Wind Pit Cave (Caver's Plunge!) EarthCache

This EarthCache does not require you to go into the Pit to log it as a find. Do not take children or pets to this EC location. It’s a very dangerous opening. There’s a traditional geocache at the bottom of the pit that can be accessed by rappelling 100 "free fall" feet to the bottom. To get back out you will need mechanical ascenders and ascend 100 feet back to the opening. Do not even try climbing into the opening. There is nothing to grab onto, or climb on. Its impossible to climb out of the cave unless you have mechanical ascenders or you are mechanically hoisted out by a cable wench.

It was once thought possible that Wind Cave Pit could connect to Wind Cave itself but extensive exploration by several caving groups concluded that it basically goes nowhere. Once on the bottom you will find no leads. Those who have explored it in the past may have overlooked something. When you visit the EC site, all you will see is the opening of the pit cave. Observation of Wind Pit Cave can be done from a distance. Be warned that it’s a very dangerous opening. If you get to close you could slip into the opening and plunge 100 feet resulting with serious injuries or death. There are bones of animals lying at the bottom of the pit that are visual testimony to what will happen if anything living falls into the pit.

Wind Pit Cave, is classified as a "pit" cave, and a type of natural cave which is a vertical shaft rather than a horizontal cave passage. Pit caves typically form in limestone as a result of long-term erosion by water. Pit caves can be open to the surface or found deep within horizontal caves. A pit is generally categorized as a vertical drop of any depth that cannot be negotiated safely without the use of ropes or ladders.

In caving parlance, a domepit is a large vertical underground shaft in which water flowing down to the water table at a lower level has dissolved a cylindrical cavity in the rock.

Wind Pit Cave is formed in the St Louis Limestone formation. The St. Louis Limestone is the principle cave forming units in Pulaski County, constituting the Monteagle Limestone. The Monteagle correlates to the upper two members of the Newman Limestone in Rockcastle and Jackson counties, and itself is made up of two member units. Overlying the St. Louis is the lowermost of these two units, the Ste. Genevieve Member, equivalent to the Ste. Genevieve of the Newman. Above is the Kidder Limestone Member of the Monteagle. The St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve and Kidder members are much thicker than their equivalents in Rockcastle and Jackson counties due to a regional thickening of these rock units to the south.

In Pulaski County the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks maintain their southeasterly dip. There is no significant break in the structure until well into Wayne County. The normal variances in the structures are due to the rises and swells of the sea floor when these rocks were deposited.

These limestones exhibit similar characteristics as other neaby types of Limestone in Kentucky, although they generally are thicker. The thicker beds allow more variety in cave, development throughout the section.

Exploration into pit caves "vertical caving", also called "pit caving", requires the use of equipment such as nylon kermantle rope or cable ladders. More specialized caving techniques such as the single rope technique are common practice and the preferred method of pit exploration for cavers worldwide. The SRT involves the use of nylon static rope and mechanical descenders/ascenders.

Vertical caving is a specialized sport that should be undertaken only after acquiring knowledge of, and expertise in, proper vertical caving equipment and its use. For obvious reasons, vertical caving is more dangerous than "horizontal caving". Vertical caving requires the intimate understanding of ropes, knots, anchors, rappelling devices and ascending systems. Veteran cavers typically are knowledgeable in self rescue techniques including change-overs (the act of switching from rappel to climb while on rope) and pick-offs (the act of rescuing a stranded caver from their rope and returning them to the ground).

Although history is four dimensional, my knowledge of the history of Pulaski County caves is pretty much linear, based on my own limited experience.

Prehistoric: Many caves were used as shelter, particularly south facing sites above streams such a Buck Creek or Cumberland. Springs were also a source for water. From multiple artifacts plowed up in fields near Short Creek, a settlement may have been built there. Caves were also used as burial. We found vertebrae and other bones in a cave overlooking the Cumberland that had been looted. Bowling Alley Cave near Somerset was reputed to have an Indian scull in it.

