Re: [Texascavers] TSA's Fall Business Meeting Sunday 10/16 at 9 a.m. at TCR
Registration link closed at 08:00 Thursday! On Wed, Oct 12, 2022, 10:09 PM Jessica Gordon wrote: > TSA's Fall Business Meeting will be this Sunday (16 October) at TCR at > 9 a.m. in the Dining Hall. > > Here is the link to pre-register for TCR (this option closes at midnight > on Thursday): > > www.cavetexas.org/tcr2022?fbclid=IwAR046aDQn1Y2OeyHtGgjV8i1Cqn_9O2vVXHugcXFT_vck0AKJZgJoOhcAo8 > > Hope to see you at TCR! > > Jessica > > > -- > Jessica Gordon > Chairman, Texas Speleological Association > chair...@cavetexas.org > www.cavetexas.org > ___ > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: > http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers > ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Larry Williams obituary
The Obituary for Larry Williams was surprising in that it does not mention his involvement with the Sul Ross caving community. In fact, Larry (along with his wife, Elaine) was a stalwart member of the caving group and served at least one term as its president. He was the author of most of their trip reports for the *Texas Caver*. It is no exaggeration to claim that he was a mainstay of west Texas caving in the early 1970s. The Sul Ross cavers gradually dissolved with time but Larry maintained at least a small interest in caving and with some of his former companions. The obituary rightfully describes him as a thoughtful, caring person. When the Sul Ross cavers had a reunion in 2004, they rented the Terlingua-Study Butte community center. On Saturday evening of the get-together there was a serious rain and the building suffered the result of many muddy foot prints. Sunday, when nearly everyone was on the road home, Larry and Elaine were on hand wielding mops to help clean the place. No one asked him --- he saw what was needed and pitched in to help. I remember him for that AND for his memorable moustache! ===Carl Kunath ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Kaver Komix
In 2004, I donated a pristine copy of Kaver Komix to the TCMA auction. Bidding was spirited. The hammer fell at $106. ===Carl Kunath On Dec 28, 2021, at 8:49 AM, Bill Steele wrote: I along with Charlie Loving care, Bill Elliott (spelled Elliott). I proudly own a pristine copy of Kaver Komix from said 50 years ago, and I will donate it to next year’s TCMA auction as long as no children are within earshot when the auctioneer reveals what action takes place within its pages. Caring, Bill Steele irving, Texas speleoste...@aol.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Ernie's remains?
Tina, that’s a good question. Perhaps those who know will join this discussion. ===Carl From: Tina M Sent: Friday, December 03, 2021 6:25 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Ernie Garza, Part 2 Hi Carl-- Did all of Ernie get dispersed? Or are there still some vials waiting to go? --Tina On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 6:22 PM Carl Kunath wrote: Many of you were friends of Ernie Garza or at least knew him by reputation. Ernie was a traveler and a fixture in the Texas/Mexico caving community for decades. When Ernie passed, his Earthly remains were cremated and disbursed into dozens of small glass vials. A Memorial for Ernie was displayed at the next Texas Caver Reunion with the request that those interested were invited to “Take some Ernie and help him have more adventures.” -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Dead Dog Cave development
Jerry: Thanks for the excellent summary of the Dead Dog cave(s). ===Carl Kunath From: Jerry Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 1:26 AM To: trog...@cavechat.org ; texascavers@texascavers.com Cc: jeffreynnich...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Dead Dog Cave development Hi folks, Before anyone decides to go off a bit half-cocked to defend the Dead Dog caves, here's what we do and don't know about them. There were 6 Dead Dog caves, all discovered in the 1950s-1960s. The main cave, Dead Dog Cave No. 2 (aka Dead Dog Cave) was the best known and most notorious of the lot. A lot of cavers and local kids have history there. It's also not located on the Luby's property but is definitively on TxDOT property to the east of the Luby's property line. Dead Dog Caves No. 4 and 5 are definitely located off the Luby's property to the west. They've also been covered over or destroyed by road and utility construction. That leaves Dead Dog Caves No. 1, No. 3, and No. 6. Dead Dog Cave No. 3 was a little feature with air blowing out of breakdown. It's location was never well established and no one knows where it was located with respect to the Luby's property other than a vague reference to it being NW of Dead Dog Cave No. 2. It was reportedly covered over or destroyed in 1971. Dead Dog Cave No. 6 was even less well documented. It's claim to fame was a skunk and a white-throated salamander that were observed in the cave. It's location was never well established and no one knows where it was located with respect to the Luby's property other than an even vaguer reference to it being NNW of Dead Dog Cave No. 2. There is no information as to whether it was covered over or destroyed. That leaves Dead Dog Cave No. 1. Of all the Dead Dog caves, this is the only one that has a realistic possibility of underlying the Luby's property and being discoverable. The cave was located about 30 feet east of the back property line of the Luby’s Cafeteria. The cave was approximately 120 ft long and 15 ft deep. After construction of the Luby's, there was no evidence of where the cave might be located. It was thought that the cave was buried under either the asphalt driveway/parking lot of the cafeteria or the back roadway leading to the Westpark office complex. And that's the rest of the story.. Jerry Atkinson. -Original Message- From: Heather Tucek To: Texas Cavers Cc: Jeff Nichols (jeffreynnich...@gmail.com) Sent: Sun, Aug 15, 2021 6:14 pm Subject: [Texascavers] Dead Dog Cave development Last minute notice from the TSA Conservation Committee: Development is being proposed at the site of the now closed Luby's Restaurant on Mopac Expressway in Austin. There are several caves under the site collectively referred to as the “Dead Dog Caves”. It is possible that these caves will be filled in during construction. The City Zoning and Planning Commission is having a meeting on Tuesday August 17th and this development is on the agenda. Citizens can apply to speak at this meeting via phone so anyone with extensive knowledge of these caves should consider making some remarks. Anyone can watch the meeting remotely. Link to the Meeting: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=365503 Sign up by noon Monday, August 16 to be able to speak with the representatives: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=365503 Information about the site and permit: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=365455 -- Go find out! -Heather Tuček TSA Membership Chair NSS 59660 (512) 773-1348 members...@cavetexas.org ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] High Adventure
Great report, Mark! Please give us more! ===Carl Kunath From: Mark Minton Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2020 4:42 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com ; swrcav...@googlegroups.com Subject: [Texascavers] High Adventure Last March Bob Alderson, Yvonne Droms, and I joined Dwight Livingston on his expedition to Carlsbad Cavern. We did a lot of bolt climbing and discovered significant upper-level passages. I wrote an article for Inside Earth, the NPS Cave and karst newsletter. You can read it here: <https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/high-adventure-in-carlsbad-cavern.htm>. Mark Minton ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] James Jasek Sunday doctor update
Mimi, thanks for that update. I'm sure everyone is pleased to have that cautiously optimistic/favorable report. Please continue to keep us informed as you negotiate the somewhat bumpy road ahead. Tell Jim we all have him in our thoughts. We hope for a speedy recovery for him and minimal stress for you. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Mimi Jasek Sunday, May 10, 2020 3:08 PM Subject: James Jasek Sunday doctor update Still on IV, total liquid diet, but can swallow, and this is improving. Is more alert, moving better, speech better, and WANTS OUT TO GO HOME!! He is strong, stubborn, and wants to get home, so please keep lifting us up with prayer and positive thoughts. Good time and great food coming my way 😊❤️ Mimi Jasek mjca...@gmail.com 254-495-0416 -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Historical Question
Chris: Is it still your favorite photo despite not being Helmer? ===ck From: Chris Vreeland Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 10:06 PM To: Chris Vreeland Cc: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Historical Question Oh hell, I just got out my book & the photo is of Jack Smith, page 504 of 50 Years of Texas Caving - not Helmer. On Apr 24, 2020, at 9:59 PM, Chris Vreeland wrote: Kunath’s photo of Helmer titled “May Nothing You Dismay” is probably my favorite caving photo ever taken. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Historical Question Re: Pogo
I’ll check. ===ck From: Katherine Arens Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 1:38 PM To: Texascavers Cc: searos...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Historical Question Re: Pogo Carl, the TSS archive is presently in boxes, preparatory for the move. Does someone have a copy of that Reunion publication that could be pdf’ed and circulated? I could do the work if i could get my hands on it k On Apr 24, 2020, at 12:59 PM, Carl Kunath wrote: What about the Pogo cartoon? That’s an obscure question and has caused several rather ill-informed conjectures. Without delving into detail, here’s the core of the story: That cartoon was a brief moment of fame for the UT cavers. When the guide book was in preparation for the first UT Grotto reunion in 1994, organizers Mona Hanna and Bill Cronenwett contacted Walt Kelly for permission to reproduce some of those cartoons in the guide book. Permission was granted with no significant strings attached. There is a copy of the 1994 guide book in the TSS archives. A photo of the 1994 reunion is on page 136 of the book 50 Years Of Texas Caving. There were two subsequent UT caver reunions in 2004 and 2015 but no guide books were prepared. There is a significant photographic record of the events. The 2004 Reunion group is pictured on page 498 of the 50 Years book. Of that group, five are known to have recently died. Although Bill Helmer was around at the time, he was not involved and the topic of his photographs is an unrelated sidebar. ===Carl Kunath From: kara posso Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 7:48 AM To: Cave Tex ; searos...@gmail.com Subject: [Texascavers] Historical Question Hello Everyone, Below is a message i received from a fellow through the grotto email the other day. I thought that he would have better luck solving his mystery with the help of all of you since my institutional knowledge does not go back this far. Ross is included on this email, please reply to hum or remember to hit REPLY ALL to keep him on the email chain since he is not signed up on the listserve. Also Ross, if there is anyway you can share the comic strip (or part of it) i am sure people would be interested to see! Thanks folks! Kara My name is Ross Burns, and several people on Facebook suggested that I post this question to your group.It concerns spelunking in the Austin area in the period of 1953-54. I am a fan of the old Pogo comic strips by Walt Kelly. He frequently mentions real people. events, and groups in the strip. I have been reading a recent re-issue of the strips for 1955 and 1956. In a storyline he published beginning in January of 1955, he repeatedly mentions the University of Texas Spelunking Team. Partly I know that he loved to play with words including spelunking. However the repeated mention of UT and Texas over 2 or 3 months, makes me wonder if there was a particular event that he was referring to. Some of the characters are trying to reach the team to help rescue a frog that was swallowed by Albert the alligator. So, it may have been some sort of rescue or similar event. Since Kelly wrote the strips well ahead of publication date, he probably started this storyline in November or December of 1954. I would appreciate any information that you might be able to shed on this mystery. Thank you for your time and attention. Ross Burns -- ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers Virus-free. www.avast.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers This message is from an external sender. Learn more about why this << matters at https://links.utexas.edu/rtyclf.<< Katherine Arens, ProfessorPhones: Office(512) 232-6363 ar...@austin.utexas.edu Dept. Phone: (512) 471-4123 Dept. of Germanic Studies FAX (512) 471-4025 2505 University Ave, C3300 Bldg.Location: Burdine 336 University of Texas at Austin Office: Burdine 320 Austin, TX 78712-1802 -. .- _..-'()`-.._ ./'. '||\\.(\_/) .//||` .`\.
