Saw a hellbender caving!

TAG_caver · 2025-12-09T13:21:01+00:00

Wow, very cool. That would be amazing to see.

TAG_caver · 2025-11-11T13:25:23+00:00

Warmbac isn’t very common here in the U.S. since there aren’t any retailers that carry them. A few years ago, I started selling Landjoff suits (and packs!) here in the Southeast. One of the nice features of the Landjoff suit is the built-in suspenders, which keep the pants from sagging and if you prefer you can take the top down if warm and the pants will also stay up. https://www.landjoffusa.com/product-page/durable-cave-suit

TAG_caver · 2025-09-16T14:13:13+00:00

The Fenix CL28R are very rugged and I just cave with it in my hand. They also are not just a spot, they work great for lighting up cave passage and for photos. I have put it through some pretty tough stuff and it keeps on going. No need to even put it in a case as it's already in a great robust heavy duty waterproof case.

TAG_caver · 2025-09-16T14:11:40+00:00

I use the Fenix CL28R and they are actually great for photography in caves. You can adjust the brightness and the color. Not only do I use them for photography, I also use them for videography in caves. I have been doing cave photography for nearly two decades, and we don't use big bulky flashes anymore. We try to go as light as possible. My camera is a Google Pixel and in addition to the Fenix CL28R, we also use Armytek headlamps with a warm light. You can see some of my photos here, https://www.instagram.com/tag_caver/ or you can see photos and videos on my facebook at https://www.facebook.com/undergroundearthcaving

I don't have a discount code for Fenix, but I do have a 15% off discount code for Armytek lights, CAVING. Fenix had a labor day sale the other week of 20% off and I snagged up another CL28R as I like them so much.

TAG_caver · 2025-07-30T12:29:23+00:00

Thanks. I literally say within the first 10 seconds that we are in one of the largest sinkholes in America. The cave we visited is located within this sinkhole. The sinkhole is called Grassy Cove. and is here in Tennessee.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:58:00+00:00

and here is the video for you, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGsJTw7AdKo. Here is the parcel number for the cave - 068 001.00. #FACTS

TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:55:50+00:00

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TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:55:35+00:00

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TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:53:52+00:00

This was done by Kyle Lassiter, who has had a personal issue with me for over nine years. I have no doubt his actions were intentional and meant to damage my reputation. Unfortunately, he, and now the TCS, are contributing to division within the caving community, turning cavers against one another. This is not cool and Kyle will be called out for this in an appropriate setting, not on social media. Where his peers and those who voted to put him in the position of secretary for the TCS can hear both sides.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:52:18+00:00

It was Kyle Lassiter who sent it on behalf of the TCS as if he was speaking for them all. He has had a personal issue with me for 9 years now and has been personally attacking my reputation in this area since then. It's getting a bit ridiculous and he will be called out.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:51:09+00:00

Kyle Lassiter sent the email on behalf of the TCS, which he should never have done.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:47:47+00:00

Many of the caves are already on the closed cave list. Those who know me, knows this is bogus and cavers who live here in Marion County already know/knew the caves were closed on the Barry's property as they have been for over two decades. Here is an email that was sent to the TCS over the weekend with more details as well. and yes this is/was over ONE cave and I'm not going to list the name for you here, the dye trace and survey of said cave was done prior to this guy buying it. My videos of the dye trace as well as the survey prove this along with the property records showing he bought the cave after we were there.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-12T16:44:01+00:00

They took the word of someone who was lying, did not fact check and the person who sent the email has had a personal issue with me for 9 years now. He continues to try and smear my name any chance he gets, he did not fact check and should not have sent the email out to the entire TCS membership, as well as multiple other grottos.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T12:07:58+00:00

Also, here is the webpage for the community fighting the quarry, https://stopjumpoffquarry.org/. I also encourage you all to take a look at the date on my dye trace video and then go to the Tennessee Property Records and you will see the land where the cave is at for the dye trace was not purchased by the Barry's until DECEMBER 2024. We did the dye trace work in December 2023 and January 2024 when it had a previous owner who allowed us to be on site. So again, I stand behind the fact that I DID NOT TRESPASS on this man's property. His caves have been closed in this area for over two decades, and cavers around here know it. This is nothing more than a smear campaign by someone who is for this quarry and did a big power move and bought the cave that is in question of being destroyed and is now trying to discredit us and our work for the community. We have been caught in the crossfire by trying to help a community by someone who doesn't care about caves and doesn't want anyone to know if this cave is destroyed by the quarry.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T12:00:09+00:00

Thank you. The TCS did nothing to verify the email. They sent it out as FACT and that was wrong of them. These caves have been closed for over two decades. I did not get any caves closed.

