Steaming Deer Hole, Secret Location

(Click to enlarge pictures)

         

     Night falls on a secluded hillside somewhere...no, I still cannot say where. A friend has informed us that while out hunting on a massive caverniferous ridge he spotted a steam plume that he believed to be a deer. On arriving at the spot, he found a tiny opening belching warm, moist air. We were called to investigate on a chilly afternoon. Here, “Fernand” breaks out the gear he fervently hopes he will need.

 

     The hole found was about the size of a grapefruit. A little probing found it to be the top of a crevice that extended down the hill. We followed it, looking for a wider spot. When we found it, we started digging. The opening ended up being about twelve inches by eighteen inches, but it widened as we all squeezed through it…

 

     The well-dressed climber. Fernand prefers the “Frog” rig, therefore, the gingerbread on his harness. He will come to regret this later…

 

     The big moment. Fernand rigs in while “Pierre” (the best climber of our trio) makes sure our fancy redirect keeps the rope on its pads where it belongs.

 

     Down…down…down…

 

     …and in. Pierre and friend (the original discoverer) look on as Fernand checks his rig one last time before the final step into the void.

 

     Yes, it’s tight, but once you’re past the constriction it opens right up. Fernand is enjoying the elbow room now. The little projection on the right would give both he and I fits on the way out…

 

     Another view down the pit, later measured at 94 feet. To the right is the upper rope pad; just left of center (rigged to the orange etrier) is a second pad. Rope abrasion is always a concern.

 

     A virgin cave is always special. That it is gorgeously decorated is even more sublime. When you descend, you do so right next to this glorious flowstone cascade. We are careful to keep our hands and feet off!

 

     Tiered flowstone rises above Fernand’s head.

 

     And rises, and rises…it’s everywhere!

 

     Even a dead-end alcove has some beauty in it…this hidden stalactite is actually about three feet long!

 

     Looking a little dazed (we all did), Fernand bottom-belays Pierre as he descends. Actually, he’s likely making sure Pierre stays as far away from the curtains as possible—bottom belays have since proven less than effective.

 

     He’s up there somewhere…that itty-bitty light is his headlamp!

 

     And here he comes. Pierre is rather a taciturn individual, not given to great displays of emotion, but he was quite pleased with this discovery.

 

     We spent perhaps thirty minutes on the bottom. The chamber is airy but compact, a main room (the one you descend into) connected to a second, smaller dome, with a small opening about ten feet up the wall…as far as I know, no one has ever been back to explore what might be beyond. It would take more gear than we had with us that day. Finally, we loaded up and climbed out. Here is Pierre pointing the way.

 

     Pierre exited easily, and for once, even I got out with no problem. Fernand, on the other hand, had to work at it. He may have gotten his cowtail (part of his ascending rig) caught up in the various bits of rigging at the lip. Then, if I remember correctly, one of his footloops came loose. All this 94 feet above the floor. Yikes! Here, he tries to convince his reluctant rig to proceed.

 

     After a struggle, Fernand finally popped out, collapsed on the edge of the pit, and demanded a smoke!

 

    Pierre packs up after a long day at the office…

 

     Victory! A quick shot for posterity, with Fernand, me, and Pierre. My legs dangle into the pit!

 

     That picture taken, I turned the camera down, and this is the view I had…

 

     One last shot, the hole before we filled it. The cap is there for scale. It really is as small as it looks!

 

 

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