Jackson Blue Exploration

[Ben M]

A group of us have been quietly growing the known expanses of the Jackson Blue cave system. The original map by Sheck Exley contains most of what people think of as JB. More than 10 years ago, work began on a section that became commonly referred to as JB2. Those efforts ended in late 2014 due to a collapse at a restriction cutting off access to that area of the cave, but the story did not end there.

In the past week, divers have reached parts of the cave almost 15,000 ft from the entrance. The total surveyed passage has grown at a rapid pace in the last year and our active exploration is ongoing. Cumulatively, we now have over 50,000 ft of surveyed passage in Jackson Blue cave.

- Ben Martinez, Edd Sorenson, Frank McNamara, Jason Richards, and Kevin Leonhardt.

[IowaCaveDiver]

hey Ben! Great to hear! where does this put JB in total surveyed passage compared to other cave in North America?

[Ben M]

Reporting is always spotty. Underwater and in the US I think #4. In North America or even the world top 20, possibly top 15.

[Dominick Gheesling]

A group of us have been quietly growing the known expanses of the Jackson Blue cave system. The original map by Sheck Exley contains most of what people think of as JB. More than 10 years ago, work began on a section that became commonly referred to as JB2. Those efforts ended in late 2014 due to a collapse at a restriction cutting off access to that area of the cave, but the story did not end there.

In the past week, divers have reached parts of the cave almost 15,000 ft from the entrance. The total surveyed passage has grown at a rapid pace in the last year and our active exploration is ongoing. Cumulatively, we now have over 50,000 ft of surveyed passage in Jackson Blue cave.

- Ben Martinez, Edd Sorenson, Frank McNamara, Jason Richards, and Kevin Leonhardt.

Thanks for showing me the first 800' today!

[Choda]

Was wondering when you gonna make this public great job guys

[sandy]

Thanks for the update Ben! Look forward to seeing the new map. Sounds like you may be close to connecting to Ginnie!

[Rhino]

Alright! Only 10,000' more penetration and about 40,000' more of passage for me to get to. Almost thought I was running out of new places to see in JB.
Thanks ya'll for paving the way.

[Kelly Jessop]

Thanks Ben. Didn't somebody find a means to go around the collapse you mentioned?