Hello from Boston

[johnf93]

Hello all,
Just wanted to say a quick hello...I started caving back around 1992 or so, my first cave was Schoharie Cave in NY (see picture).
Stay safe and stay dirty!
Cheers,

John

[Stridergdm]

Hello all,
Just wanted to say a quick hello...I started caving back around 1992 or so, my first cave was Schoharie Cave in NY (see picture).
Stay safe and stay dirty!
Cheers,

John

Welcome. Definitely know Schoharie, all too well. Still get out this way much?

[johnf93]

Hi Greg,
I was Ward Gregory last Saturday with my girlfriend. It's a great first timers cave, we did both sides and the lost jackhammer room. She was grinning the whole time! I think even farther than the 1991 map shows... Do you have a favorite cave in the area? I think mine is knox cave or gage's cave.
Cheers,

John

[Stridergdm]

Hi Greg,
I was Ward Gregory last Saturday with my girlfriend. It's a great first timers cave, we did both sides and the lost jackhammer room. She was grinning the whole time! I think even farther than the 1991 map shows... Do you have a favorite cave in the area? I think mine is knox cave or gage's cave.
Cheers,

John

Hard to say. I usually take beginners to Ward's-Gregory. but I like Knox a lot.

However, right now, the newly-opened Merlin's Cave is probably top of my list. Was originally supposed to go in this weekend during NRO, but had to bail for a couple of reasons.
(That's ok though, I got to play in the tree on the ropes all day.)

[johnf93]

I've been meaning to check out Merlin's cave. I hear it's in great shape. - John

[Stridergdm]

I've been meaning to check out Merlin's cave. I hear it's in great shape. - John

It's a beautiful cave, but still has a number of unstable spots. So I guess depends on definition of "great shape"

[johnf93]

I meant beautiful and undisturbed. Good to know that there are some unstable spots! Has the cave been mapped yet? I looked on the NCC website, no one has posted a map yet. If it has been mapped, do you know where I could get one?

[Stridergdm]

I meant beautiful and undisturbed. Good to know that there are some unstable spots! Has the cave been mapped yet? I looked on the NCC website, no one has posted a map yet. If it has been mapped, do you know where I could get one?

There is a map that was "completed" last year. But more exploration is ongoing so I don't know if there is a publicly available map yet.

At least one spot was cleaned for NRO, which involved dropping some boulders about 40'. This meant it is now less likely to fall when someone traverses it. But means the traverse is much more exposed.

It's still not open to general exploration, you have to find a leader to take you. (which is why the trips at NRO were so full.)

[Stridergdm]

To post a follow-up to my own reply. Yes there is a map here.

Just went through lead training yesterday and definitely some more rocks were moved. A few spots are still fairly unstable.

Very glad I had my harness and cowstails on for the traverse.

[Jpiecuch]

Merlins is quite nice. . First trip during the NRO. We lost a good portion of our group at the first waterfall drop (lost as in turned around and left!) and I can see how being clipped in on the tyrolean is a good idea! I was expecting more exposure, but a fall is a fall, and that wouldn't be a fun one. Great though, a pristine 2000+ marble cave. . .almost qualifies for that 2000 footer Alan Plante was determined to find in the Berkshires. Just a tad too far west! Dunno. . .Berkshire enough for me. Love the Stockbridge. .

[The Seeker]

Great to see another new-to-the-forum Boston caver!