The 2013 VAR Landowner Recognition Award

Presented to Mr. Alex Lewis of Greenbrier County

Alex Lewis is the owner of Savannah Cave in Greenbrier County, which was recently featured in the NSS News, and also several other caves. Alex is a great and friendly person; often brining food to cavers, and using his own

equipment and time to help dig open new caves on his land.

THANKS, MR. LEWIS!!!

Volume XXVI No.4 Fall/Winter 2014

Carroll Bassett (left) present Mr. Alex Lewis with the VAR Landowner Recognition Award at the WVACS Fieldstation

The Region Record

The Region Record is the quarterly publication of the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society. Any articles, announcements, or other materials of general interest to cavers in the Region are welcome. Send all material to Jessica Reep and Kyle Mills (216 North Lee Street, Lewisburg, WV 24901, or editor@varegion.org) Electronic submissions (e-mail or disk) are encouraged, but any form of input is welcome. Non-copyrighted material contained in the Region Record may be reprinted by organizations that are affiliated with the VAR or the NSS, provided that proper credit is given to the Region Record and the author. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the VAR, the NSS, or their internal organizations.

VAR Officers and Committee Chairs Chairman: Craig Hindman, (410)792-0742, chair@varegion.org Vice Chairman: Judy Fisher, (304)258-4974, vicechair@varegion.org Secretary: Carol Tiderman, (410)792-0742, secretary@varegion.org Treasurer: John Fox, (540)831-7517W, treasurer@varegion.org

Conservation: Andy Reeder, (434)392-7452H, (434)455-5876W and Meredith Hall Weberg, (703)203-6975 (both at conservation@varegion.org) Landowner Award: Janet Tinkham, janete@shentel.net VAR Outstanding Service Award: Meredith Hall Weberg, merecaver@yahoo.com

Region Record Staff Editors: Jessica Reep and Kyle Mills (editor@varegion.org) Proofreader: Meredith Hall Weberg

Circulation Manager: Carol Tiderman, (410)792-0742, (circulation@varegion.org)

Region Record Subscriptions • New NSS members in the Region receive two complimentary copies of the Region Record. • Current NSS members moving into the Region from elsewhere receive two complimentary copies. Current NSS members who

move within the Region get no freebies. • When a subscription is going to expire, the last issue will be stamped “Time to Renew.” No renewal notice is sent. • When a person attends a VAR meeting he/she is automatically added to the list to receive the next four issues. If he/she is

already on the list, four additional issues are added to the subscription. • When multiple people live at the same address, only one copy of each issue will be sent to the address unless a request is sent to

the Circulation Manager.

© 2014 Virginia Region of the NSS

Regional Calendar

March 28 -30: NCRC Eastern Region Orientation to Cave Rescue.

April 11 -13: Spring VAR! See last page.

April 18 -20: Grand Caverns Easter Restoration Weekend.

May 16 -18: Spring MAR in Dailey, WV.

October 10 -13: Fall VAR: Hosted by the Monongahela Grotto. Field of Fire, Randolph County, WV.

List Your Event Here

If you have a caving event that is of regional interest, please send information to the Editors listed above so it can be included in the calendar.

Chairman’s Column I tip my helmet to VPI for hosting the VAR with the YTR. These young adults did a fine job and, I hope, it’s the start of many more RASS is putting on the Spring VAR and I hope to see you all there. Long term: It was brought up during the meeting that “if the pips and little browns are listed," the ability to cave in any state or on federal lands, will go away. This could impact many relationships that have been built over the years while working together. I think the conversations should start now and we should get ahead of this. If we don’t, it could be an uphill battle, if even a battle. I think at that point we may be told it is what it is and our hands are tied and the caves are closed. This may sound like it wouldn't happen because we have had good relations in the past, but I have letters from the Forest Service saying we will be part of any talks about WNS and the closure of caves. So, after a year of no talks, there came a statement that the caves were closed indefinitely. Then a letter arrived to have a meeting, after a decision was made. Out of this meeting came the possibility of a few caves being opened to a few on a limited basis. So we start a work group to talk about this, but it is all non-binding. Something to think about and talk about in the new year.

Carol Tiderman

Letter from the Editors:

The Region Record Goes Online

We are sorry for the delay in getting out a Fall newsletter and having to do a combined Fall- Winter issue. We recently started a Facebook page for The Region Record, which can serve as a place where VAR cavers can stay in contact with each other. The Facebook page can serve as an online resource for doing things that the printed edition of The Region Record can’t, like advertising last-minute changes to schedules and also promoting VAR grotto-related caving events. Hopefully with the Facebook page, VAR cavers and their local caving organizations can be more involved.

