Online Report by Candace Kovacs from Trip to Carroll Cave

Cave visited: Carroll Cave
Area Visited: Upstream Thunder
Permit #: 488
Trip Leader Name: Candace Kovacs

Trip date: 2025-03-29

Trip purpose: Restoration

Trip participants: Candace Kovacs
Mike Kovacs
Marty Griffin
Sarah Peterson
Robin Barnes
Justin Smith

Entry Time: 9:30 am, Exit Time: 4:30 pm

How far: To the Round Room, Thunder Falls, Angel Pool

Injuries: No

Trash: No

Biology: 1 pipistrelle
3 grotto salamanders
3 crickets
34 cave fish
1 spider

Candace, Mike, and Sarah carpooled and arrived at the silo around 8:30 a.m., where Marty was already waiting. Justin and Robin arrived together around 9:00 a.m. Once everyone was there, Mike and Marty rigged the rope while the rest of us got geared up. By 10:30 a.m., we were all down in the cave.

At the bottom of the ladder, we noted one tri-colored bat, two grotto salamanders, three crickets, and one spider. In the cave we saw one more grotto salamander and 34 cave fish. The intercom flexible tubing at the base of the ladder has disintegrated and should be replaced.

Our main goal for the day was to reach the Round Room, dig new footholds where needed, and place updated path markers. We began by showing Justin and Robin the nearby boxwork since they hadn’t seen it before. From there, we made our way toward the Round Room, taking time to point out the cave’s stunning formations to the first-timers such as the 2 shower heads and the Angel Pool (which was clean and undamaged). Along the route, Candace dug footholds in two separate muddy spots to help future travel.

Once in the Round Room, we stopped for lunch and Mike inspected the rescue cache. Everything was in good shape except for an old box of matches dated 2020. The lighter that was stored with them still worked, so we left the older vacuum-sealed lighters in place and added a new vacuum-sealed bag with fresh lighters and matches.

The cache includes a thin cutting mat (which can double as a splint), a sleeping pad, thin and heavy-duty trash bags (the latter useful for creating a heat tent), four thermal blankets, plastic wrap, tea candles, long-burning candles, pencils, safety pins, ziplock bags, gauze, two cans of cooking fuel, a small pot, paracord, ACE bandage wraps, and a few lighters along with a box of matches.

By 1:00 p.m., we discussed our next move: either head toward the Bone Room or visit Convention Hall. We opted for Convention Hall to keep the trip shorter. Mike, Robin, and Justin climbed up for a better view of the massive chamber while the rest of us admired it from below.

On the way out, we took a short detour to Thunder Falls. Candace, Justin, Robin, and Marty descended to the base of the waterfall and got some great photos. We lingered there for a bit, just taking in the beauty of the spot.

Eventually, we made our way back to the ladder. Candace climbed out first, followed by Robin, Justin, Mike, Sarah, and finally Marty. Everyone was topside by 4:30 p.m.

After changing out of our gear, Mike, Candace, and Marty retrieved the rope and made sure the silo was properly locked. Before heading home, Mike, Candace, and Sarah took Justin and Robin to see the natural entrance to Carroll Cave. Marty was the last to leave, ensuring all gates were secured.