Cave Exploring in WV

About this event

Join us Saturday, November 7 to explore Haynes Cave, Monroe County, West Virginia. This is a joint trip with the New River Valley of the National Speleological Society. Haynes Cave has been mapped to show 4,237 feet of passage and it's located just north of Union, West Virginia. From the meeting spot, the drive to the cave is about an hour and a half. We will be meeting at my house at 9 am. (963 Magnolia Lane, Christiansburg, VA It's just off of Prices Fork Road)

Haynes Cave is owned by the West Virginia Cave Conservancy and is gated. We have permission to explore the cave on this date. The cave is developed on 3 levels. The cave is generally dry and contains artifacts from saltpeter mining from colonial days through the Civil War. Thomas Jefferson wrote a paper on a fossil found in the cave, what is now known to be the Megalonyx Jeffersonii, a Pleistocene ground sloth. The cave is generally easy to explore, however to reach the longer lower level, we will need to do some minor vertical work. If we want to explore the lower level, we will rappel down a 49 foot drop. If you have a seat harness and rappel system, bring it. If not, I can supply the gear. I will be providing a safety belay for everyone rappeling, so even if you don't have much experience, safety will be our top concern. We will ascend the pit via a cable ladder. Each person will have a safety belay as they ascend the cable, once again, making the ascent very safe. There is an opportunity to practice these techniques before the trip.

We will be underground for 5 to 7 hours, so bring a light lunch and water. As usual, a headlight, and two other sources of light, gloves, helmet, and sturdy boots. Knee pads and coveralls are very helpful. If you have a seat harness and rappel device, please bring them. Exploring caves must be done in an environmentally friendly manner. Respect any formations, they should not be touched so they may be present for future generations. Leave nothing in the cave, including trash or any food. Bring a pee bottle. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but pictures.

From Spirit of Adventure New River Valley