Metal Detectiing TN. cave / Anybody done this?

[donkarlos]

Maybe place a game camera near the entrance for a few days and check for animals going in and out. It'll pick up movements at night and take pictures as well.

 

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[Limitool]

Thanks donkarlos.... Good idea, but.... I already KNOW it is/was being used by a critter (bobcat). I know what you mean. I've been a hunter all my life. It will show if it's NOW still being utilized by them (got it). I honestly don't care if it is/was... I just don't want "them" in there when I decide to crawl up, put my head in, look around beyond cavern opening and CRAWL ON IN. It's a little to late then when "it" is cornered. Me against "it" in an enclosed environment...? I'd bet on IT (so should you). So would everybody else (with common sense). And there's probably not a damn thing in their now. Spring litter is all over....but?

Side bar story: My wife and I rescue dogs. We had a pair or Rot's... Male & a female around 2000. They ran the 100's of acres around us together. They would leave yard together and never be gone more than an hour or so in the wooded environment. One day in the springtime wife lets dogs out. Didn't come back by evening. Gone all the next day. Late afternoon of 3rd day wife's out on deck by pool and yells..."Hey, Brad Tequila is back and coming up driveway slowly (female)! I go out to meet her. Her ears are shredded, nose almost ripped off, has broken front toe (bent upward) and her chest and underbelly are "raked" open severely. I load and take to vet. Vet asks "where do we live". I tell him. He says I know what happened. He says they was "attacked" by a bobcat. "They" probably came upon a bobcat cache or a female with young. The vet said the male probably got attacked 1st. He stated the bobcat would bite the face, hang on, roll over and start raking its hind legs on the dogs underbelly disemboweling it. Then the female jumped in 3 seconds later... and took her licks but got away. He said she probably hung around until the male passed and then headed home. She never left yard again! Between what my faithful dog Bandit did (earlier post) to me and what I saw when Tequila came home GOT MY ATTENTION. This has nothing to do with caving but I most assuredly do not want to follow suit... period. But I am going in soon to the unexplored cavern by entrance, at least once ... Stay tuned...? Brad

 

[JeromeAz]

Brad,

We're all in a holding pattern just waiting to see what's in there. I wouldn't worry about Valley Fever. I don't believe its back east but it is out here in the west. It's not from dinosaur bones. It's in the soil. Out here in the desert there's so much dirt that gets kicked up by the wind. Sometimes so much that it blocks out the sun. They call them Haboobs. Look up Phoenix Haboob on YouTube and you'll see how bad it gets.

The guy with the other cave, if that's was me I would camp out and wait for the pigs to leave then block off the cave so they can't get back in then Happy Exploring! You never know what's in those caves. Could be nothing, could be something cool or it could be something that could make you rich! You'll never know till you get in there and cover every square inch of that cave.

There's a cave here that was used as a hideout back in the late 1800's by some stagecoach robbers. They were killed but the money was never found! So you never know!

Brad,

Hope the wife gets better real soon! Good luck with the cave!

Clay

 

[coinshooter]

I read through your posts (mostly), but skipped alot of the attaboy posts. I would suggest a "Game camera" if nobody else has suggested it yet.
Not sure if a go Pro will work the same, but a game camera can be set up and will only go on if movement is detected. If you set it facing the entrance (next time you go) and leave it till you visit again, you will have some relative assurances as to whether anything is visiting the cave. They also will work on Infa red, so you can get pics at night. Can be purchased at most sporting goods stores or on-line at Cabela's.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Not going to hi-jack the thread but want to express that I did not say Valley Fever was in Dino bones I stated it was where they were found and it is an airborne spore that you would breath in with the dust.Probably not an issue with the water in cave just wanted to make you aware since you have kids no need to give them a lifelong illness.