By John Tudek

David Crawford (top) and Gabe Britcher (below) in the Death Canyon of Culverson Creek Cave. Photo by Ryan

Maurer WVUSG.

VAR Closed Caves List Needs To Be Updated! Do your part as a VAR Caver and help get this list updated.

Despite many pleas, some of the information in the Virginia Region Limited Access Cave List is very old. It may still be accurate, but it is hard to have confidence in information that is up to 15 years old. If you are familiar with the access status of any of the caves in the list, please send Bob Hoke (Bob@rhoke.net) a quick message and let him know if the listed information is still accurate, or to supply updates. Someone wanting to visit a cave will feel a lot more confident about its status if the listing is reasonably current. County coordinators can be a huge help with this. Please take 5 minutes to look at the list, which can be found on the VAR Web site, and check and see what has changed. This is a VERY important thing to keep updated, since we are talking about the caves we love online for anyone to see.

Minutes of the Spring 2013 VAR Meeting May 19, 2013

Boy Scout Camp between Huntersville and Dunmore.

Pocahontas County, WV Meeting was called to order at 9:18 AM. Reports The Secretary - Carol Tiderman A motion was made by Sligo to accept the minutes as published in the Region Record. DINGO Grotto seconded. Motion passed. The Treasurer - John Fox The status of the treasury was presented and distributed. Funds from Melrose restoration need to be added to report. The Vice Chair - Judy Fisher No report. The Chairman - Craig Hindman MAKC is in negotiations to manage Hupps Hill Cave. CCV made a motion to give Crystal Cave funds to MAKC. GROSS seconded motion passed. Conservation Co-Chair - Meredith Hall Weberg Grand Caverns Restoration - Gravel was spread & cleaned algae around lights VAR Outstanding Service Award - Meredith Hall Weberg (absent) Eric Berge received his award. Form is online. Landowner Recognition Awards - Janet Tinkham We have a recipient to be announced after awarding. Please

submit your suggestions. There is a form online. Landowner Legal Support Committee - Bob Hoke No new is good news. Region Record - Jessica Reep and Kyle Mills Send articles and pictures – the deadline for next issue June 15th. VAR List Server - Walt Pirie No report. VAR Web site - Jim McConkey No report. Cave Bucks - JC Fisher Still works. It’s easy. For more information contact JC. Send the funds in, don’t hold onto them. VSS - Rick Lambert No report. One more cave than WV. WVASS No report. One more cave than VA. WVCC - Dave Socky Maintaining policy of caving for free - if you paid to come here you are trespassing. SCCI - Walt Piriee No report. Grand Caverns/Cave Hill - Jim McConkey No report. Historical trail documentation continues. Virginia Cave Board - Meredith Hall Weberg No report. CCV - Dave Socky Logo contest in progress. Funds available. Spring Survey Project - Joey Fagan No report.

Crystal Caverns at Hupps Hill See motion in Chairman’s report. Youth Group Liaison - Joey Fagan No report. Host Report - Tri-State 194 registered, 184 on site Jeff Markham put it together. Insurance needed for many sites is now 2 million Tri State moved the NSS investigates getting $2 million in coverage. New River seconded - passed unanimously. Old Business VAR Fall 2013 - no offers Spring 2014 - possibly RASS Fall 2014 - Mon Grotto WNS Monongahela National Forest closure expiring. VAR Processes. The possibility of not serving beer and soda was discussed and approved. Charging a vendor fee was discussed and not approved. Discussion was held regarding all vendors paying a registration fee. GROSS moved all vendors must register; Blue Ridge seconded- passed. New Business Check your grott’s listing on the VAR Web site. Verify the contact information is correct. GROSS moved to reinstate Greenbrier Grotto. Blue Ridge seconded; passed Grant Requests None received.

