Pennsylvania Caves?

[cavemark]

I grew up in Northeastern PA and remember a place next to the RR tracks in Susquehanna County where we used to swim in a creek that fed in to a large bowl. I remember dramatic differences (50 ft) in the water levels in the bowl depending on the rains of the particular summer. When the water levels were high people used to dive from the waterfall on the far side of the bowl. I have many fond childhood memories going there from the kids summer camp my parents owned back then and have visited again a few times as an adult.

We still own 30+ acres in Susquehanna County, a remnant of an 800+ acre camp, but now live in Florida. This summer we will be going up for a reunion and it will be my first time back in 8 years. After moving here I got my cave training and am fascinated with the way water moves through the earth. I am now a Civil Engineer and much of my work is in water resources. I don't remember there being a stream that drained the bowl that was very deep at any time, so I am wondering if there is a sump in the bowl that may be diveable.

If there is anyone that knows of such a site, I know the exact location and there is no sense giving it away in a very public forum, I would love to talk to you about it. PM me if you have any information. I will be driving up with a trailer so if there is any way that I could say transport dive gear or something from Florida to PA or NY (or somewhere between there and here) I would love to provide the service in exchange for the information.

Thanks.
Mark

[FW]

There are lots of divable caves in PA. They aren't very popular, because they are cold, with low visibility. Many of them are a long way from the nearest parking space, there are no picnic tables, no steps, no nearby dive shops that do "cave fills".....

If I were going to PA, I would take along my sidemount gear, and look for myself

[mwenner]

Sound's like TN, let's go..... Good luck with the prospects when you get up there and have a nice reunion!

[Oister]

I live in PA I would be happy to help sherpa tanks if you come up with a lead or 8. I can get tanks and fills local.

There are lots of divable caves in PA. They aren't very popular, because they are cold, with low visibility. Many of them are a long way from the nearest parking space, there are no picnic tables, no steps, no nearby dive shops that do "cave fills".....

If I were going to PA, I would take along my sidemount gear, and look for myself

There are are there? Do tell (only in PM)I know a great shop that gives Cave fills here in PA.

[cavediver27]

I can confirm that there are divable caves in PA but they are not easy by any means. I did one that started by crawling in a hole on the edge of a pasture and required a 100' repel followed by another 75' repel and then a trek to the sump. We were over 200' underground before we hit the water. It was cold and low vis and line traps everywhere but it was virgin and that was special.

[Oister]

but it was virgin and that was special.

How far did it go?

[FW]

There are are there? Do tell (only in PM)I know a great shop that gives Cave fills here in PA.

I have never dived there, but Roberta Swicegood and others have done a lot. Try asking at NSS grotto meetings, all the ones in PA, somebody must know.

[cavediver27]

How far did it go?

300' + and it was still going. Turned the dive because of the low vis and ungodly line traps that could not be avoided. There were huge smooth boulders and a soft silt floor with no place to tie off at all. Line traps and low vis isn't a good combo and it took lots of maneuvering and backing up exit . It is actually an offset sump, I went one way and my buddy went the other. This dive makes Eagles Nest seem like a 'bunny dive'.

[cavediver27]

I have never dived there, but Roberta Swicegood and others have done a lot. Try asking at NSS grotto meetings, all the ones in PA, somebody must know.

The cave we were diving is somewhat near Tytoona where Roberta Swicegood unfortunately died.

[FW]

There were huge smooth boulders and a soft silt floor with no place to tie off at all.

Did you try "silt stakes"? They are made from PVC pipe, pointed on one end, and notched on the other, to tie line to in deep silt.

They have several names, like "Silt screws", "Distler spikes" etc.