 

[Tnmountains]

I had written a long response and lost it. You asked if anyone had done this and I am qualified to answer I live in the cave belt of the south (Tn) and just had a pit mapped. I am guessing that limestone cave is known and owned by someone and you have permission. Digging in some caves is illegal. If it has a large over hang entrance it may hold relics.Talk to the owner. Just because you found it does not mean it is not owned or maybe you said you owned it? The local grotto will have a map if you want a map contact me and I will help you get one. I do not wish to do the cave. We found a couple sabre tooth tigers and a cave bear in mystery cave that went to the University as it was an academic thing. We would repel what once was the 3rd highest underground water fall and explore from there. We were trained with ropes and rescue. My cousin still holds a couple world records.Please go with someone with experience. I carry climbing ropes as a simple cave may have sudden deep pits. We lost a group up from Fla on a very easy cave not long ago on a climb that was very simple. They did not have experience got stuck and hypothermia got them. I have the longest cave in Marion county but keep it closed to trespassers. To dangerous. I will help you all I can with advice but experience is key no matter how adventurous you are. I have done a couple caves over your way. Please do not damage any formations. Forget glow sticks take 3 or 4 hands free water proof led lights. We started out using carbide lights and as technology changed so did we. Just so you know I am not blowing smoke here is the custom bar that set the world record free fall on mount thor in 87 with some blue water rope. It was a gift to me from the record setter now in memory of..... from the man cave.
Feel free to pm for advice and please be safe for family and friends.
Best wishes and happy hunting
TnMtns




http://www.caves.org/section/vertical/nhback/NH15.pdf see the mount thor article this is the rack that was used 3230+30 feet. It is 3 times the size of a normal rack.

 

[g-olden years]

Very fascinated by the caving experiences & historical knowledge of several posting to this thread -- thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us .
(Side note to the Valley Fever that exists in some soils & drifts into the air in CA's Central Valley -- unfortunately some prisoners have recently died from this fever as they couldn't get away from it; that absurdity will probably be alleviated soon as advocates are trying to make the prisons safer from Valley Fever.) Andi

 

[Limitool]

I had written a long response and lost it. You asked if anyone had done this and I am qualified to answer I live in the cave belt of the south (Tn) and just had a pit mapped. I am guessing that limestone cave is known and owned by someone and you have permission. Digging in some caves is illegal. If it has a large over hang entrance it may hold relics.Talk to the owner. Just because you found it does not mean it is not owned or maybe you said you owned it? The local grotto will have a map if you want a map contact me and I will help you get one. I do not wish to do the cave. We found a couple sabre tooth tigers and a cave bear in mystery cave that went to the University as it was an academic thing. We would repel what once was the 3rd highest underground water fall and explore from there. We were trained with ropes and rescue. My cousin still holds a couple world records.Please go with someone with experience. I carry climbing ropes as a simple cave may have sudden deep pits. We lost a group up from Fla on a very easy cave not long ago on a climb that was very simple. They did not have experience got stuck and hypothermia got them. I have the longest cave in Marion county but keep it closed to trespassers. To dangerous. I will help you all I can with advice but experience is key no matter how adventurous you are. I have done a couple caves over your way. Please do not damage any formations. Forget glow sticks take 3 or 4 hands free water proof led lights. We started out using carbide lights and as technology changed so did we. Just so you know I am not blowing smoke here is the custom bar that set the world record free fall on mount thor in 87 with some blue water rope. It was a gift to me from the record setter now in memory of..... from the man cave.
Feel free to pm for advice and please be safe for family and friends.
Best wishes and happy hunting
TnMtns


View attachment 819136

http://www.caves.org/section/vertical/nhback/NH15.pdf see the mount thor article this is the rack that was used 3230+30 feet. It is 3 times the size of a normal rack.

Thank you very much for the advise and insight. I truly appreciate your experience. When I contacted a grotto in Nashville they sent a couple folks here. After GPS'ing cave entrance and comparing to their maps they said this was a "new" cave. There were none close to this one on their known map. Now, if that is right (if) it can't be already mapped... right? I would never and have not disturbed any formations. There are no off-shoots from the main cave's winding path through ridge. Some of the earlier posts by me describe some of the cave's interior. We're not using glow-sticks to light up the cave to get around... we're using them to light up area's we cannot get a light into and physically look directly. We'd like to attach a string to glow-stick, drop/throw over and then look with an adjustable mirrored stick over the mud/dirt mounds where accessible. Then pull back out, move on further and repeat. This is a small cave overall. The first 100+ yards are more easily navigated before having to crawl in the cold spring water. I'll try and post some more pictures today.