Announcements Cave Sim - requesting funds for gas to get to convention Breakfast funds go to conservation efforts –The Save Lucy Campaign is this event’s recipient. Help is needed at registration at the 2013 Convention Please come to the 2013

Convention. Tri-State has hats for sale. Patch Adams needs help with security at Convention Tri-State info in NSS News is incorrect -see Web site Adjournment Greenbrier moved to adjourn, MON seconded. Meeting Adjourned at 10:22 AM

Respectfully submitted: Carol Tiderman

Orientation to Cave Rescue Training March 28 -30, 2014 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA An introductory level program that consists of classroom and field work in all phases of cave rescue including: underground environment, extrication techniques, communication systems, medical management, and organization and management of cave rescue. The basic orientation course material is presented for students who typically include cavers, emergency services personnel, and rescue management personnel. The fee for the course is $55.00. There will be free camping at Grand Caverns in Grottoes, VA ( about 30 minutes from EMU) for students and staff.

The Virginia Region Treasury Report John Fox, Treasurer, December 2013 The Virginia Region treasury is starting off better this year than past years. We received the VAR fee from the fall meeting, unlike the past two years. Thanks to VPI Cave Club for running a great meeting. We now have money in the bank to contribute to JSS and give out Landowner and VAR awards. Contact Janet Tinkham for the Landowner Award and Meredith Hall Weberg for the VAR Outstanding Service Award. Of course, the fall meeting income helps pay for the Region Record. Last year’s budget had a total income of $1311. $333 of income came from the Bail out fund to cover printing the Region Record. $960 came from the Spring VAR that Tri-State hosted. Even though Tri-State came close to losing money on this meeting, they still paid the VAR fee that everyone normally pays for attending a VAR meeting. In short, Tri-State did not use the VAR fee that you and I pay to cover their expenses. Expense total was $1170. Only two line items were paid – Easter Weekend Conservation food $638.08 and Region Record printing $531.92. We did NOT contribute to JSS, or to any VAR awards. For those interested in our funds in the National Speleological Foundation, we closed out the year 9/30/12 to 9/30/13 with a plus $224.60. The Ending Balance as of 9/30/13 is $4215.44.

By John Tudek

Ryan Maurer in Rehobeth Church Cave. Photo by Ryan Maurer

The Porters Cave Entrance Clean Up Article and photos by

Susan Burr

Susan Burr, Stephanie Petri, Trish Gei-ger, Brian Williams, and Bill Walker all attended the Porter’s Cave, VA clean-up project. Brian was on a safety rope on the hill just above the cliff over the entrance, cutting and pushing off the fallen trees and branches. Bill and Stephanie helped cut up some of the fallen branches on the hill leading down to the entrance and in the entrance area. We all helped drag out the many branches and debris on the hill leading to the cave and in the sink- hole, we made a pile on top of the hill. Brian and I both took photos of the event as well. Seventeen RASS members showed up an hour later. BRG had everything cleared away from the entrance that didn’t require a chain saw (BRG only had two hand saws). Using a chainsaw, a RASS member sawed up the larger branches, making them much easier to haul up the hill. RASS members formed a brigade to haul out those branches. The entrance area looks very good now! RASS even sawed up and removed a tree that had fallen over the trail leading to the cave. Afterwards each grotto went on their own cave trip.

Top: L-R: Trish, Brian, Stephanie, Susan, and Bill. Left: Brian above the entrance. Bottom Left: Bill in the Keyhole Bottom Right: Stephanie with skinny legs (Bill’s?)

Spring MAR in Dailey, West Virginia The Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy is hosting the Spring MAR at the TRA/OTR site in Dailey, Randolph County, WV. May 16 -18. To find out more, please visit: http://www.caves.org/region/mar/main.htm or VAR: The Region Record Facebook page.

Fall VAR at Field of Fire October 10 -13, 2014 Fall VAR will be held at the Field of Fire, in Randolph County, West Virginia, by the Monongahela Grotto. The camp-site is located near Rich Mountain Battlefield, which is the mountain you can see looking directly west from the TRA/OTR site. Many really great caves are located nearby. Many local caves are very interesting and are rarely visited. Besides caving, there are many other great activities being organized like live music and history tours.

