Caving for the summer

With the summer heat upon us already, I'm thinking about doing some cave exploring soon. Eden Falls near Ponca, Devils Den in NW AR or Onyx in NC AR. Anyone have some suggestions? I prefer the non- commercial caves.

I am trying to think of the guys name, it slips me at the moment. He lives in Jasper and is a huge caver. He recently told me that there are 178 known caves in Newton County and he knows every single one. He is the one that they called when National Geographic called when they came through doing all the caving in the area. Man I wish I could rember his name. He is always at the resturant there when you turn off 7 headed to Ponca.. View Resturant or something like that. He is the MAN to talk to. lol If I remember I will post it.
Eddie

I'm up for caving. Isn't Onyx a commercial cave? I prefer the wild ones as well.

Hey Zen! Welcome to the site.

I wouldn't trust these guys to take me into a cave, but hey, whatever floats your boat!

Just kiddin'. These guys are top notch.

Hey you know Blanchard has the wild cave tours now. There is something thats just special about that cave and I can't put my finger on it. Even the commercial side is great. Anyway I will shut up now.
Eddie

Hey zen:
It's about time you joined us. Can you make the get-together?
UL

Yes Onyx is commercial. Is that the one with the lake in it?

I know there are tons of caves in Newton County. Especially around Erbie. There are several to choose from and a few that the trails do come into contact with. Sorry I cant be more help on this.
Eddie

Hi Jay! Thanks for the welcome! As long as they don't push me down a sinkhole I should be alright.

Hi UL! When is the get together? I am in the neighborhood after all.

Re: Newton County caves, I know where a few small ones are around Erbie and Kyles.

zen:
Look at the Summer Get-Together Poll under The Campsite. Anyway, the get-together is going to be on Saturday, June 28th, at 3:00 at my house (4640 Renfrow St., Conway, AR). Let us know if you can make it. Lots of BBQ and lots of good backpacking talk. We'd love to have you.
UL

In Devil's Den there is a not so well known cave off trail called the farmers cave. It is real nice with two different roots. You have to get there early and get a map and key from ranger station. They only let one group in at a time. It is a non guided self explored cave. Real nice.

UL, I don't think I'm doing anything that weekend so I probably can make it.

The few caves I know near Erbie would involve a long hot walk. There is one near Kyles that might be good but it's a bit hairy getting in without vertical gear. You have to work your way around a narrow ledge with about a 15 ft drop and then wedge yourself between the walls to let yourself down. A woman fell there a couple of years ago and had to be rescued.

Here are a few pics from the cave near Kyles.

VERY NICE SHOTS... caves are usually very hard to take images in.. cause of all the mousture in the air thats a drift. Thouse are some great Shots Zen. You going to try to make the BBQ? I will add you to the list.

Thanks Eddie!

Yes, my wife and I are planning on coming. Please add 2 to the list.

Cool.. will add it now.

Are any of ya'll still interested in caving this summer? I'm planning on going caving at least once sometime in August.

where are you planning on going? just a fyi lol

Either the cave near Kyles, which is a bit of a scramble to get in, or there is a long trail around Erbie with several small caves. One would be hot and buggy with a long walk and the other you could break your neck getting into. Or we could camp out somewhere and do both. Start out small and work our way up.

If you are not comfortable with climbing I wouldn't recommend the one near Kyles. I guess we could try to talk Snow into coming along and giving us some climbing lessons.

HEY... er lol. Would love to go zen but right now with work the way it is.. I honestly don't know if I could. I have a lot of irons in the fire and if I could get away this time of the year it would be at a moments notice. I was thinking of going up to Syclamore Creek sometime in the next few weeks but looks like thats going to get blown away as well. Just very hard for me to plan things this time of the year. Will let you know if I can. Are you going to try to make the Tarp Clinic?

Damn, I haven't been paying attention. When and where's the tarp clininc?

Well it looks like they haven't set a definite date yet. I don't know whether I'll make it or not. I'm going to try to go caving once in August and squeeze in a float from Rush to the White. So we'll just have to see.

hahaha.. yea it sounds like it will be a great experiance. cant wait... I am going to try my best to make that one lol.

I would love to go caving especially if it is technical. Anyone wishing to learn how to climb I will gladly teach. I have gear and a spare medium size harness although with the fitness race going on it looks like we might need some large harnesses, just jokes guys. Climbing is probably one of the most physically demanding sports and will get anyone into shape in no time flat. DEvery muscle is used and abused, including your brain. Let me know when and where.

There is another cave up around Ponca that you have to rappel down to the second level. Unfortunately, it closes soon due to endangered bats. I'm thinking it closes August 15 but I'm not sure.

Do you have any ascenders snow? I don't know if they are common equipment for climbers.