Exploring Virgin Cave in Ricks Springs Utah

[Kthompso]

Here is a map that I created from survey data that Richard (Cold Water Richard) and I gathered on the dive in the movie that was shot by Josh of Lydia's Castle. What a wonderful movie and soundtrack Josh put together for this quick clip.

The video of the water was the closest to reality that I have seen yet. The deep blue water with the green hues and the sandy brown limestone with the etched shelfs are clearly visible in the video. This cave is vastly different from any cave that I have ever seen before, and it holds a special place in my heart.

THANKS JOSH!!

Richard wanted to try a new cave survey technique, so he use an old light canister to transport in a laser range finder purchased from home depot. It may not be accurate enough for a grade 5C survey, but it was the only way we were going to get ceiling measurements.

For anyone who cares about name origins: Lydia is my 3 1/2 year old daughter. She is the epitome of a princess and deserves a castle of her own. This section of cave is highly decorated with flow stone and soda straws. I was thinking of cave decorations, ornaments, cave jewels. My first stab at a name was Lydia's Crown Room, but the space is so much larger than just a crown room, so the name evolved to Lydia's Castle.

Maybe 20 years from now she may want to go diving with her dad to see her Castle in person.....

Until next time

[Randy Thornton]

Great work, Kirk, Richard, Josh and Michael! Keep it up!

[CCR Josh]

Wow, that cave looked to have a dry sand floor, not mud. They very few I have been in were all mud.

This cave is very interesting.... It changes quite a lot as you swim through into new sections.


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[CCR Josh]

Here is a map that I created from survey data that Richard (Cold Water Richard) and I gathered on the dive in the movie that was shot by Josh of Lydia's Castle. What a wonderful movie and soundtrack Josh put together for this quick clip.

The video of the water was the closest to reality that I have seen yet. The deep blue water with the green hues and the sandy brown limestone with the etched shelfs are clearly visible in the video. This cave is vastly different from any cave that I have ever seen before, and it holds a special place in my heart.

THANKS JOSH!!

Richard wanted to try a new cave survey technique, so he use an old light canister to transport in a laser range finder purchased from home depot. It may not be accurate enough for a grade 5C survey, but it was the only way we were going to get ceiling measurements.

For anyone who cares about name origins: Lydia is my 3 1/2 year old daughter. She is the epitome of a princess and deserves a castle of her own. This section of cave is highly decorated with flow stone and soda straws. I was thinking of cave decorations, ornaments, cave jewels. My first stab at a name was Lydia's Crown Room, but the space is so much larger than just a crown room, so the name evolved to Lydia's Castle.

Maybe 20 years from now she may want to go diving with her dad to see her Castle in person.....

Until next time

Kirk, I am very impressed with your first map rendering ever!


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[Rustykfd]

Wow, you guys have accomplished quote a lot since you hosted me a few years back. Ricks holds a special place in my heart and I hope to return someday. Rusty


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[CCRMichael]

Josh Thornton and Scott Whitney added a few feet of line and almost made it through the restriction at the smash pool. Hoping to get another trip in this winter and make it through to what looks like another good tunnel. It was a long cold day but a lot of fun except for mine and Keltons flooded dry gloves making our dive not as long as we had hoped. I especially wanted to point out the view that you don't get exiting a cave in Florida.

Our drysuits froze making it difficult to undo the zippers.


Josh cleaned out some old exploration line he and I put in years ago past the moon pool. My first time laying line in virgin cave.


the water was 38F but since the air temp was 20 our tank pressure went up when he bottles hit the water.


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[CCR Josh]

Been diving it the last couple of weeks...

Full facebook albums here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...05238276173768
&
https://www.facebook.com/michaelblak...1830.696915435

[Rustykfd]

Smash Pool, is that the pool past the falls?

[CCRMichael]

Smash Pool, is that the pool past the falls?

After Waynes Waterfall which people also call the first large dry section you have the moon pool. After entering that you come up at vestal falls where you can find the smash pool.

[Rustykfd]

I was referring to Vestal Falls, and I guess smash pool is the pool with flow further into that dry section. My memory is faded, I was there in 2009 with Matt M. that was really pinched down at that time.....