gotcha - thanks for chiming in, folks.
As for how to retrieve the clue, there were some good ideas, before the whole police drama hit the hunters.
Alana suggested asking someone else to climb (although she suggested Davey, possibly the less brave kid in Alabama!). They know other kids, including older ones.
Johnny suggested either going at night (now you have a tool to make it easier), or calling the Water Company anonymously.
And you never know where you'll get with these workers.