high lead investigation

Thursday, July 23rd 2009 - Jeremy Westerman

Location: Salt Lake county Trip Leader: jeremy westerman On Trip: jeremy westerman, bryan cole After a brutal 101 degree hike we finally arrived at the cool and beckoning cave entrance. A previously noticed high lead was investigated by stemming and rock climbing approx 35 vertical feet. This led into a high chamber 15 feet across and probably as high as the original adjacent 45- 50 foot descent/drop with yet another high squeeze lead that went up, up, and well beyond flashlight range. human generated debris probably brought in by bushy-tailed woodrats Neotoma cinerea was observed throughout cave, as well as an ancient leather glove dropped at the first descent. the amount of animal remains in the cave is astonishing, mostly Spermophilis squirrel species and Neotoma woodrats, but a turkey vulture Cathartes aura skull was also observed and identified. A further trip to map (or remap) the cave and investigate the further leads will be planned. i would like to do a full cave report with photos, maps, and other data.