grotto: a tent seller, Steve Cadle: smiling, but fearless Dave Collins: the Crawlway Kid, Jay Herbein; Linda's master, Jim Hixson; that lovable ole souse, George Corbett; Grayson Harding; and dear, unforgettable Mike Houpt. Do you realize we registered 364 people! That's a record! Last year it was only 345. Maybe we'll hit 400 next year, Frieders (heavens, I hope not!)

Ah yes, back to the cave Olympics. The contests-quiz, 100 foot rope climb (knots and mechanical) , lamp assembly, bowline tie (in the future you will be blindfolded), cave crawl, ladder climb, cave pack, and prusik-rappel-prusikran for six hours on Saturday. Most people preferred caving, Climbing, or lounging at Shangri-La or dipping their toes into the pond behind the Mill. We

thank the enterprising soul(s) who rigged the trolley line over the pond. It is understood that a photographer from a TV or movie studio took pictures of someone going down the trolley line. Would love to see his movie.

We heard that Bobbi Nagey held a pretrailer-warming-party party at her trailer. Actually she spent most of the day gathering huckleberries at Dolly Sods for pies at the banquet. Heard about a drowning at Shangri-La. It seems that Ackie Loyd was teaching his pet frog how to handle a gin and tonic when the poor thing fell in the glass and bashed his head on an icecube. And we all heard how Uncle Ham was floating peacefully on his yellow air mattress when Betty Loyd and Marguerite Klein decided to ... well , never mind.

Meanwhile, back to the Olympics. We were hoping a lot of ladies would participate so we could give a women's lib prize, but most preferred to go four-wheeling with Hixson. But people were doing their things and coming up with good times. Even coming up with short tempers and added determination. Judges of the lamp assembly, bowline tie and pack contests got awfully bored, but once each hour someone would bop over to take their test. Keeps things interesting!

Over at the registration desk, I was registering late arrivals and giving out paper for the cave quiz and our new fun contest-"The Baby Hall of Fame." We asked notables of the Virginia Region and MAR as well as Old Timers to contribute pictures of themselves as babies or young children. We mounted them on boards with names for a grand matching quiz. The person who named the most babies correctly and the person selected by contestants as the cutest baby were to receive prizes. Although only 28 persons took the qUiZ, we felt the display was a success because of the fun and merriment it caused. The contest's winner, Jerry

30 THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

Frederick, and the second place man, Ackie Loyd, both had their wives helpjng them. Tsk, tsk! A lot of people just couldn't believe some babies actually looked the same when adults. One young lady was overheard to say of Bud Rutherford: "I can't believe it. He still has the same grl,lmpy expression!" Another young matron who racked up with 19 right, messed up all the gals, but got most of the guys right. With the exception of Bev Frederick, whom everyone named correctly (she was the only female on a male board!) Jim Hixson was most often named correctly. Roger Baroody (the kid in the sandpile) was icientified 18 times, and Bill Stephenson, 17. Charlie Schwab (the kid wjthout a face) got the boobyprize. He was named correctly twice-by himself and by an Elf! Correct answers were posted Sunday afternoon.

Saturday night saw one of those grand branewpardies that Old Timers is famous for. Phil Lucas provided the music from the kitchen and we danced until 2:00 am, when the Mill was closed and locked as tight as a drum.

Sunday morning brought a few early risers meeting several bleary-eyed

all-night partiers, like Kim Smith and Ed Loud, barely able to stand. As soon as the sun peeped over the rim of the ridge, tents began to stir and walk away. I found my cousin Rick vainly grubbing for ox tails and watercress back of the Mill and offered him an egg, a donut and coffee, which he speedily accepted.

Sunday was a repeat of Saturday: more four-wheeling, drinking, swimming, caving, climbing, registering and contests. Also, the charming and talented ladies of the VPI Grotto, with the strong - arm help of Glen D a v i s, Al A r m s t r o n g, T. S. Roehr, G l e n Talmadge a n d a 11 the h o t - a i r m e n who blew up the balloons, decorated the dance hall for the BRANEWPARDY. It was a great job; the twinkling lights were a sensational touch. But next year we need more, More, MORE Balloons! Big ones, little ones, tall ones, short ones, kidney-shaped ones, hot dog-shaped ones, whistle-shaped ones, balls, diamonds, hearts, aces, spades, LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of BALLOONS!

