The Cheat River at the Druid Cave springs. Pretty, eh?
Aaron Bird checking for a cave beneath the uppermost "Double Waterfall" in Lick Run, which is the source for Druid Cave's water. This was after the plunge pool was drained by digging a trench (lower right). There is a hole moving air under the waterfall, but it is impassable.
Aaron Bird cleaning off after checking for a lead beneath the waterfall. Dave Riggs is on the waterfall lip experimenting with the rock to see if the waterfall can be diverted.
Dave Riggs atop the uppermost "Double Waterfall".
The uppermost Double Waterfall. Note the lack of a plunge pool and the trench (lower right) that we used to drain it. A too small suckhole lies behind the waterfall and under the ledge.
Doug McCarty (red suit), Aaron Bird (orange suit), and Tristen Bird at the Fitchner Entrance to Windy Slope Cave.
The Water Entrance to Windy Slope Cave after modest digging and removal of the boulder that had covered the entrance. Note the siltstone (aka shale) just above the entrance. This forms the roof of much of the cave.
Water Entrance to Windy Slope Cave after minimal digging. The water in the back quickly reaches 3 feet deep.
Water Entrance to Windy Slope Cave after an obstructing boulder was rolled off it. The hole moves SERIOUS amounts of air.
Another peak into the Water Entrance of Windy Slope Cave - just after its discovery. Note the (deep) water.
Aaron Bird exiting Windy Slope Cave after a survey trip.
Brian Masney exiting Windy Slope Cave after a survey trip.
Doug McCarty exiting Windy Slope Cave after a survey trip.
The Water Entrance to Windy Slope Cave - after extensive digging. The water-filled trench was used to lower the water in the cave (a little).
Brian Masney at the Druid springs after trying to connect the new cave to Fitchners.
Brian Masney at the Druid springs - after trying to connect together our new caves.
Brian Masney about to get a needed bath.
Brian Masney dirtying the Cheat River.
Brian Masney in a cloud of cave mud in the Cheat River.
Doug McCarty washes off after a survey trip into Windy Slope Cave.
Aaron Bird after cleaning up from a survey trip.
Aaron Bird relaxes after a survey trip in Windy Slope Cave.
Doug McCarty wrestling a freshwater shark.
Aaron Bird looking upstream in the newly found stream passage in Windy Slopes Cave.
Aaron Bird in Windy Slope Cave.
Aaron Bird saying, "Can you believe this?" We hit the jackpot.
Aaron Bird smiling - it doesn't get much better than this!
The digging was worth it!
Aaron Bird in the stream passage in Windy Slope Cave... a day after it was found.
Uh oh. The cave is changing character. The tube is on the right and abruptly ends in fill. The stream crawl to the left is the way on. But, does it keep going?
Aaron Bird walks into virgin passage - the passage continues!
Virgin passage!
