The 37150 Community Center will be sponsoring an exploration of the locally famous Leonard Cave. This exploration will be open to 10 entrants chosen by a lottery drawing to ensure fairness. The exploration is scheduled for March 23, 2024 with an inclement weather backup date of March 30, 2024. Leading the expedition is experienced cave explorer Chuck Sutherland.
“I’ve been caving for about 17 years now,” said Sutherland. “I’ve documented more than 800 cave trips to more than 400 unique caves across a lot of the United States. I have mostly caved in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.”
Sutherland says while it might seem impressive to some, it’s just a matter of doing something he loves for a long time.
“Well, you do something for a long time you get those kinds of numbers,” he said. “It’s just a matter of keeping track and documenting what you do.”
Sutherland’s cave exploring began on a hike in 2007.
“I was out with my GPS hiking and we came upon a cave,” said Sutherland. “Back in 2007 there weren’t a lot of people who were getting coordinates for things and sharing with other people. I thought that surely there would be an interest in knowing where caves were located. I ended up doing a little bit of networking and discovered the Upper Cumberland Grotto in Cookeville. I got involved with them and ended up being the first person to document that particular cave. Being the first person to document something and putting it on the map is a pretty cool feeling.”
Sutherland says all caves have a story and their own charm, and no two are alike. He is excited to explore Leonard Cave soon.
“I was contacted by Hannah Hudson-Stacey about leading a group into Leonard Cave for her organization the 37150 Community Center,” said Sutherland. “It was actually coincidental, because I had just been discussing with some friends about that particular cave. Up until that point I told them I had never been there and was only vaguely familiar with it, but would love to visit sometime.”
Sutherland says it was maybe a week later when Hudson-Stacey contacted him about visiting and doing the tour at Leonard Cave.
“I didn’t hesitate, I said sure, I’ll go, let’s check it out,” said Sutherland. “I’ll be bringing some gear for those that come. I’m hoping people can bring their own lights for the tour.”
Sutherland says that for most of his caving experiences he has organized and led the trips, and is looking forward to the trip on March 23, 2024.
The Braswell Family owns Leonard Cave, and respectfully asks all participants to respect the fact that Leonard Cave is private property, and a historic place in the community. Several instances of littering, vandalism, and even squatting within the cave have been reported, and that activity has prompted them to install cameras throughout the property to ensure the safekeeping of the property. They request that anyone with thoughts about entering the cave contact them first.
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