 

[Limitool]

Good morning folks... I got my photo's out again of cave and picked out some more to post. Now, remember I didn't take these at the time to show any points of interest solely concerning it's ancient past or in any mode that someone deposited a cache. We just took these as we went slowly along. All of these photo's posted today (except Cave #16) are just after natural light ends and then back another 100 yards or so. If any of you folks see something within photos that you can possibly explain or elaborate on PLEASE FEEL FREE. I may have to use several posts to get them on... Thanks, Brad

Cave #16: This is the cavern just off the main entrance that I have not gone into yet. I can see it goes back and to the right quite a ways. There is another small entrance to it from the outside. So any critter in there has 2 ways in which to enter/leave. But I got to go by both of them to enter. The main entrance is in the upper right corner of photo. The debris was blown in during the winter.

Cave #17: This photo shows one of the dirt/mud mounds straight ahead that I'd like to look over. You can't see it but there is open areas behind… but you can't just crawl up and look over. The streambed is centered. Notice rock "placed" on ledge. This point in cave is about 5-6 minutes in and you have to duck walk to get around.

Cave #18: A little further in duck walking. See the hole ahead on right cave wall near ceiling. They are everywhere. They go back from around 12" to 3-5'. Cave here is about 4' high and the streambed is around 5+ feet wide.

Cave #19: This is just after natural light ends. This dirt/mud pile does not belong there naturally.

Cave #20: The spring waste stream is to the right unseen. I'm standing in it here duck walking to take this picture. Notice another circular shape indentation on the ceiling. That black debris on shelf looks like charcoal. Notice the "dug" out area's on this shelf. One between the 2 black spots. One right next to the stream (right). And, another center of picture further back. You can see dirt pile center of photo further ahead… Cave #19 shows it closer up.

Cave #22: This is just after natural light ends also. I have NO IDEA what the light colored mound is. Notice ANOTHER circular indentation on ceiling (center top). This is entering what I call "horseshoe bend" area.

Cave #24: This is a picture taken a few steps after #22. This is about 1/2 way around "Horseshoe bend". No mud/dirt in this area on right side at all. The streambed is lower right in picture. And on both sides of this bend a large deep shelf has been cut below. This is a large wide shelf of solid rock. Duck walking required here also.

Cave #23: This is exiting "horseshoe bend" duck walking. Streambed is in center. Notice deep cutout on the right side now. It's very interesting to see in person.

 

[Limitool]

Here's the rest of them I selected to post today. Any insight please share.... Mr. Huntsman53 and I would like to hear from those who do. Thanks, Brad

Sorry, center top photo here labeled Cave #21 is a mistake (it's posted in above post #19).

 

[huntsman53]

I find it interesting that you have a pile of white material in Pic #22 and it appears that this same substance in powder form, is scattered around other locations of the cave as evidenced by the other pics! Also, in several of the pics, the ceiling of the cave sparkles due to the light of the camera flash reflecting off them! These sparkles have to be some type of crystals for them to reflect the light. And you also have what appears to be charcoal in pic #20 which is well into the cave and well beyond the safe ventilation for a fire. All these things are very intriguing and I believe that there is much more to this cave, than merely a long time ago home for some Native American Indians!


Frank

 

[JeromeAz]

I find it interesting that you have a pile of white material in Pic #22 and it appears that this same substance in powder form, is scattered around other locations of the cave as evidenced by the other pics! Also, in several of the pics, the ceiling of the cave sparkles due to the light of the camera flash reflecting off them! These sparkles have to be some type of crystals for them to reflect the light. And you also have what appears to be charcoal in pic #20 which is well into the cave and well beyond the safe ventilation for a fire. All these things are very intriguing and I believe that there is much more to this cave, than merely a long time ago home for some Native American Indians!

