TRIP REPORT: Webster Cave System Mulu Sump

[Darklight]

TRIP REPORT
Webster Cave System
Parks Avenue and Mulu Sump Trip

With the drought that is persisting over the Commonwealth and the
glimmer of hope for getting past the Mulu Sump, Curtis Beasley and I
descended once again on Webster. Our goals were not very lofty. I had
been to the sump a few weeks back, and it was open but not what I would
characterize as passable. Today, I wanted to journey back to the Sump
and see how things had changed (if at all). Time and energy permitting,
we hoped to get back to Giger and look for a set of instruments that may
have been left there on the last expedition. Also, we had a few things
to do around the field house.

We left western Kentucky about 2pm on Saturday, headed for an overnight
stay at the field house. Curtis and I were both packing yak; me with the
diminutive 'Jagged Halo' and Curtis with the titanticulous 'Float'n
Shame'. This would prove to be an interesting weekend.

We arrived at the field house around 5pm fast time. We were met by rain.
This was predicted, but supposed to end by late morning the following
day. As dry as it has been lately, I wasn't overly concerned about the
precipitation. I had no delusions of making it past the sump, even
though I figured it was probably open enough. Still, there's not much
worse than caving in Webster with the threat of rain hanging over your
head. Or walking to the cave in the rain, or changing clothes afterwards
in the rain....

The field house is in good shape. The mouse bait seems to have taken
effect. Soon after arriving, my Mom and Dad from Louisville dropped in
to deliver several Papa John pizzas to us. We all sat on the front
porch, ate pizza, and drank a few beers. And watched the rain fall.
Later in the evening, Curtis changed out the front and back door lock
sets. Now we have new(er) keys and they open much better than before.

Neither one of us slept much during the night. I was more or less
exhausted the next day, and we once again saw rain falling. We had
dragged our kayaks down to the main entrance the day before, so all we
had to do was suit up and start hauling. Curtis and I were at the first
lake by about 0800. We quickly made our way to Parks Avenue. Curtis was
trying out is peddle-powered yak, 'Float'n Shame' (best pronounced with
a faux-cockney British accent). It was very fast to be sure. That thing
would leave foot-high waves in its wake. But it sure was heavy! And
Curtis was so worried about marring the bottom, I had to help him carry
it over every portage and blockage.

At Parks, we beached and headed up to the sump. We were laden down with
several implements of destruction including shovels, a crow-bar, and a
ruler for measuring water levels. Once at the bottom of the
Hole-In-The-Wall, I noted the water appeared to have dropped some over the level
two weeks ago. I slithered up to the sump and set the water level
indicator so we can monitor the sump level. Future travelers should
note the zero point before making a reading (to make sure it hasn't
moved, if it survives a flood at all). Today, the surface of the water
was at 10 inches (this is an arbitrary number, not a depth or air space
reading). Thirteen would be nice! The sump was lower than it had been on
the last trip, but about 3/4" maybe, and was blowing air. It was
technically passable, but it would be uncomfortable to say the least.

http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/i ... 0513/large

http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/image/81280516

While I was setting the indicator, Curtis was messing about downstream
the sump looking for ways to lower the water levels. When I caught up
with him, he wasn't optimistic. He headed back out to the pool below the
Parks Avenue "lunch rock"; I poked around the watery trunk between the
sump and the lunch rock. I discovered the water there was stagnate- no
flow at all. That meant the flow had to be taking another route. I waded
to the lunch rock and started looking for a flow source. I discovered a
healthy flow of water issuing from beneath a pile of breakdown that is
located essentially under the Hole-In-The-Wall. I managed to crawl
through the rocks and come out just inside the Hole. So, all the sump
water is flowing through the breakdown. The possibility of digging this
out is extremely unlikely.

Curtis and I did do some digging at the pool in front of the lunch rock,
however. Our goal was to increase the volume of water leaving the pool.
We also dug and trenched some gravel deposit downstream from here. We
marked the water level before starting, but any effect will take another
trip to determine. I doubt it will help, but you never know.