[Texascavers] Historical Question Re: Pogo
What about the Pogo cartoon? That’s an obscure question and has caused several rather ill-informed conjectures. Without delving into detail, here’s the core of the story: That cartoon was a brief moment of fame for the UT cavers. When the guide book was in preparation for the first UT Grotto reunion in 1994, organizers Mona Hanna and Bill Cronenwett contacted Walt Kelly for permission to reproduce some of those cartoons in the guide book. Permission was granted with no significant strings attached. There is a copy of the 1994 guide book in the TSS archives. A photo of the 1994 reunion is on page 136 of the book 50 Years Of Texas Caving. There were two subsequent UT caver reunions in 2004 and 2015 but no guide books were prepared. There is a significant photographic record of the events. The 2004 Reunion group is pictured on page 498 of the 50 Years book. Of that group, five are known to have recently died. Although Bill Helmer was around at the time, he was not involved and the topic of his photographs is an unrelated sidebar. ===Carl Kunath From: kara posso Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 7:48 AM To: Cave Tex ; searos...@gmail.com Subject: [Texascavers] Historical Question Hello Everyone, Below is a message i received from a fellow through the grotto email the other day. I thought that he would have better luck solving his mystery with the help of all of you since my institutional knowledge does not go back this far. Ross is included on this email, please reply to hum or remember to hit REPLY ALL to keep him on the email chain since he is not signed up on the listserve. Also Ross, if there is anyway you can share the comic strip (or part of it) i am sure people would be interested to see! Thanks folks! Kara My name is Ross Burns, and several people on Facebook suggested that I post this question to your group.It concerns spelunking in the Austin area in the period of 1953-54. I am a fan of the old Pogo comic strips by Walt Kelly. He frequently mentions real people. events, and groups in the strip. I have been reading a recent re-issue of the strips for 1955 and 1956. In a storyline he published beginning in January of 1955, he repeatedly mentions the University of Texas Spelunking Team. Partly I know that he loved to play with words including spelunking. However the repeated mention of UT and Texas over 2 or 3 months, makes me wonder if there was a particular event that he was referring to. Some of the characters are trying to reach the team to help rescue a frog that was swallowed by Albert the alligator. So, it may have been some sort of rescue or similar event. Since Kelly wrote the strips well ahead of publication date, he probably started this storyline in November or December of 1954. I would appreciate any information that you might be able to shed on this mystery. Thank you for your time and attention. Ross Burns ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Departed Caver Photo
Thanks, Mark. What a fortuitous grouping! Five years makes a difference. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: mmin...@caver.net Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 10:24 AM To: CaveTex Subject: [Texascavers] Departed Caver Photo While looking through some old photos, I came across the attached photo of Lee-Jay Graves, Peter Strickland & Ernie Garza at the 2014 NSS Convention in Huntsville, Alabama taken by either Yvonne Droms or me. Mark Minton mmin...@caver.net ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] John Fish photo
More sad news this morning. John Fish has died. After many years with no contact, with some urging and assistance, John came to the 2015 TCR and old friendships were renewed. Farewell to Juan Pescado. We are diminished. ===Carl Kunath --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Terry Plemons
So sorry to have this news! Brings tears to my eyes. . . . ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Sam Young Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 9:56 AM To: Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] Terry Plemons I am sorry to have to report that we have lost another one. Terry Plemons died yesterday in St. Davids Hospital in Austin. He suffered a heart attack a few days ago. . Sam Young ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Happy Birthday Carta Valley cavers!
Happy Birthday Carta Valley Cavers ! Today, July 13, 2019 is a landmark day in Texas caving.* Fifty years ago, July 13, 1969, a small group gathered at Crosby’s restaurant in Acuña, Mexico and founded a new caving “organization.” CVS is based on the fundamental notion that caving is a “fun” activity and should not be burdened with unnecessary complication. Consequently, there are no officers, no membership dues, and no formality whatsoever. It is a formula for success. Fifty years later, the friendships endure and Carta Valley SUCKS cavers meet annually to renew the camaraderie. Carta Valley cavers will meet again at the Texas Caver Reunion, October 11-13, 2019 at Paradise Canyon. ===Carl Kunath --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] TC issue
Please don’t forget David McKenzie and perhaps a few others . . . . ===Carl Kunath From: grub...@centurytel.net Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 6:28 PM To: texascavers Subject: [Texascavers] TC issue I'd like to float the idea of doing a couple memorial issues of the Texas Caver for William Russell, Bill Mixon, Pete Strickland, Lee Jay Graves and Don Broussard. We did so much with those fellows, They did so much for caving. If folks wrote stories of caving with them, personal recollections from days gone by, articles about ways they contributed to our cause it would make a large addition to our shared history ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Bill Mixon
Mark, thanks for that delightful look at Bill Mixon. I think you were right on the mark. Your comments are a wonderful counterpoint to the asinine, ill-informed drivel that another fellow posted a few days ago. Good for you! ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: mmin...@caver.net Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 9:13 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] Bill Mixon Recollections of Bill Mixon I’ve known Bill Mixon since the 1970s. I knew him first as editor of the Windy City Speleonews and may have met him a couple of times at caving events in Indiana or elsewhere in the upper Midwest at that time, but we became fast friends after he moved to Austin in the early 1980s, where I already resided. We shared an intellectual curiosity and interest in all things scientific, often discussing and critiquing the latest announcement of a scientific advance. (Bill worked in physics at the Tokamak fusion reactor at the University of Texas and I worked in the chemistry department doing organic synthesis.) We also shared an appreciation for concise writing and good grammar, often lamenting the poor quality of even official pronouncements and journal articles. We met for lunch almost every work day, even long after UT Grotto lunch gatherings had faded away. Bill Mixon was intensely interested in the phenomenal caving taking place in Mexico, even though he was no longer personally doing hardcore trips. He moved to Austin to be closer to the action and very quickly moved into a leadership position within the AMCS, becoming the primary editor of its flagship publication, the AMCS Activities Newsletter, which he transformed into a world-class journal. He also oversaw the publication of many AMCS Bulletins covering specific topics in great detail. He was a meticulous grammarian and conscientious editor, keeping countless details in order. Bill also maintained a vast personal caving library as well as the AMCS library with extensive material on Mexico from AMCS exchanges and other foreign publications, all of which was indexed online. He had a great memory and could often point to an obscure publication to answer a question or provide background material. In addition to his work on publications, he also devoted a large amount of time to making the AMCS website an outstanding reference source for Mexican caving. He scanned and posted or archived thousands of cave maps, photographs from major expeditions, videos, out-of-print publications, and other items involving caving in Mexico. He was also often the primary representative of the AMCS at NSS Conventions, where he maintained a small space selling publications. After he became gravely ill, Bill arranged for his house to become the Texas Speleology Center, which provides offices, meeting space and a permanent home to the libraries and archives of both Texas and Mexican caving. Bill Mixon’s legacy will live on for decades to come. Mark Minton ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Goodbye to Bill Mixon
I agree with everything Elliott wrote. Bill Mixon was a friend for many years and I shall miss him in several ways. There are a lot of statistics in the comments below but they scarcely begin to enumerate the contributions Bill Mixon made to the caving world. He had a hand in nearly all the speleo-literature coming from Texas in the past 20 years. If not for him, the quality and frequency of publications would have surely been less impressive. Bill had a talent for organization and detail and he was a strong grammarian as well. Beyond all that, he was a fun person to chat with and was very knowledgeable in many fields. His frequent book reviews were thoughtful and entertaining. His dry sense of humor was a delight. R.I.P. Bill Mixon. I miss you dearly. You were unique and cannot be replaced. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net From: William R. Elliott Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2019 11:33 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Goodbye to Bill Mixon Bill Mixon Bill Mixon worked tirelessly over many years on AMCS publications and the website. He maintained the AMCS files at his house, which today is the Texas Speleology Center. Mixon was editor of the AMCS Activities Newsletter for 21 issues from 1992 to 2018, a total of 2952 pages, or 56% of the 5272 newsletter pages published since 1965. He served as layout editor and production manager for many issues of the AMCS Bulletin with little or no credit. He also placed images of 4065 cave maps on the AMCS website. We now have a project to carry on his tradition and index all the cave maps that Mixon put online for us. Mixon was a very patient and resourceful layout editor for my AMCS Bulletin 26 on cavefishes last year. I deeply appreciate his work. Many cavers contributed to these newsletters and bulletins, and all deserve our thanks and respect, but none did more than Bill Mixon. Thank you Bill, we will miss you. I have a 13 March 2013 photo of Mixon at his Macintosh computer in his library, which I will try and post here and on Dropbox at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qrtqdtlm4uuy1wb/AAAXKI7lOuobu7DjG8tbQHrka?dl=0 Thanks, William R. (Bill) Elliott speodes...@gmail.com 573-291-5093 cell > On May 8, 2019, at 17:34, Jocelyn Hooper wrote: > > I am sorry to have to say we have lost another caver friend. Bill Mixon died > this morning after a long battle with myasthenia gravis. Peter Sprouse is > compiling the obit. > Jocie --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] William photos
Katie: Are you receiving the William photos I am sending directly to you? ===Carl --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Bill Russell
Katie, thank you for the update. That’s the sort of morning news I don’t want to hear. I can’t think of a caving friend with more tenure than Bill. We’ve been friends for at least 57 years. Bill is a tough guy and has prevailed against a lot of problems. I’m praying that he has the resources to beat this latest threat. Please let him know that the entire caving community is pulling for him. ===Carl Kunath From: Katherine Arens Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2019 9:19 AM To: Texascavers Subject: [Texascavers] Billl Russell in hospital after coming home from rehab on friday, william started with a cold/flu on monday. He was ok (got up out of bed into wheelchair with help), drank ensure, etc), but last night he spiked a fever and while it went down, he went unresponsive in less than an hour after the fever broke.. He’s in Dell-Seton unconscious, and it doesn’t look great. just thought you folks should know. This has not been a good 12 months for cavers. think good thoughts for him katie Katherine ArensPhones: Office(512) 232-6363 ar...@austin.utexas.edu Dept. Phone: (512) 471-4123 Dept. of Germanic Studies FAX (512) 471-4025 2505 University Ave, C3300 Bldg.Location: Burdine 336 University of Texas at Austin Office: Burdine 320 Austin, TX 78712-1802 -. .- _..-'()`-.._ ./'. '||\\.(\_/) .//||` .`\. ./'.|'.'\\|..)O O(..|//`.`|.`\. ./'..|'.|| |\`` '`" '` ''''''/| ||.`|..`\. ./'.||'. . . .`||.`\. /'|||'.|| { } ||.`|||`\ '.|||'.||| { } |||.`|||.` '.||| | |/' ``\||`` ''||/'' `\| | |||.` |/' \./' `\./\!|\ /|!/\./' `\./ `\| V VV}' `\ /' `{V VV `` `V ' ' ' ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Photo ID
Well, that’s great Bennett! Since you’re “on a roll,” perhaps you can complete the last few mystery people in the 1984 TSA Convention group photo seen on pages 111 and 112 of the 50 Years of Texas Caving book? Thanks, and keep up the good work. ===Carl Kunath From: Bennett Lee Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2019 11:12 AM To: mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com ; Bexar Grotto Subject: [Texascavers] Immortalize yourself at TSA Spring Convention 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 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Dining at the Condesa