Late 18th and 19th centuries: Settlers used springs for water and making whiskey, which was an important means of commerce. Salt Petre was also mined, reportedly in Stab, Fossil, Sloans Valley and Wind Cave and Dykes Petre Cave. Petre Pit in Whetstone community had a well developed mine with remnants of vats and a water trough still there in the 1970 when it was surveyed. Short creek had several mills, the earliest reportedly dating to 1801. Fossil Cave is also said to have had an overshot mill.

Early 20th Century: besides previous uses, caves were sometimes visited recreationally, and some attempts were made to commercialize at least two: Sloans and Stab. Blowing, Bob Hail, Wind and Wells all show signs of early visitation. Hail and Cave Creek Caves were probably also visited and may have had earlier usage.

Mid-20th Century: two somewhat shady uses for caves developed. Moon shining and arrowhead hunting, a value for artifacts made this activity popular as a hobby and business. Stab Cave had been abandoned for commercialization in the 30s but sporadic guided tours of Sloans persisted into the sixties. At that time highway 27 was a direct route to Florida from Ohio, so the cave was a tantalizing summer rest stop before air conditioning was widely available in cars. Sloans was also mined for artifacts. In 1948 Lake Cumberland was built, within a few years flooding many caves including lower portions of Cave Creek, Hail and Sloans.

There is no fence or warning signs near the pit cave. It’s easy to walk right by it if you weren’t looking for it.

Access to the pit is by following the old logging road up hill from the parking area. Wind Pit Cave is on top of the hill! You may have to bush whack the last 100 feet to find the EC site. In the summer, chiggers and ticks are numerous and will devour you if you don’t have the strongest bug repellant on. I made the mistake of not wearing insect repellant and pulled over 150 ticks off of my body and suffered nearly as many chigger bites.

I have personally rappelled into the pit and found the traditional cache Cavers Plunge (an extreme cache) GCRVXB. Its fun to explore but can be very dangerous if precautions are not taken.

When at the site and before I did anything, I did a careful check of the area and briefed the group I was with on what not to do. I secured a safety line to myself by using a very sturdy tree as an anchor line before approaching the pit.

Once inside the pit cave, the ascent was incredible! At the bottom I explored as much as I could and was careful not to damage the artifacts on the pit cave floor. There are bones of numerous animals that have fallen to their death here.

Wind Pit Cave is the venus fly trap for caves. Realize that Wind Pit Cave has been here for thousands of years and what has fallen into it's depths is collected on the pit cave floor.

Use good common sense when visiting. Do not be foolish and go near the opening unless you are secured by a rope.

To get credit for this EC, post a photo of “you” ( a human face of the cacher visiting the site) near the listed coordinates with Wind Pit Cave in the background and please answer the following questions.

1. How wide and long is the opening of the pit?

2. Looking at the entrance, tell me what you think created the opening.

This EarthCache is rated a 5 star on terrain due to the hole being a dangerous trap for those who get to close. Observe the hole from a safe distance if you do not plan on rappelling in the pit.

Yep we know you are coming. Permission to enter the property is allowed by the owner. Contact me if you want his name.

PLEASE NOTE: Parking is limited. The provided parking coordinates is the best place to park. The parking is located in front of Wind Cave. Access to the EarthCache is by walking. You can not drive up to it. The closest you can park to the EC before walking is about .20 (tenths) of a mile.

The information for this EarthCache is from the Kentucky Geological Survey and the University of Kentucky Geology Department. Thanks to those who enjoy EarthCaches and keeps Cav Scout placing them.

Cav Scout has earned GSA's highest level

Do not log this EC unless you have answered the questions and have a picture ready to post! Logs with no photo of the actual cacher (human face included) logging the find or failure to answer questions or negative comments will result in a log deletion without notice. Exceptions will be considered if you contact me first (I realize sometimes we forget our cameras or the batteries die). You must post a photo at the time of logging your find. If your picture is not ready then wait until you have a photo.

Sources of information for the EarthCache quoted from the librarian in the Geology Department Library in Miller Hall, University of Kentucky. I am by no means a geologist. I use books, internet, and ask questions about geology just like 99.9 percent of the geocachers who create these great Earth Caches. I enjoy Earth Caches and want people to get out and see what I see every time I go and explore this great place we live in.