Caving at Wind Cave
Southern Comfort and Beyond (1990-Present)
A new group of cavers, mostly from Colorado, emerged on the scene in the spring of 1990. From the start this group proved to be enthusiastic and dedicated, devoting one weekend each month to the exploration of Wind Cave. They became the first caving group to concentrate on cave inventory. Inventory involves describing passageways and rooms and noting their contents. Presently, over 50% of the known cave has been inventoried.
    September of 1991 brought the greatest discovery in Wind Cave during recent times. A tight crawl named Silent Struggle led to the discovery of the Southern Comfort Zone. The Southern Comfort Zone is the most westerly and southerly part of the known cave. This area contains one of the largest and most beautiful rooms in the cave. It contains a large slope with the largest amount of flowstone found thus far in Wind Cave. The Southern Comfort Zone has directed cavers to the furthest known reaches of Wind Cave to an area called Cosmos. An experienced caver can reach this place after about five hours of hard travel. Even in Cosmos air movement can be felt. Moving air means more cave beyond. The explorers of today are still asking "Just how big is Wind Cave anyway?" No one knows for sure, but a study measuring the airflow at Wind Cave's natural entrance indicates that the known cave may account for less than 5% of the overall cave. Many Wind Cave explorers can probably empathize with Alvin McDonald's statement when he wrote: "Have given up the idea of ever finding the end of Wind Cave."
    The exploration of Wind Cave continues in earnest. While over 113.05 miles (181.936 kilometers) of the cave have been explored and mapped, literally hundred of passages exist that have yet to be explored. Many of the unexplored passages are probably dead ends. But, if the pattern holds true, other passages will lead to the exciting discovery of some larger rooms. Sometimes exploration has led to discoveries that have gradually helped us to understand some the cave's geologic story. Other discoveries have only resulted in more questions. Wind Cave's full story will probably remain a mystery. One thing is certain, many of the features of Wind Cave are irreplaceable, formed over perhaps millions of years and sometimes by processes that long-ago ceased. For this reason alone, Wind Cave deserves the efforts of each of us to protect it.

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Page Last Updated: Saturday, June 5, 2004 12:11 PM
Web Author: Jim Pisarowicz