Re: [Texascavers] Hondo cave featured on TPR tomorrow, Oct. 15

[Bennett Lee]

For those who missed the on-air broadcast of the Hondo cave, here's a link to 
the online article with audio.

https://www.tpr.org/news/2022-10-16/cavern-discovered-on-a-ranch-in-medina-county

--Bennett


From: Texascavers  On Behalf Of Bennett Lee
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2022 9:35 AM
To: Sleazeweazel via Texascavers 
Subject: [Texascavers] Hondo cave featured on TPR tomorrow, Oct. 15

If you've been listening to TPR this morning, you might have heard a teaser for 
tomorrow's feature on a new cave that we discovered near Hondo, not far from 
Seco Sinkhole. My Facebook post about it went viral, and it made the front page 
headline for the Devine News newspaper 
(https://devinenews.com/exploring-a-treasure-beneath-the-surface-of-medina-county/).

TPR reporter Jerry Clayton is doing a segment on the discovery during his show 
at 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM. Not sure of the complete content yet, but likely 
includes interviews with me, George Veni, and the landowners, and possibly some 
in-cave audio of Bree Jameson and Greg Mosier during our second trip there to 
continue exploring and mapping.

Listen to the feature on:
KSTX 89.1 FM (NPR/TPR San Antonio station)
Saturday, October 15, 2022
7:30 AM and 9:30 AM

You can stream it at https://www.tpr.org/kstx-89-1-fm-san-antonio or tell your 
smart speaker to play KSTX.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Hondo cave featured on TPR tomorrow, Oct. 15

[Bennett Lee]

If you've been listening to TPR this morning, you might have heard a teaser for 
tomorrow's feature on a new cave that we discovered near Hondo, not far from 
Seco Sinkhole. My Facebook post about it went viral, and it made the front page 
headline for the Devine News newspaper 
(https://devinenews.com/exploring-a-treasure-beneath-the-surface-of-medina-county/).

TPR reporter Jerry Clayton is doing a segment on the discovery during his show 
at 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM. Not sure of the complete content yet, but likely 
includes interviews with me, George Veni, and the landowners, and possibly some 
in-cave audio of Bree Jameson and Greg Mosier during our second trip there to 
continue exploring and mapping.

Listen to the feature on:
KSTX 89.1 FM (NPR/TPR San Antonio station)
Saturday, October 15, 2022
7:30 AM and 9:30 AM

You can stream it at https://www.tpr.org/kstx-89-1-fm-san-antonio or tell your 
smart speaker to play KSTX.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] 2003 Texas Cave Calendar...yes, 2003

[Bennett Lee]

The 2003 calendar from my Texas cave calendar collection was misplaced during 
an event last weekend. This is the large spiral-bound calendar covering 
November 2002 to January 2004.

If you have one that you are willing to part with, please contact me off list. 
We'll see if we can come to an arrangement.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Texas Cavers Calendar 2022

[Bennett Lee]

Texas Cavers Calendar 2022 is here and available online! For those of you who 
can't make it TCR because you're too busy caving outside of the great state of 
Texas, you can buy your copy online at
https://bennettlee.com/product/texas-cavers-calendar-2022/
Amazing set of photographs of Texas cavers shot in Texas caves by Texas 
photographers. And there are still just a few 2018 calendars online, too, in 
case you haven't snagged one of those yet.

All proceeds benefit the TCMA. Makes great Christmas and White Elephant gifts, 
so buy several and help support cave conservation!

--Bennett

P.S.-Rumor is the theme for the next calendar will be "Texas cavers abroad," 
featuring Texas cavers in non-Texas caves. Trip to Cheve? Snap a couple of NSFW 
photos. Huautla? Nudies. TAG? Try not to get rope burn. Muzquiz...you guys are 
already doing it, just submit some photos.

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[Texascavers] Beyond the Dome

[Bennett Lee]

While COVID-19 has us all social distancing (or for my fellow introverts, 
normal life), here is something to occupy your time.

Earlier this year, I gave a presentation ("Beyond the Dome") to the Bexar 
Grotto documenting our recent expedition at Natural Bridge Caverns that found 
the first new passage there since 1968. I have updated that presentation with 
new content and converted it into a video. Despite the additional content, I 
managed to squeeze my hour-long presentation down to 37 minutes with an 
additional 10 minutes of bonus content. If you saw the original presentation, 
all the videos work in this one! See the drone footage that you missed, plus 
some great new photos.

https://bennettlee.com/caving/beyond-the-dome-video/

I have also compiled my best photos from the numerous subsequent expeditions 
into virgin passages with wall-to-wall travertine dams filled with crystal 
clear water, huge formations the size a barn, and a spectacular variety of 
colors. Many of these photos are not included in the video.

https://bennettlee.com/caving/beyond-the-dome-photos/

It has been a great honor participating in these new discoveries. I hope you 
all enjoy the photos and video while we wait to resume our normal caving 
activities.

--Bennett
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Re: [Texascavers] Cave photography classes

[Bennett Lee]

I have received WAY more response for this than I anticipated. In less than 2 
days, the list is over 30 people (10 of which contacted me in the first 20 
minutes). That is awesome. I have been saying for years that we need more cave 
photographers to help document our trips, our caves, etc.

I will be sending out an email containing more details to all the people who 
have signed up. If you haven’t receive the email by tomorrow evening, Monday, 
9/9/19, contact me at benn...@bennettlee.com<mailto:benn...@bennettlee.com>.

--Bennett


From: Texascavers  On Behalf Of Jamie Moon
Sent: Friday, September 6, 2019 8:14 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Cave photography classes

How many is this limited to for attendance. Is there some type of registration?
Jamie

On Sep 6, 2019, at 12:44 PM, Bennett Lee 
mailto:benn...@bennettlee.com>> wrote:
I am starting up hands-on cave photography classes to various awesome caves. 
Contact me if you’re interested. You don’t need fancy camera gear or even any 
gear at all—there is still plenty to learn about techniques and gear, 
especially before you start buying anything. Part of these classes is finding 
out what equipment works in a cave and what doesn’t. Experienced photographers 
are welcome, too. This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and share 
knowledge and improve techniques while we do what we love—caving.

You don’t need to attend every trip because every trip is an opportunity to 
learn something new, plus you get to go caving in beautiful, photogenic caves. 
You’ll get to practice in-cave techniques and learn basic camera settings, 
flash placement, framing, and more. I’ll describe my thought process as I setup 
a shot. You can ask questions and get real-time feedback as you setup your own 
shots. This is an opportunity that I never had when I started, and I want to 
help you get a jump start on your photography by sharing what I’ve learned over 
the years.

I have an opportunity to take one or two photographers to a private cave on 
September 28, 2019. Note that this is the same time as Robber Baron Open House, 
so you can’t do both (sorry, this trip was planned before the open house was 
announced). This cave happens to be my favorite cave of all time. It is highly 
decorated and consistently produces my best cave photos. This is a water cave, 
so you will need a wetsuit.

If you are interested in this trip or interested in learning or collaborating 
on cave photography, contact me at 
benn...@bennettlee.com<mailto:benn...@bennettlee.com> or 210-393-3806.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Cave photography classes

[Bennett Lee]

I am starting up hands-on cave photography classes to various awesome caves. 
Contact me if you're interested. You don't need fancy camera gear or even any 
gear at all-there is still plenty to learn about techniques and gear, 
especially before you start buying anything. Part of these classes is finding 
out what equipment works in a cave and what doesn't. Experienced photographers 
are welcome, too. This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and share 
knowledge and improve techniques while we do what we love-caving.

You don't need to attend every trip because every trip is an opportunity to 
learn something new, plus you get to go caving in beautiful, photogenic caves. 
You'll get to practice in-cave techniques and learn basic camera settings, 
flash placement, framing, and more. I'll describe my thought process as I setup 
a shot. You can ask questions and get real-time feedback as you setup your own 
shots. This is an opportunity that I never had when I started, and I want to 
help you get a jump start on your photography by sharing what I've learned over 
the years.

I have an opportunity to take one or two photographers to a private cave on 
September 28, 2019. Note that this is the same time as Robber Baron Open House, 
so you can't do both (sorry, this trip was planned before the open house was 
announced). This cave happens to be my favorite cave of all time. It is highly 
decorated and consistently produces my best cave photos. This is a water cave, 
so you will need a wetsuit.

If you are interested in this trip or interested in learning or collaborating 
on cave photography, contact me at 
benn...@bennettlee.com or 210-393-3806.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Immortalize yourself at TSA Spring Convention

[Bennett Lee]

Immortalize yourself at this year's TSA Spring Convention!

After the recent losses within our caver family, I've taken strolls down memory 
lane with folks looking at old photos. Some old cavers are unrecognizable in 
their youth. Names of old friends and acquaintances forgotten decades later. 
Before that happens to our current caver family, I decided to record everyone's 
name in the group photos that I've taken at Spring Convention for posterity's 
sake. Thus, I am manually outlining each and every person and pet (since many 
of them are well-known family members, too), then numbering them.

At Spring Convention this year, I will have the original group photos on 
display. FIND YOURSELF IN THE PHOTOS at Spring Convention and write down your 
name on the corresponding number. Once complete, I will compile the original 
photos, outlines, and names, and make them available to everyone, submit them 
to the TSS, etc.

Here's an example using last year's group photo:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=16Rib38VfY8sFkmk6BXKN_W-PS6cILnM1

By the way, this is taking a lot longer than I expected. Drawing an outline 
around people's fingers, clothes, crazy hair, dogs, togas, etc., fixing 
mistakes, cleaning up the outlines, numbering everyone, and tweaking everything 
because I'm OCD, takes about 4 minutes per person. Doesn't sound bad until you 
realize that (4 minutes) x (120 people per year) x (6 years) = 48 HOURS of 
drawing lines around disheveled cavers. Actually, it's a lot longer than that 
because I spend way more time than I should tweaking...damn OCD. However, I 
think it will be worth it when future generations say things like:

"Grandpa, you had hair! Where did it all go?" --Chris Lafferty's future 
grandchild

"Wow, mom! You were pretty back then. Ouch! I mean, you're pretty now! You 
better be nice to me. I'm picking your nursing home." --Future Sophie Steele 
(or possibly present day)

Also, this year's group photo will be taken at 5:45pm Saturday afternoon, which 
is right after talks and before supper, and will likely be at the amphitheater, 
weather permitting.

Don't miss out! Make it to TSA Spring Convention this year and immortalize 
yourself for future generations.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Group Photo for TSA Spring Convention 2018 is here!

[Bennett Lee]

Group photo for the TSA Spring Convention 2018 is now available!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1840224496028879.1073741880.11240401264=1=769f0ff2bd
http://www.bennettlee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2018.jpg

Note that I had to use one of the normal shots that we took first because the 
silly one we took at the end just didn't work out.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Calendar mistakes

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

A quick note to people who use multiple calendars on their phones (or 
desktops). Be sure to select the proper calendar when creating new events. For 
example, Pam Campbell has been notifying everyone on TCMA of her hair 
appointments, Evelynn Mitchell let everyone know about NISD's Parent-Teacher 
Conferences, and according to the Bexar Grotto calendar, Greg Mosier is 
apparently having breakfast tacos at 3:30pm. (Wouldn't that make them afternoon 
tacos?) Sorry to call you all out, but they're good examples. :-)

If you don't know how to change the calendar where you're adding an event, here 
are a few examples for that:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1t5xNn5QRCBzbgqOQ2o0eylC6jRSjTU68
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gI1ms_r3vNkd0zNfod3Y0tkhPuEJmcbv
Click the field pointed to by the red arrow, then select the proper calendar, 
like TCMA, Bexar Grotto, or your personal calendar.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Remember to use the TCMA Amazon link this holiday season!

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Just a reminder to everyone this holiday season that you can support the TCMA 
while you shop on Amazon. It's easy and free!

Just click the Amazon link on the top right of the TCMA website, then select 
and buy your products on Amazon, and Amazon will contribute 6% or more of your 
purchase to the TCMA. It doesn't cost you anything extra and is a huge benefit 
to the TCMA.

You can also support the TCMA through AmazonSmile. Just select "Texas Cave 
Management Association" as your charity, shop at smile.amazon.com, and Amazon 
will donate 0.5% to the TCMA. However, our Amazon link contributes over 10x as 
much to the TCMA, so if you can use the link instead, please do!

Regardless of which method you choose, we thank you for supporting the TCMA.

TCMA Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/tcma-20

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[Texascavers] Calendars at UT Grotto 11/15

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

If any Austin cavers are still looking for calendars, I'll be at the UT Grotto 
meeting tomorrow.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Total Eclipse at Monday's Bexar Grotto Meeting

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

This Monday night, Bexar Grotto's own Tom Florer will be presenting "How to 
View a Total Solar Eclipse without the Crowds: 10 Days in the Backcountry of 
Grand Teton National Park". While that might not sound caving-related, he 
promises there is a tie into caving.

Don't forget Robber Baron Open House this Saturday. And next Grotto meeting 
will be Christmas card selections, so start digging through your photos and 
slides for that perfect photo to represent the Bexar Grotto!

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester's at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto

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[Texascavers] Looking for Christmas gifts?

