Submitted by Chris Sanders

Well the final push of Allenbach's Fantastic cave was done tonight. With temps in the low teens, Crow donned his wetsuit (hardcore) and attacked the water lead beyond the dome. Net result 25 feet of wet (4 foot + deep in spots, with under 8 inches of airspace in other spots), but not horribly tight cave, ending with a significant level of finality. There is a formation choke and the walls close down to impassable just beyond that. Air still blowing out of there.

About 100 feet of cave, a few nice rooms, a very successful project. We still need to map it and decide what to do with the entrance. It's kind of like the overflow drain for the sinkhole, we should make sure it doesn't become plugged with mud and debris. A pipe and gate or pile of rocks to filter out crap would be the way to go. I think we will probably pipe and gate it. The landowner has two sons who would probably enjoy having a underground play space. Anyone who want's to be involved with that, see the cave, or help survey the cave, we will probably make plans to do so at the beginner meeting

. A hearty round of pats on the back go out to Timmer (project leader), Mike "Fingers" Packard, Mick, Crow, John "Snapperhead" Chenger, Me, Jason "Digger", and Nigel (from NY). The final score was two days scouting (First day was on new years), two days digging to open the cave, two days digging in cave, one day of wetsuit push. Seldom do cave projects move this swiftly.

There is still the faint possibility that another lead remains under the breakdown in the dome. There is a pool of water that you can't see the far side of........................ The landowner is disappointed that the cave wasn't bigger and may join us on a beginner trip. :-)

P.S. I have 3 medium shorty wetsuits, 4 large shorty, and one small full. $30 each.