Dining at the Condesa. Bill’s story (and Mark’s) about eating at the Restaurante Condesa in Valles brings to mind a memorable experience. In July, 1976 Jim Goodbar and I were in Mexico to sightsee and do a little light caving along the way. We visited Gruta de Carrizal, Huasteca Canyon, and Cueva de la Boca. Then, we crossed the sierras from Montemorelos to Rayones for a look at Pozo de Gavilan and continued for a good visit at Real de Catorce. Farther south, we made a brief foray into Cueva de la Puente, and continued through Jalpan to Xilitla. In Xilitla, Sr. Plutarco Gastelum, an acquaintance from prior visits and the supervisor of the Sir Edward James property (AKA the Huxley Birdhouse, Las Pozas and other names), treated us royally and provided a handwritten note to the caretaker at Las Pozas. I don’t recall the exact wording of the note but it must have been along the line of, “These are my honored guests. Please give them special carte blanche.” The caretaker didn’t quite bow and scrape but we wandered freely for several hours. Now, finally, to the point of this story. We wound up for lunch in Valles on a day when the temperature and humidity were both well into the 90s. We were tired, hot, hungry, and ready for some food that didn’t come from a can or a plastic bag. Naturally, we went to the Restaurate Condesa. I ordered a beer and one of the house specialties: Milanesa Condesa. I asked the waiter, “Es muy picante?” and was assured that it was not. The milanesa arrived and it was slathered with salsa verde. Hunger overcame caution. I sawed off a big bite and popped it into my mouth. Madre de Dios! It was a good thing I had most of a beer available. It required all of that and more to put out the fire. Regaining consciousness and with senses somewhat dulled by pain, I scraped away the surface salsa and tried another bite. It was good that a fresh beer had arrived for it was badly needed. For the third attempt, I pressed the meat with a fork and attempted to expel the excess salsa. With that technique and plenty of cerveza, I managed to consume the majority of the meal. In retrospect, it’s likely that the waiter, the cook, and the complete staff were having a large hoo-rah as they observed the poor gringo’s fiery agony. No doubt they were getting a nice commission for the sale of the extra beer. It was a memorable meal at the fabled Condesa. ===Carl Kunath *** agree that the Condesa was a great Mexican hangout for many years. It was _the _ place to meet before or after any trip to the El Abra in the '70s. I remember one trip we were there and the telephone rang. It was someone calling from the States for Bill Russell, and he was there! Cavers used to leave messages there for one another, but for Bill to actually be there at the time of the call was amazing. It was not uncommon in those days to see backpacks against the wall, waiting for the owner to return from some adventure or the other. The Condesa was a great resource for cavers! The Condesa was my first introduction to the Mexican custom of eating jalapeño peppers like potato chips or peanuts in a bar. There were two locals seated at a table drinking beer with a large bowl of jalapeños en escabeche between them. They drank beer and munched jalapeños the way Americans would have eaten chips. I was amazed. The Condesa also used to offer Filete Mignon really cheap (by American standards). I remember one time Hal Lloyd had filete for both breakfast and dinner, and bragged about telling his father that he had filet twice in one day. Enchiladas Condesa were a perennial favorite. I really miss that place! Mark Minton ** On 2019-02-26 16:12, William R. Elliott wrote: > CAVER STORY: RESTAURANT CONDESA > > Many older cavers remember the Restaurant Condesa in Ciudad Valles, > San Luis Potosí, in the heart of the Sierra de El Abra. It was owned > by Señor Juan Bermea Gloria, who had worked in the States and spoke > English. He was a good friend to the cavers. He was our message center > for years, even keeping a couple of log books in his glass counter for > cavers to sign and leave each other messages. Sometimes he let cavers > camp in his jardín when they could not find a place. Cavers often > visited the tiny Condesa, and it was mentioned in caver newsletters > from the early 1960s to 1984. [see photos attached] > > In 1969 Richard O. Albert wrote, “We always ate at the Restaurant La > Condesa, right on the plaza that was right on the edge of the Río > Valles. The food there was good, but the waitresses were not. We would > all sit down and order something from the menu, and then always > wondered what we would get. Sometimes it was what we had ordered and > sometimes it was not, but we learned to eat and not complain too much >
[Texascavers] Carta Valley on Amazon
This just appeared on Amazon: --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Bill Steele Saw The Truth
Bill is exactly right. It’s an inconvenient truth that you are allowed to characterize yourself as a caver despite only minimal, sometimes miniscule, participation in that activity. Seen from another viewpoint, those peripheral experiences may have been powerful enough to last a lifetime. I have encountered the same things/memories/claims as Bill. It IS very much an individual frame of reference. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net From: Bill Steele In my 42 years of living in Texas I have run into two people who said their fathers were cavers and when I later met the fathers it turned out they went to Bustamante (Grutas del Palmito) once when in college. It comes down to your point of reference. Bill Steele speleoste...@aol.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Glenn Canyon: The Place No One Knew:
The loss of Glenn Canyon is tragic in the extreme. We can never get it back but may profit from hindsight. Eliot Porter’s book may cause you to reach for a Kleenex. https://www.amazon.com/Place-No-One-Knew-Colorado/dp/0879059710 ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Dwight Deal Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 10:38 PM To: lskinner ; Linda Starr ; Cave NM ; Cave Texas Subject: [Texascavers] The Place No One Knew: Thanks Lee. I read that. I was in college (1955) when all that was going on. Just starting to run rivers and cave and listened to a live concert by the Weavers with Pete Seager in Troy, NY, who made a pitch against the Glenn Canyon Dam. An innovative (at the time) movie of Glenn Canyon had also been made using color slides that were panned and zoomed in and out of on 16mm film. I never thought it should have been built in the first place. I am not sure how many, if any, caves it flooded. It will never completely "revert". But it's a step n the right direction. Dwight > On September 19, 2018 at 7:01 PM lskinner wrote: > > > Linda, Dwight, > > I'm unable to reply to the list with this id (my computer is in the > shop) > I recommend Eliot Porter's book The Place No One Knew: Glen Canyon on > the Colorado. How many decades to revert to its original pristine > condition including disappearance of lake water lines? > > Lee > > ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] The Legacy of Pete Strickland
The Legacy of Pete Strickland. There has been an incredible outpouring of grief and a few anecdotes following Pete Strickland’s death. Aside from his considerable exploits while underground, Pete left an amazing legacy as the “go to” guy whenever there was a problem that needed solving or a situation that required a helping hand. It seemed that Pete was always there when help was needed. I don’t think there will ever be a complete record of the things he was involved with but please take a look at the index section of 50 Years of Texas Caving (page 515). There are 19 entries beside his name. I list them here for your convenience and encourage you to read them all to more fully appreciate Pete Strickland. Strickland, Peter “Pete”: 17, 89, 94, 96, 111, 131, 133, 142, 211, 329, 359, 379, 380, 388, 389, 390, 465, 466, 480 Here are two typical citations: Sixty-four die-hard cavers entered Powell’s Cave on the last weekend of February. Thirteen teams added 3,576 feet to the map. Pete Strickland masterminded a scheme to help excavate the crumbly entrance and the historic fence wire ladder that had been used for 30 years was at last removed. Pete Strickland led the heroic efforts of a small group at Powell’s Cave that resulted in the removal of an estimated 26 cubic yards of rubble from the entrance and construction of a steel reinforced concrete foundation upon which further construction would be based. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Don Broussard
I’m on board with this! Don deserves thanks and a lot of credit for years of mostly unrecognized accomplishments in the caving world. Thanks, Don for all you have done! ===Carl Kunath From: William R. Elliott Sent: Monday, June 04, 2018 9:10 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] Thanks to Don Broussard I hope that many on the TexasCavers list will thank Don Broussard here in public for his many years of service to caving. Without people like Don several long-term projects would not have happened, like the resurvey of Sótano del Venadito, maps of many El Abra caves, aspects of the Huautla Project, and others. Thanks to Bill Steele and Logan McNatt for recognizing Don here. Don is so quiet and modest, he wouldn't brag on himself. Please join in. Let's hear it for Don! Sincerely, William R. (Bill) Elliott 914 Bannister Dr Jefferson City, MO 65109 speodes...@gmail.com 573-291-5093 cell ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Don Broussard
I’m on board with this! Don deserves thanks and a lot of From: William R. Elliott Sent: Monday, June 04, 2018 9:10 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] Thanks to Don Broussard I hope that many on the TexasCavers list will thank Don Broussard here in public for his many years of service to caving. Without people like Don several long-term projects would not have happened, like the resurvey of Sótano del Venadito, maps of many El Abra caves, aspects of the Huautla Project, and others. Thanks to Bill Steele and Logan McNatt for recognizing Don here. Don is so quiet and modest, he wouldn't brag on himself. Please join in. Let's hear it for Don! Sincerely, William R. (Bill) Elliott 914 Bannister Dr Jefferson City, MO 65109 speodes...@gmail.com 573-291-5093 cell ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] NBC "flood tours"
http://texashillcountry.com/natural-bridge-caverns-hosting-rare-tour-flooded-aquifer/ ===Carl Kunath From: David Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 10:42 AM To: CaveTex Subject: [Texascavers] old news I somehow missed this story.Probably when I was on a hiatus. https://s.hdnux.com/photos/46/64/67/10177986/3/1024x1024.jpg https://s.hdnux.com/photos/46/64/67/10177987/3/920x920.jpg https://s.hdnux.com/photos/46/64/67/10177997/3/1024x1024.jpg Can anybody guess or elaborate more about the story than what was reported in the news ? ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Caverns of Sonora
That would be the “Diamond Horseshoe.” See page 406 in 50 Years of Texas Caving (the encyclopedia of Texas caving). You should have a copy in your library. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net From: David Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 9:07 PM To: CaveTex Subject: [Texascavers] Caverns of Sonora There are 3 or 4 cavers on this forum who have actually gone caving in Caverns of Sonora - especially if you call "hauling out rocks," as caving. I once was shown a rare picture of some unusual speleothem off-trail in Sonora. There were similar, but different pictures in the books about Texas caves and the Texas Caver. My very fuzzy memory was the speleothem resembled a large onion ring or a horseshoe or both, but I may have it confused with the other off-trail photos, since I haven't seen it in 30 years. The speleothem and passage area both had a special name. I had an opportunity once around 1986 to go off-trail in NBC, and blew it off, thinking I would get another chance someday. Some of you might have been on that trip. I assume that part of that trip is now what the Wild Tour visits. I do sincerely apologize for contributing to cavers leaving CaveTex, but I went out of my way to ask cavers politely to ignore me and just hit the delete button. I have no nefarious or malicious agenda, just bored out of my mind way out here beyond the Edge of the Caving Universe. D.L. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Terry Cavanaugh and the Alpine Express
Terry Cavanaugh certainly hit a few high spots during his brief caving career. There is a short summary and a few pictures of the Siffre adventure at Midnight Cave in 50 Years of Texas Caving, (the encyclopedia of Texas caving), pages 459-467. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net From: Jenni Arburn Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 5:33 PM To: TSA Cavers Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Terry Cavanaugh and the Alpine Express He wrote a book about it. Unfortunately, I cannot find an english version. On Apr 29, 2018, at 4:17 PM, Marvin and Lisa wrote: Yesterday Bexar Grotto members helped man a TSS booth and a Bexar Grotto booth at the Cascade Caverns Cave Fest. The turnout was not huge but it was fun talking to people about caves throughout the day. The band that played at the event was Terry Cavanaugh and the Alpine Express. German polka not my chosen style of music but they were very good. During a break between sets Terry came and sat down with us at the Bexar Grotto booth and casually mentioned that he had done some caving as a youth in Houston. We asked him where he went caving and he mentioned Caverns of Sonora. This would have been in the early 1970’s so maybe a local cave instead of “the” Caverns of Sonora. He mentioned a trip where they stopped by a cave where a European fellow – Swedish, he recalled – was doing an experiment on circadian rhythms. That would have been Frenchman Michel Sifre in Midnight Cave in 1972. He also recalled a trip to the Bustamante area of Mexico with some Houston cavers during which two members of the party drowned. That notorious incident happened in 1971 in Grutas de Carrizal. You can read about on page 296 of “50 Years of Texas Caving”, or the detailed report in the November 1971 Texas Caver on the Karst Information Portal: http://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0055003/1/pdf. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Don Arburn and the TexasCavers listserve