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

For those who missed TCR, the Texas Cavers Calendar 2018 are still available. 
Makes great Christmas gifts, gift exchange, Secret Santa, birthdays, etc. 
(WARNING: not suitable for work.) I'm about sixteen calendars shy of breaking 
even on the printing costs. After that, all the calendar proceeds benefit TCMA.

$20 each + $4 shipping.

You can pay via PayPal to benn...@bennettlee.com, or send cash, check, or money 
order to:

Bennett Lee
13322 Sage Heights
San Antonio, TX 78230

Be sure to include your return address!
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[Texascavers] Caving in Guatemala at this Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

This Monday night, Ben Hutchins will be talking about caving in Guatemala. He's 
a fantastic speaker, and his presentations are always top notch.

Caving the headwaters of the Machaquila River
The Machaquila River rises near the Belize border in Peten State, Guatemala, 
but upstream of its "beginning" on the surface, the river flows through 
numerous caves. For the 2nd year in a row, cavers visited the subterranean 
headwaters of the Machaquila this March to trace its underground path.

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester's at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto
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[Texascavers] Texas Cavers Calendar 2018

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

The long-awaited Texas Cavers Calendar is finally here!

Hardcopy proof came in yesterday. Calendars are printing and ready next week. 
Track me down at TCR if you want a copy. $20 (once I cover printing costs, all 
profits go to TCMA).

Huge thanks to all the people who helped bring this calendar to fruition, from 
the models to flash holders and assistants. Seeing it in print makes lugging 50 
pounds of camera gear up and down rope and through tight squeezy passages 
almost worth it.

--Bennett
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Re: [Texascavers] TCR hot tub firewood help

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Amendment, John. I meant Pam and I will help you, and we have a little bit of 
live oak to donate.

--Bennett

Sent from my TRS-80

-Original Message-
From: Bennett Lee via Texascavers [texascavers@texascavers.com]
Received: Monday, 02 Oct 2017, 10:12AM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com [texascavers@texascavers.com]
CC: Bennett Lee [benn...@bennettlee.com]
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] TCR hot tub firewood help

I'll help you again, John. I have a little bit of live oak to donate, too.

--Bennett


Sent from my TRS-80

-Original Message-
From: John Schneider via Texascavers [texascavers@texascavers.com]
Received: Sunday, 01 Oct 2017, 11:22AM
To: Texas Cavers [texascavers@texascavers.com]
CC: John Schneider [jsschneid...@gvtc.com]
Subject: [Texascavers] TCR hot tub firewood help

I could use 2 or 3 people to help me unload the hot tub firewood Sun Oct 8 
around 1PM at Paradise Canyon.
Please e-mail me at jsschneid...@gvtc.com<mailto:jsschneid...@gvtc.com> if you 
can help.

John
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Re: [Texascavers] TCR hot tub firewood help

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I'll help you again, John. I have a little bit of live oak to donate, too.

--Bennett


Sent from my TRS-80

-Original Message-
From: John Schneider via Texascavers [texascavers@texascavers.com]
Received: Sunday, 01 Oct 2017, 11:22AM
To: Texas Cavers [texascavers@texascavers.com]
CC: John Schneider [jsschneid...@gvtc.com]
Subject: [Texascavers] TCR hot tub firewood help

I could use 2 or 3 people to help me unload the hot tub firewood Sun Oct 8 
around 1PM at Paradise Canyon.
Please e-mail me at jsschneid...@gvtc.com if you 
can help.

John
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[Texascavers] New TCMA Website!!!

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I am pleased to announce a brand new TCMA website has launched!  Yes, the 1990s 
website is gone, and TCMA now has a modern look and a plethora of new online 
features, including:


  *   Mobile-friendly!  Looks great from your desktop down to your mobile 
device, complete with reduced bandwidth for mobile devices.
  *   Social media buttons!  A single click of can share any page or post on 
your favorite social media platform.
  *   Facebook feeds!  You don't need Facebook to see what's happening with the 
TCMA-recent posts show directly on the TCMA home page.
  *   Auto-renewing membership!  Online memberships can now be optionally 
renewed each year!  Finally!
  *   Sustaining donations!  We can now accept monthly Sustaining Donations 
online.  Sustaining Donations are a huge help to the TCMA both for budgeting 
and for establishing monthly revenue, which is fundamental to cave 
acquisitions.  You can donate as little $5/month.  Plus, TCMA membership is 
included with your Sustaining Donation!  Start your Sustaining Donation today.

See all these features and more at:
https://www.tcmacaves.org

Don't forget to support the TCMA with our Amazon link at the top right of each 
page.  Note that this link is different than Amazon Smile, and the link 
contributes 10x more than Smile.  For details, see the bottom of the TCMA home 
page.

Bennett Lee
TCMA Webmaster
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[Texascavers] Bexar Grotto is the center of the caving universe and here's proof...

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I just wanted to point out that Texas has eight separate Grottos, and that the 
leaders of all the major Texas, national, and international cave organizations 
are all Bexar Grotto members.


  *   International Union of Speleology (UIS)
President: George Veni, Bexar Grotto

  *   National Speleological Society (NSS)
President: Geary Schindel, Bexar Grotto

  *   National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
Executive Director: George Veni, Bexar Grotto

  *   Texas Speleological Association (TSA)
Chairman: Rob Bisset, Bexar Grotto

  *   Texas Speleological Survey (TSS)
President: Joe Mitchell, Bexar Grotto

  *   Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA)
President: Gregg Williams, Bexar Grotto

I HEREBY DECLARE THE BEXAR GROTTO AS THE CENTER OF THE CAVING UNIVERSE. BEXAR 
GROTTO ROCKS.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] ICS Trip Report at Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

This Monday night, the Bexar Grotto's very own Joe Mitchell is giving a 
presentation on ICS:

Down Under ICS
The 17th International Congress of Speleology was held in Penrith, Australia 
the last week of July and was well represented by Texas Cavers. Since it's a 
bit of a trip to get there, we made up our own three week pre-Congress trip to 
New Zealand and other parts of Australia. Besides being completely upside down, 
what with the sun in the north, winter in July, driving on the left, day when 
it should be night, and toilets flushing counterclockwise (ok, maybe not that 
last part), we managed to visit several caves including one with amazing 
glowworms, saw impressive geology and thermal features, got up close with lots 
of unique wildlife, and had some amazing experiences.

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester's at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto
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[Texascavers] PESH Trip Report at Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Do all you Bexar Grotto members remember the hubbub with PESH and getting a 
presenter to the Bexar Grotto?  Fernando did a great job-but this Monday, May 
22, we have all the PESH details from the Man of Steele himself, Bill Steele!  
For those who don't know Bill, he fills his time traveling the globe on cruise 
ships giving speeches on caving.  Yes, he is a professional orator (he's almost 
as good as me).  And he's coming to the Bexar Grotto to give his follow-up to 
the PESH expedition.  Come see what it was all about and get the inside scoop 
for next year's trip!

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester's at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto

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[Texascavers] LaChance SInkholes at Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee]

At the Bexar Grotto meeting this Monday, May 8, prepare to entertained by the 
Bexar Grotto's own Bennett Lee with his witty presentation and animations 
detailing the latest status of the LaChance Sinkhole Project, a.k.a., Bob 
Cowell's Dig.  We're also expected to have special guests of the LaChance 
family join us, who provided updated stats and amazing new flood photos.  Don't 
miss this presentation!

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester's at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto
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[Texascavers] Group Photo for TSA Spring Convention 2017

[Bennett Lee]

TSA Spring Convention 2017 group photo is ready.  Unfortunately, the glare from 
Peter's legs overexposed every photo, but I was able to salvage this one.  
Also, we have a lot of ugly cavers, so I spent a lot of time putting a black 
dot over everyone's face who was too ugly to include.  Thus, the group photo 
looks like that black and white dress at the auction that Kennedy sold way too 
fast.  I didn't even get a chance to bid and make Marvin Miller wear it all 
night.  Next year, Marvin.  Next year.

For Facebook users (colors got muted when uploaded to Facebook, so check the 
other links below for better quality):
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1500303396687659=89a5bdf9d5

For everyone via my Flickr account:
https://flic.kr/p/UnjwZx

Or everyone can download a copy directly from my server (high-res):
http://www.bennettlee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2017.jpg
http://www.bennettlee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2017NoTitle.jpg

--Bennett

P.S.-Nice try, Missy.  I see you in the back left corner.
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[Texascavers] TSA Spring Convention Group Photo

[Bennett Lee]

TSA Spring Convention 2017
Group Photo @ 5:30 p.m.
Location TBD, but near the house

ATTENTION ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Apparently, I am the de facto group photographer for the TSA Spring Convention, 
and with good reason because I'm the best photographer around.  (And no, it's 
not conceit when it's true.)  :-)

However, not everything is about me.  (Crazy, I know, but also true.)  With 
that in mind, I'd like to extend an offer to any budding photographers or 
seasoned veterans to take the group photo.  I'm not trying to get out of it-I 
love photography, and I would love to have more people actively involved in 
photography.  New folks, new ideas.

Thus, if you're new and you want to learn, I'll be happy to teach you, either 
letting you call the shots or guiding you step-by-step.  You're even welcome to 
borrow my gear for the group photo.  Or maybe you're a seasoned veteran, like 
Ernie, Jim, Travis, Geoff, Mike, etc., and you're looking to recreate some 
nostalgic photos, or teach me something new (even I don't know everything).  
Maybe you're playing with tilt-shift photography?  Have a drone and want to do 
an overhead group shot?  Just plain bossy and want to tell people what to do?  
Come help with the group photo!

Like I said, I'd love to teach photography, and I'd love learn new techniques.  
If you want to be involved in the group photo, message me or track me down at 
the Convention.  I'll spend most of Saturday morning at the TCMA tent.  If you 
don't know who I am, just look for the hottest-and most conceited-guy at the 
convention.  (It's not conceit if it's true!)

Bennett Lee
benn...@bennettlee.com<mailto:benn...@bennettlee.com>
210-393-3806 (mobile)
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[Texascavers] Lechuguilla Cave at Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee]

At the Bexar Grotto meeting this Monday, April 24, the illustrious Jean Krejca 
is giving a presentation on her recent trip to the magnificent Lechuguilla Cave.

Recent Discoveries in Lechuguilla Cave: In 2012 the successful climb of the 
Kansas Twister lead to a new section of cave, Oz, that contains Munchkinland, 
the 2nd largest known room in the cave. In 2016, one Texas caver, Creature, 
joined a team lead by Derek Bristol to continue working on leads in that area 
and some other places in the Far West. The presentation details that trip, and 
includes images from the spectacular pools and helictites in Oz.

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester’s at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto

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[Texascavers] Caving in Vietnam at Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee]

At Monday’s Bexar Grotto meeting, our very own Mio Kitano is giving a 
presentation on her caving exploits in Vietnam, entitled "Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng 
National Park: A Paradise for Cavers".

For those who don’t know about caving in Vietnam, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng was 
designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 for its geological values.  The 
park contains more than 300 caves and grottos, including the world's largest 
cave, Son Doong Cave. Mio and Nick visited a number of caves during their 
vacation in Vietnam in August 2015 and the presentation will show cool pictures 
from their trip.

The Bexar Grotto meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the 
Party Room of Chester’s at 410 and N New Braunfels.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto

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[Texascavers] Toga Party at Spring Convention!

[Bennett Lee]

This year for the TCMA Auction, we are doing a toga theme.  Audience members 
are invited to participate.  TOGA!  TOGA!  TOGA!

We're doing the usual TCMA Auction, as well as our Silent Auction, so both the 
boisterous bidders and the sly, reticent bidders have opportunities to score 
some cool booty.

As always, be sure to bring your auction items to help support the TCMA, like 
caving books, photos, artwork, cave gear, carbide lights, or awesome caver 
t-shirt quilt and pillows by Sara Ranzau's mother.  Please get your items to 
the TCMA tent no later than 10 a.m. Saturday.  If you have an item but cannot 
attend, please contact your Grotto's TCMA representative to make transportation 
arrangements for your items.

Just a reminder that our auction at Spring Convention is our biggest fundraiser 
event of the year.  Your donations and support at our auctions help support the 
TCMA and our acquisition of Texas caves, as well as maintenance of our existing 
preserves, like our well-used Deep & Punkin, Whirlpool, and Robber Baron 
Preserves, and our new acquisitions like Avery Cave and Wilcox Preserve.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Spring Convention in your toga!
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[Texascavers] Knot workshop at Bexar Grotto meeting

[Bennett Lee]

Grapevine knot, barrel knot, alpine butterfly loop, bowline, bowline on a 
bight...there are so many knots used in caving, it can be confusing.  However, 
you can do almost everything in caving with one knot--the figure 8.

This Bexar Grotto meeting, Bennett is doing an encore presentation of his much 
sought-after knot workshop, but this presentation focuses exclusively on the 
figure 8 and its variations, like figure 8 on a bight, double figure 8, 
directional figure 8, and figure 9.  If you know your knots, here is a great 
opportunity to show off and teach others in the process.  If you don't know 
your knots, here's a great opportunity to learn.  We'll teach you how to 
identify the figure 8 and its variants, how to tie them yourself, and when and 
where to use them.  This workshop is a great precursor for those wanting to get 
into vertical caving, so be sure to join us!