Whitt had to figure out the scores so he could give prizes to the most deserv

ing after the banquet. In order to have a lot of peace and quiet for this timeconsuming job, he and Hal Gibson (Nazrat's partner) decided to visit the Franklin dump and take the accumulated trash out at the same time. Now, the Franklin dump can be seen from the highway, as the smoke and foul fumes rise toward that big garbage dump in the sky. Just before reaching Franklin you take the low water bridge and follow the paved road to a dirt side road. And farther up the ridge is another side road which leads to the dump. The gate to the dump was locked with a h u g e padlock and there was a sign attached, saying: "DUMP CLOSED ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND". Well, they had never heard of a dump being closed on Labor Day weekend, so with tears in their eyes they backed up for 200 feet and turned the Bronco with the seven by four foot U-Haul trailer attached (brought especially from Tennessee to take garbage to the Franklin dump.)

32

Hal and Whitt thought perhaps they could find another garbage dump by the side of a side road, but decided they would check at the first house before dumping. (The Franklin jail can be disturbing.) Well, as luck would have it. the owner had a key to the dump. Joyfully, they grabbed it and tried to turn the rig around. No d ic e. They were forced to drive all the way back to Franklin. Finally they were able to empty the pile of garbage, and were off to the Mill when Whitt remembered he had gone to the dump for peace and quiet. Remember that slightly blackened figure atop the abandoned chimney? That was Whitt figuring up the points and prizes.

Oh boy, the banquet. John lost his ticket; Doris lost her ticket. Don't worry; we'll get you in. Yummy-barbecued chicken, smacky potato salad, baked beans, melting ice cream sandwich, garden tomatoes, rolls and butter, and gallons of tea and coffee (unless you brought your own). Mighty tasty, and all for only $2.00. And now for the awards.

There are always shouts for the "times" of the winners, so included herewith is a chart with last year's and this year's "times" for first and second place.

The first grand prize, a cable ladder and two locking 'biners went to Bruce Bannerman, NSS 11485 of West Virginia Tech and WVACS. Second grand prize' went to Bill Corley, NSS 11486· of . Palmyra, Va. Bill received 150 feet of spankin' . brand new Goldline. Third grand prize, in the form of a one quart s t ee I thermos bottle, w e n t to Jack Speece, NSS 8338. NSS 5669, Tom Vigour, received fourth grand prize: an Optimus 8R stove and a pint fuel bottle. And lastly, but not least Norbert R i e k i, Nat. Cap. Grotto, received a covered sleeping bag pad for placing fifth. It is interesting to note that neither Speece nor Vigour placed first.

THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

or second in any contest, yet walked away with grand prizes!

First place winners of the cave olympics are as follows: cave pack - Jack Speece; lamp assembly - Bannerman; 100 foot rope climb with knots - Bill Cuddington; 100 foot rope climb, mechanical - Steve Hall; l a d d e r - C o r l e y. Jette Feduska received the women's lib prize for having beat out two other females. The cave quiz is not one for which a prize is given, but it does enter into a person's total score. Pete Hauer, of saltpetre fame and York Grotto, won with 97 points scorep. An interesting part of the quiz was the third question, asking "In what state was the NSS convention held in the following years: .... ". The answers for 1970 (Pennsylvania) and 1964 (Texas) were given. Contestants had to fill in the intervening years. Only six persons out of 33 which took the quiz named all five correctly. Points were racked up on the 1969 and 1968 sites; Wyoming and Missouri were named correctly 25 times. 1967 and 1966 didn't fare so well. Twelve persons named Alabama right, but others suggested Missouri, Florida, Virginia and New York. Thirteen got California right, but twelve declined to answer. Other answers were Virginia, West Virginia and Bolivia. As for 1965, there were sixteen no answers and nine for Indiana. Of course, the Old Timers is really attended by more new timers than old.

Then, the special prizes! The b a b y contest: Jerry Frederick won and Jim Hixson was selected the cutest baby! Both received adult baby bottles-wineskins! The Granny-of-the-Year award went to Hester Nettles of PSC-a sunbonnet, what else! During the past year Charlie Schwab, D.C. Grotto,has shown a peculiar p r o p e n s i t y for pooping at parties-thus the Party-Pooper-of-theYear award, complete with a poop pot. Luckily for Bob Lutz, Gwen Foster didn't show up this year, so Bob received DEPTHS OF THE EARTH for having the lowest NSS number-235L

No. 2, Autumn 1970

present. T h e Life-of-the-Party award, a beer mug, went to Phil Lucas for the w o n d e r f u l m u s i c he provides at branewpardies. And Harold Hamilton, fondly known as Ham, received the Little Brown Jug award-a little brown jug awash with T e n nes s e e ' s best sour mash, Jack-in-the-Black! H a m presented David Irving with the Carnegie Museum annual award, a fabulous book on fossils. And then the door prizes; Sara Byrd helped with the drawing of tickets. Among the w i n n e r s w e r e Binker Glock, Steve Emery and Carolyn Emery, Ri c h a r d S c h r i e b e r, Margie O'Brien, Marvin Childs, and Jim Hixson. Congratulations to you all! But .. .let's get back to the Mill for the BRANEWPARDYI ! ! ! ! !