I'll echo these recent comments about Don Arburn. His service to the Texas caving community has been exceptional. Thanks Don! On another subject: The deterioration of the TexasCavers listserve is quite amazing. The fact that it is not moderated has been seen by a small number of users as an opportunity to subvert it to a personal blog by a few who have lost sight of the stated purpose (or choose to ignore) and feel that "anything goes." It is ironic that this condition drives away the very people it was meant to serve. Cavers are a tolerant group but individuals do have their patience limits. With increasing frequency we see "goodbye, I've had enough" postings from longtime supporters of Texas caving. A previous attempt to create an "off topic" group was a failure because the abusers of the main list failed to acquire a large enough readership to satisfy their needs for attention. Subtle (and not so subtle) requests to "take it off-line and/or use personal messages" have been ignored. Because Texas cavers have no reliable newsletter, if TexasCavers listserve fails to serve its purpose, what are we to do? I don't have a good answer. I can't blame Charles Goldsmith for wisely choosing not to moderate the list. Who would like that job? Perhaps we need an "ON-TOPIC" listserve with a "three strikes and you're out" policy. I'm hanging in there but it's requiring an increasing effort and my delete key is looking quite worn. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net -Original Message- From: Vivian Loftin Don has been amazing and dedicated. Too bad he’s not on texascavers any more to see this. Like so many before him, he has been run off of this list by the trolls. Viv Joe Ranzau wrote: Anyone who has spent time with Don knows of his irreverent sense of humor and dedication to his Texas Caving family. Don became Preserve Manager for TCMA's Deep and Punkin Caves Nature Preserve in early March, 2010. A position I suspect he planned to keep for just a year or two as a way to help us out. During his more than 8 years as preserve manager, he has been instrumental in herding cats, err... cavers, to continually improve our field station and work tirelessly to keep the preserve open and ready for the next group of cavers to come out and visit. For many of us, Don and Lucy have been the first faces we see each time we arrive. They've been out ahead of the group to double check things and take care of any last minute issues. I'd hesitate to guess how many miles they have driven between San Antonio and the preserve, I venture it's a ton! Among the many accomplishments during his tenure, the surface trail system was vastly expanded giving groups ready access to many parts of the preserve and providing for better birding and hiking opportunities. We've built a group shower facility to handle the hoards of happy cavers after a long day underground. We've cleared the property lines, doubled our camping area, performed major restoration on the cabin at least three times, fixed numerous gates and the road more times than we can count, and transformed the back porch into a retreat for cavers. Please join me in thanking Don for his dedicated service and congratulating him on a well deserved break! Regards, Joe Ranzau --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] R. B. Lilly has passed
Robert B. Lilly Once again, I am the bearer of bad news. Robert Bryant Lilly, 82, passed away in Abilene, TX on 10 March 2018. This leaves Dewayne Dickey as the last of the original hard core Abilene cavers (Bart Crisman, Dewayne Dickey, Jim Estes, George Gray, and Bryant Lilly). You can see that group posing at the entrance to Felton Cave on page 187 in 50 Years of Texas Caving. I never heard him addressed as Robert, Bob, or Bryant. It was always “B. Lilly or just Lilly,” and he referred to himself in that way. He was a very active member of the Abilene Grotto. He did a lot for Texas caving and never sought the spotlight. During the years 1961-1964 when James Estes was so ably editing the Texas Caver, Lilly was the man behind the scenes doing the lithography and running the printing press. During the 1965 TSA Project at Deep Cave he did a good job supplying and operating the camp commissary. Somehow, I never spent much time caving with Lilly but here is a good photo I made on a very early exploration trip to Deep Cave in January 1965. We are diminished. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Joe Pearce
Joe Pearce It seems that I write far too many obituaries for Texas cavers. While a few die unfortunately young, it’s a sad fact that Texas’ early cavers were born prior to WWII and they are now in their 8th and 9th decades. Time will have its way. It has been my good fortune to have been acquainted with many of these pioneer Texas cavers. For those who were special friends I usually submitted at least a short obituary so that their passing would not go unnoticed. A. Richard “Dick” Smith, Jack C. Burch, Bart Crisman, Katherine Goodbar, Jimmy Walker, and James Estes are good examples of those I recognized for leading us in earlier times. In earlier years, those obituaries rightfully appeared in the mostly regular issues of the Texas Caver.* These days, we are reduced to the very informal bulletin board. It is the nature of our fraternity that we have short memories and scant appreciation for prior generations. I did not comment about the passing of Bill Mahavier, Jerry Chastain, Claude Head, Danny Sheffield, Ollene Bundrant, Elizabeth Smith, Art Simpson, Roger Sorrels, and others, unfortunately, almost too numerous to list. Moreover, not many senior Texas cavers attend the various caver functions with the possible exception of the TCR. Their names and contributions are all too easily forgotten. With that preamble, I come to a recent death I cannot ignore. Joe C. Pearce passed away January 20, 2018 just three days short of his 91st birthday. His death was mentioned in a recent TexasCavers posting although unfortunately with a relict topic line. Although Joe’s health kept him in the background of Texas caving in his later years, he was a TexasCavers subscriber and remained interested in caving. He was NSS #2903. Some of you may recall meeting Joe at the 1984 TSA Convention in Burnet or the 2004 TCR at Flat Creek. Joe was one of the founders of the original Balcones Grotto and a principal in getting the Texas Caver off the ground.He was listed as one of the production staff on the masthead of issue #1 (October 1955). That historic first issue carried a nice essay about early Grotto lore from Joe’s memory. Joe was far more than a production staff member of the Texas Caver. He was a faithful contributor. Joe was an early advocate for safe and conservation-minded caving. He authored many Caver articles about conservation and cave owner relationship. Joe’s bio appeared in the May 1956 Caver. You can find several references to Joe Pearce in 50 Years of Texas Caving. With Joe’s passing, we are diminished. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net *Kudos to John Spence for producing the August 1985 Texas Caver, a special 30th anniversary issue that included a nice retrospective of the first issue of the Texas Caver, an interview with Bill Russell, and other worthwhile material. Spence’s issue could well serve as a journalistic model of what the Texas Caver could be with every issue. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Speleo-vehicle related
David: There aren’t enough hours in the day to correct you. Start with getting the model designation correct. The new model is the JL. I consider myself a respectable off road enthusiast. I own a 2015 Rubicon JK. Disposable? Really? My 1982 CJ-7 is still quite serviceable. Is this JK green enough for you? Oh, well. . . . ===Carl Kunath From: David via Texascavers Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 12:33 PM To: CaveTex Cc: David Subject: [Texascavers] Speleo-vehicle related The 2018 Jeep Wrangler will soon be at the dealers. The minimum price for a 4-door Rubicon is $ 41,000. Of course, the dealers will mark that up. And no respectable off-road enthusiast would purchace the Rubicon version. This is a disposable car. The automatic transmission has no dip-stick, nor fluid filler tube. Hopefully there is a way to service the filter. Right ?? The aluminum wheels are off of a Chrysler passenger sedan, meaning most owners will desire to immediatley upgrade those with after-market wheels at a cost of $ 2,000 or more. But they still offer a manual transmission. Probably the last series to offer that. The interior now looks like other new SUVs. And they brought back the front-axle disconnect, but now it is electric with a switch on the dashboard. Meaning, not amechanical vaccuum a switch that allegedly was very prone to failure. This new Jeep gets the JK label replacing 2011-2017 JL model. Why can't auto-manufactures listen ? What is their problem ? Why can't they see that most rich people build their own Jeeps, or purchase something else. Even poor people build their own Jeeps if they have the capabilities and a work area. Feel free to correct me. I bet there is probably somebody out there smart enough to build a green-colored Jeep. Watch out if you buy the Sahara version. It allegedly now has CVT joints. Those rubber boots eventually fill with wet grit, corroding and eroding all the rotating parts. David ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] The caves at Langtry
OK. I’ll try to straighten out the confusion about the caves at Langtry. A roadcut on US 90 west of Langtry exposed two fissure caves on opposite sides of the road. One, the eastern-most was called Langtry East Gypsum Cave. The other, nearby, slightly west and on the opposite side of the road was called Langtry Gypsum Cave. Both these caves were destroyed when the highway was rerouted some years ago. Elsewhere, near Langtry, are Langtry Lead Cave, Emerald Sink, Langtry Quarry Cave, and Fisher’s Fissure. They were, for a time in the early 1960s, frequently visited by cavers from UT Austin and Sul Ross-Alpine. They are all “sporting” caves. After a time, access became difficult and Texas cavers moved on to other challenges. These caves are all well described in the TSS literature. ===Carl Kunath From: Katherine Arens via Texascavers Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2017 11:29 AM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Cc: Katherine Arens Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Langtry caving Langtry Lead, Langtry Quarry, Langtry cave k On Oct 21, 2017, at 12:41 AM, Fritz Holt via Texascavers wrote: Thanks, David. June and I enjoyed visiting with you at TCR. Fritz Holt Sent from my iPhone On Oct 19, 2017, at 7:35 PM, Charles Loving via Texascavers wrote: I went to Langtry Leads twice. And to a sink out there somewhere. Did some caving on the Alamo Village Ranch for Happy Shahan looking for guano to mine. All a long time ago. On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 11:43 AM, Fritz Holt via Texascavers wrote: David, Good information. What are the names of the other two caves? I have made the drop into the main cave in the Hwy. 90 cut at Langtry some years ago with Preston McMichael and other friends. Fritz Holt Sent from my iPhone > On Oct 19, 2017, at 10:53 AM, David via Texascavers wrote: > > I mentioned last month that I had discovered that the landowner of the 3 big caves out at the big ranch north of the town of Langtry had passed away. > > I made a diligent effort to contact his large family and offer condolences. > > They are now aware of my intentions. > > I can only hope that someday one of them will contact me expressing interest in assistance with visiting the caves or reach out on their own to another caver. > > I have guided several trips into each of the 3 caves, but the last time was at about 19 years ago. I am not in good enough health to do it any time soon. > > These caves are warmer and dustier and drier than caves in the Hill Country.Emerald Sink probably has a huge bat population. > > Proper gear is just a caving quality headlamp ( $ 30 to $ 70 from Frys ), jeans and t-shirt, plenty of water or Gatorade and some lightweight cotton gloves and any kind of helmet. > > Thin kneepads for those who can not tolerate occasional crawling. > > Maybe something new will happen in 2018 in the Langtry Caves. > > But as of October 19, I do not know if they want cavers to contact them, or who in their family wants to be the cave contact, or even if any of them still own the ranch. > > I do not plan to ever reach out to them again. The ball is in their court. > > If my effort fails, then another caver should try, or attempt a different approach method, but at least wait a few months. > > David Locklear > ___ > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] TCR 2017 and beyond
Don: Thanks very much for your outstanding and unselfish service as TCR Jefe. You’ve done a wonderful job and your place will be hard to fill. The position receives little thanks but I hope you know that for each person that openly says “thank you,” there are dozens of others that silently echo the thought. >From me to you personally: “Thanks, and well done!” ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Don Arburn via Texascavers Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2017 6:25 PM To: TSA Cavers List Cc: Don Arburn Subject: [Texascavers] [TCR 2017 Success!] Hey everyone, another successful Texas cavers reunion is behind us now, well done! Good job everybody! It was awesome! IT WAS! Not much to report in the Lost & Found Department this year, for once, yay! The owner is happy, the park is clean. Next years deposit is paid, no date set yet. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!! I didn’t want to harsh your mellow, on Saturday night, but 2017 was my last TCR as Director. I did six TCRs. I’m sorry folks, it was fun, rewarding and an adventure! My resignation is on a high point, I feel, with TCR is in good shape with a head start on 2018, with a year to solve my absence. The music was very very good! The food was very very good! Great job!! We had INTERNATIONAL Cavers visit from Mexico! We had David Locklear! The NSS represented! The Texas Contingent represented! The Aggies had a challenging Speleolympics course! There was a REBELAY course! We had a hot tub, sauna AND spring water! There was a SLIDESHOW! There were POWERWAGONS in service! There was a HUGE board game. There were barbarian Viking HOARDS!! We had MUD GLADIATORS!! There was schmoozing, I SAW IT! People smiled! What more can you ask for? I’m happy! Thank you —Don ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Caving Article in the San Saba Star 1963
I clipped the original article in 1963 from the San Angelo paper. TSS should have that clipping. It was part of a larger stash I donated to the archives many years ago. ===Carl Kunath From: jerryat...@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2017 1:23 AM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Caving Article in the San Saba Star 1963 The TSS may have an original of the article in its paper files. Jerry Atkinson. Sent from my iPhone On Oct 10, 2017, at 8:21 PM, Kris Pena via Texascavers wrote: The August 26, 1963 issue of the San Saba Star had an excellent article titled: "Spelunkers will explore caves in area during holiday weekend". It includes such important warnings as "if you see heads popping out of the ground, you are not losing your mind" and asked landowners to report any caves and "a dirty, but courteous caver will appear at your door" Does anybody happen to have a high quality scan of this issue? It's referred to in 50 Years of Texas Caving and I found a copy on newspapers.com, but the quality isn't great. On the off chance that someone has a higher quality scan, I'd love to get a copy of it before our presentation at Colorado Bend's Heritage Day this weekend. It would be an awesome addition to our presentation! Thanks! Kris Pena ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Bill and Pete
