Honey Creek Cave Exploration Project - Open Invite
Project: New exploration is planned in Honey Creek for January 24th and 31st weekends. Jean Krejca and James Brown will be pushing the 4th sump while Laura Battle and Matt Turner will support them through sump 1 and getting necessary gear to sump 2 in preparation for the push. Prior to that, support cavers are needed to get all the necessary cave gear, dive gear and camp gear back to the beginning of the first sump. We are looking for 40 or so cavers that are willing to accept the challenge on either or both weekends of this project. If anyone is interested in helping out and seeing the longest cave in Texas you are invited to join us.
Location: Just south of Guadalupe River State Park and approx. 15 miles east of Boerne, Texas in Comal County on private property.
Expectation: Honey Creek is currently 33.17 km (20.6 miles) long but with the artificial entrance we are only 3.6 km (2.25 miles) from the sump. Yes, a shaft was drilled and we are lowered into and out of the cave! No climbing required. Even though vertical work is not required (only a harness is needed) this is not a beginners cave. The 3 ½ kilometers includes wading through water, a few swimming points, crawling / “salamandering” through mud and muck all the while pulling, pushing and carrying a pack. Expect an 8 – 12 hour round trip depending on your physical level and pack weight. This cave is very challenging but also extremely rewarding. On-site camping is available for both weekend and we have a good time around the campfire once everyone is out.
Required Gear: Since Honey Creek is a water cave you will want a wetsuit in order to stay warm. Solid boots and knee pads are needed in order to hold up against the elements. Elbow pads are a plus and maybe even a cave suit if you want to protect your wetsuit from wear and tear but not necessary. A harness and locking carabiner are needed for the descent / ascent in and out of the cave. This can be a standard climbing harness or a caving harness. A large pack will be needed in order to hold your personal gear as well as carry a bit of the necessary gear to leave at the back of the cave. Standard caving helmet, head lamps, backup batteries etc. will be required as normal for caving. Teams work really nice where one can carry personal gear (tends to be light) and the other carries a load (heavier) which can be shared. Each load will be approx. 30 lbs. or less. If you do not have all the necessary gear to participate but are still interested then let us know. We will have some gear to loan out like wetsuits, large packs, harnesses, etc.
Itinerary: Friday, January 23rd: Most cavers tend to arrive in the evening and camp on-site for the early morning briefing.
Saturday, January 24th: Support cavers enter cave taking gear back to the first sump
January 25th – 29th: The 4 divers will camp, explore and survey before the planned exit on Wednesday night of the 29th.
Sunday, January 25th: Support cavers may have the opportunity to partake in a ‘Through’ trip or a Grand Finale trip.
The Through trip consists of being lowered in at the artificial entrance and heading out downstream to exit the natural entrance of the cave. Lots of water and you will want SCUBA mask, fins and a float device.
The Grand Finale trip is a circuit from the artificial entrance to one of the most spectacular places in the cave and back to the artificial entrance to be lifted out.
Saturday, January 31st: Support cavers enter cave and head back to the sump and haul gear out.
Contact: If interested in the challenge you can join by going to the Facebook event (https://www.facebook.com/events/6959...egular&fref=nf
) and signing up or you can respond to this post letting me (David) know who and when you will be able to attend. Don’t miss out on this once a year event!
