, Auditorium
As one of the premier vertical caves in West Virginia, Shoveleater (part of the Hellhole System in Germany Valley) continues to see significant visitation and new exploration. Most recent work has involved digs and bolt climbs. The most productive new dig has been in the drain to Skyline Pit, the second-deepest drop in the cave at 162 feet. The resulting, aptly named Straightjacket Canyon led to a domepit complex (Birthday Pit) and further tight drain passage with airflow. Another dig with great potential is in the breakdown at the southern end of the cave in Corridor H. If that opens up, there could be no end in sight. Small discoveries have also been made in a few other digs. New bolt climbs have been done in several locations. A surprising discovery was the Pancake Room, an upper-level room above a traverse that is itself an upper level of the Vertical Works area. The obscure hole leading to this room was found by chance while derigging the pit below. Renewed interest in Three-Column Hall on the western edge of the cave has led to several new climbs. Re-examination of an old bolt climb in the Pristine passage led to an upper-level extension of that area. Some older dig leads have also received renewed interest and may be revisited soon. Both Rolling Thunder and Diamond Canyon are deep, remote, and heading downstream off the map, offering intriguing possibilities. Exploration continues on a monthly basis.
Mark Minton