JC and I went to Wasteland Waterway Cave today to do a bit of mapping. Well that was not entirely successful because although my waterproof paper held out, the supposedly waterproof marker did not. we only got about 7 shots done and were a little over 100 feet in before we had to quit.
As soon as I got home my mother called to see if I’d been caving and if so had it rained where I was. No it had not, the weather report for that area had no indication of bad weather and although the sky looked grey all was well at Wasteland Waterway (thankfully, obviously Goderich was a different matter. My brother-in-law had his porch torn off by a tornado). Nevertheless, as a backup precaution in case of rain we had dug open Blue barrel sink as our flood escape route.
See blue barrel sink and one of the huge spiders there – blue barrel sink
See the short video for cave mapping equipment here – cave mapping equipment.
See the cave mapping conditions here – cave mapping environment
The spider pictured above was one of several that was lurking around blue barrel sink. I believe this is what they call a hunting spider -it’s about 2 inches across, not as big as the ones in the Moira cave, but still big enough for me. In fact these looked a little different from those at Moira; notice the spiny hairs on it’s legs. I always thought spiders had 8 eyes, this one appears to only have 2 on either side.
So anyway it was pretty creepy sliding down the sinkhole knowing that there’d be more such creatures, some possibly even larger lurking in the crevices. We also discovered another cave when we dug a sinkhole open – more on that tomorrow.
Oh that’s creepy.
Hi Mick, You need to go surveying with MB at least once, some were, to see what he uses.
Pencils work best I have found. MB has a plastic board that he ruffs up with sand paper so the pencil can mark it. When it get wet it still works. I’ve used the write on survey paper from Bob and Bob’s cave store to survey a couple, mostly dry, crevasse caves.
You might want to invest in a surveying compass and clinometer at some point?
Do you have a survey tape too? Some people add water sealant to the compass so it stays readable even after it has been in dirty water.
Have you looked at the NSS book store, if I remember they have a book or two on cave surveying and mapping. But you probably already know that. I also believe there are a couple of software programs that are available to help store and plot out the data. I think they also have some error closing stuff in the software.
I guess what I’m trying to say is there is lots of good information on cave mapping if you know were to look to save your self from reinventing the wheel so to speak or later learning you made some type of error that then requires you go back and do it over.
Have you check to see above ground if your lights, rings, watches and other equipment (mini mag lights) when near the compass are not effecting the readings? Are you taking back shots too?
Any right/left /up/down measurements and cross section sketches?
I know surveying and map making is kind of fun but does take work and time.
So I’d like to thank you for taking the time to survey and map your new cave find!
As you get farther into the cave you might find it best to survey as you go, to save on having to return on a second trip just to survey. If some passages get tight and nasty you might only want to enter them one time anyway?
The new passage ahead is a good reason to go back on another trip to work on the survey after all.
Just my two cents.
I’m glade you don’t get rain on while you were in the cave too.
If you think it does flood I’ve heard that some cave surveys have laid com wire and field phones to a person out side to let them know about local rain events, so they can get out in time!
I’d guess that being on the surface when it does ran hard and seeing what happen in the blue barrel sink hole might give you useful information about how bad the cave might flood?
re: spiders, Yes some how they always seem to look bigger in a small cave passage!
I wonder if they keep getting bigger over the winter ;)
Those who are interested in our mapping process need to be aware that our intent is to create a line plot, or under BCRA something that does not go beyond a level 2 or 3 survey. There are diminishing returns for us in trying to attain the very rigid standards of something approaching a level 5 – where 10 centimeters out is considered inadequate. Obviously its good to do the best you can with what you’ve got, but I am not a perfectionist – nor do I aspire to be one.
The map that we intend to create would be one that would assist us to understand the orientation of the cave tunnels in relation to the surface features (level 2 or 3). We are interested in basic orientations, distances etc. Admittedly we had a little setback, but we are in no way discouraged. Technical knowledge is adequate to the task, it’s more a case of physical conditions. Wondering whether that big gulp of stinking water is gonna have a nasty effect later. There’s also the overall effort of crawling/wading/slithering on your back, using tape and seeing your survey station at a distance. That’s all a part of caving so no complaints and joyfully embracing the innovations and learnings that come of pushing boundaries.
On with the project (in our rudimentary way)!!!
Hi Mick. Could you send an email my way or send me your email, I have some information for you about something that is quite important as you and greg might have some “pull” to have some certain information taken offline.
Thanks
Andrew
Andrew, I might know you, but I can’t think who you are. Are you a member of the TCG? Would you be the Andrew from West Virginia and flowerpot Cave? Please send your e-mail and I will record and delete off the site as soon as I get it. You might also communicate confidentially through the site “Caves of Ontario which is Jeff’s site and he will forward to me.”
Mick
Andrew, Did you come and help with that Cass cave rescue in WVa that happened as OTR was on a while back? As Mick said you can email Jeff at his site and he will send it to Mick.
(I thought Mick could see the comenters email, since they are required to be given when posting, so he could just email you back an email direct?? I guess not.)
You can also email me direct at: gregwarchol64@msn.com
I’ll also forward it to Mick for you.
I’m curious to know what it is you are referring to in you comment to Mick above;
“I have some information for you about something that is quite important as you and greg might have some “pull” to have some certain information taken offline.”
I don’t know that I have much “pull” any ware, but what do I know?
(I can set up mechanical advantage haul systems with ropes and pulleys ;) )
I guess it’ll depend on what you are referring to and who I know that might be able to help.
There was some stuff Parks Canada had online that our friend MB was able to get removed that involved certain info. about caves with more detail than I had hope to be easily accessible to the whole world at large.
Send me your message at my email above.
Cave Safe
No, I am not that Andrew that you know, just a fellow caver who used to live in Brampton who now lives in Wasaga Beach. I have done quite a bit of caving in Tobermory Provincial Park and looking for new cave leads in the same area lately. It’s regarding a government site, I will send Greg the email.
-Andrew