National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Wind Cave National Park Cavers in Wind Cave
view map
text size: largest larger normal
printer friendly
Wind Cave National Park
Caving Narrative 1986 - November 3
Bob Kobza (left) and Jim Pisarowicz (right) suiting up in wet suits to cross Windy City Lake

NPS Photo by Karen Rosga

Bob Kobza (left) and Jim Pisarowicz (right) suiting up in wet suits to cross Windy City Lake

Participants:
Bob Kobza, Jim Pisarowicz

Duration of Trip:
12 hours

New Cave Surveyed:
1032 feet

We had a very fast trip down to Windy City Lake. Before we knew it we were again in our wetsuits swimming across Windy City Lake. Half an hour later we began surveying into Atlantis.

The largest passages trended south and we took those passages first. They were high fissure passages with false floors broken through about 4 feet above the real floor. Bob would toss the measuring tape above the false floor and proceed below the false floor. We called this the Split Level Fissure.

The Split Level Fissure eventually tightened to a small hole that had a strong wind blowing through it. Even taking off my clothes, I could not get through. Our frustration is evident in the name of the hole - El Poop-O.

We started looking at side passages. One led to a high fissure (30 feet high) which we chimneyed along surveying. It eventually led to a hole in the ceiling that connected to the Great North Passage. The high fissure was dubbed the King Fissure.

North of Atlantis was a small room with several, small confusing leads. Bob accidentally smeared some red clay from the room on his face and that, along with the confusing nature of the room led us to call it the Ruse Rock Room

On the way out for the day I checked some of the wet leads. In one of these leads I swam about 100 feet down a tunnel passage in crystal blue water. Below me I could see boxwork in the water filled passage. It kept on going as far as I could see. The next trip will be a wet lead pushing trip.

Report by: Jim Pisarowicz

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.

You will now be redirected to:

We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable.

American bison on the Wind Cave National Park prairie

Did You Know?
The American bison is the largest terrestrial mammal in North America. Male bison can weigh a ton and can run 35 miles per hour. Do not approach bison. They weigh more and can outrun you.
more...

Last Updated: August 18, 2006 at 17:59 MST