Hideout Cave, Travis County, Texas

September 2015

Gate Type: BENT

Hideout cave is a small cave in a karst preserve owned by the City of Austin. The entrance was originally blocked by breakdown, but cavers were hired to excavate it. The cave has airflow and has been extended somewhat, but digging has stalled. To protect the newfound passages, we were hired to install a gate. We recommended a semi-cupola over the entrance, but the City wanted an interior gate. The construction was awkward and difficult due to the constricted entrance and passage dimensions. All photos © Jim Kennedy.

Lydia welds the stiffeners into one of the gate bars just outside the small cave entrance.
A rare photo of Jim. Here he is trimming a bar.
Looking inside at the gate location, you can see Lydia’s awkward working conditions!
Another photo of Lydia, just because she is a badass!
The finished gate, with the removable bar off and laying in the lower-left corner.