October 28 2025 Tritrogs grotto meeting
(11 people) In person attendance: Taylor T, Cat, Melanie, Rico, Taylor O, Jacob, Quentin, Matthew, Matt 2, Stefan; Dino?
Started late due to elevator being down and event going on at museum of life science
Online: Ken W, Mark D, Emily G, Lisa G, Piotr, Jillian, Mike Y, Joanna
INTRODUCTIONS
Opening question: What is your creepiest cave story?
Online: Ken W- Cave that seemed to hate him. Something went horribly wrong each time
Mark- shared a story from Haunted Hannibal book. Mark Twain cave where doc did experiments using daughters corpse
Emily- pet cemetery cave; partially embedded milk jug
Lisa G- just relocated from VA to NC; bats in cave in WV
Piotr- survey in Perkins
Joanna- new to caving
Mike Y- clicking gear while climbing
In person:
Stefan (treasurer)- finding conference room and managing elevator
Jacob- camping in mines at low moor; feeling of being watched
Quentin- cave diving spot; dived at midnight; water was high enough to cover bases of trees; floated at 2am in florida waters
Matthew- times where headlamp went out, afraid of getting stuck
Rico- hopes to have some soon
Melanie (covice chair)- recommended dave sockeys YT vid on Culverson ck; other story was taking friend out who was having a panic attack, 7 ropes to get out, friends rope got stuck on rock, rock fell between her and partner.
Matt 2- spookiest thing was on the way back from windy run cave, saw eyes looking at them as they made their way back to car.
Taylor O (secretary)- shared dad’s story
Cat (vice chair)- saving her creepy story
Taylor T (chair)- in hancock during 100 yr flood; insanely loud, some folks got freaked out
BUSINESS
Elevator under maintenance for next couple months; may meet in different room while in process
Outstanding membership balances, outstanding balances for loaner gear/tshirts and distribution
TRIP REPORTS
Oct 12 Hancock- Matt presented. Went up to Marion and caved on Saturday. Bike on Saturday. Goal was to make it to funnel tunnel and explore other side. Improved steps in toilet bowl
Oct 18 Rehoboth Church underneath old 1700s church in WV. Taylor T presented. Mud slides; TT’s favorite cave
Jacob presented on New Rive on Sunday Oct 19 after Rohoboth; Found glowing slime mold
Oct 17 – 19 Fall VAR Matthew presented; met a lot of cavers; did Butler’s cave; enjoyed digging; trying to dig to another section; whole line of dirt transporting; Ken and Emily led trip into Owl cave on Butler property; also did watersinks karst preserve. Boardwalk from one cave to the next. Ken recommends subway permits provided by VCCS
Oct 18 – 19 Speedwell and Worley’s- Quentin presented; hiked at Stone mountain; then drove to numbers provided by Melanie; Speedwell has two entrances; Small cave w nice squeezes and decorations; Went into Worley’s nice and early
Oct 25 – 26 Clover Hollow & Pig Hole- second trip Melanie led
Melanie also said secret trip to back of new river
UPCOMING TRIPS EVENTS
Nov 15 back of New river- likely 10 hr trip. If interested talk to Taylor T or Jacob; melanie says you need vertical gear for small section
Dec 6 -7 Survey workshop and practice trip- led by Melanie; says open to anybody; very likely to camp in cave; pretty set on Sharps; before trip doing in town workshops
Dec 13 annual holiday party- no monthly meeting in dec. Instead have annual holiday party. TT will be hosting Dec 13 in Cary. Play fun games and hang out.
PROGRAM
Bell Witch Cave Legend w Cat Crofton in Adams Tennessee