[HR3
Home Page]That's pronounced "H-R-cubed". HR3 is a group of National Speleological Society (NSS) members who are dedicated to exploring and surveying caves in Tennessee's Highland Rim (with maybe an occasional trip to the Cumberland Plateau). The term "HR3" originally began as a joke among the group in an attempt to identify themselves, and the name has stuck ever since. The true meaning of "HR3" is kept secret among its members; you really don't want to know what it means...
The original HR3 members were Don Lance, Ron Zawislak, Marbry Hardin, and Keith Filson (although the name "HR3" didn't come until later). Some preliminary work was done in Van Buren county by Ron and Marbry in 1990; later all four cavers came together to survey Cannon County's Espey Cave (TCN 10) after the discovery of a large virgin section later that year by Keith and Don.
In 1991, Brian and Lynn Roebuck joined the group and began a recon of caves in their native Bedford County. Subsequently, Black Santa Cave (TBE 33) was located and surveyed in the winter of 1991-92. The Roebucks' continued reconnaissance, along with their ability to cement good relationships with landowners, was instrumental in getting the group a good start in this area of Tennessee. Soon, the area of interest expanded to include Moore County as well as Bedford County.
By 1992, John Ferree had joined HR3 in surveying some of Espey's most remote locations. In 1994, two more cavers were added : Karen Carr and Dave Keever. All had plenty of experience with Highland Rim caving, and quickly adapted to the needs of the group.
The year of 1996 saw the arrival of Jeremy Hill to the HR3 ranks. Jeremy (a.k.a. Bat-Bubba) has done a lot of work by talking to landowners and finding new cave leads.
Although HR3 has received aid at times by approximately 30+ other cavers, (members of both the Tennessee Central Basin Grotto [TCBG] and Tennessee Cave Survey [TCS]) the above are considered the "core" members of HR3 because of their regular participation.
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