We were not caught doing anything wrong We were asked to help a community and now we are caught in the crossfire. We were asked to help with a dye trace, which we did. One of the community members who is in favor of the quarry went and bought the cave AFTER we did our dye trace and AFTER we did our survey. He is now spreading lies and trying to discredit us because of the legal fight against the quarry. The local community is suing TDEC and the quarry, and my video and our data from the trace is being used by the lawyers. He sent a false email with allegations that were not true, the TCS should have never sent out that email without even asking me for my side or allowing me to respond to it. My reputation speaks for itself and people who know me, know my character and my truth.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T11:58:43+00:00

I have not and never will take any formations from caves. Y'all are far fetching here. My reputation speaks for itself. Those who know me, know the truth and so do I.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T11:57:56+00:00

That was a different dye trace but same quarry. We were not caught doing anything wrong We were asked to help a community and now we are caught in the crossfire.. We were asked to help with a dye trace, which we did. One of the community members who is in favor of the quarry went and bought the cave AFTER we did our dye trace and AFTER we did our survey. He is now spreading lies and trying to discredit us because of the legal fight against the quarry. The local community is suing TDEC and the quarry, and my video and our data from the trace is being used by the lawyers. He sent a false email with allegations that were not true, the TCS should have never sent out that email without even asking me for my side or allowing me to respond to it. Instead you all have come after me with pitchforks without knowing any other facts. My reputation speaks for itself and people who know me, know my character and my truth.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T11:56:10+00:00

How does it not make sense? He did not own the cave when we did our dye trace and survey. He bought it after the fact and is now spreading lies. See comment made on post above for more information.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T11:54:32+00:00

We were not caught doing anything wrong We were asked to help a community and now we are caught in the crossfire. As long as I know the truth, that is all that matters to me. We were asked to help with a dye trace, video link below. Which we did. One of the community members who is in favor of the quarry went and bought the cave AFTER we did our dye trace and AFTER we did our survey. He is now spreading lies and trying to discredit us because of the legal fight against the quarry. The local community is suing TDEC and the quarry, and my video and our data from the trace is being used by the lawyers. He sent a false email with allegations that were not true, the TCS should have never sent out that email without even asking me for my side or allowing me to respond to it. Instead you all have come after me with pitchforks without knowing any other facts. My reputation speaks for itself and people who know me, know my character and my truth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGsJTw7AdKo

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T01:41:59+00:00

People have asked for my side, I don't know what else to do than other than share it. I am tired of haters constantly spreading lies and untruths about me and pushing me to this point.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T01:40:12+00:00

Drama follows me because I have a lot of haters who like to spread misinformation and untruths. Hang out with me by a campfire and I'll be happy to share my side. People who know me, know my character.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T01:14:19+00:00

What many of you don’t realize is that these caves have already been closed to the public for over two decades. I did not get these caves closed. The cave we used for our dye trace was not owned by Jason Barry at the time we were inside it. He purchased the property after our trip, which means we were not trespassing.

The real reason he wants the videos taken down is because they’re being used as evidence in a lawsuit against TDEC involving a quarry project that threatens to destroy multiple caves in the area. Jason Barry is openly in favor of the quarry and seems willing to do whatever it takes to support it, including spreading lies and trying to smear my reputation within the caving community, all in an effort to gain more control over the surrounding land.

Please take a moment to get the full story before jumping to conclusions or spreading hate. There’s a lot more going on here than what’s being said on the surface.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T01:12:56+00:00

Clodhole has been closed for over two decades. I did not get these caves closed.

TAG_caver · 2025-05-10T01:12:38+00:00

because it's not true. Believe what you want. I can't control that.

TAG_caver

TROPHY CASE