No injured cavers recorded.
On Saturday, November 26, Steve and Eric Kunnemeier and Rick Scholle (26) entered Sloan's Valley Cave via the Minton Hollow Entrance. While exploring in the left cave area, Scholle had climbed partway down a canyon, lost his footing and fallen. He was unhurt, but couldn't find a way out of the canyon though he felt he could climb out if belayed. Steve went for help and encountered John Barnes, Phyllis Bradshaw and two other cavers at the Sloan's Valley fieldhouse at about 2:30 p.m.
Barnes, Bradshaw and Kunnemeier, armed with a 150 foot Bluewater and vertical gear, entered the cave at 3:04 and a half hour later were at the canyon. The canyon was 15 feet deep, 16 inches wide for the top 9 feet and belled out below that. The rope was rigged to a breakdown block in an adjacent room, strung through a crawlway, then down the canyon. A. seat sling and carabiner were lowered which Scholle, with instruction, was able to use as a figure-8 seat sling. The belay was tied onto this. The belayer was anchored to the belay line. The first attempt was unsuccessful so one caver lowered his lug-soled boots to the trapped caver. By climbing and being hoisted where there were no holds Scholle then made it up. The group exited the cave at 4:40 p.m.
References: John Barnes Personal Communication Feb. 22, 1980.
It is easier to go down than to come up. Fortunately the situation was such that there were no serious consequences. A short line carried for belay in situations like this would probably have averted the accident.
Caver fell while lowering themselves into a canyon and required vertical assistance from rescuers to escape.