Practice rope will be provided, but quantities are limited, so if you have a 
10-foot piece of climbing rope or thick accessory cord, please bring it.

Bexar Grotto Meeting
7pm, Monday, March 13, 2017
Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
(Loop 410 and New Braunfels Ave)

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto

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[Texascavers] NSS News - Good vertical history this issue

[Bennett Lee]

I just wanted to point out that this issue of the NSS News has two good 
articles about two cavers who had huge impacts on vertical caving: Charles 
Gibbs, who pretty much revolutionized vertical caving with his Gibbs ascender 
that became the foundation for the Rope Walker; and Richard Mitchell, who 
invented the Mitchell System.  I know most people just use a Frog, but if 
you're doing anything vertical, you should really know about other systems.  
These articles are a great background to these movers-and-shakers of vertical 
caving.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Punkin rigging photos

[Bennett Lee]

Does anyone have photos of a rope rigged at the bolts to Punkin, preferably a 
closeup at or near the bolts to see the knot? I'm hoping to use it in a knot 
workshop this Monday.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] George Veni at tonight's Bexar Grotto meeting!

[Bennett Lee]

Tonight's Bexar Grotto meeting is a must see event, featuring the renown George 
Veni.  His talks always attract a crowd, so be sure to get there early.

Caving Where We Shouldn't: Mount Emory Cave, Big Bend National Park, Texas
By George Veni

No cave should have been there, and certainly no significant cave. The rock is 
rhyolite, dense, hard, and igneous-not known as a cave-forming lithology. But 
the release of stresses within the highest peak of Big Bend National Park 
fractured the rock, creating a relatively complex tectonic cave. Graffiti sets 
the remote cave's earliest exploration to 1859. It was known to bat biologists 
in the 1930s, its roost home to the now-endangered Mexican long-nosed bat, one 
of only two known roosts in the US. In 2002, the detailed exploration and 
survey of the cave began, along with a geological study and investigation of 
its invertebrate biology. The effort was expected to wrap-up during that one 
trip, but each trip kept finding more to explore. In 2006, the project went on 
a 9-year hiatus as the park decided whether and how to allow access because of 
White-nose Syndrome. Returning in 2016, celebrating the National Park Service's 
centennial, the exploration trend reversed when the promising remaining leads 
ended quickly. The less promising leads ended too, closing the survey with 325 
m of hard-earned passages and the 16th deepest cave in Texas at 85.8 m. Sincere 
appreciation is extended to the NSS for supporting this project through the 
Sara Corrie Memorial Fund.

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm at the Chester's Hamburgers at Loop 410 and New 
Braunfels Ave.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto
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[Texascavers] Impromptu Trip to LaChance Sinkholes, Sunday @ 10am

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

This Sunday, Feb. 12, at 10am, we have an impromptu trip to the LaChance 
Sinkholes near Gruene, Texas.

Last trip there, Bennett completed a through trip connecting two of the major 
sinkhole areas.  Since then, the LaChance family has been digging on another 
sink and it opened up into a room.

For you Austin folks, the LaChance Sinkholes were the recent topic of Bennett's 
witty and entertaining presentation at the UT Grotto a few weeks ago.  Here's 
your opportunity to be a part of it yourself!  It's just a quick drive from 
Austin, especially for all you south Austin cavers.

Don't let Bennett be the only one scooping booty there with all his solo 
through trips!  Get to the LaChance Sinkholes tomorrow and find that virgin 
passage yourself!

When:
10am-4pm
Sunday, Feb 12, 2017

What to Bring:
Buckets
Shovels and hoe-vels
Coffee cans (yes, before Starbucks, coffee used to come in metal cans which 
makes excellent scoops)
Sledgehammers
Pry bars

Where:
North of Gruene, Texas
Contact Bennett Lee (210-393-3806 or 
benn...@bennettlee.com<mailto:benn...@bennettlee.com>) or Geary Schindel 
(210-326-1576 or 
gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org<mailto:gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org>) for specific 
directions

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Bexar Grotto Meeting, Feb. 13 @ 7pm

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Ever wondered about extraterrestrial caving?  Then come join us at the next 
Bexar Grotto meeting this Monday, Feb. 13, where Dr. Rene DeHon will talk about 
finding and adapting natural shelters on the Moon and Mars as a first step to 
protecting astronauts from the higher radiation environment on these celestial 
bodies.  Learn about the types of natural shelters, their origin, how to look 
for them, and how to adapt them for use.  (That's right!  Learn how we're going 
to turn astronauts into cavers!)

Dr. DeHon was funded for NASA research for over 20 years, has produced geologic 
maps on the Moon, Mars, Mercury, and Ganymede, and has publications on the 
thickness of basalt in the lunar maria, and on the streams, lakes, and 
watersheds on Mars.

Meeting starts promptly at 7pm at the Chester's Hamburgers at Loop 410 and New 
Braunfels Ave.

Chester's 
Hamburgers<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
1006 NE Loop 
410<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>
San Antonio, TX 
78209<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chester's+Hamburgers/@29.5156039,-98.4608043,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x865cf5344fe6c86d:0xce985a5eb6597329!8m2!3d29.5156039!4d-98.4586156>

Bennett Lee
Programs Vice-Chair
Bexar Grotto
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[Texascavers] Rolling Oaks Preserve Work Day, Nov. 19

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Saturday, November 19 at 9am will be a workday at TCMA's Rolling Oaks Cave 
Preserve.

For those who haven't been to Rolling Oaks Cave Preserve, it's about 5 acres in 
west San Antonio off Potranco Road.  It has 4 caves on it: Niche Cave, Chimney 
Cricket Cave, Obvious Cave, and World Newt Cave.  The property is a little 
overgrown with lots of underbrush, dead branches, etc., so this workday is 
going to focus on surface cleanup.

As a reward for those who help, I'm going to host vertical practice in the 
caves!  The caves at Rolling Oaks are not large-in fact, they are quite tight.  
However, this is an excellent opportunity to practice your vertical technique 
in a confined cave space where experienced vertical cavers can see and assist 
you.  That assistance not always available.  For example, O-9 Well (another 
TCMA managed cave, but not part of Rolling Oaks) has a 180+ foot entrance drop, 
and right about the middle of the drop is a restriction so tight that it's 
nearly impossible to do a proper Frog squat or even squeeze your chest through, 
particularly if you're wearing a Rope Walker chest roller.  And with nearly 100 
feet above and below you, you're too far away to communicate clearly with 
anyone if you have problems.

I know there a lot of Bexar Grotto members with shiny vertical gear that's only 
been used on treadmills in trees.  Here is your opportunity to practice safely 
in an actual cave with people to assist you before you get into a difficult 
solo situation.  So come out to Rolling Oaks, help support the TCMA with some 
minor property maintenance, and then get your shiny vert gear all muddy.  :-)

But to be clear, anyone who wants to do vertical, you have to help with the 
cleanup!  So get there promptly at 9am.

What to bring:

* Work gloves

* Shears, pruners, loppers, etc.

* Rakes

* Gas-powered trimmers/Weedeaters

* Vertical gear!

When:
9am, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016

Where:
Rolling Oaks Cave Preserve
224 Laurel Ridge Ln
San Antonio, TX 78253

For more information, questions, etc., contact Bennett Lee at 
benn...@bennettlee.com<mailto:benn...@bennettlee.com> or 210-393-3806.

--Bennett
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Re: [Texascavers] The Texas Caver

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I've thought about this a lot over the past year.  I'm of the same opinion of 
Mixon.  I think the Texas Caver should be a record of caving in Texas.  We live 
in a social media world, and most of what's happening gets posted to social 
media.  However, social media is fleeting.  Anyone remember Myspace?  Only 8 
years ago it was the most popular website in the world.  Who's heard of it now? 
 What's going to happen to Facebook in 10 years?  Or even now...can you find 
what someone posted to Facebook a month ago?  Social media isn't an 
archive--it's constantly drowned out by new content.

And as Minton points out, very few trip reports or caver activities get written 
specifically for caver publications.  The bulk is short blurbs dumped to email 
lists and social media.  But if we collect enough of these short blurbs over 
three months, we'll have a nearly complete Texas Caver.

So how do we harness this?

I propose authors tag posts appropriate for the Texas Caver with #TexasCaver to 
make them easier to find.  For example, when Marvin Miller or Joe Mitchell 
posts their Government Canyon or Deep Survey trip reports to CaveTex, Geary 
Schindel's quick write-ups of the LaChance Sinkhole digs, someone writes a book 
review or light review, tag them with #TexasCaver at the beginning or end of 
the post.  Then every three months someone does a quick search for #TexasCaver 
and grabs pages of content for the Texas Caver.  That's far easier than 
perusing all the CaveTex exchanges and social media posts for content.  And 
more importantly, it grabs a snapshot of caving in Texas using the most popular 
way to communicate today--social media--then preserves it in the Texas Caver in 
perpetuity without anyone having to write anything extra (other than 
#TexasCaver).

As far as the Texas Caver becoming a "picture magazine", I actually like that.  
I'm a bit biased because I love both taking and seeing cave photos.  But in my 
defense, photos are huge part of documentation.  Robber Baron has amazing old 
photos (albeit very low-res) gathered from these archaic things called 
"newspapers".  The photos show people standing in passages we have to crawl or 
stoop walk through now.  We were actually able to match these old photos to 
specific locations in Robber Baron so we know where to dig for potential buried 
passage.  Even more dramatic, I've seen photos of Endless Cave in New Mexico 
before people came in with saws and harvested whole walls of cave formations to 
sell at Carlsbad Caverns back in the early 1900s, and then photos of the same 
locations a hundred years later post-harvesting.  You can talk or write about 
these things all you want, but to actually SEE them puts them into a whole new 
perspective.  50 years from now, where are you going to find similar photo 
documentation?  Someone's 50-year-old Flickr account?  Some low-res photo 
printed on water-stained copier paper in the TSS archives?  If anything, I 
think the Texas Caver needs MORE photo documentation.  That's just my opinion, 
and like I said, I'm biased.

But back to my main topic...what does everyone think about using #TexasCaver to 
flag content?

--Bennett


-Original Message-
From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Mark Minton via Texascavers
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 3:56 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] The Texas Caver

  Here in the East at least one publication, The Potomac Caver, (from the
non-NSS- affiliated Potomac Speleological Club) does exactly what Bill Mixon 
suggested. The editor gathers articles and trip reports that are posted on 
various email lists and elsewhere, and reprints them. I think very little of 
the content is written specifically for the newsletter.
There are also usually a few photos included because either the trip reports 
contained them or gave web links to online galleries. Everything is in black 
and white. This does indeed provide a good, if not complete, archive of 
reports, especially covering Germany Valley (Hellhole, Memorial Day Cave) where 
a lot of PSC members are active.

  I don't know how much time the editor spends on the bimonthly newsletter, but 
she spends almost no time trying to drum up articles. I see no reason why this 
couldn't be done for the Texas Caver, at least until it gets back on its feet.

Mark Minton
mmin...@caver.net

On Wed, October 26, 2016 4:02 pm, Mixon Bill via Texascavers wrote:
>
> Quite aside from problems with the timeliness and quality of the Texas 
> Caver, I am concerned about its very nature. It seems to be intended, 
> these days, to be a picture magazine, not a record of Texas caving. I 
> guess I'm old-fashioned, but I don't think that posting something 
> worth recording about Texas caving to Facebook or the Texas Cavers 
> e-mail list fulfills our obligation to history. The Texas Caver ought 
> to strive to be a permanent record of what's gone on. I'd love to see 
> all those 

Re: [Texascavers] Texas Caver Magazine Ready (for what...?)

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I have written more articles for the Texas Caver in the past 5 years than any 
other person.  More importantly, I have also offered to assist in proofreading 
dozens of times over the years to numerous people, but no one has gotten me 
involved in proofing the final version for many years now.  And now we have an 
issue that has MULTIPLE ERRORS ON THE COVER.  If anyone thinks Jerry is being 
“hateful” because he is resting on his legacy rather than offering his proofing 
capabilities, then let me say as someone who has offered—and continues to 
offer—to proofread, multiple blatant errors on the cover is completely 
unacceptable.

And for the record, I was the editor of the LAG News for the Lubbock Area 
Grotto back in the early 90s.  I have a minor in Technical Writing, and a B.S. 
in Computer Science.  I have too many other large, time-consuming projects for 
the Bexar Grotto and TCMA to be the actual editor, but I would be a huge 
benefit to the Texas Caver even in a limited proofreading role.

If you want to shut me up about blatant errors, then let me help proof.  I 
can’t guarantee I’ll catch every error, but at least then I’ll be one the 
people blamed instead of one of the people complaining.

--Bennett


From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Fritz Holt via Texascavers
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2016 4:24 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Texas Caver Magazine Ready (for what...?)

Jerry,
Having met several times over the last eleven years (became active again in the 
caving (spelunking) community in 2005), I feel I know you as a friend. I enjoy 
The Texas Caver  when I can find one but will leave the current "discussion" to 
you and others. I will say I like your responses to the allegations. Keep up 
the intelligent conversation. I will probably regret sending this, (not really).
Fritz Holt
fritz...@gmail.com

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 15, 2016, at 7:41 AM, Jerry via Texascavers 
> wrote:
RK,

As usual, you speak without knowledge. This old coon has contributed quite a 
bit but you probably don't bother to find these things out nor read your Texas 
Cavers.

