flowstone – Wasteland Waterway
September 19, 2011 by Rockwatching
Flow stone in new Ontario Cave – Wasteland Waterway
We went further yesterday than in the past and ended up passing a spot that JC called the Aerofoil – a plate of rock that sticks way out into the passage. I wiggled underneath this aerofoil and got a glimpse of passages on beyond. It’s more of the same, the tunnels are still dropping down deeper and I anticipate that they must soon reach the level of the Rochester shale. This shale layer is often undercut so either the passages will flatten out and become pheratic at that point, or we will be up against a pit.
It was an exhausting crawl and the claustrophobia of inward pressing rock. Everything is really jagged so my cave suit is pretty well shredded. I doubt that the best of Maggie’s stitching will bring it back to health.
This is caving in Ontario
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Hi Mick, It’s sounding more and more interesting all the time. Any idea how deep the local water wells are drilled?
Might you know the average thickness of the Rochester shale, and what is below that were you are at?
So when do you want to get out and pratice your virtical rope skills?
Might there be a tree in the back yard that is suitable to throw a rope over, or a high piont inside your home?
Don’t forget that I have a 10m cable ladder that could be used. Some pratice on it with a belay rope is always a good idea. Keep an eye open for suitable rigging options ‘if’ you come to a pit!
Do you think all cave suit materials will get eaten by this cave or just the type you have been using? That the trouble with some caves they seem to always eat your personal gear up.
Greg ;)
Hi again Mick, I was helping some new people with rock climbing at RSPCA this past weekend ( EquinoxAdventures.com ) and one found what looked like a new cave enterance. I got my light out and went over for a very quit look. I haven’t look at that spot for so long and you know what can happen to your memory. It just seems to be different than I remember, so I’m going to have to go back to take a closer look at it and have on stuff I can get dirty to see if I can queezes in to anything that may go?
And have more that just the one light I had with me, in case one goes out!
A couple rock looked like they might be loose so I’ll need to make sure they aren’t before going under them, or just on touch them at all, especaily if my friend are under them or in past them. Getting stuck would not be fun at all.
Greg
Hi Mick, Did you and Jeff go to any other areas this past weekend besides
“Wasteland Waterway” to look a round, if you know what I mean? ;)
Yes or no all you need to say on your public access blog.
Greg
Different spots same area – lots of potential
[…] cave last spring and since then we have made several forays into the tunnels. we call the feature Wasteland Waterway and in response to our request to Marcus to accompany us in the near future on a mapping expedition […]