Note that some of the caves visited this weekend were done under special arrangements and have sensitive landowner relations. This weekend was spent in and around Pigeon Mountain area in northwest Georgia. The fall colors were just spectacular this weekend and were most likely at peak color. Friday night camped on top of Pigeon Mountain with Mark and Kelly who were there to have a Birthday party for Danielle. Jim Loftin was there also. Danielle brought a worm cake to share with everyone.

On Saturday morning I drove to ET Davis’ place at Fricks Cave to meet Doug Strait, Alan Cressler, and Manuel Beers. We then went to meet Jim Youmans at his place above Johnsons Crook. Jim and Kathy Mackay have a wonderful house that sits on the bluff line overlooking the Crook. We went out on the back porch where Jim and Kathy pointed out all the caves along the opposite mountainside. Jim guided us down to the place to park for Little Nicka Cave. We spent 5 hours thrashing around looking for a cave with 60 foot wide entrance! Once there we were in for a treat. The sun had a perfect angle to send beams of light 200 feet deep into the cave. It only lasted 30 minutes, but it was something truly spectacular to witness. Afterward Alan, Manuel, and I went and toured a few nearby caves. We then rushed over the cloudland canyon where we took a few pictures at sunset. Doug found a huge wild sulfur shell mushroom and took it home to cook it up for some dinner. I am still alive so I guess it was not that poisonous.

On Sunday the same group minus Jim went to visit two pit caves on the West flank of Lookout Mountain by special arrangement. Boxcar Cave has a huge 50 foot tall by 20 foot wide entrance located in the middle karst. We made our way in to the 30ish foot pit and went to the take pictures of the shield. Directly up above the entrance to Boxcar, there is Arm Pit Number 2, a 74 foot deep surface pit. It is a very nice pit, but the entrance is an obscure slot. I was standing just 20 feet away and did not see it until Alan came over toward me and saw it. This was Manuel’s deepest pit to date. After routing we found a small karst feature at the base of the mountain that was 35 feet long through trip. Do not know if it is on the survey, but it may qualify for Georgia.

I had Monday off so I camped back on Pigeon Mountain. I awoke at sunrise to take some of the best pictures I have gotten to take all year. The sunrise came across the North Georgia valley and ridge which had layers of fog drifting across the valley. Later I went to Rock Town where I was the only one there. I took so many pictures my memory card was full. Around midday I stopped by the Pinhoti Trail and hiked up to the top of the mountain. It was really hard to drive back to Atlanta and leave such a beautiful land. I hope you enjoy a small sample of the 460 photos I took on this adventure. AP