 way up the dome. We had crossed this before during the first trip to the top and before the trip we determined that we could cross it again without protection, in order to travel in light. However, upon seeing it again and re-evaluating the risks we decided it would be best to rig it. Fortunately we were able to cut off excess rope from the drop leading down into the Pigeon Tooth Dome area. Mike and I placed bolts and were able to rig the piece almost across the entire traverse. A short amount of rope is still needed to complete the remaining stretch. In addition to this activity slowing the survey progress, shooting a survey station up to the top of the chamber was difficult because of the nature of the break-over part way up and the profile of the very top. After completing two climbs in reaching the top, the down sloping floor of the chamber discouraged Nate from getting near the edge to set the next station, which was where it needed to be set for Nevin to read compass and inclination. It took awhile before a suitable point was located to read, but one was finally found before Nate was forced to go back down one of the drops.
The top of the chamber is characterized by a hard, sloping mud floor smooth on one side with a large column, and on the other side a very irregular floor caused by mud with boulders. The irregular portion was created by an obvious avalanche caused by some ancient flooding event. Because of this feature we came up with the name - The Avalanche Room. Later reduction of the survey data would indicate that the room is nearly 125 feet high. Across the room, about 80 ft. away, is a large lead with incoming stream that supplies the water falling down the dome. It appears that the best way to reach it is by use of a narrow, possibly unstable mud shelf near the ceiling. The mud shelf ends maybe 8 ft. from the lead. On a future trip, bolts and safety equipment will be needed the entire way across.
Upon reaching our objective a search for a rigging point was made. The walls consisted of punky rock except for an exposed limestone seam some 8’ off the floor. Upon first reconnaissance it appeared a large piece of breakdown spanning the pit would offer a point for a rebelay to center the rope, but further inspection made us decide against this. We ended up climbing onto a ledge to set two bolts in the limestone layer with the rope breaking over the edge. A rope pad should be brought on the next trip to add protection, though the break over is not particularly sharp.
About two thirds way down the pit a dry canyon several feet wide with flat floor takes off. The pit continues down another 13’ to a small room with incoming canyon with a small stream. Downstream the passage quickly becomes too low to follow. Upstream an initial climb of about 8’ is required. My attempt to negotiate this was futile as the wall would disintegrate to mud when placing my foot to climb up. A mud piton driven in the cave’s wall or a boost will be required to gain access. Beyond this climb I can see another climb of perhaps 6’ height.
To gain access to the dry canyon you are required to stay on rope and do a short pendulum swing to reach it. We followed the canyon a few feet to another drop. We didn’t have rope so Nate went back and retrieved the dynamic rope. Because the cave was at this point formed in a narrow, vertical bed of sandstone, we could not set any bolts nor find a suitable natural anchor. The sandstone walls are crumbly and nothing could be trusted. Some 10’ to 12’ above the floor we found a piece of sandstone breakdown wedged in wall to wall offering a questionable anchor. However, it does provide a clean drop into the pit. Much air could be felt coming through this canyon and initially it was assumed it was going down the pit.
Mike and I dropped the pit while Nevin and Nate stayed behind. We quickly came to a second pit estimated to be 50’. Beyond this second pit the dimensions increase substantially. However, the air was not going into the pit. On the contrary, air was actually coming out. Which probably indicates a hidden upper level across the first pit. After one shot to near the top of the pit we all decided to head out, as we had no rope to go further. In addition, a safety line will be required to search for the air crossing over the pit rigged with the dynamic rope. This next drop will be the 10th pit from the entrance, 13th rope to negotiate if you count the handline at the Tobacco Room, Artz Attic Traverse, and the tension traverse part way up the dome. For the day 410’ was surveyed.
Our trip out went well and Mike and I exited before 2 AM. About ½ hour later Nevin and Nate exited. For a return trip a bolt kit will be required in addition to at least 200’ more rope. An additional short piece of about 20’ is required to rig the remaining traverse on the way up.