22nd Annual Grand Caverns Easter Restoration April 18th Through April 20th By Penny Littell

Come join us for a weekend of fellowship, transformation, and renovation. We will be contributing to the park by hauling gravel through beautiful Grand Caverns, renovating the cabin and formation restoration in Fountain Cave. The cabin needs a facelift starting with the plumbing, electrical work and shelving. Fountain is a lovely gem but needs some repair work on formations in several areas. Due to the popularity of Grand Caverns and the many functions held throughout the year, new gravel is a must! Where does it all go? Bring your tent and sleeping bags for camping Friday and Saturday. Lunch and dinner are complementary to all volunteers on Saturday. Work will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. However, you are invited for a breakfast outing Saturday and Sunday morning between 8 a.m. -9 a.m. We will meet at the famous Battarbee’s Restaurant at 8 a.m.! If you plan to attend please RSVP to merecaver@yahoo.com. Your RSVP is appreciated for proper lunch and dinner planning. See you there! Contact Information: Grand Caverns Toll Free: 888-430-CAVE (2283) 5 Grand Caverns Drive, Grottoes, VA 24441 On a side note; we had the pleasure of attending Caroling in the Cave this Christmas Season at Grand Caverns. I highly recommend it as the perfect family holiday outing. Attendance was high even with the cold-wet weather and the musicians were spectacular.

By John Tudek

April 11-13, 2014 RASS Field Station, Bath County, VA

Hosted by Richmond Area Speleological Society For the first time ever, RASS is hosting a Spring VAR!! Normally hosts of the Fall VAR, RASS is giving the Spring field event a whirl! The event is being held at their field station in Bath County, VA. The location is an ideal one for VAR, as it has plenty of camping space, a huge pavilion, clean bathhouses, a de-con/cleaning station for gear and of course - lots of nearby caves!! If you haven't seen the beautiful acreage of the field station, now is the time to check it out!

Early registration will be available online this year!! We strongly urge you to register early. For those who choose online registration, we are using PayPal. You MUST email your form to the email indicated on the form if you are using PayPal. If you chose regular mail, please enclose your form with your check. T-shirts will only be available to those who register early, so get your form in as soon as possible! On-site registration opens on Friday at 2 pm. We encourage you to register early though so that you can be guaranteed a meal on Saturday.

We apologize to the many pet owners out there, but no pets will be allowed without permission from the VAR committee.

Saturday night will be a very exciting presentation from guest speaker, Kristen Taylor of Richmond, VA. Her presentation will be: The Significance of Caves and the Appropriation of Them Throughout the History of the Mayas of Yucutan, Mexico. You don't want to miss this!

In addition to the presentation, a fantastic meal of spaghetti and meatballs, along with salad and bread will be served. Vegetarian meals will be provided by request. And of course, no caver event would be complete without BEER! Saturday night until 1 am, beer will be served to those of age. There’s a strong possibility of an impromptu jam session under the pavilion, so bring your instruments and join in the music!

As with Spring VARs of the past, your friends with Inner Mountain Outfitters will be there, selling absolutely everything you can think of in cave gear. In addition, they will be offering free gear advice, so bring your questions and try to stump the experts! Along with advice, they will be joining Kurt Waldron, Carl Amundson and Jeff Benford in another vertical practice session. You never know who will see hanging from the trees!!

Cave trips will be led throughout the area, including (but not limited to) trips to Crossroads, Porters, Paxtons, Clarks, and Island Ford for beginners.

For non-cavers, events in the area can be found here: Discover Bath

And, once again, the Front Royal grotto will provide us with their fabulous Sunday morning breakfast. $4 for adults and $2 for children will get you all you can eat pancakes, sausage, fruit, potatoes and coffee or tea. All proceeds to this breakfast go to cave conversation. Save yourself the hassle of making breakfast on Sunday and join your fellow cavers for an awesome and cheap meal.

The VAR business meeting will be held on Sunday morning as well, for you speleopoliticians out there.

For more information, please contact Amber Lehmann at springvar2014@gmail com

Directions/Info RASS Field Station

The RASS Field Station is located in Bath County, Virginia, on State Route 629. It is located about 1/4 mile east of State Route 678 between Millboro Springs, Williamsville, and Deerfield. The coordinates are: +38° 4' 40.65", -79° 35' 40.82" (38.077959, -79.594673). The directions below will get you from just about anywhere in VAR to the entrance gate of the property. IMPORTANT INFO:

1. Our driveway is very rural, to say the least. It’s a one-lane, gravel driveway. Be courteous AND cautious! You are NOT alone! Camper trailers and RVs are welcome. However, be forewarned, there are no hook-ups.

2. There is no cell service for AT&T users past Churchville on 250. If you are a Verizon user, you will lose service on 629 for a short time but will have service at the Field Station.

