Reif's Cave, Ohio

[GroundquestMSA]

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[chac]

Go for it! It would be great if this was the beginning of more explorations in Reif's Cave.

[GroundquestMSA]

Go for it! It would be great if this was the beginning of more explorations in Reif's Cave.

You know of it?

[LukeM]

I'm sure y'all are now quivering in anticipation. I know I am.

From the sounds of it you may be shivering in anticipation. Good luck! Your description reminds me of a few places out this way.

[MUD]

Well Jonah how did the big push go?

[BrianFrank]

Can't wait, tell us what you found?

[tagkycaver]

Surley you can get 152 feet; good luck!!!

[GroundquestMSA]

Sorry, we had to postpone until tomorrow (Wed). You'll have to hang on to the edge of your seats for a few more hours.
I did manage to survey a 71' 2" popcorn and poo cave this afternoon.

[GroundquestMSA]

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[LukeM]

Here's the deal. Unless I learn of a significantly better way to travel through water crawl that will conserve energy and body heat, I'm finished with this cave. Perhaps my minute frame doesn't lend itself to lots of cold caving. While I would love to push to the most distant possible limit, I don't want to be reckless. If any of you have applicable advice, let me hear it. If any of you want to have a go, let me know. We have enlarged the two tightest spots, so most normal sized people will fit. If you're interested in a scraping up a few more feet in a featureless, miserable cave, it's yours.

First off all, nice going! As for advice for staying warm, try adding a wetsuit hood and neoprene socks to the mix. Neoprene gloves can also help, though for surveying you'd probably want them thin. A layer under your wetsuit may help if you aren't already doing that. Too thick and you make your body have to heat up more water, but many people say a thin layer like a compression shirt will increase a wetsuit's warmth. Maybe bring a small thermos filled with a hot beverage/soup in your pack.

[BrianFrank]

Great job and we appreciate that you tried to push it. I bet in a month you may get the urge to try once again, especially if it doesn't rain much and things dry up in your area.

[GroundquestMSA]

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[BrianFrank]

On the video....are you saying that your crew dug out 40' in that trench? Is that the same crawlway that you eventually gave up on?

[NZcaver]

WARNING! These photos and video contain material not suitable for for unreasoningly consistent sticklers for safety. Helmets are more than a hindrance in this cave and were not used. Further offenses include portrayals of the use of cotton clothing and canvas shoes, insufficient lighting, and toplessness. These pictures should also be avoided by all who are concerned with the quality of the photos they choose to observe.

Looks like fun. Your little brother's expression in the video suggests he is carefully taste-testing the mud.

[GroundquestMSA]

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