Congratulations to these two bastions of Texas caving and thanks to Logan for his work in helping to recognize two of Texas’ most important caving personalities. ===Carl Kunath From: Logan McNatt via Texascavers Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2017 1:28 AM To: Texas Cavers ; swrcav...@googlegroups.com Cc: Logan McNatt Subject: [Texascavers] special presentation at UTG meeting We had some fun at the UTG (Austin) meeting Wed July 19th. About 50 people were there, the usual mix of caver generations ranging in experience/membership from "young" (< 5 years) to "mature" (5 to 25 years) to "venerable" (25 to 40+ years). I announced that I had a presentation that would require group participation. "Everyone who has been to at least one NSS Convention please stand up." about 25 stood "at least 5 Conventions, keep standing; the rest sit down"about 15 still standing at least 10about 12 At this point I mentioned that this impromptu survey was "a bit skewed" regarding age, and the absence of many middle/venerable cavers (e.g. Terry Raines, Don Broussard, Bill Stone, to name just a few) at least 204 Gill Ediger, Jim Kennedy, Pete Strickland, and Bill Mixon at least 30 2 Pete and Bill at least 40 2--Pete and Bill at least 50 2--Pete and Bill I said that both of them had been unable to attend the convention in Albuquerque this year because of health problems, breaking Pete's string of 47 straight years since an interruption for military service. But I had something for them, and presented each their 2017 NSS Certificate of Appreciation "for his long-term commitment to the NSS." They got an enthusiastic round of applause. After the meeting several photos were taken; the attached is by Dylan Beeler. Bill had been sitting the entire time (with his hand raised during the questions) because he is too weak to stand that long, but you can see he held the rail for the photo. I noticed that Bill's NSS #5728 was on his certificate, but Pete's #8298 was not on his. So I called NSS President Geary Schindel in San Antonio, and he will send a corrected certificate to Pete. Geary is the person I initially contacted before the Convention (I didn't go) to do something special for Pete and Bill. I was hoping for something a little more personal than the generic NSS Certificate (like mentioning Pete's hot tub), but it worked out ok. Congratulations and Thanks to Pete and Bill, Hope the attached photo comes through. Logan McNatt (at least 5 NSS Conventions) NSS 11274 P.S. William B. White, NSS 2237, apparently holds the record, with well over 60 Conventions attended, including 2017! --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Andy Komensky
So sorry learn of Andy’s passing as will be all who knew him, even slightly. I met Andy at the bottom of Three Mile in the Guadalupe's in 1962. It was a lasting impression. I wish I had more pictures of Andy but this one from CaCa in July 1966 is a favorite. Someone beat me to my farewell comment, but I’ll say it again: We are diminished. ===Carl Kunath --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Cannon Shot at 2016 TCR
Follow this link to see a very short video clip of the Charlie Yates commemorative cannon shot at the October 2016 TCR. Cannon Shot 2016 TCR Charlie Yates, Ron Fieseler, and Bob Burney built the cannon. Ron Fieseler is firing the cannon. ===Carl Kunath --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Nice headlamp new to the market
At the risk of usurping David Locklear’s domain, I’ll point to a nice headlamp recently purchased at Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Coast-HL7-Focusing-LED-Headlamp-19261/204800762 This single LED unit will focus from wide to spot, can be continuously varied from dim to bright, and will tilt to the desired angle. It works well. Comes with batteries for $24.88. I don’t suggest this for rigorous caving activity but it will be a nice item for above-ground activities. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] The Texas Caver
No thanks, Diana. I did my 12 monthly issues of the Caver back in 1970 and then I did the 50th Anniversary issue that finally completed the four issues due to TSA members for the 2005 volume of the Texas Caver. I’m sure you remember that year. I have always supported the Texas Caver in one way or another and always responded to the editor’s requests for help. Many of the people who publicly note Caver shortcomings have also offered assistance, myself included. There was plenty of constructive criticism offered. For example: “How about captions for the photographs?” In many cases we were ignored or rebuffed. I think most finally gave up. If the Caver is somehow rejuvenated, I stand ready to be a supporter. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net -Original Message- From: Diana Tomchick via Texascavers Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 12:31 PM To: Cave Tex Subject: Re: [Texascavers] The Texas Caver This leads me to ask—Carl, since you have so much time to critique the issue and write at length about it, and you care so deeply about it, would you volunteer to edit the Texas Caver? Diana ** Diana R. Tomchick Professor Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Rm. ND10.214A Dallas, TX 75390-8816 diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu (214) 645-6383 (phone) (214) 645-6353 (fax) > On Oct 26, 2016, at 11:05 AM, texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: > > The Texas Caver > > So here we go again with the Texas Caver. Every few years we are seeking a > new editor or at least discussing options that might disburse the rowdy > crowds that are assembling at the gates with torches and pitchforks. > > What is gong on here? Why is it that every few years there is a Texas Caver > crisis and a less than graceful transition to a new editor? > > There is lots of talk about the Texas Caver. From the outset, there seems to > have been some confusion regarding the difference between good journalism and > nice graphic arts. Unfortunately, neither has been regularly in evidence. > Maybe I've missed it, but I can't recall anyone praising the Caver for high > quality journalism or the reliability of production. The editor has a few > passionate defenders who are willing to do battle with any and all > detractors, but the current editorial has now acknowledged what has been > evident for several years. > > The coming transition is an opportunity to learn from previous mistakes. > Texas cavers appreciate good grammar, proper spelling, and nice graphics but, > failing that, are willing to forgive a lot if the Caver shows signs of having > been carefully crafted with attention to detail: nice photographs properly > captioned and credited; articles well laid out with all elements present; no > space used as a personal blog; and perhaps most importantly, timely > production. > > I was handed a copy of the most recent Texas Caver at the TSA meeting Sunday > morning, October 16. When I looked at the cover, my first thought was "huh?" > I rotated the page through 360 degrees as I searched in vain for a person > or anything for scale. Despairing, I then looked inside for the caption > information. I didn't find much. The picture credits Peter Bosted and > apparently depicts a scene from the Big Island, Hawaii. I infer that it > pictures something within a cave and is not merely a hand sample from a flea > market or mineral show. As usual, there is no proper caption information. A > closer look at the cover reveals "haul" to be misspelled and a Government > Canyon report proffered as being from "2105." Those errors are egregious > and, sadly, are but a preview of others to come. > > In the present issue (the word "current" can't properly be applied since it > is about six months late), pages 4 and 5 are mostly filled with > pictures—none with caption information—and the top photo on page 4 suffers > from a lack of pixel information by at least one order of magnitude. Where > is the graphic arts expertise we are often reminded of? If a photo is > essential and a small file is the best available, then please reduce the > printed size. At the top of page 5 there is a full half page devoted to two > guys stirring a large pot of food. What about the "hero" shot at the top of > page 6? Neither photo is captioned or credited. It's a poor use of space > that TSA's hard copy subscribers are paying for. In fact, there is a lot of > "white space" in ever
[Texascavers] The Texas Caver
isappear quickly and do not constitute an archive of events in Texas caving. Moreover, they are not worthy venues for the occasional quality feature about some aspect of Texas caving. The Texas Caver is inextricably linked to the health of the TSA and to Texas caving in general. TSA members receive precious little for their membership dues: No membership list. No copy of the Constitution and By-Laws. No mission statement. No contact list of current officers and chairpersons. No special prices at TSA functions. Not even a membership card. Members pay dues and are promised a digital newsletter and offered the opportunity to pay extra for a hard copy newsletter. Why would you choose to join such an organization? Will TSA issue a refund or offer a membership extension to those who paid for printed newsletters? I was a TSA member for more than fifty years but finally dropped out in disgust a couple of years ago. In some ways the fate of the Caver is a self-fulfilling story. The enthusiasm of the general Texas caver populace is tied to the quality and timeliness of the publication. It only takes a few instances of mishandled submissions and delayed publication to discourage contributors from further support. The Caver should be the natural outlet and archive for articles of substance much as the NSS News is an outlet and archive for items of a more national nature. The Texas Caver HAS BEEN such a publication in the past. And when it was, Texas caving prospered. For example, I invite you to peruse the February 1971 issue of the Texas Caver (available from the Texas Speleological Survey or from the archives of http://nckri.org/ ). It's 20 pages, produced with a typewriter and all that entails. There is news from the A&I, Alamo, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Rice grottos plus an astonishing 17 (seventeen!) trip reports. There are other worthwhile features such as Caver of the Month that should be resurrected. Those were the days! Carl Kunath NSS #6230 RF-PH --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] James Estes
*James Estes* You may have noticed the recent announcement of the death of James Estes. There was a somewhat lengthy obituary associated with that announcement but it fails to note most of the real reasons his passing should be mourned by Texas cavers. In 1960, the Texas Region of the NSS was faltering. The *Texas Caver* had been produced by a loose coalition of Austin Cavers and only two issues (24 pages) had been accomplished for the entire year. Worse, the NSS had discontinued the internal structure wherein Texas cavers were recognized as the Texas Region of the NSS. In some ways, organized Texas caving was in trouble. In November 1961, Texas cavers met in convention at Uvalde and formed the Texas Speleological Association (TSA) as you know it today. The first officers were Arthur Carroll, Dudley Roberts, and James Estes who served two terms (1961-1962) as Secretary –Treasurer. That’s not the important part. James also offered to resurrect the *Texas Caver* and serve as Editor. James produced an on-time monthly newsletter every month for the next four years. Forty-eight issues! Six hundred and one pages! On time! All this was done with a typewriter and with only minimal assistance from his fellow cavers in Abilene, Texas. Texas caving was rejuvenated. Compared to the sometimes dismal performance of *Caver* Editors in later years, this is an almost unbelievable performance. Beyond all this, James was a worker in other ways. He assisted with many TSA conventions and projects and was always a willing worker when needed. He was the Chairman of the 1964 NSS Convention in New Braunfels. James was an early member of the Abilene Grotto. Here’s how that happened. He was browsing the public library and came across an issue of the *NSS News* that contained Bart Crisman’s story about an adventure at Ogle Cave. He noted that Bart was a resident of Abilene and went knocking on his door. The Abilene cavers were a close group but James refused to leave Bart’s home until he was accepted into the Abilene Grotto. He remained a staunch member of that group for as long as it existed. Yes, James drifted away from caving in later years, but he stands as a shining example of the sort of leadership and dedication that every successful organization hopes to be blessed with. It was my good fortune to count James as my friend for more than 50 years and to have been caving with him a few times. His passing leaves a gap that will not be filled. We are diminished. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Head count
Sam: My number was just a guess based on the vehicles and people that I actually saw. Somewhere, there is an official NSS registration. . . . Dusty old photos are at least as interesting as pictures currently posted on Facebook. Go for it. ===Carl -Original Message- From: Sam Young via Texascavers Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 11:06 AM To: Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] Sequoia in 1966 Carl, I enjoyed the photos from Sequoia. Diane and I were there. I don't know if you included us in the 10-12 Texans who were in attendance. We were one year removed from the UT Grotto and drove over from Salt Lake City. I think that we were camped near or in Groad Hollow but not in the picture. And yes, I think that is Ken Laidlaw's truck. I have an old cardboard box with 35mm slides on top of my book case. I am sure there are some dusty old photos that I took at Sequoia. Shall I? .. Sam Young ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] 1966 & 1964 NSS Convention photos
7 On Jul 11, 2016 4:29 PM, "Diana Tomchick via Texascavers" < texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote: > Having grown up in the Pacific NW, much of my backpacking and camping was > without a tent—we took a rain fly for the occasional downpour, but the > mosquitos were almost non-existant. > > Diana > > ** > Diana R. Tomchick > Professor > Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry > University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center > 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. > Rm. ND10.214A > Dallas, TX 75390-8816 > diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu > (214) 645-6383 (phone) > (214) 645-6353 (fax) > > > On Jul 11, 2016, at 4:18 PM, Cave Tex > wrote: > > > > Very interesting photos, Carl. My favorite is the first one, showing the > vehicles, the traveling gear (suitcase on boulder; decorated pillow), and > the cavers sleeping on the ground without tents. Yes, they were tough--one > of them is even sleeping like a log! > > > > Logan > > lmcn...@austin.rr.com > > > > > > ___ > > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: > http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ > > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers > > > > > UT Southwestern > > > Medical Center > > > > The future of medicine, today. > > ___ > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: > http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers > ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Powell's Cave Gate Project update