Sunday night branewpardies are the very best! The decorations were superb and the music made it impossible to keep still. Wheee! I danced and danced. Jim Hixson made a GRAND entrance wearing only his boots and a big white diaper, with an OTR bumper sticker

33

plastered on his bare chest. The very cutest baby we've ever seen! Phil played some polkas which were bushels of fun-like Dodge-ems at the carnival. I thought everyone was supposed to polka in a circle, over my grandmother's Paisley shawl.

I remember seeing Bev Frederick dancing most of the night w i t h Dick Sandy (editor of a camping magazine); Jay Herbein and the Medvilles lurking amongst the drunks; Jim Kramer, Dave Brison and Phil Gettel supporting one of the walls; Bob Amundson and Charlie Maus politicing; Pete Hauer doing a jig on the porch; Chris Kramer and Bobbi Nagy dancing gleefully; and a big VPI stag line taking up most of t he chairs. In due time all the streamers were torn down to be draped over sweating dancers, and the balloons were popped. And still the music went on. Several boozers met their end on the steps or in the bushes, and a few riffraff had to be glard at by the two Mooses-Dave Collins and Jim Dawson. When the music finally did stop, the last of the partiers traipsed down to the ladies' lounge to sing "100 bottles of beer on the wall", and drink and sleep. Most everyone else went to bed so they

could get up bright and early to go home on Monday.

Dave Irving said the sun should not be

allowed to rise until noon on Labor Day. He was even angry that we'd allowed it to rise at all. Don't worry, Dave, next year will be better. Under the fearsome horsewhip of Bruce Byrd, the entire VPI Grotto pitched in and cleaned up the mill, stem to stern, and then Whitt and Bill Douty took two loads of garbage to the dump, which was closed on Labor Day. Gradually cavers picked up their scattered gear and nerves, took down their tents and headed home. By midafternoon only a few die-hards were left. Before leaving for home, we paid a visit to the Franklin newspaper office to let the editor know what had happened at the HAPPENING. And then we headed southsore, groggy, slightly green from the smell of garbage that didn't make it to the Franklin dump, but happy and looking forward to next year's Old Timers Reunion.

We'd like to thank all the persons who assisted us: the judges-Dale Parrott, Bob Amundson, J e t t e Feduska, Karl Berge, Tuna Johnson, Gary Moss, and Lynn Vinzant; the decorators-Boots Good and Janet Queisser; Phil Lucas; Ted Wachter, for the colored lights he installed behind the Mill-a little romantic touch! Also, Al Armstrong for his help fixing the steps; the people who collated the programs; Bev and Jerry Frederick for the printing; all the contributors to the baby picture contest; the guys who rigged the trolley line; Hal Gibson, Tuna Johnson and Bill Douty for going to the dump; Don Cournoyer for blowing his whistle at strategic moments; Stanely Leo Carts, Jr.; and Gene and Suzanne Harrison who rented us space in their tent since I forgot the poles to ours. A minor oversight!

If you think this year was a happening, just wait until next year. You won't believe your eyes or nose!

34 THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

1969 1970

5.7

OFFICIAL TIMES-CAVE OLYMPICS

100 ft. rope climb: knots. 1. Della McGuffin 3:33.2 Bill Cuddington 1:56.3 2. Andy Powers 3:43.2 Norbert Rieke 3:39.5

100 ft. rope climb: mechanical. 1. Charles Gibbs 0:41.2 Steve Hall 1:03.2 2. Joe Kappler 0:53.6 Bill Corley 1:16.5

Bowline Tie (Blindfolded) (N ot blindfolded) 1. Jack Speece 6.25 Ken Free 2. Cato Holler 6.40 Dave Newson 5.8

Lamp Assembly 1. Jack Speece 1 :04.4 Bruce Bannerman 53.8

2. Bruce Bannerman 1 :04.5 Jim Dawson 55.5

Prusik-Rappel-Prusik 1. Andy Powers 3:43.2 Bruce Bannerman 6:32.3 2. Charles Gibbs 5:14.6 Bill Corley 6:49.0

Ladder Climb 1. Bill Corley 18.2 Bill Corley 16.7

2. Bruce Bannerman 20.2 Bruce Bannerman 18.7

C ave Crawl Bruce Bannerman 1:39.41. Jim Haas 1:40.0

2. Bruce Bannerman 1:51.2 Jim Haas 1:48.1

No. 2, Autumn 1970 35

CAVES OF WAR

The nitrate-rich earth of many of the caves of the Virginias played an important role in the South's war effort during the Civil War. Some caves were mined even earlier. Here are brief descriptions of two such caves found in the Virginia Region.

