Karst Terrain Explorations

Our mission is the exploration, survey and documentation of unknown passages.

12

Active and Participating Members

360

Miles Surveyed

18

Active Sites

Lechuguilla Cave in Profile Volumetric View

Technical Dives: 1000’s of logged Sump and Cave Dives

Our team is fully certified in all levels of technical Cave Diving and Rebreather Diving. Our expeditions can be extremely dangerous and we discourage anyone from attempting this level of objectives without proper training, equipment, dive certifications, and experienced team members.

Caving: 100’s + Caves

Our team of cavers is comprised of experts in traversing river caves and dry passage as well as rigging and rope climbing. We are trained and experienced in cave management to preserve the natural wonders for other cavers to enjoy.

Cartography: 10,000’s + Miles Mapped

Our team is experienced in all levels of survey and cave mapping, using ground penetrating radio location technology both below ground and water to create maps that are accurate within a tenth of an inch.

  1. Windy River Cave

    Windy River to Black Rock River Connection 2005

    The plan for this trip was for two teams to head upstream, penetrate the sump and make the connection. Brian Williams succeeded and returned with crucial survey data. The Windy River Sump to Black Rock River Connection team comprised of members Marbry Hardin, Forrest Wilson, Brian Williams, Becky Dettorre, and Mark Wenner. On a previous trip, Tom Johnson was able to lay 225 feet of line in the upstream direction.

  2. Brian Williams diving at the Logsdon River Sump.

    Logsdon River Sump 2007

    Exploration beyond any sump requires intense planning and commitment. Despite sometimes daunting challenges, the 2007 exploration trips in Roppel cave were successful due to the combined efforts of many dedicated cavers. These trips were the culmination of 4 months advance logistics planning and preparation.

  3. Dominican Republic Speleological Society 2010

    Our goals were specifically to take on the series of sink holes previously located from the air, to dive and continue exploration begun by the Dominican Republic Speleological Society, and continue to survey any passage found.

  4. Ellison's Blue Hole

    Ellison’s Cave Blue Hole 2011

    Ellisons Cave is pure wonderment, with the data it’s provided failing to fully explain what you must see to believe. This solution cave is located in Walker County, on Pigeon Mountain, in the Appalachian Plateaus of northwest Georgia.

  5. Diver Brian Williams, with Matt Vinzant in the rear. Photo by Brent Cooper.

    South Toohey Ridge 2013

    The 2013 CRF Labor Day expedition was the target date for the next round of attempts on the sumps. Divers included Mark Wenner, Brian Williams, and Matt Vinzant, with the addition of veteran rebreather diver Mike Young.

  6. Roppel Expedition 2015

    Roppel Expedition 2015 continues with camp being setup beyond Sump 1, penetrating upstream Logsdon River Sump 2 with Mike Young and Matt Vinzant finally breaking through into dry passage beyond. While the divers accomplished they work, Jon Lillestolen, Mark Wenner and Brian Williams bolt climbed a dome in Swicegood Ave., surveyed new passage and used a radio locate system to better determine our exact location.

  7. Mark Wenner at Mammoth Cave

    Mapping Mammoth Cave 2016

    We are after passage and connecting Point A to Point B. If we don’t know where B is, we have to go find it, and in the process of finding that passage we have to map it accurately.

  8. Echo River Spring 2017

    A team of researchers from Mercy Academy in Louisville were using two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s) to explore Mammoth Cave’s Echo River, proceeding to get them both trapped in historic dive line from the early 1980’s. Our objective was two fold, return the ROV’s to their owners, and repair the damaged dive lines, both were accomplished.

  9. Roppel 2017 divers Mike Young and Matt Vinzant head upstream toward Sump 2 after passing Sump 1 in Logsdon River. (photo by Jon Lillestolen)

    Roppel 2017

    The Roppel 2017 Sump Exploration Team discovered and surveyed new passage, extending under South Toohey Ridge through the Logsdon River Sump.

  1. Aug 2005
  2. June 2007
  3. Sept 2010
  4. Oct 2011
  5. Aug 2013
  6. May 2015
  7. Feb 2016
  8. Feb 2017
  9. Dec 2017
Adam Haydock at The-Ballroom in Lechuguilla Cave. Photograph by Adam-Haydock.
Mark Wenner on the left and Forrest Wilson on the right. Photo by DeWayne Hyatt.
Roppel 2015 Expedition at Mammoth Cave. Photograph by Brian Williams.
Forrest Wilson diving in Yukatan Cenote

Latest from Our Blog

  • 01
    Feb

    Mark Wenner is interviewed by Matt Pelsor onThe Caving Podcast...

  • 19
    Apr

    Good Morning America shows exclusive footage of Ed Sorenson rescuing cave diver Josh Bratchley....

  • 02
    Dec

    On December 2nd, 2017, the world’s longest cave got a little bit longer....

  • 22
    Aug

    Adam Haydock, Jennifer Foote, Johanna Kovarik, John Prouty, Mark Wenner, and Pat-Kambesis map Lechuguilla....

  • 24
    Apr

    The remapping of Sequatchie Cave in Sequatchie, TN continues. Sequatchie Cave, (i.e. Owen, or Blowing Cave), was originally mapped in 1978 by members of the Chattanooga Grotto, whi...

  • 26
    Mar

    Diving Centerhill Lake is another on going project, attempting to find submersed caves in the area....

  • Cave Diver, Rebreather, Karst Underwater Research

    Andy Pitkin

  • Cave Diver, Rebreather Specialist, Mixed Gas, Cartographer, Karst Underwater Research

    Matt Vinzant

  • Owner of KISS Rebreathers, Cave Diver, Mixed Gas

    Mike Young

  • Cave Diver, Cartographer, Photographer

    Brian Williams

  • Professor of Geology and GIS Instructor at WKU, Cartographer

    Dr. Patricia Kambesis

  • Project Coordinator, Cave Diver, Rebreather, Radio Location

    Mark Wenner