Well said, Jerry! Ignore the detractors and keep up the good work! ===Carl Kunath From: Jerry via Texascavers Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2016 11:52 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Powell's Cave Gate Project update : Our "poorly organized" effort got the gate constructed in a period of less than a month from first finding the vandalism, has reached its financial goal (thanks to all that contributed !), did it without needing to make formal overtures to the "54 SP500 companies that are headquartered in Texas", did so without creating a massive headache by making sure that there was a 501(C)3 organization receiving the funds for shuttling to a third party, and did so by using a poor-boy version of crowd-sourcing from within the caving community. No excuses for dinner tonight. Jerry. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Bittinger-Morris video
Thanks to Robert Bisset for posting the remarkable and historically important YouTube clip of Craig Bittinger and Neal Morris demonstrating vertical techniques of the 1970 period, spinning Goldline and all. It was a special treat to see Craig demonstrating the “three boot” ascending method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYpSHAi-mcg A copy of this video will be in the permanent archives of the Texas Speleological Survey. ===Carl Kunath --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Camp Stove
Kerosene? Really? Not “white” gas? ===ck From: Sam Young via Texascavers Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2016 10:34 AM To: texas cavers Subject: [Texascavers] Camp Stove I have an old kerosene burning camp stove. I don’t know if anyone uses these any more. Someone left it with me and it looks like it is in good shape. If you would like to have it and save me from taking it to Goodwill, let me know off of Texas Cavers. ……. Sam Young, in San Marcos Sent from Mail for Windows 10 ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] America's First Commercial Caves
Click on this lengthy URL for an interesting story about some of the first show caves in this country. ===Carl Kunath http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/show-caves-arent-telling?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura&utm_campaign=8ffaca8167-Newsletter_3_3_20163_2_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_62ba9246c0-8ffaca8167-60404097&ct=t(Newsletter_3_3_20163_2_2016)&mc_cid=8ffaca8167&mc_eid=4a86218c00 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Good Article --- Sandia Man Cave
This incredibly long URL will take you an interesting article about Sandia Man Cave near Albuquerque, NM. ===Carl Kunath http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/enter-sandia-man-revisiting-the-site-of-a-20th-century-archeological-scandal?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura&utm_campaign=ba6d90fe5d-Newsletter_2_19_20162_18_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_62ba9246c0-ba6d90fe5d-60404097&ct=t(Newsletter_2_19_20162_18_2016)&mc_cid=ba6d90fe5d&mc_eid=4a86218c00 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Spring TSA meeting
Let us hope that the 2016 TSA Convention can be held in Rocksprings for it would be a significant historic exclamation point. These days, we accept an annual convention of Texas cavers as a routine thing but it was not always so. Texas cavers were plodding along with no such thing until 1956. In that year, cavers of the newly formed Texas Region of the NSS (not yet the Texas Speleological Association) had their first State-wide gathering at Rocksprings, Texas. With a couple of notable exceptions and a few really poor examples, it has been an annual event ever since. A caver convention in Rocksprings in 2016 would be the 60th anniversary of that seminal event. You can learn more about that first convention in 1956 by opening your copy of 50 Years of Texas Caving to page 41. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net -Original Message- From: Jim Kennedy via Texascavers Folks, please belay any previous announcements about the TSA Spring Convention. They are premature. We do not yet have confirmation on the dates or the site yet. But if all goes as planned, it will be the dates and site mentioned. Believe me, after the first of the year you will be inundated with my big media blitz promoting said event. Jim "Crash" Kennedy TSA Vice-Chair Elect and TSA Spring Convention Coordinator ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Jim McLane photo
Like all of you, I was shocked to receive the news of Jim’s passing. He was an irrepressible adventurer with a extraordinary intellect. We will certainly miss his presence in the caving community. I don’t have too many photos of Jim but I especially like this one (photographer unknown) taken in his younger days on a visit to Gruta de Carrizal in November 1964. We are diminished. ===Carl Kunath ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Punkin Cave Photo
Arburn doesn't know. I sent a note to Bunnell seeking that information. It is a great photo! ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Mixon Bill via Texascavers Sent: Monday, September 07, 2015 7:09 PM To: Cavers Texas Subject: [Texascavers] Punkin Cave Photo Anybody know who took that very nice but uncredited photo of Punkin Cave that is in the September NSS News? -- Mixon True bravery is shown by performing without witnesses what one might be capable of doing before all the world. 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 ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Elizabeth Smith has died
Many of you are too young, but you older cavers will surely remember Elizabeth, first wife of A. Richard “Dick” Smith and mother of their sons Gehren and Preston. Elizabeth was a very active UT caver in the early 1960s and was probably the first female to reach the “end” of Indian Creek Cave at the South Siphon. She was a vivacious person and always fun to be with. She will surely be missed. This message just arrived from her friend and old UT caver, Tom White: I am sorry to report that Elizabeth Kelly Smith passed away yesterday morning (4-17) after a short bout with cancer. I am in contact with her niece but no plans have made as yet for funeral or memorials. I will pass that on as I hear about them. You can learn a little more about Elizabeth from the several references in 50 Years of Texas Caving. I shall miss my friend. We are diminished. . . . ===Carl Kunath --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] More about Nicholson
If you just can’t get enough of the lore and legend of Frank Nicholson, I point you to one of the best reports of his exploits at Carlsbad Cavern in Issue #25 of Canyons & Caves, the Newsletter of Carlsbad Caverns National Park for summer 2002: http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/upload/c&c25.pdf The whole Newsletter is a worthwhile read (Texas’ own ex-pat Dale Pate was the Editor) but the portion dealing with Nicholson is amusing. Recommended reading. As for Nicholson’s academic credentials, the “Dr.” title appears to be completely without factual basis -- an affectation he did nothing to discourage. Among those who met Nicholson was Robert Nymeyer who found him “of significant arrogance and insignificant stature.” Read more about Nicholson in Carlsbad The Early Years by Nymeyer and Halliday. Recommended reading. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Frank Nicholson
Nicholson was quite an interesting fellow but he did his best speleology with a typewriter. He is cited a number of times in 50 Years of Texas Caving ( AKA: The Encyclopedia of Texas Caving): Pg 21, 294: Cascade Caverns and Longhorn Cave Pg 35, 308: There is a brief mention of a grandiose expedition to Cueva de El Abra with Bob Hudson and Jimmy Walker Pg 424: A note of Nicholson visiting Devil’s Sinkhole I could have included quite a lot more about Nicholson but the space was better reserved for more factual, perhaps more entertaining, accounts. One of the best stories involves his plan to explore a lofty dome in Carlsbad Cavern with the use of a balloon. Explorers would rise to the desired level in a basket and step out into unknown passages. This didn’t happen although it’s a pity as we might have learned how he planned to create the necessary clearance above the top of the balloon in order to reach the upper area of the dome and also how he planned to deal with those sharp, pointy stalactites. Nicholson was nothing if not consistent. Every account of his exploits that he authored is wildly exaggerated. In addition to the Cascade Caverns story related below, check out this account of the Devil’s Sinkhole: SEPT. 2, 1934 Kerrville – Dr. Frank E. Nicholson, explorer of Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico, has announced that the Devil’s Sinkhole, 65 miles from here, is larger than the famous New Mexico cave. Dr. Nicholson recently visited the Clarence Whitworth ranch, site of the sinkhole, and conducted a series of explorations. He found that the cave’s mouth is about 90 feet in diameter and looks down upon a 600-foot “mountain peak” which rises to within 271 feet of the surface of the ground. The subterranean mountain is a mile in circumference at the base. Dr. Nicholson explored several miles of passages with striking and colorful formations and saw many other corridors leading away for unknown distances. The cave is one of the country’s greatest natural wonders, Dr. Nicholson said. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net -Original Message- From: Mixon Bill via Texascavers Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 3:31 PM To: Cavers Texas Subject: [Texascavers] unique Texas cave Published, apparently seriously, in the "News-Letter of the Exploration & Location Committee" of the NSS, #1, Jan. 1943: A condensation of information on the exploration of a limestone cave near Boerne, Texas, about 1932 by a party headed by Dr. Frank E. Nicholson, indicates that it is perhaps the most unusual phenomenon in our science. The information is from an old reference, and anyone having further information on this cave please contact this committee. 500 feet within the cave is a subterranean lake overhung by stalactites which reach to the surface of the water, requiring swimming under water for 200 feet. Occasional "pockets" permit breathing. This expedition penetrated beyond the lake to a great vaulted tunnel, which contained a "bottomless pit," subterranean spring, and stream. Progress was possible to a point one mile from the entrance and 600 feet below the surface. The most unusual feature of the cave is that in it were found white colored blind crayfish, pheletrodroid salamanders, and blind, white translucent frogs. Most unbelievable is the report that at the cave's lowest level (one mile from entrance and 600 feet underground) 50 Spanish oak and Hackberry trees were found growing. That trees can grow in complete darkness with the complete absence of light and sunshine is a phenomenon that demands further investigation by speleologists. The chairman of the committee and presumably author of the piece was Erwin Bischoff. Scan of original can be found at http://www.karstportal.org/FileStorage/NSS_news/1941-v001-001.pdf --Mixon ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] website of vertical devices
It's an amazing collection! I took many pictures of it when it was on display at the 2009 ICS. Did you see it then? ===ck -Original Message- From: Logan McNatt via Texascavers Sent: Friday, February 13, 2015 11:36 AM To: texascavers@texascavers.com ; s...@caver.net Cc: Gary Storrick Subject: [Texascavers] website of vertical devices Dr. Gary Storrick (NSS 12967FE, Michigan) has a website showing every type of vertical device (ascenders, descenders, belay, and miscellaneous) that he has been able to collect. Over 1900 items and constantly increasing. You will recognize many of them commonly used in caving. Many others are not familiar to cavers, and some are truly "unique", imaginative, or downright bizarre. Check out the photos and other info: http://storrick.cnc.net/VerticalDevicesPage/VerticalHome.shtml Thanks to Gary Storrick for creating this website, and to Bill Steele for telling me about it today. Logan McNatt (NSS 11274FE, Texas) lmcn...@austin.rr.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Reporters & Editors
My experience with the press has been much like Mark Minton's: Some good; some disastrous. National Geographic was very conscientious as was Texas Highways. My relationship with A&M Press (the Pittman book, Texas Caves) was so bad as to be almost black humor. Suffice to say that despite repeated assurances that I would have the opportunity to review my text and photo captions, it didn't happen and, as a consequence, there are serious errors. To top it off, I had to threaten to sue to get some of my slides returned. Live and learn. My experience with newspaper reporters/columnists has been varied but I am always wary and hoping for the best. Newsletter editors vary quite considerably in expertise and enthusiasm but good basic journalism is a quality that really ought to be placed ahead of spell checking. If “two, too, and to” are misused or if “it’s is confused with its,” or if an occasional sentence is repeated, we can mostly overlook that so long as the photos are properly captioned, credited, and appear in the correct location. As others have pointed out, sometimes the task appears to be above pay grade. ===Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net -Original Message- From: Mark Minton via Texascavers Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2015 8:18 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] reporters My experience with reporters has generally been less accommodating than George's. Most have not been willing to allow me to review their work before publication. A couple of notable exceptions have been "The New Yorker" and "National Geographic", both of which seem to be very conscientious about fact checking and getting things right. Unfortunately even then inaccuracies manage to make their way into the final piece. I suspect that George and others are right - the subject may be so foreign that they don't really understand the implications of their errors, or care. Sigh. Mark Minton mmin...@caver.net On Sun, January 18, 2015 3:22 pm, George Veni via Texascavers wrote: > > ask to review the draft article for technical accuracy, ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] TCR 2015 Survey