PETER HAUER

SALTPETRE CAVE, Mineral County, West Virginia

LOCATION-39°16'20"N; 78()57'56"W Keyser Quadrangle.

DESCRIPTION-The William D a v i e s description (CAVERNS OF WEST VIRGINIA, p. 162) should be modified to note that there are several maze areas and short walking passages in the middle sections, connecting the two entrance passageways. 815 feet of passages were actually mapped, but short parallel loops of the small mazes would possibly douole that figure.

HISTORY-The entire c a v e was heavily mined for saltpetre. There are several neat walls of sift stones. Fagots are numerous and a miner's scraper (paddle) was found at the deepest point penetrated. The leaching and b 0 iii n g site appears to be an earth mound on Cave Run, at the bottom of the steep slope leading up to the entrances. The oldest wall date noted by Davies was 1842, but nothing older than 1878 could be deciphered in 1970. A third cave entrance, blocked after 20 feet may have been dug by miners. A blast of air indicates that it could be connected with the main cave.

ARBEGAS T SALTPETRE CAVE, Highland County, Virginia

LOCATION-38" 25' 37"W; 79025'15"N McDowell Quadrangle.

DESCRIPTION-Also known as Cave Mountain Cave, Arbegast Saltpetre is given a good physical description by Henry H. Douglas (CAVES OF VIRGINIA, p. 268). The vertical dr0t> mentioned is a maximum of 21 feet.

HISTORY-Much of the cave f i l l was removed by Civil War saltpetre miners, who left inscriptions on the walls, dating 1863 and 1864. In removing the dirt, they left pick marks, mattock marks, clay ball deposits from sifted earth, a 10 foot climbing pole , a scraper (paddle) found in 1967, and many tally marks of the following design: t:>kI The• 21 foot drop had a ladder, now a ghostly impreSSion staining a clay bank, and this leads to the only drinking water in the cave. A tin drinking cup found there may date back to the Civil War. Many fagots are found throughout the cave, particularly at the bottom of the drop.

36 THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

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Arhegast

Saltpetre Cave

to top

HIGHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA

CRG GRADES 3 - 5

July 19, 1970

M. Houpt, C. Hybner, & relics J. Jacobs, P. Hauer

Drawn by P. Hauer

o 20 40 --

Scale in feet;

10' drop-po1e-

-DID-

E-9 -E1

pick marks

F1F-f-,sifted clay ,

d ead end tally marks crawls

39No. 2, Autumn 1970

(�� · .

)

"Nothing serious, fellas ... just a little chat with the cave owner!"

No. 2, Autumn 1970

MINUTES (continued from page 27)

get the existing material from "Doc" Brown and will report at the next meeting.

Pat Moretti announced that the D.C. Grotto will be hosting the next Board of Governors meeting at A. U. on May 2. The meeting will begin at 1 pm. A banquet and party will be held afterwards.

The meeting was brought to a close upon a vote for adjournment.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet B. Pickens Secretary,Treasurer

Attachment to minutes:

MOVED:

That the Virginia Region of the NSS encourage the National Society to move with expediency in formulating its plans to procure a national headquarters, whereby many of the presently decentralized activities can be concen ... trated at a central location, thereby serving the membership of the Society more efficiently.

Respectfully submitted, John Holsinger

subscribe, dammit!

only $3

41

GOING PLACES WITH THE VIRGINIA

my backwards!I' Bob Amundson and Jim Dawson at the spring

BOG presenting the 1971

convention slides

1970 for the Virginia Region began with the spring meeting April 4 at American University w i t h t h e A.U. Grotto hosting. With Vig Vigour in the chairman's seat, very little business was discussed, and the group gladly adjourned to a small pub several blocks from the campus. Ahappy cocktail hour ensued, thoroughly enjoyed by all, with such old favorites as Don Cournoyer, John Holsinger, Ed Bauer, and Mike Houpt making life difficult for the waitress. Dinner was held at Bill Biggers' plantation with an old-fashioned southern style pig roast in his side yard. Dave Harvey provided music with his in-the-car tape, and everyone bundled close to the fire trying to remember that spring was coming.

