Azimuth is Not a Bad Word: Surveying 101 Trip to Howard’s Waterfall Cave
Mike Rogers will lead a group on a beginner’s “Surveying 101” trip into Howard’s Waterfall Cave on Sunday, November 9. Many of you will remember Mike’s presentation at the August DCG virtual meeting, where he shared the story of the remarkable survey of Lost Creek Cave in Tennessee. Dan Werner will be the Deputy Leader. Mike will lead the instruction, and Dan (himself an eager-to-learn relative surveying novice) will handle logistics.
Howard’s Waterfall Cave is a horizontal cave suitable for beginners. It is on a Southeast Cave Conservancy Preserve. Registered participants will need to complete the SCCi release, which will be accessible from a link at the bottom of the confirmation email.
The trip will be limited to 10 participants (plus Mike and Dan).
Billygoat Point campers will leave the camping area 9:30 a.m. ET. Non-campers should meet at the Food City parking lot in Trenton at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Mike’s description of the training:
During this survey course, I will teach cave survey principals from a beginner surveyor’s perspective, so no prior survey experience or survey equipment is needed. We will record the data and sketch using paper and pencil, so please understand that digital cave survey using a tablet or phone will not be covered. Participants will learn how to use Disto X2 survey instruments (which can record all three critical measurements of distance, compass bearing, and inclination/slope), along with the older-style Suunto sighted instruments and a fiberglass tape. I will also teach the principals of sketching, including how to sketch to scale. Depending on how many students we have, we may not have time for everyone to give this a try, but it is well worth seeing how it’s done in “the field.”
I’ll explain the three primary roles in cave survey: 1) setting points, 2) running instruments, and 3) recording data & sketching. I’ll also cover the standard “flow” of cave survey and have everyone practice this in a 3-person survey team doing several stations in a row. Participants may have the opportunity to try all three roles if time permits. I’ll have some tips and tricks for placing and lighting the survey stations, along with correctly reading the instruments. And I’ll spend a good portion of time explaining how I personally keep track of the data during the survey as well as my style for sketching. I’ll also explain the importance of the book/sketch role and discuss how this person serves as the survey leader, and can dictate where shots are taken along with set the pace for the survey.
A final note: learning cave survey requires some patience and a good bit of instruction, so expect some “standing around” time during this course. It might be wise to bring a few extra warm clothes just in case the cave is cold that day.
Looking forward to working with you!
What To Wear & Bring
- Clothes: Try to wear fast drying clothes. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon work best. Avoid cotton. Bear in mind that caves frequently destroy the clothing you take into them.
- Shirt - long or short sleeve
- An extra layer or two for standing around time
- Good sturdy boots or shoes.
- A helmet with mounted light and new/fresh batteries.
- Two additional reliable sources of electric light.
- Extra batteries for each light source protected by a water-resistant container
- Gloves - they don't just protect you from the cave, they protect the cave from YOU.
- If you wear glasses, anti-fogging wipes are helpful (used wipes and wrappers must leave the cave with you).
- Snacks-- protein bars pack well. Put snacks in Ziploc bags to protect from getting wet.
- Water: 32oz recommended. There is no safe water source in the cave.
- A large plastic bag to stash your muddy clothes.
- Clean Clothes for the ride home
If you have questions, email Dan at dan@danwernerlaw.com and wernerdad@gmail.com. You also can reach him via WhatsApp: +1-334-324-7410.