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UID:pretalx-nss-convention-2026-YUKJFP@talks.caving.dev
DTSTART;TZID=EST:20260707T134000
DTEND;TZID=EST:20260707T140000
DESCRIPTION:Prior to around 1930\, the Binkley Cave system was unknown. The
 re had been no known entrances at least since Europeans arrived in Indiana
 . The first entrance into the system was gained via a nearly vertical open
 ing after the overnight draining of a sinkhole pond. That remained the onl
 y entrance into the cave for over 40 years until the Baelz entrance to the
  cave was opened by cavers in the fall of 1970.\n\nSince 1970\, another ni
 ne entrances into the cave system have been connected in\, dug\, excavated
 \, or drilled. Three other existing cave entrances were connected into the
  system by in-cave digs\, two new entrances were dug manually by cavers\, 
 four more by mechanical excavation\, and a tenth utilizing both mechanical
  and manual techniques.\n\nMajor discoveries or new connections have come 
 as a result of seven in-cave digs. One occurred in 1970 and the rest betwe
 en 1999 and 2013. Only one significant in-cave dig has so far been a failu
 re (Soda Straw Alley). Three digs in nearby caves have so far failed to co
 nnect (Watermelon Horror Hole\, Dixie Schoolhouse\, and Binkley Pit).\n\nT
 hree surface digs have resulted in major discoveries and significant conne
 ctions. A fourth resulted in a new entrance into the system. Only one majo
 r surface excavation has so far not been connected into the system (Butch'
 s Dig). In addition\, there is still one cave closely related to the Binkl
 ey system that has a promising in-cave dig moving big air but not yet tack
 led.\n\nIn summary\, eleven of fifteen major surface or in-cave dig projec
 ts have been successful. A success rate of over 73%. Mainly as a result of
  these various digging projects\, the Binkley cave system has grown from j
 ust over 11 miles in 1969 to over 46 miles in surveyed length today. Dye t
 races indicate enough square miles of sinkhole plain remain barren of cave
  to suggest that someday the Binkley cave system may approach or surpass 1
 00 miles in surveyed length.
DTSTAMP:20260826T232356Z
LOCATION:Auditorium
SUMMARY:Binkley Cave System: The Importance of Digs in Expanding Indiana’
 s Longest Cave - 
URL:https://talks.caving.dev/nss-convention-2026/talk/YUKJFP/
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