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Post by albaugh1976 on Feb 10, 2005 19:02:11 GMT -5
Greenville Saltpeter Cave is a cave system in Monroe County, West Virginia. This cave system was used during the Civil War for the mining of saltpeter which was used in the making of gunpowder. The main entrance has a very large stream flowing into it. Some of the passages and rooms in the cave are very large in dimension. Awe inspiring stalagtites and stalagmites that have joined into columns. Thousands of bats and cave crickets. Elements of interest: "Fat Man's Misery" and "The Devil's Writing Table".
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Post by refrigerator on Feb 10, 2005 19:46:53 GMT -5
8-)Yes this is a nice to cave to go to. Not the caverns you go too with organs and lights already set up.
There are 3 entrance way to get in that i know of. On is by the river but also past the creek and approx 800 yards to the left up a steep hill hidden by trees a huge opening and when you enter there up drop down not too steep but into a big open cavern , at least 60 feet high. YES Fat man's misery and the devil's writing Table is nice to go to. Also there is a way to go to a cliff looking down on the river that runs through the Cave.
At some areas if you know what your looking for you can find old cobble wheel traks from when they mined salt peter during the civil war era. small wagons low profile with mules were used. I have hundreds of pics of the SaltPeter Caves and have explored what I think to be most of the cavities. although I did find one that was blocked by rock debri and several moved a few rocks too find a cavern that i have yet to explore.
A sign used to be in a wet flat arear on the Caves that was put there by the Department of Agriculture and I could not determine the Date on the sign but it was old.
I found a stalagtite at one end of the Cave you could actualyy crawl inside and small fish kinda white with no eyes were inside. the water was flowing steady and it blew me away as to this site.
Myotis Bats are the bats that thrive there. Millions or I should say Billions are there. They never did Bite me.
I haven't been to this cave in 8 years and would love to go back with a party. E mail me and lets do a trip.
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Post by albaugh1976 on Feb 10, 2005 19:56:34 GMT -5
I'm not kidding when I say this.....You're the man. ;D
Last time I was in the Saltpeter Cave was in 1995 when I was attending Concord College in Athens, WV. I saw some of those fish you mentioned...almost see-through. I can't remember the exact point where we went under but I do recall it being in a cow pasture.
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Post by refrigerator on Feb 11, 2005 16:54:43 GMT -5
I took my Science class while taking a summer course there in Beckley WV. My Professor even went along ;D. Yep It helped in making the Grade. ;D
I have been there a approx 10 times, so I had the time to explore the caves and take other routes. I think to properly see the cave, you need 3 days.
Lets hook up some time and do a trip there with others who may be interested.
Sounds like you're the MAN also
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Post by albaugh1976 on Feb 11, 2005 19:41:35 GMT -5
That sounds like a plan. I've only been in that particular cave twice so I hope you know how to get out. ;D (sounds like you'd make a great guide) The first time I went under at the Saltpeter Cave was with Dr. Covey of Concord...The second go around was with a small group of cave mappers for a college credit. There are numerous caves up in the New River Valley area of Virginia. A nice limestone area. I'm sure you've seen your fair share of sink holes out in cow pastures living up that way. I'll be in West Virginia in March hiking the Greenbrier Trail with "Bloodroot". I'm sure he'd like to join in if we hook up for a craw.
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