Frank

Frank,

Good eye! I didn't notice it when I first looked at the picture. All that white powder and the crystals, that proves the cave was inhabited by Native Americans! They used that for medicinal purposes and tribe rituals. For us Non Native Americans we can't touch that stuff. If we were to use or possess any of that coke on the cave floor or the crystal meth the Indians grew on the ceiling our butts would wind up in jail! Lol!

Sorry guys! Just a little cave humor.

 

[huntsman53]

Frank,

Good eye! I didn't notice it when I first looked at the picture. All that white powder and the crystals, that proves the cave was inhabited by Native Americans! They used that for medicinal purposes and tribe rituals. For us Non Native Americans we can't touch that stuff. If we were to use or possess any of that coke on the cave floor or the crystal meth the Indians grew on the ceiling our butts would wind up in jail! Lol!

Sorry guys! Just a little cave humor.

LOL!!! Although it appears to be a pile of that white powder that many of those in Hollywood love to snort, it is very doubtful that Native American Indians of long ago, would have had such a product! I know that they did have other hallucinogens but there are no coca plants anywhere near this location. Brad and I have our thoughts about what it might be but can't be sure and was hoping for more input from others. Also, did you see the signpost or artwork (faded black irregular shaped rectangle almost a trapezoid) on the ceiling just above the pile of white powder? Can anyone conjecture as to it's meaning? It has lines running through it North Northwest to South Southeast in reference to the plane that the pic was taken! I have included a slightly enhanced pic in hopes that it will make it easier to see. Just click on it and it will enlarge, then click it again and it will open in a larger view.


Frank

 

[shofs]

First of all finding something like this cave has been my life's dream! Congratulations, and keep this secret safe as long as you can. I can tell you now you are on the verge of raw discovery.

Pic #20 in my mind is very key. I've looked closely at all the pictures and that location looks like a hot spot. It almost looks as if it has been dug out or leveled, not to mention the charcoal. If the dirt is easy to dig I would try a screen filter and sift through the dirt all the way down to bedrock. If this was my cave I would spend some serous time at that spot it just screams of past human visitors. Also, any spots that have a rock marker. Anything placed in a way that couldn't have happened naturally like neatly stacked stones. Take some time around any spots like those, really feel them out and inspect the details. Man, I am seriously excited for you!

 

[huntsman53]

First of all finding something like this cave has been my life's dream! Congratulations, and keep this secret safe as long as you can. I can tell you now you are on the verge of raw discovery.

Pic #20 in my mind is very key. I've looked closely at all the pictures and that location looks like a hot spot. It almost looks as if it has been dug out or leveled, not to mention the charcoal. If the dirt is easy to dig I would try a screen filter and sift through the dirt all the way down to bedrock. If this was my cave I would spend some serous time at that spot it just screams of past human visitors. Also, any spots that have a rock marker. Anything placed in a way that couldn't have happened naturally like neatly stacked stones. Take some time around any spots like those, really feel them out and inspect the details. Man, I am seriously excited for you!

shofs,

I thank you and I am sure that Brad thanks you (or will when he gets up in the morning) for the information and encouragement! With helping his wife who had back surgery, I wonder how he can keep up with posting pics and stories. I know that when I had my back surgery, I kept my now ex-wife a hopping.

I also wanted to say that I am honored and ecstatic that Brad chose me to help him explore and search the cave and am sorry that he did not choose any of you all that has responded to this Thread and followed it diligently to see the outcome! May an adventure like this, come your way soon!


Frank

 

[DocBeav]

Keep up the good work man! You have all of us here hooked now! Good job on all the pictures (keep em coming!). The more pictures you take will further document how things look now and if you do begin to sift or excavate any areas, then how they first appeared will be preserved. I'm also sure that in the future If you do bring any authorities or experts in to take a look, they too will appreciate seeing its original state. I had a question about this picture here, #19.