As for contributing little, I assume you are referring to the Texas Caver of 
late. I would be more than happy to proofread the print copy before it goes to 
the printer, but that's been rather difficult recently when one doesn't know if 
the Texas Caver actually is alive and who is in charge, and the editor in the 
past has ignored the advice that has been given her from several folks that 
actually have experience editing. Coons don't like to beat their heads against 
the wall too often, - leads to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as you 
call it.

Jerry Atkinson (old coon).

-Original Message-
From: Rafal Kedzierski via Texascavers 
>
To: texascavers 
>
Sent: Sat, Oct 15, 2016 5:54 am
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Texas Caver Magazine Ready (for what...?)
Jerry,

You have been hitting your head with rocks for too long, it's called chronic 
traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), time to hang up your email account old coon.

You insult supporters of Texas caving causes, then go on rants about Texas 
Caver where you contribute little. Just become one with the earth.

RK

Get Outlook for iOS

_
From: via Texascavers 
>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2016 6:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Texas Caver Magazine Ready (for what...?)
To: >
Cc: > 
>

I think you have me mixed up with someone else. Please either elucidate or 
climb back under that rock you tried to hit me with on the Powell's gate.

Jerry.

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 15, 2016, at 4:45 AM, Rafal Kedzierski via Texascavers 
> wrote:
Jerry,

It's poor form for you to blaming others for appearance of Texas Caver when you 
have taken no responsibility for your past leadership failures. Quit before you 
embarrass yourself any more.

RK
Get Outlook for iOS



On Sat, Oct 15, 2016 at 1:08 AM -0500, "via 
Texascavers"> 
wrote:
What you ought to be pissed off about is waiting a year for a really poorly 
edited TxCvr, when anyone that really cared about their job would have gone to 
extreme effort to put together the very best issue they could as a true apology 
for the transgressions of the past. And for the record, I gave credit where 
credit was due: the 

[Texascavers] LaChance Sinkholes

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

WARNING: this is about caving, so those of you prefer to use this list to 
complain about David Locklear can skip this.

Here are some photos from the LaChance dig, from both the recent July 4th 
weekend and an older trip from the end of 2014.  Includes a link to the same 
photos on my Flickr account for those of you who are Facebook-challenged.

2016-07-02
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1198527723531896.1073741861.11240401264=1=154b9e0a99
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wittytexan/albums/72157670190217472

2014-11-07
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1198526203532048.1073741860.11240401264=1=33ced0946a
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wittytexan/albums/72157670788005336


Very Partial Trip Report:
Despite the high temperatures, the day was quite pleasant.  The LaChance's 
property is well-shaded and we had a nice breeze.  I don't have a complete of 
everybody who attended, but it was a lot.  About 20-30 people.  Enough to have 
separate digs at four of the sinkholes.

I hauled buckets for a while before snagging a spot at the bottom of one of the 
sinkholes.  The main dig there was to the right.  I ventured off to the left 
and started a new route.  While I was opening my route to the 6½" that I know I 
can manage thanks to the TCR squeezebox, everyone else returned to the surface 
to eat watermelon.  Slackers.  I stayed in the cave and single-handedly 
connected that sinkhole to one of the other sinkholes that the owner had been 
digging on previously.  So nice to be able to stand up in a dome after crawling 
for so long.  So high, I even had to climb up.  It was an obvious connection to 
the sinkhole that Lisa LaChance had been digging on previously.  After I made 
that connection, I climbed back down and started removing loose rock in the 
floor at my squeeze near the dome.  The aquifer is roughly 250 feet below the 
sinkholes, and I estimate that I got down to about 248 feet where I was digging 
before I returned to the surface for lunch.

After gnawing on the watermelon rinds that the slackers left me, I went back in 
to help the others on their dig to the right.  I wanted to leave my passage 
open so Michael Gibbons could go back with his GoPro and climb down the hole I 
made, but he's afraid of heights and so he wouldn't get near the pit to film my 
magnificent progress.  Unfortunately, the surface called an end to the project 
before I could back to mine that day.  Hopefully it won't fill in before our 
next trip.

With the project ending for the day, Arron Wertheim had to drag away Victoria 
Sommers from her dig in the sinkholes that were above my pit.  Apparently she 
heard about my near-connection to the aquifer and was desperately trying to 
complete the surface connection.  Apparently no one else liked my tight, 
squeezy, helmet-off route from the other sinkhole.  Hopefully next trip we can 
either open the surface connection or get some REAL cavers to join me through 
my route.
Afterwards, we went swimming in the Guadalupe at the LaChance's private 
community river-front access, floated the nearby rapids, and then ate supper at 
Cooper's BBQ.  Dave Adamowski even got wet in the river (amazing if you know 
how adverse he to water).  Jordan Rasmussen stayed dry, though-her top was made 
out of some waterproof fabric that wouldn't absorb water no matter how much we 
splashed her.

Good trip.

--Bennett

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Re: [Texascavers] Epic Bexar Grotto Presentation this Monday

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Sure!  I could be tempted in exchange for a cave trip.  Oh wait…Dallas and 
Houston don’t have any caves.  Ugh.  Well, maybe just good company.  Let’s 
see…Dallas has John Brooks, Bill Steele, and Diana Tomchick.  Ugh.  Maybe 
Houston…Wes Rosenstein, Ryan Monjaras, and that damn Alisa Vance who steals 
innocent people’s Peanut M’s?  No way!

--Bennett


From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Julia Germany via Texascavers
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2016 5:00 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Cc: greater_houston_gro...@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Epic Bexar Grotto Presentation this Monday

Would the presenter consider presenting this presentation in one of those large 
far away cities?


Julia G Germany
germa...@aol.com<mailto:germa...@aol.com>


-Original Message-
From: Bennett Lee via Texascavers 
<texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com>>
To: bexargrotto 
<bexargro...@googlegroups.com<mailto:bexargro...@googlegroups.com>>; 
'texascavers@texascavers.com' 
<texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com>>
Sent: Sat, May 21, 2016 6:16 pm
Subject: [Texascavers] Epic Bexar Grotto Presentation this Monday
This Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting will have one of the most epic presentations 
ever. It's a hands-on knot tying workshop. I've personally spent days 
photographing numerous knots and how to tie them step-by-step. It makes Knots 
by Grog look like crap. Well, OK, Knots by Grog is really awesome, but my 
presentation includes some unique tying methods, including a way to tie a 
perfectly sized Alpine Butterfly in just 3 seconds! That's right! Perfect 
length and only 3 seconds to tie! You will NOT find this method in Ashley Book 
of Knots or On Rope or Animated Knots by Grog. And I have unique methods for 
other knots in my presentation, too.

If you're new to caving and knots, you definitely don't want to miss this. Even 
if you're experienced, you don't want to miss the unique ways to tie these 
well-known caving knots. If you're somewhere far from San Antonio, like Houston 
or Dallas, it's worth using some vacation time or calling in sick to work so 
you can come see this epic presentation.

Bexar Grotto, 7pm–9pm
Monday, May 23, 2016
Chester's Hamburgers
1006 NE Interstate 410 Loop
San Antonio, TX 78209

If anyone has extra rope sections, about 6–10 feet (2–3m) long, please bring 
them. I will have many available, but I probably won't have enough for everyone.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Epic Bexar Grotto Presentation this Monday

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

This Monday's Bexar Grotto meeting will have one of the most epic presentations 
ever. It's a hands-on knot tying workshop. I've personally spent days 
photographing numerous knots and how to tie them step-by-step. It makes Knots 
by Grog look like crap. Well, OK, Knots by Grog is really awesome, but my 
presentation includes some unique tying methods, including a way to tie a 
perfectly sized Alpine Butterfly in just 3 seconds! That's right! Perfect 
length and only 3 seconds to tie! You will NOT find this method in Ashley Book 
of Knots or On Rope or Animated Knots by Grog. And I have unique methods for 
other knots in my presentation, too.

If you're new to caving and knots, you definitely don't want to miss this. Even 
if you're experienced, you don't want to miss the unique ways to tie these 
well-known caving knots. If you're somewhere far from San Antonio, like Houston 
or Dallas, it's worth using some vacation time or calling in sick to work so 
you can come see this epic presentation.

Bexar Grotto, 7pm-9pm
Monday, May 23, 2016
Chester's Hamburgers
1006 NE Interstate 410 Loop
San Antonio, TX 78209

If anyone has extra rope sections, about 6-10 feet (2-3m) long, please bring 
them. I will have many available, but I probably won't have enough for everyone.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] Missing Bexar Grotto helmets

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I've just gone through the Bexar Grotto gear, and we are missing six grotto 
helmets and lights used at the Robber Baron Open House.  The helmets are all 
Camp helmets with Petzl Tikkas mounted with zip-ties.  The helmets are red, 
white, or orange and have a large black number written on the top, specifically 
1, 2, 3, 5, 8, or 14.

If you know the whereabouts of the these helmets, please contact me at 
benn...@bennettlee.com or 210-393-3806.

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] TSA Spring Convention 2016 group photo

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I've posted the group photo for the TSA Spring Convention 2016 on Facebook for 
people to peruse and tag, and I even have a copy for the Facebook-impaired to 
download.  Enjoy!

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1148810025170333=7737c59ea8
Full album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1148809025170433.1073741858.11240401264=1=8d0288b0c3
High-res download:
www.BennettLee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2016.jpg<http://www.BennettLee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2016.jpg>

--Bennett Lee

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[Texascavers] TCMA trailer help

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I'm looking for someone who can tow the TCMA trailer from San Antonio to the 
TSA Spring Convention and back.  Please contact me off-list at 
benn...@bennettlee.com.

--Bennett
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Re: [Texascavers] HC Road Repair Pics

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Perhaps you should have left a really rough patch with deep ruts.  It’s so 
smooth now that everyone’s car will make it to camp and no one will park at the 
gate.  Consequently, we’ll have more traffic and wear out the road faster 
because you guys did too good of job.  For shame!  Learn to cut corners and 
slack off!

But don’t slack off on the write up.  I agree with Crash—this needs to be 
published in the Texas Caver.  That way future generations can see the efforts 
we took to appease landowners and maintain access to Texas’ longest cave.

--Bennett


From: bexargro...@googlegroups.com 
[mailto:bexargro...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of A. Wertheim
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2016 10:10 PM
To: bexargro...@googlegroups.com; Texas 
Cavers
Subject: [BexarGrotto] HC Road Repair Pics

DropBox Link:
http://1drv.ms/1pwwfrN for the entire photo documentation.


  Too many MB's to attach.

-Arron
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[Texascavers] Bexar Grotto meetings are moving!

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

The Bexar Grotto has been meeting at the Chester's at 281 and Thousand Oaks for 
about 20 years (maybe more). We've had a full house numerous times. However, 
recently, we've even been overcapacity a few times (max is 56). Even when we're 
not at capacity, it's been so crowded that we can't move and consequently can't 
socialize and meet the new members. So, at the last meeting we voted, and...

Effective immediately, the BEXAR GROTTO MEETINGS ARE MOVING to the Chester's at 
410 and N New Braunfels Ave (between Broadway and Nacogdoches, not far from 
Robber Baron Cave). This Chester's meeting room seats 108, has the requisite 
projector screen, an open area in the front where we can mingle, and, of 
course, Chester's delicious hamburgers and wide assortment of beer.

We are on the calendar at the new Chester's, but we are still waiting on final 
confirmation while they work out the transfer internally. I'll send out status 
and reminders before the next meeting, which is on Monday, March 14.

The new Chester's address is:
1006 NE Interstate 410 Loop
San Antonio, TX 78209

Here's a map of the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZHJUqYyWeb12

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] CyberMonday: Don't forget the TCMA Amazon link!

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

For CyberMonday-and all your year-round online shopping-don't forget to use the 
TCMA's Amazon link.  Amazon gives us back 6% of your purchase just by you 
clicking the link.

All you need to do is go to www.tcmacaves.org and 
click the Amazon link in the top-right corner of the home page, then purchase 
what you were already going to buy at Amazon.  No cost to you-just click the 
link and buy, then Amazon gives some of its profits to the TCMA.  Great time to 
contribute and help finish the new shower four-plex and instant-on water 
heaters at Deep and Punkin!  Woohoo!

--Bennett

P.S.-We've already made $951.78 this year just by y'all clicking the link (for 
our non-southern followers, "y'all" = "you guys").  Let's try to break that 
$1000 mark before the end of the year!
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[Texascavers] TCMA Silent Auction at TCR

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

SILENT ART AUCTION at TCR!

The TCMA is holding a SILENT ART AUCTION at TCR, and we are looking for 
donations of cave-related art pieces.  Some examples would be Don Arburn's 
amazing carbide lamp sculpture, Bennett Lee's award-winning cave photographs, 
cave-themed paintings, etc..  Donated art should be ready to display or hang.  
And don't forget that the TCMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donations are 
tax-deductible.