We made it back out to Webster Avenue several hours later. I made a
command decision to leave the cave. I was very tired and the thought of
spending another five plus hours heading to Giger (and having to carry
Curtis' kayak for him) did not appeal. We made it out of the cave
around 3pm to a heavy rain shower. Dragging the yaks back out of the
karst head was not easy in all the mud and wet rock. After tidying up
the field house, we headed for home...

The latest video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DOrI2CitgU

[Squirrel Girl]

Dood. That ain't no sump. You got going passage! Scoop that baby! (carefully of course)

Got any idea how high the water is under "normal" conditions. Not like a few weeks ago, but say, months or a year ago? Could it be, say 10' lower, she asks hopefully!?!?!?!?!?

[wendy]

Darklight,

You are a cave tease.

Again I loved the video, and hopefully by the time I get there in a month the sump will be passable, hell I'd push it now, us Florida cavers are used to water in a cave, you can pass it as long as your buddies don't make you laugh (laughing while breathing with your lips to the ceiling can be a hazard, trust me)

[Darklight]

Dood. That ain't no sump. You got going passage! Scoop that baby! (carefully of course)

Got any idea how high the water is under "normal" conditions. Not like a few weeks ago, but say, months or a year ago? Could it be, say 10' lower, she asks hopefully!?!?!?!?!?

The "average" water level at the sump is about six inches higher than it is now. Last year, it was that much higher and then some for the whole year (exceptionally wet year). Generally, it is only open in October/November, and only then if it is really dry. This year has been an exception in that it it currently exhibiting September levels in June.

Scooping I'd be for save for the threat of rain sealing it shut for three months!

[Darklight]

Darklight,

You are a cave tease.

Again I loved the video, and hopefully by the time I get there in a month the sump will be passable, hell I'd push it now, us Florida cavers are used to water in a cave, you can pass it as long as your buddies don't make you laugh (laughing while breathing with your lips to the ceiling can be a hazard, trust me)

Hopefully we'll be able to get you past the sump...no giggling!

[Squirrel Girl]

If the low spot is short--like 3-5' or so, you can rig a sturdy hand line through it. Then, if you're on the far side (having carefully paid attention to water levels and rain forecasts), and only under extreme situations, you can free dive home, pulling on the hand line which is MUCH safer and faster and better than free diving without it or with just a dive line.

Now I don't *encourage* this. But, it does give a phenomenal warm and fuzzy feeling as a *backup* when you taken all the normal precautions of NOT GOING IN IF IT'S GONNA FLOOD.

Also, EVERYONE should know how to swim.

[Adam Craig]

SG, from what I know, it's more like 200ft, not all of which is super low air space, but all of which would seal shut during a good flood. Three months, huh?!? Let's see... Who would we eat first???

[Squirrel Girl]

SG, from what I know, it's more like 200ft, not all of which is super low air space, but all of which would seal shut during a good flood. Three months, huh?!? Let's see... Who would we eat first???

200 feet, huh? I'm headed to Kentucky with my sidemount rig this weekend, too....


I have another commitment, or I'd stop by. Besides, you don't need any tanks *now*!

[Adam Craig]

Enjoy your weekend. I'm going swimming in Webster this weekend, my first time in there. Too bad you won't be stopping by. I always enjoy meeting new people, especially ones from here

[wendy]

hopefully I'll be there next month. I can breathe hold swim the length of an olympic pool and back (don't ask why I know this)

[Darklight]

If the low spot is short--like 3-5' or so, you can rig a sturdy hand line through it. Then, if you're on the far side (having carefully paid attention to water levels and rain forecasts), and only under extreme situations, you can free dive home, pulling on the hand line which is MUCH safer and faster and better than free diving without it or with just a dive line.

Now I don't *encourage* this. But, it does give a phenomenal warm and fuzzy feeling as a *backup* when you taken all the normal precautions of NOT GOING IN IF IT'S GONNA FLOOD.

Also, EVERYONE should know how to swim.

There is a pile of 200 foot Bluewater rope there to be rigged. Although the sump isn't that long (maybe just under 100 feet) it is 7" to 2" for that entire distance. It consists of about 45 feet of ear dip, then a shorter 30 foot section of several duck unders (2~3"), then a very slow, gradual rise. It would be hard to pull yourself through such a long sump considering it'd be no air for 70 plus feet, IMHO. Now, sidemounts.....;-)

CG