By: Hubert Crowell
It was convention time in Indiana and this would be my first NSS (National Speleological Society), convention. John Wallace, Jack Pace and I flew to Indiana in John's small plane. Landing a small plane at a commercial airport was quite exciting, they directed us to the runway from the side as large jets were landing and at the last moment had us make a sharp 90 degree turn and land as quickly as possible. Then taxi at top speed to the nearest taxi way to get off the runway before another jet landed.
The 1973 convention was being held at Indiana University in Bloomington and was a huge success, capped off by our banquet speaker Roger Brucker relating the exciting story of the discovery of the Flint-Mammoth cave connection, making it the world's largest cave system. I was also excited over winning third place in the prusik contest. I climbed 100 feet of nylon rope, in one minute and forty-two seconds in the 30-39 age group. I believe that there may have been only three contestants in this age group!
One of the caves open to the convention attendees was Sullivan Cave. The three of us decided to have a look at the cave. We entered the cave through the small narrow passage for a short distance before connecting with the Back Breaker passage. This was a long passage with a ceiling height of about 3 to 4 foot. This finely intersected the main trunk passage at the "T." Following the trunk passage to the left to the Mountain Room passage, then a short distance to the Mountain Room. We spent some time exploring the Mountain Room and as we about to leave some very wet cavers appeared. After talking with them they shared that they had entered the cave through the Speed Hollow Entrance.
This was a very tempting choice, to leave by another entrance and avoid that long trip back through the Back Breaker passage. They left a good easy to follow trail as it was wet from their passing through. We traveled about half the distance that we had come thus far and reached a room called the Spiral Room. Crossing over a flowstone floor through a short crawl, we found the Manhole.
Looking down the Manhole, all we could see was water. We turned off our lights and let our eyes adjust to the darkness and then leaned down into the Manhole as far as possible. There was a very slight glow of light shining from the far side of the underground lake. John dropped in first and could not touch the bottom. After struggling for a while he finely found a spot where he could touch the bottom. We all followed behind dropping into the cold water and headed for the light as fast as possible.
As we sloshed through the water the waves reached the ceiling getting us completely soaked, ears, eyes and all. There was no turning back now, we just gulped air between waves and continued. Near the exit the passage became lower until we were crawling in the water with only a few inches of air space. When we climbed out of the water and into the daylight it sure felt good.
Now we had another problem. We did not know where we were. There was no road in sight only an open field and the wooded hills. We did not even know wich direction we had gone in the cave. After exploring the field we found the main road and took a guess at the direction to walk. It was quite an adventure but I believe we will try a little better planning next time.
The water lapped against the ceiling as I tilted my head,
bad decision, should have gone the other way instead,
admiring the Spiral Room and resting after the long trip,
cavers appeared looking like they had just taken a dip,
a choice, Black Breaker passage or swim out Speed Hollow,
finding the way should be easy with a wet trail to follow,
as the trail began to dry, strange sounds ahead could be heard,
the three of us continued on hands and knees not to be deterred,
the hole in the middle of the passage, dark and black below,
which way and how far to the exit are things I wanted to know,
the size of a manhole without the cover and full of water so cold,
who would be first, as we studied our plight, would I be so bold,
with lights out and removed my hat, leaning in till I almost fell,
I strained to see if there was any daylight between each swell,
at last after looking all around, a dim slight glimmer of light,
now I knew the direction and just thankful it was not night,
John went first and made a big splash, his orange hat out of sight,
over his head until he paddle to the side giving us all a fright.
I followed into the cold water, gasping for air between the waves,
then I began to wonder just what makes us venture into caves,
close to the stream exit I had to crawl with only inches to spare,
at last I was out, cold, wet, confused but glad to be in the fresh air,
nothing familiar, getting late, no road in sight, are we lost,
could that be a fence, did they mention a field to be crossed,
tired and wet finding the road, luckily taking the right direction,
I wonder how the ones we met climbed with no rock projection,
from the water through the manhole with the water so deep,
a stop for dinner, discussing our adventure, and ready for sleep.
~Hubert Crowell
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