The silent auction will be held on Saturday from 10am to 4pm at the TCMA tent.  
That's the same place where you buy your TCR and TCMA T-shirts, so you can 
conveniently bid on your favorite art pieces while you're picking up some 
snazzy new duds.  Walk away with a cool shirt, some awesome art, and that warm, 
fuzzy feeling you get from a big tax deduction...oops, I mean that warm, fuzzy 
feeling you get from supporting a great nonprofit organization like the TCMA.

Contact Pam Campbell at pc...@hotmail.com to donate 
items or for more auction information.

--Bennett

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[Texascavers] Portable mic/speaker system

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Does anyone have a portable, battery-powered mic/speaker that I could borrow 
for Saturday, July 11?  I'd prefer a waist-mounted speaker with a mic instead 
of a megaphone, but I'll take whatever is available.

Contact me off-list at benn...@bennettlee.commailto:benn...@bennettlee.com.

--Bennett
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Re: [Texascavers] It all started with Geary -- REVISED!

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Yay!  My article got published in the NSS News.  It’s been revised since it 
first appeared in the Texas Caver—specifically the Church/Mortuary section 
featuring Tom Rogers.  Even if you read the first version, the rewrite is even 
more entertaining than ever before.

And like Geary said, it’s all factual!  Yes, some topics have been emphasized 
for artistic license (like the horror-movie chainsaws in the Church) while 
boring events were downplayed or omitted entirely, but it is all completely 
factual.

--Bennett




From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Geary Schindel via Texascavers
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2015 12:01 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] It all started with Geary

Folks,

Just to be clear, I believe  Mr. Bennett Lee used a certain amount of artistic 
license when he wrote his article.

I’m not saying that anything he wrote was factually wrong, but maybe there was 
some emphasis on certain aspects that might not have been warranted but that’s 
what makes a good story.

And to address any rumors, No, I was not wearing an apron at the Dairy Queen. 
However, they did make me wear a hair net – see, someone thinks I have hair.

Geary

From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of via 
Texascavers
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2015 10:58 AM
To: texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com
Cc: texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] It all started with Geary

I like your story better.

Jerry.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 1, 2015, at 8:38 AM, via Texascavers 
texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
The latest NSS news features a well written article about a deteriorating 
trip. Therein it is written that our own Geary S is a worrywort who is scared 
of bugs and lightning and therefore took refuge in a church. I would strongly 
counsel my fellow cavers not to tempt fate in such a manner.

Once upon a time, and a long ago time it was, I set out hitchhiking with Lema 
my beautiful but deranged wife to be and a large shaggy white dog. Out plan was 
to circumnavigate North America in a counterclockwise route including both 
Canada and Mexico, all of which came to pass over the following year.

We had barely begun and had already been arrested by a cop in Pennsylvania who 
would not believe that we really wanted to see America because we weren't 
riding a Greyhound bus. At the border my beloved cooterfied our stash and thus 
prevented a second arrest. A few days later we found ourselves stranded on the 
prairie somewhere north of Bumfluck Canada.

As a tropical traveler I believe I can speak with some authority in regard to 
mosquitos. I have experienced the bugs of Belize, have made the mistake of 
being out after dark in the Everglades, and am presently suffering swarms of 
gallinippers right here in Weazelworld. The gallinipper is large enough to 
stand flat footed and fornicate with a turkey. These were as nothing compared 
to the mosquitos of the potholed Canadian prairie. We were hysterical and even 
resorted to standing in the road stopping traffic in an unsuccessful attempt to 
get a ride. All the while the gloom gathered.

At long last a kindly old farmer stopped to give us a lift in his pickup. 
Directly ahead we beheld the most terrifying sky I have ever seen, a solid wall 
of greenish black. The farmer was certain a tornado was coming so he turned on 
his radio. The announcement was dire, Attention, attention! All persons in the 
listening area must immediately take shelter. Place your head between your legs 
and kiss your ass goodbye.

He asked where we planned to sleep, a question for which we had no answer. In 
fact we didn't even have a tent. He was very concerned for our safety and would 
have given us shelter were it not for the fact that his wife would never allow 
hippies into their home. Then he remembered an abandoned church not too far 
away and dropped us off hoping that we would at least be dry until we were 
swept away by the tornado.

The scene closely resembled the famous painting Christina's world by Andrew 
Wyeth in which a forlorn woman in gingham sprawls on the ground gazing at a 
desolate unpainted ramshackled house surrounded by an endless sea of grass cut 
off from both civilization and all hope. The old wooden church was tall and 
narrow with a steeply sloped roof to shed snow. It was raised above the ground 
on rudely constructed piers of rock (an important detail). It is hard to 
imagine where they found the rocks. The building was uninsulated but contained 
a huge old potbellied stove, the metal chimney of which protruded from the roof.

We made it inside just as the storm broke then laid our sleeping bags on the 
floor to snuggle up while the wind howled and rain and hail pelted the metal 
roof. Lema had her feet up on the stove and I had my head on her stomach when 
the lightning

Re: [Texascavers] Texas cave organizations

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

Bill, you're right that I only included a few bits of the NSS as it related to 
the T-Organizations.  The NSS internal structure was beyond the scope of my 
article, and would be a great follow-up article for you to write!

I do know more of the details of the NSS (but apparently not as much as 
you...hint hint).  However, my article's focus was just the T-Organizations 
(TSA, TSS, TCMA, TCC, TCR) and a few facts that people seem to have confused, 
like Spring Convention is hosted by the TSA, not the TCMA despite the TCMA 
auction also being at Spring Convention.

I even read the link you mentioned while researching my article.  Yes, the NSS 
recognizes the TCMA and TCC as cave conservancies (keyword recognizes) and the 
TSS is an NSS project, but they are independent of the NSS.  The NSS' website 
even specifically states on that link that the organizations are independent 
organizations and operate with autonomy from the Society leadership (exact 
quotes).  In contrast, the other organizations mentioned in my article _are_ 
dependent on the NSS.  Thus, the NSS can (and does) mandate that all Grotto 
officers must be current NSS members, but it cannot mandate that, say, all TCMA 
Directors must be NSS members because the TCMA was formed completely outside 
the scope of the NSS and afterwards recognized as a cave conservancy--a loose 
affiliation but not a part of the NSS.  I didn't touch on affiliations like 
that because my focus was the actual hierarchy, not the spaghetti of loose 
affiliations.

So I think my article was spot-on, but if anyone has specific errors, let me 
know!  Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to reading an article on the internal 
workings of the NSS.  There's still plenty that I can learn about that.

--Bennett


-Original Message-
From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Mixon Bill via Texascavers
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2015 1:56 PM
To: Cavers Texas
Subject: [Texascavers] Texas cave organizations

Thanks to Bennett Lee for the article in the new Texas Caver summarizing Texas 
caving organizations. However, the TSS, TCMA, and TCC are no more independent 
of the NSS than grottos and regions are. The organization of the NSS is 
confusing, in that there are Internal Organizations and there are 
Activities. See http://caves.org/info/nss-orgs.shtml. IOs are grottos 
(chapters), regions, sections, surveys, and a mysterious entity called an 
affinity group. Activities are projects, cave conservancies, expeditions, and 
conservation task forces. To add to the confusion, a number of actual surveys 
are NSS projects (Activities), not NSS surveys (Internal Organizations). This 
all badly needs to be rationalized, and Bennett can easily be excused for not 
knowing the details. The new NSS members manual for 2015 contains lists of 
projects and CTFs but not other Activities, for some reason.

Neither IOs nor Activities get NSS funding automatically, but of course they 
can apply for various grants. Activities are, however, a bit more closely 
related to the NSS than IOs are, in that the NSS office can accept donations 
earmarked for Activities on their behalf. This means that donations to 
Activities that do not have their own tax-deductible status can be run though 
the NSS's books, in case the IRS questions them. You'd have to dig pretty 
deeply into the members' area on the NSS web site to discover this. 

Anyway, the Texas Speleological Survey is a project of the NSS (as is the 
Association for Mexican Cave Studies in Austin), and both the Texas Cave 
Conservancy and the Texas Cave Management Association are conservancies of the 
NSS. -- Bill Mixon

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

You may reply to the address this message (unless it's a TexasCavers list 
post) came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: a...@mexicancaves.org or sa...@mexicancaves.org

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[Texascavers] Spring Convention 2015 photo is up!

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

TSA Spring Convention 2015 group photo is up!  As far as I'm concerned, this 
photo is public domain.  Share, copy, print as you desire.

Facebook (public so even those without a Facebook account should be able to see 
it with tags):
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=948831808501490l=9ba5070a93https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=948831808501490l=9ba5070a93

Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/wittytexan/17291968592/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wittytexan/17291968592/

My website:
www.bennettlee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2015.jpghttp://www.bennettlee.com/Photos/Caving/TSASpringConvention2015.jpg

--Bennett

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[Texascavers] Photo and Map Salon

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

What's the story on the Photo and Map Salons for Spring Convention?  And no, 
don't say that I just volunteered because I plan on entering.

I know there's some info on the TSA website 
(http://cavetexas.org/events/photosalon.html), but I think that's just stuff 
from previous years that Butch copied.

* Who's in charge of the Photo Salon?

* Are we doing separate print and digital categories?  (Personal note: 
I never liked this as I think we should be judging the photo and not the 
medium, but it does give me two opportunities to win.)  :-)

* Is there a TCMA category again for best photo at a TCMA preserve?

* I assume all the previous years' requirements still stand: submit 
entries by 10am Saturday, 8x10 to 20x24, mounted but not framed, name on back, 
max 2 entries per photographer, etc.?

--Bennett
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[Texascavers] TCMA Fundraising Auction

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

This announcement never posted to CaveTex, so here's a reminder in case you 
haven't seen this elsewhere or forgotten about the BEST EVENT at Spring 
Convention.  (And no, the best event is not the presentations because 
unfortunately old man Ted Lee snores loudly through all of them.)


TSA Spring Convention is just around the corner on April 24-26 at Cave Without 
a Name, and the annual TCMA fundraising auction will be there that Saturday 
night!

Last year was a great year, raising more money than ever before!  Thank you 
everyone (especially Charles Goldsmith) for supporting the TCMA!  This year, 
we're hoping to do as well, and we're including a some additional auction 
formats to ensure everyone gets to participate, like bringing back the silent 
auction and adding a new raffle format.  Don't worry--there's still the usual 
auction-style bidding.  And we could really use your help to bid for our 
beloved TCMA President, John Brooks, to wear a dress.

We could also use your help with auction items!  Bring cave gear, cave jewelry, 
wetsuits, cave books, even non-cave items like kids toys, pet toys, beer 
paraphernalia, or whatever you think someone would like to buy (or be forced to 
wear or take home).  Even if you're not coming, you can still donate items--you 
can arrange for a TCMA Director or a fellow Grotto member to transport your 
items to the Spring Convention.  And yes, we have TCMA Directors in most Texas 
Grottos!

And remember to bring your money so you can buy some great stuff or avoid 
wearing something embarrassing!  We also take credit cards in case John is 
really resistant to wearing a dress.  Also, everything you donate to or 
purchase at the auction is tax-deductible and helps the TCMA to acquire and 
protect our valuable cave resources.

We look forward to seeing you at Cave Without a Name!  And, again, thanks to 
everyone for supporting the TCMA!

Bennett Lee
Vice-President
Texas Cave Management Association
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Re: [Texascavers] [greater_houston_grotto] Re: Chris Lafferty's Hole

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

So that’s what happened!  I usually get 2 or 3 YouTube comments a month on that 
video, but suddenly in the last few hours my inbox has been flooded with emails 
from YouTube about comments and subscribers.

For those interested, the full video (featuring many more people, not just 
“Chris Lafferty’s Tight Hole” excerpt) is at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAY-t32vyds

--Bennett



From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Chris Lafferty via Texascavers
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 4:13 PM
To: greater_houston_grotto
Cc: Cavers Texas
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] [greater_houston_grotto] Re: Chris Lafferty's Hole

That doesn't make it sound any better, Lyndon...

I had nothing to do with that upload. It's from a video Bennett Lee took on a 
Deep Trip in August 2012. The video is somewhere on YouTube. The comments are 
hilarious, though!


Chris

On Sun, Mar 15, 2015 at 4:03 PM, Lyndon Tiu 
lyndon@gmail.commailto:lyndon@gmail.com [greater_houston_grotto] 
greater_houston_gro...@yahoogroups.commailto:greater_houston_gro...@yahoogroups.com
 wrote:

I meant to say Chris Lafferty's Tight Hole Video but email sent before I could 
complete typing.

On Sun, Mar 15, 2015 at 4:03 PM, Lyndon Tiu 
l...@alumni.sfu.camailto:l...@alumni.sfu.ca wrote:
http://imgur.com/gallery/H8SIC9j

--
Lyndon Tiu



--
Lyndon Tiu
__._,_.___

Posted by: Lyndon Tiu l...@alumni.sfu.camailto:l...@alumni.sfu.ca

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[Texascavers] It's all 100% TRUE (and it all started with Geary)

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I have been catching a lot of flak about my recent Texas Caver article, It All 
Started with Geary: A Deteriorating Trip to O-9 Well, particularly from a few 
individuals mentioned in the article who claim it was all lies.  I assure 
everyone that everything in the article is absolutely 100% true!