Just two days prior to the trip Burnsville Cove experienced 3.4 inches of rain over a brief period of time (personal communication Nevin Davis). News of the rain and flooding quickly passed on to committed trip participants, and soon email hinted at the possibility of the trip being scrapped altogether. There were fears that the Boulder Dash breakdown would be recoated with the characteristic slippery film of mud encountered during the initial exploration; and that Pigeon Tooth Dome would be filled wall to wall with sheets of torrential water slamming down on the breakdown below. Nevertheless, two teams came together on a cold Friday night at the Homestead, leftovers from a planned three. Was it the rain, or was it the fear of possibly having to traverse a tyrolean, but one member canceled at the last minute, desiring to frolic one more time with an old friend for a last hoorah (or something like that).
Team 1, led by Mike Ficco to the far reaches of Outer Limits, included members Ed Kehs, and newcomer Philip Schuchardt. Ben Schwartz had come all the way to the field house that night but canceled due to illness that morning. Their adventure is covered in a separate report. Team 2, led by Tommy Shifflett included members Nevin Davis, Nate Walter, and newcomer Mark Stover. In actuality this was Mark’s second trip to Blarney Stone, having previously assisted with the survey of the Air Blower which led to the motivation to continue the digging effort.
Both teams awoke early Saturday morning, prepared breakfast and headed to Nevin’s house in order to get a decent start. Along the way was continuing evidence of the large amount of rain two days earlier; leaf dams, eroded ditches, and streams cascading down from the mountain side and ridges were seen everywhere on the west side of Chestnut Ridge in Burnsville Cove. At Nevin’s house, 80 feet of the new 9mm rope purchased by BCCS, was sliced off for Team 1, while Team 2 sliced off another 150 feet.
Both teams arrived at Rick Cecil’s property sometime after 10 AM ready for a long hike up from the bottom of the ridge to the cave entrance, fearing it too wet and soft to drive up the steep roadway to the usual parking site. However, the east side of Chestnut Ridge revealed that it had rained considerably less than the other side. No leaf dams, eroded ditches, or flowing streams were encountered. In fact, the roadway was quite firm and appeared to be only damp from a light rain. Driving up the road to the usual parking area was not a problem.
Team 1 got the first start into the cave. Team 2 lagged behind, dragging along Tommy’s new rotary hammer drill, and some rudimentary climbing gear in addition to the 150 feet of rope. Strychnine Canyon was a little wetter than usual but no more so than other trips in the past. It certainly was a pain having to haul the drill in, but taking turns dragging it helped much. Before long the Team arrived at the junction to Pigeon Tooth River. Upon arrival at the dome, Nevin’s fear became reality; a maelstrom of spray thundered down, bouncing from wall to wall and completing covering the floor of Pigeon Tooth Dome. In the dome there was nowhere to stay dry. Staying back outside the dome until each person quickly climbed the short rope to the first ledge minimized getting wet. At the traverse Tommy set a bolt to shore up the beginning of the traverse and connect the rope along the slope, providing an additional margin of safety. At the other end he set another bolt and rigged an additional piece of rope for completing the traverse. From there the team headed onward up the Liquefaction Ramp, characterized by deep flowing mud, and then the direct aid portion, until finally reaching the Avalanche Room 125 feet above the bottom of the dome. Down one drop and they were at the lead. Tommy de-rigged the climbing rope that had been used to descend the second drop and replaced it with a piece of the 9mm rope, the lead was directly across this pit. Upon closer examination, crossing over the gaping chasm of this pit appeared easier than had been imagined from the last trip. Using the climbing rope for belay and connecting to the static rope, as a pivot point, it became a simple step across to the other side for which there is a natural tie-off anchor for protection with a quick draw. While on belay Tommy gave a cursory look at the situation by climbing out further until it became too risky without setting additional protection. Looking below in a narrow, deep canyon it was unclear whether or not Tommy