by Bill Putnam » May 23, 2009 1:07 pm
The name of this cave is Ten Mile Pit, also known locally as Rabbit Cave. It is also sometimes erroneously referred to in the media as Gettysvue Cave due to its proximity to the golf course of that name (though or course the cave was there long before the golf course, so this is clearly incorrect). There have been several similar rescues there over the years, most recently in 2005 and 2002 (as reported the in American Caving Accidents).
The cave entrance is gated, but the gate keeps getting broken open. The entrance is a series of climbdowns totaling about 75 feet of descent to a stream passage at the bottom. It's an easy caves, but "spelunkers" often try to free climb the entrance and fall or become stranded. Some use ropes to descend and think they can "Batman" back up hand-over-hand. That usually results in a rescue as well. The cave is on privately owned property, and it is my understanding that the owners regard it as closed.
Bill Putnam, NSS 21117 RL/FE
Chairman and Chief Troublemaker The
Revolutionary Hodag Party - Thinking outside the cave.
The jackal can roar,
pretending to be a lion.
The lion is not fooled.