For example, yes, Geary did clean the DQ for a milkshake.  He did go to the 
Ozona jail looking for a place to sleep.  We did sleep in a church/mortuary 
under the casket-viewing lights.  The minister did hold his hand up, bang his 
head, and exclaim Rocker!  There was a massive swarm of mosquitos (and gnats, 
too...supposedly).  I did have to save Wade from hypothermia.  My pack was huge 
and was nicknamed the pig.  They did haul my pack up, and when lifting it off 
the floor, they did radio down from the top (we had walkie talkies) and say 
It's stuck!  That is an exact quote.  And no matter how much they deny it, 
Wes and Chris absolutely did squeal like 12-year-old girls when they went 
through the mud.  All these things are true!

When I ask for specific examples of what was untrue, the only things I have 
been told are:

1.   My pack did not weigh 100 pounds.  With all my camera gear and 
vertical gear, it did weigh a lot.  Maybe not 100 pounds (I didn't actually 
weigh it), but immediately after that statement is the qualification, 
...weighs about 100 pounds.  OK, slight exaggeration...  That's right.  The 
three words immediately after explicitly say that was an exaggeration!  
Whatever the exact weight, it was WAY more than the rest of those pansies were 
carrying.  And if you need more proof, look at Jean's Facebook pictures from 
the recent Honey Creek Tank Haul.  I'm wearing the same pack stuffed with the 
same photo equipment, and it's a foot above my shoulders.  It's huge (and 
heavy)!

2.   I didn't receive a bigger flash flood than Chris.  This is from Chris 
himself.  First off, Chris has no clue because he was at the upstream dam 
causing the flood and thus couldn't see the actual augmented waterfall.  
Second, in the article's photo, you can clearly see Chris cowering to the side, 
barely getting wet.  I was in the middle under a huge deluge, and subsequently 
moved to the side where Chris was, but still I couldn't even look up without 
feeling like I was getting waterboarded.  And if you know certain caving 
stories about me, you know that I'm comfortable around water.  So when I say 
something like that, you know it must have been a massive amount of water.

3.   Tom didn't stare at us for three hours.  Ironically, Tom is the one 
who said he watched us and now he is denying it.  More specifically, he is 
denying that he watched us for three hours.  He is really hung up on the three 
hours, but in the article, I never said anything about three hours.  I only 
said that Tom himself told us said he watched us for several hours.  I even 
said in the article that I thought he was joking.  But he's so hung up on the 
three hours that I'm starting to think that maybe there's some validity to that 
number...methinks thou doth protest too much.  Consequently, I rewrote that 
section before submitting it to the NSS News.  Don't worry, Tom-instead of the 
Tom who nobody knows, you will soon be the Tom who the EVERYBODY knows.  Be 
sure to catch the revised article in the NSS News.

As you see, these are really weak claims of any falsehood.  The closest is when 
I exaggerate for dramatic effect, but those instances are immediately qualified 
to be true and accurate.

I challenge anyone, particularly those naysayers who claim the article is 
unbelievable or even outright false, to find ANYTHING that is untrue in the 
article.  Bring it on.

--Bennett

P.S.-Yes, Wes and Chris, you really did squeal like 12-year-old girls at a 
Justin Bieber concert.
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[Texascavers] Spring Convention Photo Salon

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

So with the Spring Convention date set, do we have the rules and judging 
criteria for the photo salon?  I need to knock David Ochel off his high horse.

And David, you're going down this year!  Yeah, you!  Saturday, April 25th!  Be 
there!

--Bennett

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Re: [Texascavers] The Printed Word

[Bennett Lee via Texascavers]

I send in articles every issue.  I have lots more, but I assume you all want 
some diversity in the Texas Caver instead of just articles written by me.  Ah, 
who am I kidding?  My articles are incredibly witty and intelligent and 
thought-provoking, so of course everyone wants the entire Texas Caver dedicated 
to just me.

Why would anyone want to hear about Wade McDaniel's TWO separate tire blowouts 
on the way to Deep  Punkin?  Or the NSS Convention?  Or caving at NSS, like 
when Aaron Polsky's light fell off at the top of Fantastic Pit, illuminating 
the drop as it spun down, down, down 586 feet.  It fell so long that people had 
whole conversations while it was falling.  It finally went out when it hit the 
bottom, but when retrieved, still worked!  Why would anyone want to hear about 
that?

Much better I write more articles about how a semi-round is NOT called a D 
biner!  Those two different things, people!  They are NOT interchangeable!  If 
you need the biner/screwlink for your Frog harness, you need a SEMI-ROUND.  A D 
biner is completely different and WILL NOT WORK!  Get it right, you idiots!  
Agh!  (More articles like that, right?)

--Bennett


From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Heather Tucek via Texascavers
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 7:53 AM
To: Charles Loving; Jill Orr
Cc: Cavers Texas
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] The Printed Word

Please send all articles to Jill Orr! She'll be thrilled!

Jill:  edi...@cavetexas.orgmailto:edi...@cavetexas.org

On 30 July 2014 07:52, Charles Loving 
lovingi...@gmail.commailto:lovingi...@gmail.com wrote:
OK good. Where do you want the Adventures of Karst Walker?

On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 7:36 AM, Heather Tucek via Texascavers 
texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
Facebook claims all rights to everything posted on their site. Photos. 
Articles. Everything. We don't want to put the TC on Facebook, unless we want 
to give up all rights to everything contained in it.

On 30 July 2014 06:48, Lyndon Tiu via Texascavers 
texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
Personally, I'm worried about a long and slow death of the TSA, mainly due to 
... and social networking.

Maybe we can move the Texas Caver magazine to Facebook ... just saying ;-)

On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 6:41 AM, via Texascavers 
texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
Should read “NSS members”.

It’s awfully early.  ;)


Mark



From: Texascavers 
[mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.commailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com]
 On Behalf Of via Texascavers
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 6:38 AM
To: mjca...@gmail.commailto:mjca...@gmail.com; 
texascavers@texascavers.commailto:texascavers@texascavers.com

Subject: Re: [Texascavers] The Printed Word

Agreed, Mimi.


When I was the Editor, I was dismayed (and somewhat confused) by the fact that 
folks didn't realize that their article could be printed in BOTH publications.

Not all TSA members are NNS members and vice versa.


Since these are the dog days of summer and caving in the state, this may be a 
good time to talk about the state of the TC and the TSA.

Personally, I'm worried about a long and slow death of the TSA, mainly due to 
apathy and social networking.


Hopefully, I'm wrong.

Y'all's thoughts?


Mark





-Original Message-
From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Mimi Jasek via Texascavers
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 11:58 PM
To: TexasCavers
Subject: [Texascavers] The Printed Word

How utterly sad - and totally disheartening - to finally see something on paper 
about caving in Texas this year in the NSS News, rather than in a Texas Caver. 
Something very wrong somewhere.

Mimi Jasek

Sent from my iPhone
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--
Lyndon Tiu

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--
Go find out!
-Heather Tuček
UT Grotto, DFW Grotto
TSA Secretary  Membership Chair
NSS 59660
(512) 773-1348tel:%28512%29%20773-1348
trog...@cavechat.orgmailto:trog...@cavechat.org

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RE: [Texascavers] TSA 2014 Spring Convention, General Agenda:

[Bennett Lee]

Corrected date should be:

Sunday, May 4:

7:30AM TCMA Breakfast at the CWAN Pavilion
9:00AM TCMA meeting at the CWAN Pavilion



From: caverarch [mailto:cavera...@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 9:24 AM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: [Texascavers] TSA 2014 Spring Convention, General Agenda:

This may be a duplicate announcement, but it never arrived in my own e-mail 
after I posted it to the list. So I'm re-posting it to ensure that everyone 
sees it.

Roger

TSA 2014 Spring Convention, General Agenda:

Friday, May 2:

4:00PM: Registration: At the CWAN Pavilion

Free Shiner Beer: At the CWAN Pavilion

Hootenanny and Volunteer Entertainment: Sundown until... Slide Show by Peter 
Sprouse! Bring your instrument, fire dancing gear, hoops, etc., and amuse and 
amaze your fellow cavers!


Saturday, May 3:

8:00AM Registration at the CWAN Pavilion
9:00AM-11:45AM Presentations in the left hand passage of Cave Without a Name
11:45AM Group Photo in the Cave!
11:50 -1:30PM Lunch on your own, Salon Viewing (tent in Campground), Visit 
Vendors' Row
1:30PM-4:00PM Presentations continue in the left hand passage of Cave Without a 
Name
4:00PM TSA meeting, left hand passage of Cave Without a Name
4:30PM-6:30PM Vertical Gear -- Adjustment and Safety Workshop*

  *   slight time change from initial announcement
6:30PM Group Feed at the Pavilion
8:00PM TCMA Auction and Salon Prize Announcements
30 minutes after conclusion of auction: Music by the band RTFM

Saturday, May 3:

7:30AM TCMA Breakfast at the CWAN Pavilion
9:00AM TCMA meeting at the CWAN Pavilion


Fees (including Tent* Camping at CWAN):
$16 Individual Rate per Person
$40 Family Rate (Parents and Children)

*See CWAN personnel for full hook-up RV camping registration and fees

[Texascavers] TCMA election results are in!

[Bennett Lee]

TCMA election results are in!

Saj Zappitello and John Brooks were both reelected.  We are glad to have their 
continued service on the board.

We would also like to welcome Bill Bentley to the TCMA board.  He has been an 
avid caver and TCMA member for decades, and we look forward to the 
contributions he can make to the board.

I want to note that the race was very close.  Denise Prendergast also ran and 
was only 5 votes away from being elected.  Your votes count!  For those of you 
missed voting, you could have swung the election.  And even though this 
election is over, there are still many ways that you can contribute.  
Organizations like the TCMA can only exist with the support of people like you, 
so get involved!

RE: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

[Bennett Lee]

I've been using the replacement model, the Disto D210XT, for several
months.  I've been happy with it.  Not waterproof, but dust/water
resistant enough to handle muddy caves, brief drops in water, and
cleaning off in my sink at home.  More features than we need cave
surveying, but the ones we do need (units, single shot, max/min
distance) are accessible and easy to use.  Plus the 3-line display lets
you quickly pop off 3 shots and average.  Nice rubber grip.  Runs on 2
AAA batteries, which most of us cavers have on hand in the cave.

Haven't heard about the issues Fofo mentioned--mine has been working
great.  My only complaint is that the large screen is easily scratched,
but so far mine has been surviving cave abuse quite well.  I'm so
pleased that I've been considering buying a second so I have a backup
that I can use while sketching.  The D210XT runs $219 online.

--Bennett

 
-Original Message-
From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 10:09 AM
To: texascavers
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

Yeah. Kevin Dixon made a batch of Disto X boards last year, and it was
probably the last one since some of the parts are obsolete and hard to
find (and the Leica A3 which this board fits is also pretty hard to find
now).

I'm excited about the Disto DXT (the newer version), apparently there
have been several issues, but I hope that they figure them out soon.

So, Serur, at this point it sounds like your best bet would be to find
someone who owns a Disto X and hopefully you can borrow it.

- Fofo

Mark Minton wrote, on 24/8/12 6:55 :
 The Disto X is no longer being made. However a newer version is under 
 development. See 
 http://www.karstworlds.com/2011/01/digital-surveying-disto-x-replacem
 ent.html,
 http://paperless.bheeb.ch/.

 Mark

 At 03:07 AM 8/24/2012, S S wrote:
 Does anyone know where you can get a DistoX or whatever the latest 
 revision is. And any feedback on these.

 Serur

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RE: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

[Bennett Lee]

I've heard about azimuth/inclination mods to distos, but I didn't know
there was a Bluetooth addition with software that imports the data and
lets you sketch on a PDA.

From the pics, it looks like you can get more accurate sketches because
you can quickly shoot to every key wall and feature in the room and draw
your sketch around the survey points (more or less real-time) right on
the PDA screen.  That's freaking sweet!  Screw paper sketches, those
awful high-angle measurements, erasure marks, and ANNOYING EDGES OF
PAPER that get in the way of a great sketch, followed by manually
entering all the data points, scanning in all the paper, and the long,
tedious process of drawing everything a second time in Illustrator
(sometimes by someone who has never even been in the cave), then
months/years later you finally have a printable map.  Seems like with
this setup you have a complete map the moment you walk out of the cave.

Holy crap!  Why haven't we all switched to this?

--Bennett


-Original Message-
From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 7:18 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

Hey Bennett.

Sorry if there is some confusion, and maybe Serur was asking about the
Disto just as a distance measuring tool and in that case, yeah, the
D210XT is great.

But there are some aftermarket modifications that can be made to the
(now obsolete) Disto A3 that make it measure azimuth and inclination as
well as distance, so it becomes an all in one survey tool (and if you
couple it via Bluetooth with a PDA running PocketTopo or Auriga, it's a
paperless survey: http://paperless.bheeb.ch/ ).

There is an effort to be able to modify the newer Distos, but it
apparently has been much more challenging, that's what I was talking
about.

Take care,

- Fofo



On 24/08/12 17:07, Bennett Lee wrote:
 I've been using the replacement model, the Disto D210XT, for several 
 months.  I've been happy with it.  Not waterproof, but dust/water 
 resistant enough to handle muddy caves, brief drops in water, and 
 cleaning off in my sink at home.  More features than we need cave 
 surveying, but the ones we do need (units, single shot, max/min
 distance) are accessible and easy to use.  Plus the 3-line display 
 lets you quickly pop off 3 shots and average.  Nice rubber grip.  Runs

 on 2 AAA batteries, which most of us cavers have on hand in the cave.

