No injured cavers recorded.
A group of 12 cavers from the Windy City Grotto went to Ellison's Cave, Georgia, on November 25. The cave was experiencing high water at that time. Two went in the Toroded Entrance and found a waterfall blocking the way. Another, nearby entrance with a stream running in was possible to enter without getting completely soaked. The group entered the cave at 1:30 p.m. and proceeded to the 130 foot Warmup Pit where they caught up with two cavers from a Pittsburgh Grotto group that was ahead of them. The waterfall at the Warmup was away from the rappel rope but the spray at the bottom added to their dampness. At the edge of Fantastic Pit (about 510 feet) the two groups, totalling 19 with 17 wanting to do the drop, talked it over. The Pittsburgh group went first.
The rappels took a very long time. About 200 feet down a waterfall sprayed the rope with a heavy mist and the rappellers chose to be cautious. The waterfall also sprayed most of the bottom and the water-generated breezes whipped the spray around. Everyone huddled in the back of TAG Hall trying to keep warm and dry. Many used plastic bags as tents with candles as heaters. One was suffering from cramps from the exertion of descending. The Pittsburgh group had departed for a tour of the bottom A37 but the others decided to start out with those waiting taking short tours to keep warm.
Jim Quade and another ascended first, then Quade left the cave with the two Pittsburgh cavers waiting at the top. Outside it had turned cold and one of the Pittsburgh cavers became confused and incoherent on the way down the mountain. He was guided to the cars and warmed up with the car heater.
Quade now made a decision - to get help for the rest. He went to nearby houses and located Smokey Caldwell who dropped his plans and rounded up some cavers. This group built a fire at the entrance and maintained a 10-hour vigil until all were out. Caldwell entered the cave to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh group had returned and were going out first because they were suffering more from the cold. They ascended in tandem but took about two hours per team. Those getting up were sent out to avoid piling up at the other two drops. Caldwell arrived to lend assistance at the top of Fantastic. Finally all were up and heading out. At the Nuisance drop one Pittsburgh caver could not continue until given warm food and clothing. At the Warmup Pit Caldwell attached himself to the rope, this hypothermic caver attached below and a sling attaching the two. Thus aided, this near-victim made it out. The last Pittsburgh caver became confused and had trouble rigging his ascenders. Thirty hours after entering, the last cavers exited.
Analysis: Commendable actions by several people kept this from becoming more serious. Obviously the cave was more suitable for wet-suited cavers under these conditions. The slowness of one large group, much less two, made for ideal hypothermic situations. Perhaps both groups needed stronger leadership and/or the judgement to leave the cave alone under these conditions. Probably the "prestige" of doing Ellison's clouded their thinking.
A number of cavers had carbide only and made ascents in the dark. Electric headlamps should be used on wet drops.