Don: Paradise Canyon is the hands-down favorite for me and for nearly everyone I know. The lack of water is inconvenient but doubtless a temporary condition. Last year’s site had water but it was so distant and inconveniently placed that it was a non-issue for nearly everyone. October 15-18 is the best date. Thanks for your efforts in keeping this event going and running smoothly. I plan to make a motion to double your compensation. ===Carl Kunath (the real one) -Original Message- From: Don Arburn via Texascavers Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 10:30 AM To: TSA Cavers List Subject: [Texascavers] TCR 2015 Survey Ok, Cavers, I'm starting to think about this upcoming TCR, locations and dates. Paradise Canyon called me yesterday, and asked me to ask around and spread the word that if we have any need for a meeting site, he'd be happy to help. We all like PC, but they still have no water. It's not a deal killer. It's an option for TSA, TCMA and TCR. How do y'all feel about this site? Next is the date. There have been several "traditional" weekends and many suggestions etc. I've penciled in the weekend of October 15-18 as a target date. How do y'all feel about that? --Don ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Princeton Tec warranty question
I can't speak directly to the corrosion warranty problem but I can tell you that they have been cooperative in sending replacement parts for the poorly engineered and prone to crack battery compartment doors on their *FUEL* headlamps. Call 1-800-257-9080 and talk to them about your problem. I wouldn't expect PT to be especially sympathetic about your failure to monitor battery condition but you never know. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Mallory via Texascavers Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2014 11:56 PM To: CaveTex Subject: [Texascavers] Princeton Tec warranty question Does anyone know if Princeton tecs warranty is rendered null and void if there's evidence of corrosion inside the battery pack? I apparently put rayovac brand batteries in my backup apex Tec some time ago, they leaked, battery connectors got corroded and now my light isn't working. :( it's not a huge deal, since I have better lights (thanks, Lee Jay!) but I sure would like to get it fixed for the cost of shipping if that's an option. Any advice or input is appreciated! Mallory Mayeux mmay...@gmail.com Sent from my iPhone ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Bill Helmer
I think we have everything. Nearly all was included in 50 YEARS. ===Carl (still in Moab) From: Fritz Holt via Texascavers Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 1:59 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Bill Helmer Thanks, Carl. Does TSA have a collection of Helmer's art work? Fritz Sent from my iPhone On Sep 22, 2014, at 10:40 PM, Carl Kunath via Texascavers wrote: Yes, I have been in contact with Bill for many years. He does live in Boerne. ===Carl (from Moab, Utah) From: Fritz Holt via Texascavers Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2014 10:27 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Bill Helmer In the late 1950's when I first became interested in caving, I enjoyed seeing Helmer's clever Texas Caver covers and other art work. I don't have them now but they were priceless. Hey Carl, do you think he could really be living in Boerne? Fritz Holt fritz...@gmail.com Sent from my iPhone On Sep 21, 2014, at 10:04 PM, David via Texascavers wrote: Joe Pearce mentioned Bill Helmer.That is a name I haven't heard spoke of in caving circles in a while.When I was a newbie, sitting around the campfire in Carta Valley, or somewhere out west, cavers spoke of him like a legend. The 2 links below are related and mention someone with the same name.Is this him ? http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id59.htm http://www.angelfire.com/mo/crimeinc/page3.html If so, the article says he lives in Bourne, Texas ( where ever that is ) Somebody could write a nice article for the Texas Caver about Bill Helmer. Right ? David Locklear ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers -- ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers -- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Bill Helmer
Yes, I have been in contact with Bill for many years. He does live in Boerne. ===Carl (from Moab, Utah) From: Fritz Holt via Texascavers Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2014 10:27 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Bill Helmer In the late 1950's when I first became interested in caving, I enjoyed seeing Helmer's clever Texas Caver covers and other art work. I don't have them now but they were priceless. Hey Carl, do you think he could really be living in Boerne? Fritz Holt fritz...@gmail.com Sent from my iPhone On Sep 21, 2014, at 10:04 PM, David via Texascavers wrote: Joe Pearce mentioned Bill Helmer.That is a name I haven't heard spoke of in caving circles in a while.When I was a newbie, sitting around the campfire in Carta Valley, or somewhere out west, cavers spoke of him like a legend. The 2 links below are related and mention someone with the same name.Is this him ? http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id59.htm http://www.angelfire.com/mo/crimeinc/page3.html If so, the article says he lives in Bourne, Texas ( where ever that is ) Somebody could write a nice article for the Texas Caver about Bill Helmer. Right ? David Locklear ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] The Preston McMichael Award
Recently, Fritz Holt was wondering, “What ever happened to the Preston McMichael Caving Award?” Fritz, the award is given at the discretion of the TSA Executive Committee or a committee appointed by the TSA Chairman. The subject arises occasionally when TSA leaders are mindful of their responsibilities and opportunities. Here's the short history of the award: “At the TSA Members Meeting held at the 2003 TCR, the membership decided to reinstate the Preston McMichael Award. The Preston McMichael Award was established in 1969 at the 19 April TSA BOG meeting at Southwest Texas State University, in honor and recognition of the passing of Preston McMichael. Preston was an excellent example of a caver who pioneered caving in a new area of the state and carefully cultivated cave owner relations at the same time. Preston’s caving activities began in the late 1950s and ended with his untimely death in January 1967. He was a talented artist and musician and had a great future ahead of him in many ways. We were diminished as a result of his loss but may continue to profit from his example." James Reddell was the first recipient of the award in October 1969. The second recipient was Carl Kunath and the staff of the Texas Caver in October 1970. It was awarded sporadically throughout the 1970s and faded from collective memory in the early 1980s. As currently defined, the Preston McMichael Award: “shall be awarded annually by the Texas Speleological Association in recognition of meritorious contribution to Texas caving. The award shall consist of $50.00 as well as recognition at a TSA function and in a TSA publication. If the recipient is not a current member of the TSA, honorary membership may be awarded. The award may be retroactive. Choice of awardees shall be made by the Executive Committee or a committee appointed by the TSA chairman.” Despite the operative phrase "shall be awarded annually" it doesn't happen very often. If you know of someone that has made a lasting and significant contribution to Texas caving and has not already received the award, please send your nomination to the TSA Chairman. ===Carl Kunath From: Fritz Holt via Texascavers Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2014 5:12 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] a road-trip story Yes, unfortunately, my old friend and caving buddy, Preston McMichael has been dead for a number of years. What ever happened to the Preston McMichael Caving Award? It was resurrected a few years ago but I haven't heard of it in recent years. Preston was quite a guy and the most gung-ho caver I ever knew. Fritz Holt fritz...@gmail.com (Triple Creek Ranch) ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Photos Luckenbach Sept. 1978
Bob: Thanks for posting those photos. Would you furnish those to the TSS archives as versions with somewhat more resolution? Maybe 300K to 1 MB or so. Thanks, ===Carl (TSS archives staff) From: Bob West via Texascavers Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2014 12:34 PM To: texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] Photos Luckenbach Sept. 1978 Here is a link to facebook photo album of all the photos I have of 1st Texas Old Timers' Reunion... "...gathering at the old cotton gin in Luckenbach..." https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.127431190689270.21883.12671681186&type=1&l=eef680bf0f Carl, thanks for posting the registration sheets! Bob West rawest...@hotmail.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Katherine Goodbar has passed
It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of Katherine Goodbar (NSS 5538) on July 18 at age 93. Katherine became interested in caving in the early 1960s and the entire Goodbar family was a fixture at all the Texas caving activities for many years. Her husband, Blair, passed away much too soon in 1967 and with three children to raise, Katherine’s active caving was severely curtailed. Nevertheless, she remained interested in the caving world and encouraged her children to follow their interests. Many of you will be acquainted with her son, Jim Goodbar. Jim has made a name for himself in the caving world for 50 years. Katherine served TSA as Secretary-Treasurer for three consecutive terms in 1963-1965. Her fellow officers for those years were Chuck Larsen, Orion Knox, Pete Lindsley, and Carl Kunath. They all felt Katherine did a wonderful job for TSA and they all remained friends through the following years. Katherine had a Masters in Education from Texas A&M and was a science teacher for many years. In 2000 she was interviewed by a representative of the Conservation History Association of Texas. The transcript of that excellent interview may be seen at: http://texaslegacy.org/bb/transcripts/goodbarkatherinetxt.html Services will be at the Greenville Avenue Unity Church in Dallas with interment at Huntsville, Texas. We are diminished. íVaya con Dios, amiga! ===Carl Kunath ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/cavetex http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] 20 years ago - just reminiscing
See also: 50 Years of Texas Caving, pages 133-137. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Jacqueline Thomas Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2014 8:22 AM To: CaveTex Subject: Re: [Texascavers] 20 years ago - just reminiscing I didn't start caving until 1999 & wasn't in Texas; I really appreciate the picture you've created. Jacqui >> On May 24, 2014, at 2:05 AM, David wrote: >> >> Quite a few of you remember what was going on at this time on >> the Texas caving scene in May of 1994.I was just an observer, >> although I did go on one or 2 road-trips to Bracketville, from Houston. >> >> 2 cavers were very hard at work finishing up one of the best books about >> Texas caves, and lots of cavers were assisting them. >> >> Another caver was planning an incredible show recreating the battle >> of the Alamo. >> >> Swamp coolers were being installed by volunteer cavers that had travelled >> from all over the state to one of the non-air-conditioned buildings at >> Fort Clark >> and caver-electricians were having to gerry-rig the whole set up. >> >> Cavers were visiting caves in and around Bracketville to plan for convention >> trips. >> >> The 1994 NSS Convention, was a major event in my life. It was my >> first introduction >> to the NSS. Prior to that, I was >> personally spending most of my spare time south of the border.And >> after that, >> I made an effort to attend future conventions, and thus had less >> resources available >> to go on trips south of the border. >> >> >> On a related note, >> >> "It was not just a different time. It was a different world." >> >> All of that hard work was done without Cavetex, texting, and >> smartphones, and Facebook, etc. Any cavers that had a computer were >> using Windows 3.1 and saving their work to a floppy disk, and not on a >> laptop. I bet typewriters were still being used by some. Gas only >> cost about $ 1.10. On the world newsfront, Monica Lewinsky had not >> yet met Bill Clinton, and the world ( not me ) was still anxiously >> awaiting news updates over the Clinton scandals of Whitewater and >> Paula Jones.Most of us were spending less than 10 minutes a day on >> the internet, if any at all.Most cavers still had >> cassette-tape-decks in their cars. Quite a few of our caving friends >> at the 1994 convention are no longer with us. I am certain none of >> us could have predicted the tragedies that happened just a few years >> after the convention.Here is a toast to them. >> >> http://www.cavetexas.org/rmiller/ >> >> http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/images/las_moras_springs_pool.jpg >> >> >> David Locklear
[Texascavers] TSA Convention 2014
The recent TSA convention was a great success! Thanks and congratulations to all who worked hard to make it happen. The TSA members are benefiting enormously from the efforts of the TSA officers and many others who generally work without a word of thanks. Special thanks to Tom Summers for his hospitality and generous offering of the facilities at Cave Without A Name. It’s a great venue. Finally, thanks to the members of the audience attending the programs within the cave. The general demeanor was quiet and respectful and that has not always been the case in some recent years. Nice job, everyone! ===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] Preserving Your Speleo-Library and other items
David, you wrote (in part): “I have a respectable speleo-library and even a rare book. But I do not have the time to read them, or reminisce thru them, etc. Most of them have been boxed up for 20 years. I will need to will those books to a reliable caver someday, as I bet my offspring or relatives will throw them in the trash. David Locklear” David, you and other cavers have an excellent option to preserve your valuable speleo-archives. The Texas Speleological Survey has for many years been seeking, acquiring, cataloging, and storing all sorts of things having to do with caving. Our acquisitions are housed in secure, climate-controlled, facilities on the campus of the Pickle Research Center in Austin, Texas. Sample donation forms are attached to this mail. These archives are, for the most part, open to any interested researcher by making an appointment with the office manager or by appearing at the work sessions or special tutorial seminars that are held throughout the year and announced on TexasCavers well in advance. Any participation is welcome and, if all else fails, simply hand over your donations to any of the TSS Officers/Directors. A list of Officers/Directors and much other information about the Texas Speleological Survey had be found by visiting this web site: http://texasspeleologicalsurvey.org/ === Carl Kunath (TSS Archives Committee) Caver Donation Form, April 2001 [Moore].pdf Description: Adobe PDF document Caver Donation Form, April 2001 [Moore].rtf Description: MS-Word document - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Mystery Cave 3
Emerald Sink @ Langtry.