A t the Board of Governors meeting in D.C. May 2, the VPI Grotto presented a slide show in their bid for the 1971 NSS Convention. As it turned out, VPI will host the convention and the Virginia Region will lend a helping hand. Many of the region personnel turned out for the meeting and enjoyed a spectacular after-party at George Corbett's place.

May 1-3 saw many Region members at Moncove Lake, West Virginia, under the tutelage of Roger Baroody. Mapping trips were the thing, and the project was considered a success. Jim Hixson, with the help of dedicated people, even managed to find three caves in the vicinity of Windy Mouth. Sunday morning a few brave and daring souls attacked the Lake. though one did sport a dry suit! It is rumored that while

REGION" THE SPELEO PHCTO SCENE

stumbling around Saturday night looking for the proper place to relieve themselves, two cavers chose a small pup tent, mistaking it for the lake's retaining dam.

Actual summer regional activities terminated with the Speleo-Go-Go held July 10-12 at Aqua Campground, Highland County, Virginia. This is not to say that many Region members did not attend the NSS convention and the Old Tiners' Reunion; we did, and in full force. We're the b e s t c a v e r s and partiers in the East!!!

An irate northern caver r e c e n t 1 Y pointed out to me that Highland County is a dry county, and that we should move the Go-Go so he can get booze. Tsk, tsk. How have we managed all these years?

Well, I thought the Go Go was a blast. We didn't have the annual Saturday night downpour to ruin singing and frolicking; Jack Stell mack didn't get down to celebrate his 29th birthday; and that young fool didn't jump from yonder tall tree. A whole batch of cavers did ford the raging Bullpasture river for a good look into Marshall's Cave. There were some work trips, somewhere; it beats me where. I heard tell Vig Vigour lazed around all day drinking. Jerry Frederick and Ackie Loyd enjoyed their annual inner tube float trip from the campground to Williamsville, ten miles away.

Regioning with the Virginia Region this fall will be fascinating. Stick with us; we're the action.

\

Good caving areas seem to generate special spots for caver gatherings and camaraderie. Swago Creek has the Sugar Shack, Germany Valley has the Fieldhouse, and WVACS has the Court. But there is one other such meeting place within the confines of the Virginia Region. Although it is located in a caving area usually held in disdain and laughed at by all excepting a small band of intrepid speleologists, and although it doesn't have the wind of the Sugar Shack, the stove of the Fieldhouse, or the excellent food of the Court, the Flamingo Grill and Steakhouse holds a warm spot in the heart of every southwestern Virginia caver.

Located 0 n the outskirts 0 f Gate City, Virginia, the Flamingo Grill and Steakhouse, or "The Bird", as it is affectionately known by the inn-crowd, provides a pink neon haven for hungry and thirsty cavers in the Gate CityRye Cove karst area of southwestern Virginia.

The Bird offers the usual caver delicacies in bountiful quantities and at speleological prices. The beer flows foamy at the Bird. Who can forget a

44

THE BIRD

. :

TOM VIGOUR

rib-eye steak, the fantastic spaghetti or the Polish sausage and sauerkraut washed down with the creamy, golden Bird beer? After a wet day in Rye Cove, or an exhausting trip into Hairy Hole, the Bird's repasts bring saliva to every caver's tongue.

The Bird's popularity, notoriety and infamy stem not from the gourmet dishes and golden foam alone however, but also from the exhaustive collection of spelean graffiti found on the walls and door of the men's room. Yes, fellow spelean-graffiti nuts, the Bird collection is a classic. Found around the corner from the sink, and just adadjacent to the trough and the bank of prophylactic dispensers, the throJle room ramblings offer every speleografitti freak a welcome diversion from the otherwise distasteful job of USing a beer-joint john. Although not as shortlived as the scribblings in the basement bathroom of Owen's Dining Hall in Blacksburg, the Bird's bathroom ballads do lead a brief life, and one must be regular to catch the goodies (Ed. attend regularly or function often?).

Tomes on Dirty Old Men of the

THE REGION RECORD Vol. 1

'l

Virginia Region, bombastic attacks on one Easter Pig, and raging battles concerning the relative merits of sexy teeny-boppers make up the bulk of the Bird's toilet texts. But once in a while feature articles, such as "Baroody and God",

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