 Haven't heard about the issues Fofo mentioned--mine has been working 
 great.  My only complaint is that the large screen is easily 
 scratched, but so far mine has been surviving cave abuse quite well.  
 I'm so pleased that I've been considering buying a second so I have a 
 backup that I can use while sketching.  The D210XT runs $219 online.

 --Bennett


 -Original Message-
 From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com]
 Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 10:09 AM
 To: texascavers
 Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

 Yeah. Kevin Dixon made a batch of Disto X boards last year, and it was

 probably the last one since some of the parts are obsolete and hard to

 find (and the Leica A3 which this board fits is also pretty hard to 
 find now).

 I'm excited about the Disto DXT (the newer version), apparently there 
 have been several issues, but I hope that they figure them out soon.

 So, Serur, at this point it sounds like your best bet would be to find

 someone who owns a Disto X and hopefully you can borrow it.

 - Fofo

 Mark Minton wrote, on 24/8/12 6:55 :
 The Disto X is no longer being made. However a newer version is under

 development. See 
 http://www.karstworlds.com/2011/01/digital-surveying-disto-x-replace
 m
 ent.html,
 http://paperless.bheeb.ch/.

 Mark

 At 03:07 AM 8/24/2012, S S wrote:
 Does anyone know where you can get a DistoX or whatever the latest 
 revision is. And any feedback on these.

 Serur

 -
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 texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
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RE: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

[Bennett Lee]

I've heard about azimuth/inclination mods to distos, but I didn't know
there was a Bluetooth addition with software that imports the data and
lets you sketch on a PDA.

From the pics, it looks like you can get more accurate sketches because
you can quickly shoot to every key wall and feature in the room and draw
your sketch around the survey points (more or less real-time) right on
the PDA screen.  That's freaking sweet!  Screw paper sketches, those
awful high-angle measurements, erasure marks, and ANNOYING EDGES OF
PAPER that get in the way of a great sketch, followed by manually
entering all the data points, scanning in all the paper, and the long,
tedious process of drawing everything a second time in Illustrator
(sometimes by someone who has never even been in the cave), then
months/years later you finally have a printable map.  Seems like with
this setup you have a complete map the moment you walk out of the cave.

Holy crap!  Why haven't we all switched to this?

--Bennett


-Original Message-
From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 7:18 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

Hey Bennett.

Sorry if there is some confusion, and maybe Serur was asking about the
Disto just as a distance measuring tool and in that case, yeah, the
D210XT is great.

But there are some aftermarket modifications that can be made to the
(now obsolete) Disto A3 that make it measure azimuth and inclination as
well as distance, so it becomes an all in one survey tool (and if you
couple it via Bluetooth with a PDA running PocketTopo or Auriga, it's a
paperless survey: http://paperless.bheeb.ch/ ).

There is an effort to be able to modify the newer Distos, but it
apparently has been much more challenging, that's what I was talking
about.

Take care,

- Fofo



On 24/08/12 17:07, Bennett Lee wrote:
 I've been using the replacement model, the Disto D210XT, for several 
 months.  I've been happy with it.  Not waterproof, but dust/water 
 resistant enough to handle muddy caves, brief drops in water, and 
 cleaning off in my sink at home.  More features than we need cave 
 surveying, but the ones we do need (units, single shot, max/min
 distance) are accessible and easy to use.  Plus the 3-line display 
 lets you quickly pop off 3 shots and average.  Nice rubber grip.  Runs

 on 2 AAA batteries, which most of us cavers have on hand in the cave.

 Haven't heard about the issues Fofo mentioned--mine has been working 
 great.  My only complaint is that the large screen is easily 
 scratched, but so far mine has been surviving cave abuse quite well.  
 I'm so pleased that I've been considering buying a second so I have a 
 backup that I can use while sketching.  The D210XT runs $219 online.

 --Bennett


 -Original Message-
 From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com]
 Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 10:09 AM
 To: texascavers
 Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

 Yeah. Kevin Dixon made a batch of Disto X boards last year, and it was

 probably the last one since some of the parts are obsolete and hard to

 find (and the Leica A3 which this board fits is also pretty hard to 
 find now).

 I'm excited about the Disto DXT (the newer version), apparently there 
 have been several issues, but I hope that they figure them out soon.

 So, Serur, at this point it sounds like your best bet would be to find

 someone who owns a Disto X and hopefully you can borrow it.

 - Fofo

 Mark Minton wrote, on 24/8/12 6:55 :
 The Disto X is no longer being made. However a newer version is under

 development. See 
 http://www.karstworlds.com/2011/01/digital-surveying-disto-x-replace
 m
 ent.html,
 http://paperless.bheeb.ch/.

 Mark

 At 03:07 AM 8/24/2012, S S wrote:
 Does anyone know where you can get a DistoX or whatever the latest 
 revision is. And any feedback on these.

 Serur

 -
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 texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
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RE: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

[Bennett Lee]

I've been using the replacement model, the Disto D210XT, for several
months.  I've been happy with it.  Not waterproof, but dust/water
resistant enough to handle muddy caves, brief drops in water, and
cleaning off in my sink at home.  More features than we need cave
surveying, but the ones we do need (units, single shot, max/min
distance) are accessible and easy to use.  Plus the 3-line display lets
you quickly pop off 3 shots and average.  Nice rubber grip.  Runs on 2
AAA batteries, which most of us cavers have on hand in the cave.

Haven't heard about the issues Fofo mentioned--mine has been working
great.  My only complaint is that the large screen is easily scratched,
but so far mine has been surviving cave abuse quite well.  I'm so
pleased that I've been considering buying a second so I have a backup
that I can use while sketching.  The D210XT runs $219 online.

--Bennett

 
-Original Message-
From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 10:09 AM
To: texascavers
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

Yeah. Kevin Dixon made a batch of Disto X boards last year, and it was
probably the last one since some of the parts are obsolete and hard to
find (and the Leica A3 which this board fits is also pretty hard to find
now).

I'm excited about the Disto DXT (the newer version), apparently there
have been several issues, but I hope that they figure them out soon.

So, Serur, at this point it sounds like your best bet would be to find
someone who owns a Disto X and hopefully you can borrow it.

- Fofo

Mark Minton wrote, on 24/8/12 6:55 :
 The Disto X is no longer being made. However a newer version is under 
 development. See 
 http://www.karstworlds.com/2011/01/digital-surveying-disto-x-replacem
 ent.html,
 http://paperless.bheeb.ch/.

 Mark

 At 03:07 AM 8/24/2012, S S wrote:
 Does anyone know where you can get a DistoX or whatever the latest 
 revision is. And any feedback on these.

 Serur

-
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texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
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RE: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

[Bennett Lee]

I've heard about azimuth/inclination mods to distos, but I didn't know
there was a Bluetooth addition with software that imports the data and
lets you sketch on a PDA.

From the pics, it looks like you can get more accurate sketches because
you can quickly shoot to every key wall and feature in the room and draw
your sketch around the survey points (more or less real-time) right on
the PDA screen.  That's freaking sweet!  Screw paper sketches, those
awful high-angle measurements, erasure marks, and ANNOYING EDGES OF
PAPER that get in the way of a great sketch, followed by manually
entering all the data points, scanning in all the paper, and the long,
tedious process of drawing everything a second time in Illustrator
(sometimes by someone who has never even been in the cave), then
months/years later you finally have a printable map.  Seems like with
this setup you have a complete map the moment you walk out of the cave.

Holy crap!  Why haven't we all switched to this?

--Bennett


-Original Message-
From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 7:18 PM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

Hey Bennett.

Sorry if there is some confusion, and maybe Serur was asking about the
Disto just as a distance measuring tool and in that case, yeah, the
D210XT is great.

But there are some aftermarket modifications that can be made to the
(now obsolete) Disto A3 that make it measure azimuth and inclination as
well as distance, so it becomes an all in one survey tool (and if you
couple it via Bluetooth with a PDA running PocketTopo or Auriga, it's a
paperless survey: http://paperless.bheeb.ch/ ).

There is an effort to be able to modify the newer Distos, but it
apparently has been much more challenging, that's what I was talking
about.

Take care,

- Fofo



On 24/08/12 17:07, Bennett Lee wrote:
 I've been using the replacement model, the Disto D210XT, for several 
 months.  I've been happy with it.  Not waterproof, but dust/water 
 resistant enough to handle muddy caves, brief drops in water, and 
 cleaning off in my sink at home.  More features than we need cave 
 surveying, but the ones we do need (units, single shot, max/min
 distance) are accessible and easy to use.  Plus the 3-line display 
 lets you quickly pop off 3 shots and average.  Nice rubber grip.  Runs

 on 2 AAA batteries, which most of us cavers have on hand in the cave.

 Haven't heard about the issues Fofo mentioned--mine has been working 
 great.  My only complaint is that the large screen is easily 
 scratched, but so far mine has been surviving cave abuse quite well.  
 I'm so pleased that I've been considering buying a second so I have a 
 backup that I can use while sketching.  The D210XT runs $219 online.

 --Bennett


 -Original Message-
 From: Fofo [mailto:f...@gzluna.com]
 Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 10:09 AM
 To: texascavers
 Subject: Re: [Texascavers] DistoX X2 Whatever.

 Yeah. Kevin Dixon made a batch of Disto X boards last year, and it was

 probably the last one since some of the parts are obsolete and hard to

 find (and the Leica A3 which this board fits is also pretty hard to 
 find now).

 I'm excited about the Disto DXT (the newer version), apparently there 
 have been several issues, but I hope that they figure them out soon.

 So, Serur, at this point it sounds like your best bet would be to find

 someone who owns a Disto X and hopefully you can borrow it.

 - Fofo

 Mark Minton wrote, on 24/8/12 6:55 :
 The Disto X is no longer being made. However a newer version is under

 development. See 
 http://www.karstworlds.com/2011/01/digital-surveying-disto-x-replace
 m
 ent.html,
 http://paperless.bheeb.ch/.

 Mark

 At 03:07 AM 8/24/2012, S S wrote:
 Does anyone know where you can get a DistoX or whatever the latest 
 revision is. And any feedback on these.

 Serur

 -
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RE: [Texascavers] Rechargeable Batteries

[Bennett Lee]

I obsessively researched batteries a year ago.  Long story short, I
recommend:

 

Battery:  Sanyo Eneloops

Charger:  Maha C801D

 

 

For those interested, here's the long story.

 

Sanyo Eneloops are the defacto-standard in batteries now.  I see them
specifically recommended in different fields and explicitly stated as
the battery used in numerous lighting tests.  I use them almost
exclusively.  Charger is important, too.  Don't skimp on that.

 

 

BATTERIES

There are 4 main types of rechargeable:

 

(1)  NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride)

Highest capacity, but self-discharges over time.  Loses 5-10% within
first 24 hours, and 0.5-1% each day thereafter.  I have a bunch of
Energizer Rechargeables.  Like Dale said, they're always dead when I go
to use them.  You basically have to charge them the night before you go
caving.  In camera flash stress test (yes, I know this is for
headlights, but that's the test I was reading in my research and
besides, James does photography, too), these average about 296
full-power flashes.

Examples: Energizer Rechargeable, PowerEx, Sanyo 2700.

 

(2)  LD-NiMH (Low Discharge Nickel-Metal Hydride)

These are a new variation of NiMH that don't self-discharge as rapidly.
They hold 75-80% of their charge after a year.  I've switched to these
(Sanyo Eneloops) almost exclusively in both my headlights and camera
equipment because even if I don't remember to or have time to charge
them, they are ready to go.  These average 235 flashes, 20% less than
regular NiMH, but I'm happy to trade that for the long-term charge.

Examples: Sanyo Eneloop, PowerEx Imedion.

 

(3)  Lithium

Extremely long shelf life.  Wide operating temperatures.  Comparatively
light-weight.  Unfortunately, they're expensive and don't work well in
camera flashes, so I don't use them.  Average 218 flashes.

Examples: Energizer Ultimate Lithium, Energizer Advanced Lithium.

 

(4)  NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium)

Crap.  Not even worth talking about.

 

 

RECHARGER

Don't overlook the importance of a quality charger.  The lesser ones
charge batteries in pairs and stop both as soon as one battery is fully
charged, leaving the other only partially charged.  The best charge each
battery individually.  They also have an optional soft-charge, which
helps extend your battery life by charging slower (i.e., 2 hours instead
of the typical 1 hour), and they can recondition the batteries if they
are no longer holding their charge well (doesn't work miracles, but
helps).

 

The one I highly recommend is the Maha C801D.  It can charge 8 AA or
AAA, each on their own circuit, plus has the optional soft-charge and
reconditioning mentioned above.  It's a bit expensive (~$65), but I
currently have about 70 AA/AAA rechargeable batteries for my headlights
and photography equipment, so it was worth the investment for me.

