Chipola River Caves

[Nondem]

I did a trip down the chipola a few years back and passed several springs and caves. One was called Dyke spring as I remember and it looked at the time to be too small to get into....I was looking through OW eyes at the time though.
Also, the most interesting one I noticed was right where the railroad crossed the river. On the western side of the river - a little ways from the riverbank there is a dry cave that you can walk a few yards into before coming to a big pool of water. I did'nt have a good light at the time but it looked like it might have an UW cave.

Does anyone have any info on these systems?

[Tegg]

I'd also like to know.

Personally, I will be exploring some stuff up there soon... 8)

[Scott Hunsucker]

The cave near the railroad tracks is known as Bat Colon Cave given the huge amont of bat dung, dead bats, etc. It is the site that Dan Nieves and I rescued the OW diver about two years ago. The site is closed and patroled, but you aren't missing anything as it is only about 300 feet in total. Not worthy of the effort. Most others on the Chipola are no-mount, small, short, etc.
Scott Hunsucker

[Nondem]

The cave near the railroad tracks is known as Bat Colon Cave given the huge amont of bat dung, dead bats, etc. It is the site that Dan Nieves and I rescued the OW diver about two years ago. The site is closed and patroled, but you aren't missing anything as it is only about 300 feet in total. Not worthy of the effort. Most others on the Chipola are no-mount, small, short, etc.
Scott Hunsucker

Is there a narrative of what happened on that rescue somewhere? I assume there is a sump involved since the guy was still alive....

[Moonfuzzy]

Here is a story from the AP:

http://www.polkonline.com/stories/06...verbeats.shtml

[Dwain]

Wow... Talk about luck.

[DeWayne]

Some of the river caves have some small caverns that can make for a good departure from the crowds upstream. Nice way to waste a day, floating down and looking in the holes along the way. Nothing spectacular but worth a look for some perhaps.

[Nondem]

Some of the river caves have some small caverns that can make for a good departure from the crowds upstream. Nice way to waste a day, floating down and looking in the holes along the way. Nothing spectacular but worth a look for some perhaps.

Are you suggesting a drift-dive down river? Where would be a good place to start?

[DeWayne]

Are you suggesting a drift-dive down river? Where would be a good place to start?

Deloach offers a good persective of the more prominent holes and boat ramps to use. Chipola sink inside the caverns park is a good start for a day of drifting down stream, other spots downstream to put in at as well. Depends on how much you want to see or if anything specific.

[wingman]

The cave near the railroad tracks is known as Bat Colon Cave given the huge amont of bat dung, dead bats, etc. It is the site that Dan Nieves and I rescued the OW diver about two years ago. The site is closed and patroled, but you aren't missing anything as it is only about 300 feet in total. Not worthy of the effort. Most others on the Chipola are no-mount, small, short, etc.
Scott Hunsucker

Hi Scott, I met that guy at vortex a few months back and he told me the story...he was still an ow diver and shooting video in the vortex cave. Bill Huth.