3. RASS Field Phone is 540-996-4188. This phone is in the bunkhouse though and no one may answer it during the day.

4. Be careful of deer! They are everywhere on 250 and 629.

DIRECTIONS:

1) From points North of Staunton, VA: Interstate 81 to Exit 225, Route 275 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway). Follow Rt. 275 West to Route 250. Turn right onto to Rt. 250 West. Follow Rt. 250 West to West Augusta, about 16 miles. At West Augusta, turn left onto Route 629 (Deerfield Road). There is a gas station/market on the corner. Follow Rt. 629 for 22 1/2 miles, through Deerfield, then past Hunters Paradise to the entrance of the Field Station on the left. Turn left through the cattle gate into the dirt road entrance. If you get to Rt. 678, you’ve gone 1/4 mile too far.

1a) From points East of Staunton, VA: Interstate 64 West to Interstate 81 North (2 exits) and follow directions in 1), above.

2) From points West (way north of I-64): Rt. 250 East to McDowell, Va. Turn right in McDowell onto Route 678. Follow Rt. 678 through Williamsville. You will break out into Green Valley. After approximately 23 miles (from Rt. 250), turn left onto Rt. 629 (Deerfield Rd.). Cross the bridge, the entrance is on the right, through a cattle gate, and onto the dirt road.

3) From points West (south of Route 250): Interstate 64 to Exit 29 (Rt. 42). Take Rt. 42 North to Millboro. Turn left at Millboro onto Route 39. Follow Rt. 39 West approximately 1/2 mile to Rt. 678 (Indian Draft Road). Turn right onto Rt.678, follow it approximately 7 miles to Rt. 629 ON THE RIGHT. (Rt. 629 intersects Rt. 678 from the left about 1 mile from where it cuts off to the right - you want to turn RIGHT onto Rt. 629). Cross the bridge, the entrance is through a cattle gate on the right, about 1/4 mile from the intersection of Rt. 678.

4) From points South: From Lexington, Va, take Rt. 39 North to Millboro. Approximately 1/2 mile past Millboro, turn right onto Rt. 678 (Indian Draft Road). Follow Rt. 678 approximately 7 miles to Rt. 629 ON THE RIGHT. (Rt. 629 intersects Rt. 678 from the left about 1 mile from where it cuts off to the right - you want to turn RIGHT onto Rt. 629). Cross the bridge, the entrance is through a cattle gate on the right, about 1/4 mile from the intersection of Rt. 678.

OR: Take any route you wish up to I-64, then to Exit 29 (Rt. 42). Follow the directions in 3), above.

SPRING VAR 2014 REGISTRATION FORM

Spring VAR is located at the RASS Field Station in Bath County, VA.

Please fill out ONE form per primary registrant or household. NSS Members receive a $5 discount on registration. Early registration ends on April 1. 2014. Onsite registration is $35 at gate for adults and $32 for children ages 5-12. CHILDREN UNDER 5 ARE FREE! NO PETS, PLEASE! PRIMARY REGISTRANT NAME: NSS #: ______________ GROTTO: _________________ ADDRESS: CITY: __________________________________ STATE:______ ZIP: ____________ PHONE NUMBER: ________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS:________________________ SECONDARY REGISTRANTS (FROM SAME HOUSEHOLD): NAME: ___________________________ NSS #: __________ NAME: ___________________________ NSS #: __________ NAME: ___________________________ NSS #: __________ NUMBER OF REGISTRANTS (ADULT) __________ X $32.00 = ________ NUMBER OF REGISTRANTS (AGES 5-12) ________ X $27.00 = ________ NSS MEMBERS (ALL) ______________________ X $5.00 = _________ (Please subtract this number from your total.) TOTAL REGISTRATION AMOUNT PER HOUSEHOLD: ___________ MEAL WILL BE PROVIDED SATURDAY EVENING. INDICATE HERE IF REQUESTING VEGETARIAN MEAL:_____________________________________________________________________________________

T-SHIRT ORDER FORM SIZE SMALL MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE QUANTITY

TOTAL T-SHIRT ORDER: _____________ x $15.00 = ____________

Online payment by PayPal is HIGHLY encouraged for early registration. This form must be E-MAILED if payment is made by PayPal. You will receive confirmation of your payment by e-mail. If paying by check via USPS, please print this form and enclose it with your check. PAYPAL ACCOUNT E-MAIL: springvar2014@gmail.com MAIL FORM TO: springvar2014@gmail.com CHECKS MUST BE MADE OUT TO: Amber Lehmann with Spring VAR in the memo line. MAIL FORMS/CHECKS TO: Amber Lehmann, 2700 8TH St. South, Apt. 292A , Arlington, VA 22204

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