Clarksville Grotto?

[RobVan]

You guys do know that you are welcome in Nashville, right? If you feel otherwise for any reason let’s discuss it (privately if need be).

I don’t think you need to have your own Grotto in order to promote caving in your area, on the contrary, as the caving community becomes more oriented towards email exchanges and discussion forums like this one, the location of the physical meetings becomes less relevant.

Nashville Grotto members already are actively caving in the Clarksville area. In the past year NG members have participated in at least 2 survey projects in Montgomery County and 2 in nearby Robertson County. All these were multi-trip projects in relatively large caves. We’ve toured other area caves, held vertical training and practice at the bluffs in Clarksville and in Ashland City, and even had a canoe trip on the Red River. A trip to Clarksville Lake Cave is on the calendar (February 18th).

Clarksville is more convenient to Nashville than much of the Plateau, so I think you might be surprised by the amount of interest there would be for trips and projects in your area, especially if you’re willing to take a leadership role.

Finally, should you decide to continue working towards your own Grotto, there are probably Nashville Grotto members who would be willing to share their experience and expertise with you, so please feel free to call on us as a resource.

We’re still meeting every 1st Thursday at the Adventure Science Center, 7 PM; hope to see you all there.

Robert Van Fleet

[BenC]

Honestly I think the big issue is the drive!

[Lynn]

Lately, my husband and I have been pseudo caving in your area to collect airflow data on a cave. We refer to as pseudo caving because we can only be in the cave entrance and not actually cave due to protected species such as a very rare cave beetle, blind crayfish, and gray bat.

Having caved in the Clarksville area on numerous occasions I feel Clarksville could easily support a grotto, if you choose to form one.

[BenC]

I belive I have seen one gray in a cave we have been doing some survey in. Are there any distinguishing features other than color? I know I could just look it up but it's much more fun asking!!

I think Clarksville can support a grotto also, and non of us interested in have anything against Nashville grotto. I've only been able to make one meeting due to work + long drive + long drive back. Something local may be the answer or maybe work will interfere with those also!

[Lynn]

I'm not a biologist, but I do know gray bats like to cluster. A batologist might be able to tell you more.

It was a good gesture of Robert to invite you guys to Nashville as well as offer assistance if you decide to form a grotto. I understand that the drive is a long one for you guys. Wouldn't it be about a 2 hour round trip?

[BenC]

Yes it was! Thank you Robert! I honestly mean that I hadn't thought of it till someone pointed it out. Ich bin ein dumkopf!

Well this was one lone fellow, Gray coat. I didn't want to look too close for fear of waking him up. So I don't really have much of a description, seemed to have large ears and it was a pretty big bat. Definently larger than the Pips. We've seen a few Pips in a cluster ( or do Pips cluster?) but only 8 bats or so total. Mostly right at the entrance.

[bigalpha]

Pips don't cluster -- or so I've been told.

[Lynn]

Sounds like it might have been big brown bats.

[CKB69]

Yep,big browns ,just inside the entrance to Eclipse Cave.
A few pips in the big room.

If you want to see a lot of big browns,go to Cooper Creek Cave.

[Lynn]

Thanks, we checked Cooper Creek out about three weeks ago.
First we did the passage then the .

[bigalpha]

Hey Lynn,

Is Cooper Creek a dry cave? How is getting access to it?

[Lynn]

Well Bigalpha....I could tell ya but then I'd have to duct tape your mouth.

[bigalpha]

Tell me Lynn, do you have a "Flat Pack" Roll of DT, or just the standard roll?

[RobVan]

We can probably do Cooper Creek with the next C. Lake trip. They are close enough together and both are short trips. There are several clusters of Little Browns in Cooper Creek too, as well as all the Big Browns in the crevices.

[rchrds]

BigA- I live on the next ridge over from Cooper Creek and was going to do it a couple of weekends ago, but never got there- If you are interested we could wander over there on Friday (I have the day off.) There is a waiver floating around for this cave- if anyone has it on digits, could you email me a copy?

Thanks!

Jason
rchrds@charter.net