We're in!

Last weekend we dug sat and sunday. Saturday we got right up to the point at the beginning of the photo series, where Ray is wedged into a crack. We can't quite turn the corner but for the first time there is a nice echo on the other side...

Sunday we return and dig all day, just get get around the corner. Wells, Philip, Justin, and Sarah slip thru the pinch - booming passage on the other side (sort-of) WE'RE IN! However, when K-Rock decides he'd like to come through the pinch, the big rock on the top of the pinch falls down about a foot and nearly kills him, luckily wedging where seen in the photo. However, the pinch is now really small and full of some debris from the collapse. Wells etc. dig awhile from inside to get the pinch open enough to try and get out. With help from others outside the pinch pulling on them and their clothes, they make it out. No further incident.

This weekend we go back - Wells and I armed with two different drills (battery and gas), a bag with serious supplies, hammers, crowbar, several days supply of food etc. and go back through the tiny, collapsed pinch again. It was not fun for me at all, but we made it back inside. We then bring the whole thing down and seal us inside. Then we dug it out, dropped it again, dug it out, dropped it again, and dug it out one last time until all the breakdown above the pinch was gone, and the passage wide enough to pass a bucket through.

Now it's a superhighway :) Survey starts next weekend!