 

I've read horror stories of failed recharging like Don's, but I've never
experienced anything like that.  I've recharged hundreds of batteries
totaling well over 1000 recharges on various quality and crappy chargers
and never had a problem.  That's not to say that someday it won't happen
to me, too, but so far I am quite pleased with the switch to
rechargeables (well, pleased with the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables--those
Energizer Rechargeables drove me and apparently Dale crazy with their
rapid self-discharge).

 

 

One last note, all these rechargeable batteries degrade over time, so
expect a usable life of about 3-5 years.  Furthermore, manufacturing
will affect battery performance and life, so it's best to keep batteries
together in the same set as they were manufactured/purchased.  A tip I
picked up from another photographer is that as soon as I buy batteries,
I label them with the year/month of purchase along with a 2 digit
set/battery code, like 3A.  That way, I can keep all the batteries of
the same set together, and I know how old the batteries are so I can
move old ones to less critical functions, like TV remotes.  Yes, a bit
obsessive, but when I haul my big ass GGG Pep bag loaded with camera
equipment hours back into a cave then run around and setup equipment
everywhere for a shot, the last thing I want is for my flash to fail
because I accidentally mixed up some crappy old batteries with my new
ones.  Without my labels, they all look the same.  :)

 

--Bennett

 

RE: [Texascavers] Rechargeable Batteries

[Bennett Lee]

I obsessively researched batteries a year ago.  Long story short, I
recommend:

 

Battery:  Sanyo Eneloops

Charger:  Maha C801D

 

 

For those interested, here's the long story.

 

Sanyo Eneloops are the defacto-standard in batteries now.  I see them
specifically recommended in different fields and explicitly stated as
the battery used in numerous lighting tests.  I use them almost
exclusively.  Charger is important, too.  Don't skimp on that.

 

 

BATTERIES

There are 4 main types of rechargeable:

 

(1)  NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride)

Highest capacity, but self-discharges over time.  Loses 5-10% within
first 24 hours, and 0.5-1% each day thereafter.  I have a bunch of
Energizer Rechargeables.  Like Dale said, they're always dead when I go
to use them.  You basically have to charge them the night before you go
caving.  In camera flash stress test (yes, I know this is for
headlights, but that's the test I was reading in my research and
besides, James does photography, too), these average about 296
full-power flashes.

Examples: Energizer Rechargeable, PowerEx, Sanyo 2700.

 

(2)  LD-NiMH (Low Discharge Nickel-Metal Hydride)

These are a new variation of NiMH that don't self-discharge as rapidly.
They hold 75-80% of their charge after a year.  I've switched to these
(Sanyo Eneloops) almost exclusively in both my headlights and camera
equipment because even if I don't remember to or have time to charge
them, they are ready to go.  These average 235 flashes, 20% less than
regular NiMH, but I'm happy to trade that for the long-term charge.

Examples: Sanyo Eneloop, PowerEx Imedion.

 

(3)  Lithium

Extremely long shelf life.  Wide operating temperatures.  Comparatively
light-weight.  Unfortunately, they're expensive and don't work well in
camera flashes, so I don't use them.  Average 218 flashes.

Examples: Energizer Ultimate Lithium, Energizer Advanced Lithium.

 

(4)  NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium)

Crap.  Not even worth talking about.

 

 

RECHARGER

Don't overlook the importance of a quality charger.  The lesser ones
charge batteries in pairs and stop both as soon as one battery is fully
charged, leaving the other only partially charged.  The best charge each
battery individually.  They also have an optional soft-charge, which
helps extend your battery life by charging slower (i.e., 2 hours instead
of the typical 1 hour), and they can recondition the batteries if they
are no longer holding their charge well (doesn't work miracles, but
helps).

 

The one I highly recommend is the Maha C801D.  It can charge 8 AA or
AAA, each on their own circuit, plus has the optional soft-charge and
reconditioning mentioned above.  It's a bit expensive (~$65), but I
currently have about 70 AA/AAA rechargeable batteries for my headlights
and photography equipment, so it was worth the investment for me.

 

I've read horror stories of failed recharging like Don's, but I've never
experienced anything like that.  I've recharged hundreds of batteries
totaling well over 1000 recharges on various quality and crappy chargers
and never had a problem.  That's not to say that someday it won't happen
to me, too, but so far I am quite pleased with the switch to
rechargeables (well, pleased with the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables--those
Energizer Rechargeables drove me and apparently Dale crazy with their
rapid self-discharge).

 

 

One last note, all these rechargeable batteries degrade over time, so
expect a usable life of about 3-5 years.  Furthermore, manufacturing
will affect battery performance and life, so it's best to keep batteries
together in the same set as they were manufactured/purchased.  A tip I
picked up from another photographer is that as soon as I buy batteries,
I label them with the year/month of purchase along with a 2 digit
set/battery code, like 3A.  That way, I can keep all the batteries of
the same set together, and I know how old the batteries are so I can
move old ones to less critical functions, like TV remotes.  Yes, a bit
obsessive, but when I haul my big ass GGG Pep bag loaded with camera
equipment hours back into a cave then run around and setup equipment
everywhere for a shot, the last thing I want is for my flash to fail
because I accidentally mixed up some crappy old batteries with my new
ones.  Without my labels, they all look the same.  :)

 

--Bennett

 

RE: [Texascavers] Rechargeable Batteries

[Bennett Lee]

I obsessively researched batteries a year ago.  Long story short, I
recommend:

 

Battery:  Sanyo Eneloops

Charger:  Maha C801D

 

 

For those interested, here's the long story.

 

Sanyo Eneloops are the defacto-standard in batteries now.  I see them
specifically recommended in different fields and explicitly stated as
the battery used in numerous lighting tests.  I use them almost
exclusively.  Charger is important, too.  Don't skimp on that.

 

 

BATTERIES

There are 4 main types of rechargeable:

 

(1)  NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride)

Highest capacity, but self-discharges over time.  Loses 5-10% within
first 24 hours, and 0.5-1% each day thereafter.  I have a bunch of
Energizer Rechargeables.  Like Dale said, they're always dead when I go
to use them.  You basically have to charge them the night before you go
caving.  In camera flash stress test (yes, I know this is for
headlights, but that's the test I was reading in my research and
besides, James does photography, too), these average about 296
full-power flashes.

Examples: Energizer Rechargeable, PowerEx, Sanyo 2700.

 

(2)  LD-NiMH (Low Discharge Nickel-Metal Hydride)

These are a new variation of NiMH that don't self-discharge as rapidly.
They hold 75-80% of their charge after a year.  I've switched to these
(Sanyo Eneloops) almost exclusively in both my headlights and camera
equipment because even if I don't remember to or have time to charge
them, they are ready to go.  These average 235 flashes, 20% less than
regular NiMH, but I'm happy to trade that for the long-term charge.

Examples: Sanyo Eneloop, PowerEx Imedion.

 

(3)  Lithium

Extremely long shelf life.  Wide operating temperatures.  Comparatively
light-weight.  Unfortunately, they're expensive and don't work well in
camera flashes, so I don't use them.  Average 218 flashes.

Examples: Energizer Ultimate Lithium, Energizer Advanced Lithium.

 

(4)  NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium)

Crap.  Not even worth talking about.

 

 

RECHARGER

Don't overlook the importance of a quality charger.  The lesser ones
charge batteries in pairs and stop both as soon as one battery is fully
charged, leaving the other only partially charged.  The best charge each
battery individually.  They also have an optional soft-charge, which
helps extend your battery life by charging slower (i.e., 2 hours instead
of the typical 1 hour), and they can recondition the batteries if they
are no longer holding their charge well (doesn't work miracles, but
helps).

 

The one I highly recommend is the Maha C801D.  It can charge 8 AA or
AAA, each on their own circuit, plus has the optional soft-charge and
reconditioning mentioned above.  It's a bit expensive (~$65), but I
currently have about 70 AA/AAA rechargeable batteries for my headlights
and photography equipment, so it was worth the investment for me.

 

I've read horror stories of failed recharging like Don's, but I've never
experienced anything like that.  I've recharged hundreds of batteries
totaling well over 1000 recharges on various quality and crappy chargers
and never had a problem.  That's not to say that someday it won't happen
to me, too, but so far I am quite pleased with the switch to
rechargeables (well, pleased with the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables--those
Energizer Rechargeables drove me and apparently Dale crazy with their
rapid self-discharge).

 

 

One last note, all these rechargeable batteries degrade over time, so
expect a usable life of about 3-5 years.  Furthermore, manufacturing
will affect battery performance and life, so it's best to keep batteries
together in the same set as they were manufactured/purchased.  A tip I
picked up from another photographer is that as soon as I buy batteries,
I label them with the year/month of purchase along with a 2 digit
set/battery code, like 3A.  That way, I can keep all the batteries of
the same set together, and I know how old the batteries are so I can
move old ones to less critical functions, like TV remotes.  Yes, a bit
obsessive, but when I haul my big ass GGG Pep bag loaded with camera
equipment hours back into a cave then run around and setup equipment
everywhere for a shot, the last thing I want is for my flash to fail
because I accidentally mixed up some crappy old batteries with my new
ones.  Without my labels, they all look the same.  :)

 

--Bennett

 

RE: [Texascavers] Request for Caving Articles

[Bennett Lee]

 Zappitello's Purple People Eater stuffed
doll, which Matt submitted trying to get rid of it but sadly for him the
purchaser returned it to Matt's lovely wife.  Meanwhile, my lowly photo
just sat there.  Turns out they were saving it for the grand finale at
which point Galen Falgout got up and gave me some great exposure for the
cave calendar (again, pun intended), announcing that I need models.
Then, my dinky little 8x10 photo sold for way more than I expected,
thanks to a bidding war by people who really like Galen's butt.

 

Festivities continued, including lots of fire dancers, starting with
Angela Edwards scantily clad in a sparkly outfit that got caught up in
one of her fireball's chains.  Immediately a dozen guys leap to her
rescue.  Yes, she's cute-maybe you'll see more of her in the upcoming
cave calendar.  Order now!  The festivities continued with loud music
and more fire dancing, but seemed to end relatively soon for a caver
party.  By about 1am, there were only a handful of us left, and sadly by
3am everyone was in bed.  Obviously this new generation of cavers can't
party like the old Kirkwood gang.

 

Sunday morning, most of the kids did a tour in Cascade Caverns while the
adults returned the campground's chaos to order.  Some people planned
for a swim in the Guadalupe River that afternoon on the way home.  I got
a few model offers (only a few! I need more!).  Children were rounded
up, followed by the usual hugs and farewells as friends returned to
their respective corners of the great Republic of Texas.

 

That's how I remember things.

 

--Bennett Lee

 

P.S. -- Did I mention I need models and photos for the cave calendar?



 

RE: [Texascavers] Request for Caving Articles

[Bennett Lee]

 Zappitello's Purple People Eater stuffed
doll, which Matt submitted trying to get rid of it but sadly for him the
purchaser returned it to Matt's lovely wife.  Meanwhile, my lowly photo
just sat there.  Turns out they were saving it for the grand finale at
which point Galen Falgout got up and gave me some great exposure for the
cave calendar (again, pun intended), announcing that I need models.
Then, my dinky little 8x10 photo sold for way more than I expected,
thanks to a bidding war by people who really like Galen's butt.

 

Festivities continued, including lots of fire dancers, starting with
Angela Edwards scantily clad in a sparkly outfit that got caught up in
one of her fireball's chains.  Immediately a dozen guys leap to her
rescue.  Yes, she's cute-maybe you'll see more of her in the upcoming
cave calendar.  Order now!  The festivities continued with loud music
and more fire dancing, but seemed to end relatively soon for a caver
party.  By about 1am, there were only a handful of us left, and sadly by
3am everyone was in bed.  Obviously this new generation of cavers can't
party like the old Kirkwood gang.

 

Sunday morning, most of the kids did a tour in Cascade Caverns while the
adults returned the campground's chaos to order.  Some people planned
for a swim in the Guadalupe River that afternoon on the way home.  I got
a few model offers (only a few! I need more!).  Children were rounded
up, followed by the usual hugs and farewells as friends returned to
their respective corners of the great Republic of Texas.

 

That's how I remember things.

 

--Bennett Lee

 

P.S. -- Did I mention I need models and photos for the cave calendar?



 

[Texascavers] TSA Spring Convention 2012 Group Photo

[Bennett Lee]

I posted the group photo for the TSA Spring Convention on TSA's Facebook
page.  Please tag yourself.

 

For those who have not succumbed to Facebook, I also posted the full-res
version here:

http://bennettlee.com/photos/caving/TSASpringConvention2012.jpg

 

--Bennett Lee

[Texascavers] TSA Spring Convention 2012 Group Photo

[Bennett Lee]

I posted the group photo for the TSA Spring Convention on TSA's Facebook
page.  Please tag yourself.

 

For those who have not succumbed to Facebook, I also posted the full-res
version here:

http://bennettlee.com/photos/caving/TSASpringConvention2012.jpg

 

--Bennett Lee

[Texascavers] TSA Spring Convention 2012 Group Photo

[Bennett Lee]

I posted the group photo for the TSA Spring Convention on TSA's Facebook
page.  Please tag yourself.

 

For those who have not succumbed to Facebook, I also posted the full-res
version here:

http://bennettlee.com/photos/caving/TSASpringConvention2012.jpg

 

--Bennett Lee