Crypt question

[diveconjeff]

This is an extract from a post in Dive Reports

As we prepared to exit, the ever vigilant CaveDiverWayne (CDW.. too much typing) noticed what appeared to be an alternate exit and thought he would take a peek. The line headed straight down and appeared to duck under through “a really tight hole” as he described it. Deciding not to explore any further, he came back up and we began to exit. 20 or 30 feet on down the line, I noticed another line coming back up from the same general direction as the one CDW had checked out. Looked to me like they might connect. I could take a look next time I am there with some extra time, or maybe someone might care to enlighten me…

anyone care to offer up some details? I am planning to look a little more thoroughly next time I am there, but any knowledge I can get in the mean time...

[DA Aquamaster]

The line (seen as you enter) runs down to about 90' and then back up to the mainline around the other side of the breakdown.

However at the bottom of that little excursion, a line runs off to the left but gets moderately tight fairly soon. According to the dive computer, the depth gets to 112' on that line.

The theory is that this perhaps used to connect to lower orange grove.

I suspect most people go to the crypt via Olsen but my preference is to take a stage and go via the cisteen line. It leaves you fat on gas with plenty of time to poke around the crypt and/or run through the wish one as well. There are a few really convenient locations to drop a stage in the cisteen line between the Olsen line and the jump to the wishbone where you can leave a stage without marking the bottom.

In terms of getting to the crypt, there are two routes shown on the map. The first is more scenic but involves an additional jump. This one has a line that is less noticeable but is on the right just after passing the T to cisteen - about 60' past the T. What is noticeable is the large rocks on the right and the line is next to them. This intersects the other line to the crypt about 60-70' short of the crypt. Given where it enters the other passage it is also not readily noticed unless you are looking.

The second line is a marked jump with a bone, plus some moron carved "crypt" there as well.

[icestac]

I went back there and decided not to go down that line. Sam went down to check it out and said it got really nasty really quick.

Cheers,
Jeff

[icestac]

I have a video of Sam going down there (see around 5:30 into the clip)

[jeandiver]

The line about 20-30 feet down the line to the left as you exit , (I THINK) is a jump line that goes back to the Cisteen Line closer to Cisteen Sink than the 1st jump you normally take if you are coming from the Olsen-Challenge line. I normally don't go to the crypt from the Cisteen sink side , so I have never taken that jump line.
As far as the line on the left in the Crypt , I had heard that there might have been a collapse in that area. I have not been down that line either so I am just telling what I have heard about it.

Thanks!
Beano

[FW]

Y'all be careful in the Crypt. It is very unstable, and you could end up being buried due to your own bubbles causing an avalanche. It almost happened to me a few years ago.

[Kelly Jessop]

Y'all be careful in the Crypt. It is very unstable, and you could end up being buried due to your own bubbles causing an avalanche. It almost happened to me a few years ago.

My thoughts too. The line that drops down in the Crypt almost wedged someone with unstable moving rocks.

[Cave Diver Wayne]

Are you saying the crypt is a unstable area, if it is I am not going back again. Been there done that. Thanks for any info. I sure not trying the other exit as it looked real small like impassable.

Be safe,

Wayne

[diveconjeff]

Thanks to all for the pointers WRT to possible routes, cautions, and the advice.

Jeff, that sure looks like the place.

Forrest, if your willing, I'd like to hear you recount that event next time we meet, and before I go back there, if I do.

I remembered another thread that covered this as well, but have not had success locating it yet.

[Kelly Jessop]

Are you saying the crypt is a unstable area

Very much so. Quite a few documented and narrative type incidents of rocks falling from the ceiling,sliding down the passage that continues in the crypt.