Exploring Virgin Cave in Ricks Springs Utah

[CCR Josh]

Sec. 4301. Findings, purposes, and policy

(a) Findings
The Congress finds and declares that -
(1) significant caves on Federal lands are an invaluable and irreplaceable part of the Nation's natural heritage; and
(2) in some instances, these significant caves are threatened due to improper use, increased recreational demand, urban spread, and a lack of specific statutory protection.
(b) Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are -
(1) to secure, protect, and preserve significant caves on Federal lands for the perpetual use, enjoyment, and benefit of all people; and
(2) to foster increased cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and those who utilize caves located on Federal lands for scientific, education, or recreational purposes.
(c) Policy
It is the policy of the United States that Federal lands be managed in a manner which protects and maintains, to the extent practical, significant caves.

SECTION 7. PROHIBITED ACTS AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES (a) PROHIBITED ACTS.-

1. 2. Any person who, without prior authorization from the Secretary, knowingly destroys, disturbs, defaces, mars, alters, removes or harms any significant cave or alters the free movement of any animal or plant life into or out of any significant cave located on Federal lands, or enters a significant cave with the intention of committing any act described in this paragraph shall be punished in accordance with subsection (b).
   3. Any person who possesses, consumes, sells, barters or exchanges, or offers for sale, barter or exchange, any cave resource from a significant cave with knowledge or reason to know that such resource was removed from a significant cave located on Federal lands shall be punished in accordance with subsection (b).
   4. Any person who counsels, procures, solicits, or employs any other person to violate any provisions of this subsection shall be punished in accordance with subsection (b).
   5. Nothing in this section shall be deemed applicable to any person who was in lawful possession of a cave resource from a significant cave prior to the date of enactment of this Act.

(b) PUNISHMENT.-The punishment for violating any provision of subsection (a) shall be imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine in accordance with the applicable provisions of title 18 of the United States Code, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent violation, the punishment shall be imprisonment of not more than 3 years or a fine in accordance with the..



Obviously we move rocks, and disturb the entrance somewhat to be able to get in. But there is no way to get any type of excavation equipment to the entrance without significantly damaging the surrounding area.

We have talked with the USFS and moving rocks by hand is about the only way we can do it,

[Sam2000001]

Beautiful pictures!! It must be something else knowing that you guys are the first people to ever see these formations. Seeing that this system does have a waterfall, how real of a threat would flash flooding of the dry cave be? I guess the presence of stalactites and stalagmites would say that a change in water level isn't common? Keep up the great work! Please be careful climbing those waterfalls as I'm sure having to swim to your exit will amplify any injury.

[CCR Josh]

Seeing that this system does have a waterfall, how real of a threat would flash flooding of the dry cave be?

"Results of dye tracing indicate maximum ground-water travel times of 8 to 31 days from losing streams as far as 7.2 miles."
http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/karst/kigc...elineation.htm

I am guessing little to none. The flow is related to the Logan River but has significant lag time. I would guess that in the case of a heavy rain or something similar the spring flow would rise gradually for the next 8-31 days (I know it says maximum time, but we have been keeping track of the flow coming out of Ricks and the flow of the river.....)

And like you said the pictured formations could not withstand too much abuse!

[jackass]

I think using natural barriers to prevent rocks from blocking the entrance is something done outside of the cave. There really isn't any reason for the cave act to come into play. Am I mistaken?

I apologize if this is thread drift...

There are plenty of examples of caves having their entrances protected, and i am sure most of them are federally protected.

[wendellnope]

In exchange for an introduction and beta to the cave, I'll come and clear rocks a time or two... this time of the year, I can only get out on weekends.
-John Glime

Here I go again showing my ignorance, but what does the term "beta" mean in this context? You listed SLC as a location, but I didn't know there was another Full Cave Diver in SLC. I thought we all knew each other.

[wendellnope]

Sir,

On my web site I have produced several videos (and transposed several other videos) into the WMV format. Every computer with Microsoft Windows has Windows Media Player built into the system. I'm curious that you can't watch these videos.

Also, I didn't understand from your response if you're a Full Cave Diver or not, since this is the skill level required for safe and competent diving in this system. I would not feel it appropriate to discuss the details of diving this cave with you unless you are qualified to do so. No offense intended.

Upon confirmation of your Full Cave certification, I'll be happy to provide the best "Beta Data" I can, in order to support your efforts to enjoy this wonderful site. I was there today and shot High Definition video of the initial 1300' of main passageway. It remains Utah's first and best location for cave diving, in spite of the frigid water temps.

Standing by ....

[CCR Josh]

Playing wmv on mac.....

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...omponents.mspx

With this you should be able to watch .wmv using quicktime.

[IowaCaveDiver]

where did you have a link for video? I couldn't find it.

[Cold Water Richard]

Yesterday Wendell Nope, Thomas Lamb & I were up diving Ricks Spring. Our objectives were to get some good HD video from the entrance to the first dry space, then get pictures and video of the fossils, the Moon Pool and the passages for as far as the video card would last. After that, explore that back sections that Matt and Josh have recently discovered.
As with most trips this one was not without its challenges, first Tom’s computer died, fortunately we had a back up, then I dropped one of Wendell’s tanks and broke a regulator, <ouch>, luckily we had a backup for that too, more than once we’ve been to the cave only to have to turn around and drive home because of gear issues. We’ve learned to bring backups of about everything. When we finally got in the water I went into the cave first and set the primary reel, then Tom passed the stage bottles through the restriction to me and then Wendell passed the camera through and I videoed both Wendell and Tom coming into the cave. We each clipped on a stage bottle and Wendell took the camera and started taking video from the entrance to the first dry space.
While we were in the Slippery Slide Tunnel, a long narrow tunnel, I had to stretch to fix something on Wendell, I can’t remember just what the problem was, but as I did I had to really extend my neck and in the process the bottom of my neck seal released and allowed a flood of 42oF water to run down my neck and chest. I’d like to think my neck seal is too loose because my diet and exercise program is working but I really think it is because the seal has stretched. A couple more times during the dive I felt it leak again, just not as bad as the first time.
We had hoped to get video and pictures of the fossils, passageway and the Moon Pool, however the video card filled just as we entered the dry space. At least now we have HD video up to that point. Wendell is editing it now and as soon as it’s ready I’m sure it will be on his website and we can post a link to it.
We took our tanks off and took a short rest then hiked around the dry section for a few minutes. After catching our breath and warming up a bit we went back and started hauling the tanks up Wayne’s Waterfall and through the first dry section. We had made it up with 5 out of the 6 tanks and while working on the last one Tom tore a hole in his drysuit. At that point we called the dive, it was a bummer to do work that hard getting the tanks up the waterfall and not get to dive the back section. The other and more pressing challenge was that we still had to exit through 1300 ft of 42oF water with a hole in Tom’s drysuit, needless to say Tom & I were both very wet and very cold when we finally made it out.

Richard

[jackass]

An HD video will be great beta! Thank you!

Nice write up Richard...