Could just be the way the shadows/light hit the far wall but it looks lite there are some "lines" in the rock and maybe some other things as well. The one on the left almost looks like a figure on a horse or donkey. Again, it may be nothing but a trick of light and shadow but next time in, see if you can get a better look/picture of that area.

 

[Limitool]

First of all finding something like this cave has been my life's dream! Congratulations, and keep this secret safe as long as you can. I can tell you now you are on the verge of raw discovery.

Pic #20 in my mind is very key. I've looked closely at all the pictures and that location looks like a hot spot. It almost looks as if it has been dug out or leveled, not to mention the charcoal. If the dirt is easy to dig I would try a screen filter and sift through the dirt all the way down to bedrock. If this was my cave I would spend some serous time at that spot it just screams of past human visitors. Also, any spots that have a rock marker. Anything placed in a way that couldn't have happened naturally like neatly stacked stones. Take some time around any spots like those, really feel them out and inspect the details. Man, I am seriously excited for you!

Shofs.... This particular spot gets my attention on the "attention meter" also. Now, since I've been back there a few times, trust me their are other spots that would get your attention also. Remember I didn't go back when these were taken to document anything special. We were just snapping away as we went. Now when I go back (in photo album) and look at what we captured I can remember other things that we saw along the way also. FYI... The distance between the ceiling and the dirt in this photo is very shallow. It's probably around 2', maybe a tad more...? I'm "duck-walking" in the streambed when this shot was taken. I'd really like to understand what the circular indentations on ceiling are that I've shown... and there are several. I can't say if the dirt mound in the distance in this photo is debris from the "dug out area's" seen in this photo. But when viewing the mound in person it's obvious that its not natural to the environment. We'll examine this area closely when we return. I'd like to run a MD over this area also. Frank and I are going to try and get a video along with pictures when we go back. And you mention "neatly stacked stones"... there are some openings in the cave wall sides with stones stacked blocking a view to see inside... I agree with you... this photo shows ancient or native American activity. I hope we can search the cavern's behind certain walls and see if someone stashed something of value. We have some other thoughts also to research... later, Brad

 

[Limitool]

DocBeav.... It's almost like you've been there... good eye!!! When another member earlier in this thread told me to be sure not to harm, touch or destroy any paintings, drawings or artwork I said I don't remember nor have seen any. Then upon later review and thought I got to thinking that any drawings on wall would have to have been done on "horseshoe bend". I told him there's one spot I'd like to look at closer.... You got the right area... your markings above are entering "horseshoe bend". Photo #24 posted above is just a few yards from what your circled above in #19. With that said... can you see what you see in #19? The reason I want to look closer at this spot is because it's a solid flat circular stone wall. It's the only one. Look again please... thanks, Brad

 

[DocBeav]

No expert here but are the holes in the ceiling mostly around the charcoal/fire areas? Could be just from the heat of many fires over time that dried out and cracked the ceiling and pieces of it fell out leaving a hole?

The stacked rocks could have been put up as wind breaks to shelter someone behind them.

 

[JeromeAz]

LOL!!! Although it appears to be a pile of that white powder that many of those in Hollywood love to snort, it is very doubtful that Native American Indians of long ago, would have had such a product! I know that they did have other hallucinogens but there are no coca plants anywhere near this location. Brad and I have our thoughts about what it might be but can't be sure and was hoping for more input from others. Also, did you see the signpost or artwork (faded black irregular shaped rectangle almost a trapezoid) on the ceiling just above the pile of white powder? Can anyone conjecture as to it's meaning? It has lines running through it North Northwest to South Southeast in reference to the plane that the pic was taken! I have included a slightly enhanced pic in hopes that it will make it easier to see. Just click on it and it will enlarge, then click it again and it will open in a larger view.

Frank

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=819602"/>

Trapezoid? Trapeze? It's hard to tell. Just have to get in there and check it out. Get closeup pictures and document everything.

Clay