Hello all,
I was a member of NSS a couple of years ago, but unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to get involved as I would have liked and allowed my membership to expire, but now I have a little more time to dedicate. A little background; I'm a Public Safety Rescue Diver with the Nashville Fire Department and I'm also in law enforcement, but I'm a novice caver with little experience beyond commercial caves. With my professions, I definitely understand the concept of operational safety and personal limitations, so I'm not looking to be a John Wayne in Batman's underworld.
The reason I joined this forum, is because I'm looking to expand my knowledge of the history and beauty of our caves. I am primarily interested in learning the techniques used in discovering new caves. I have a few books that touch on their formation in limestone, which has helped me identify what things to look for at the surface. So this past weekend, I utilized some of that information and began ridgewalking on some properties I own (in Columbia, TN) that I felt would be considered a karst landscape. I surveyed and wrote down GPS coordinates of dozens of sinkholes, fissures, sinking streams, springs, etc., and I now have a few targets that are of great interest, especially a couple that are blowing air.
I understand that many entrances have to be enlarged to gain access into a new cave system, so this is where I'm currently at. For all practical purposes, I am new at this and do not wish to cause unnecessary harm or damage that might jeopardize the environment or risk personal safety. So before I grab my pickaxe and sledge hammer, I'd like to gain as much knowledge as I can. I would be interested in talking to someone in the middle TN area who is well versed in locating new caves and that is involved with a local grotto.
(renewing my NSS membership and attending local meetings will also be a good start, but I thought I'd begin here first )