[Texascavers] Apology to Missy
Missy: On behalf of the larger Texas caver community, I apologize for the shabby treatment you have received from certain posters that has ultimately led to your unsubscribing from TexasCavers. Please be assured that many others share your position and, regrettably, many have done as you have and dropped their subscription. It’s quite unfortunate that a handful of thoughtless posters have rendered our listserve nearly unusable. Is this the price we must pay to have an unmoderated forum? I find that I am often in the position of defending the TexasCavers list to others who have unsubscribed. I usually maintain that it’s worth mining through the trash postings to discover that occasional worthwhile nugget. The common argument against that is that the rewards are so disproportionate that it’s not worthwhile. More and more, I tend to agree. At the recent TCR, the subject came up in a campfire discussion. Present were six stalwart Texas cavers with an aggregate and worthwhile presence in the TSA of about 200 years. The names are withheld but you would recognize them. Of the six, I was the only remaining TexasCavers subscriber. The others had resigned in disgust. If the quality of a listserve degenerates to the point where it drives away the very people it is meant to serve, there is something seriously wrong. It seems that some people are so egotistical that they feel the entire readership wants to know their opinion on nearly every subject. That would be bad enough but their comments are often just a few words such as “Me, too” or “Hah, hah.” Again, that would be tiresome enough but they often append that to the entire previous thread, seldom taking time to trim off the excess and rarely changing the subject line when the subject changes. The one button everyone seems able to find is “Reply All.” Many times a reply to a specific person or small group is more appropriate than to the entire group. That means one must thoughtfully edit the “To” line before clicking the “Send” button. There are within the subscribers to this listserve a few who seem to have time on their hands. They post again and again on a great variety of topics, often with no meaningful link to caving, (sometimes with no real understanding or expertise on the subject) and suggest that the majority of subscribers should just “exercise the Delete key.” Does that seem a bit high-handed to you? Eventually, the remaining subscribers will begin to ignore ALL postings from certain sources and those posters will have effectively silenced themselves. Some time back, another service became available for “off-topic” postings. It soon withered and died as the readership was not sufficient to satisfy the desire for a large audience. Poor Missy was being bombarded with poison ivy postings. So far there have been about 40 separate postings. She may be interested in poison ivy but was likely growing tired of having to winnow anything worthwhile from the larger mass of data. She asked nicely if there was a way to avoid the poison ivy postings and received several ugly replies. For shame! The subject of civility and suitability of postings has been discussed before. Apparently, the message was not received. ===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] Civility and suitability of TexasCavers postings
I am often amazed at some of the utterly tasteless and inappropriate postings I read on TexasCavers. Some postings have been rated “R” or even “X." Other postings are actually more a personal blog or diary and have no place in a forum where others must then wade through your account of having a flat tire on the way to breakfast on the day of the Grotto meeting. That sort of thing dilutes the quality of TexasCavers and has caused some members to unsubscribe. This is the price we pay for the freedom of an unmoderated listserve. That aside, Denise is absolutely correct with her comment about how e-mails should be directed. I see some postings directed to all TexasCavers subscribers that begin with a single name and are directed solely toward one person (or a very small group). Those messages do not directly concern all subscribers. If it’s a personal comment, please direct it to that person. One personal posting often leads to several follow-up postings that add nothing to the thread. It’s all too easy to click “reply all” when it would be more appropriate to change the address box so that your two word response, “Me, too!” goes only to Joe Caver and not to the 99% of other subscribers who care not a whit about Joe’s earlier posting and even less that you agree with Joe Caver’s first comment that, often as not, is now completely detached from the original thread and misidentified on the Subject line. The fuss is mostly just an issue of e-mail etiquette. Before you post to TexasCavers, think for a moment, especially before you click “reply all.” Will quite a few readers be interested in your posting or should it be sent privately? Is it civil and reasonably on-topic for the group? Is the subject line appropriate for the message? Do you really need to include all previous postings to a certain thread to make your point? Maybe it’s time to delete a few. ===Carl Kunath From: Denise P Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 7:17 PM This is a public forum, and I think a general policy of civility is in order. If a person has a beef with someone, it would be nice if they kept their emails directed only to that person so we on Cavetex don't have to see it. You're bringing me down! My two cents, Denise
[Texascavers] Civility and suitability of TexasCavers postings
I am often amazed at some of the utterly tasteless and inappropriate postings I read on TexasCavers. Some postings have been rated “R” or even “X." Other postings are actually more a personal blog or diary and have no place in a forum where others must then wade through your account of having a flat tire on the way to breakfast on the day of the Grotto meeting. That sort of thing dilutes the quality of TexasCavers and has caused some members to unsubscribe. This is the price we pay for the freedom of an unmoderated listserve. That aside, Denise is absolutely correct with her comment about how e-mails should be directed. I see some postings directed to all TexasCavers subscribers that begin with a single name and are directed solely toward one person (or a very small group). Those messages do not directly concern all subscribers. If it’s a personal comment, please direct it to that person. One personal posting often leads to several follow-up postings that add nothing to the thread. It’s all too easy to click “reply all” when it would be more appropriate to change the address box so that your two word response, “Me, too!” goes only to Joe Caver and not to the 99% of other subscribers who care not a whit about Joe’s earlier posting and even less that you agree with Joe Caver’s first comment that, often as not, is now completely detached from the original thread and misidentified on the Subject line. The fuss is mostly just an issue of e-mail etiquette. Before you post to TexasCavers, think for a moment, especially before you click “reply all.” Will quite a few readers be interested in your posting or should it be sent privately? Is it civil and reasonably on-topic for the group? Is the subject line appropriate for the message? Do you really need to include all previous postings to a certain thread to make your point? Maybe it’s time to delete a few. ===Carl Kunath From: Denise P Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 7:17 PM This is a public forum, and I think a general policy of civility is in order. If a person has a beef with someone, it would be nice if they kept their emails directed only to that person so we on Cavetex don't have to see it. You're bringing me down! My two cents, Denise
[SWR] Fort Stanton survey book
Time flies when you’re having fun. . . . That appears to be a good example of the survey book that was widely in use in Texas in the 1960s. I think it was a Pete Lindsley design. It became the official TSA survey book in hopes of promoting better uniformity in our survey techniques which were not all that good at the time. Getting all that information on the front cover was a huge step forward! ===Carl Kunath From: John Corcoran Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 3:44 PM To: 'Andy Komensky' ; s...@caver.net Subject: Re: [SWR] Fort Stanton Thanks Andy, I remember that you were on the very first survey team for FSCSP when we started at the entrance and began the Main Corridor survey (see attached survey book cover)! So you helped start things some 46 years ago… Regards, John From: swr-boun...@caver.net [mailto:swr-boun...@caver.net] On Behalf Of Andy Komensky Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 7:43 AM To: s...@caver.net Subject: [SWR] Fort Stanton Congrats to all of you who received the award. Proud to say that at one time or another I had the opportunity to cave with some of you and sorry that I never had the chance to meet the rest of you., Cave h, Andy ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[SWR] Fort Stanton survey book
Time flies when you’re having fun. . . . That appears to be a good example of the survey book that was widely in use in Texas in the 1960s. I think it was a Pete Lindsley design. It became the official TSA survey book in hopes of promoting better uniformity in our survey techniques which were not all that good at the time. Getting all that information on the front cover was a huge step forward! ===Carl Kunath From: John Corcoran Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 3:44 PM To: 'Andy Komensky' ; s...@caver.net Subject: Re: [SWR] Fort Stanton Thanks Andy, I remember that you were on the very first survey team for FSCSP when we started at the entrance and began the Main Corridor survey (see attached survey book cover)! So you helped start things some 46 years ago… Regards, John From: swr-boun...@caver.net [mailto:swr-boun...@caver.net] On Behalf Of Andy Komensky Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 7:43 AM To: s...@caver.net Subject: [SWR] Fort Stanton Congrats to all of you who received the award. Proud to say that at one time or another I had the opportunity to cave with some of you and sorry that I never had the chance to meet the rest of you., Cave h, Andy ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[SWR] Fort Stanton survey book
Time flies when you’re having fun. . . . That appears to be a good example of the survey book that was widely in use in Texas in the 1960s. I think it was a Pete Lindsley design. It became the official TSA survey book in hopes of promoting better uniformity in our survey techniques which were not all that good at the time. Getting all that information on the front cover was a huge step forward! ===Carl Kunath From: John Corcoran Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 3:44 PM To: 'Andy Komensky' ; s...@caver.net Subject: Re: [SWR] Fort Stanton Thanks Andy, I remember that you were on the very first survey team for FSCSP when we started at the entrance and began the Main Corridor survey (see attached survey book cover)! So you helped start things some 46 years ago… Regards, John From: swr-boun...@caver.net [mailto:swr-boun...@caver.net] On Behalf Of Andy Komensky Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 7:43 AM To: s...@caver.net Subject: [SWR] Fort Stanton Congrats to all of you who received the award. Proud to say that at one time or another I had the opportunity to cave with some of you and sorry that I never had the chance to meet the rest of you., Cave h, Andy ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[Texascavers] Bob Hudson
Fritz, et al: You can read about Bob Hudson in 50 YEARS of TEXAS CAVING. He is quite an important person in the history of Texas caving. I was in touch with Bob in the mid-1960s and much of the very early history of Texas caving comes from the information he shared with me in several lengthy letters. Time passed and eventually, the link was lost. While researching for the 50 YEARS book, the search for Bob was renewed. Over several years time, all avenues were explored without success. He is thought to be deceased but that is not an absolute certainty. Anything can happen and the Internet is a far more powerful tool these days. If anyone has information, please pass it along. ===Carl Kunath (from Guatemala City) From: Fritz Holt Subject: old member trying to find another old member Does anyone know the whereabouts or status of Bob Hudson? He was a well known caver in the 50's and 60's. I accompanied Jimmy Walker and Bob on one of the earliest trips into The Caverns of Sonora (then Mayfield Cave) in about December, 1955. Jimmy lost track of Bob in the 60's and assumes he is dead. Does anyone have a suggestion on learning his status? Thanks, Fritz Holt
[Texascavers] Bob Hudson
Fritz, et al: You can read about Bob Hudson in 50 YEARS of TEXAS CAVING. He is quite an important person in the history of Texas caving. I was in touch with Bob in the mid-1960s and much of the very early history of Texas caving comes from the information he shared with me in several lengthy letters. Time passed and eventually, the link was lost. While researching for the 50 YEARS book, the search for Bob was renewed. Over several years time, all avenues were explored without success. He is thought to be deceased but that is not an absolute certainty. Anything can happen and the Internet is a far more powerful tool these days. If anyone has information, please pass it along. ===Carl Kunath (from Guatemala City) From: Fritz Holt Subject: old member trying to find another old member Does anyone know the whereabouts or status of Bob Hudson? He was a well known caver in the 50's and 60's. I accompanied Jimmy Walker and Bob on one of the earliest trips into The Caverns of Sonora (then Mayfield Cave) in about December, 1955. Jimmy lost track of Bob in the 60's and assumes he is dead. Does anyone have a suggestion on learning his status? Thanks, Fritz Holt
[Texascavers] Bob Hudson
Fritz, et al: You can read about Bob Hudson in 50 YEARS of TEXAS CAVING. He is quite an important person in the history of Texas caving. I was in touch with Bob in the mid-1960s and much of the very early history of Texas caving comes from the information he shared with me in several lengthy letters. Time passed and eventually, the link was lost. While researching for the 50 YEARS book, the search for Bob was renewed. Over several years time, all avenues were explored without success. He is thought to be deceased but that is not an absolute certainty. Anything can happen and the Internet is a far more powerful tool these days. If anyone has information, please pass it along. ===Carl Kunath (from Guatemala City) From: Fritz Holt Subject: old member trying to find another old member Does anyone know the whereabouts or status of Bob Hudson? He was a well known caver in the 50's and 60's. I accompanied Jimmy Walker and Bob on one of the earliest trips into The Caverns of Sonora (then Mayfield Cave) in about December, 1955. Jimmy lost track of Bob in the 60's and assumes he is dead. Does anyone have a suggestion on learning his status? Thanks, Fritz Holt
[Texascavers] Remembering Palmito
Mimi: Palmito has made a lasting impression on many of us. Your story reminds me that it is now just a few days past 50 years ago that I went to Bustamante and Gruta del Palmito for the first time with Bill Gray and others of the original Alamo Grotto. I remember it well. I was stunned! In a way, Palmito (now Grutas de Bustamante) is a time capsule of Texas caver’s experience in Mexico. In half a century, the situation has changed drastically. In the early days, cavers rode the train to Bustamante because the dirt road was too difficult for the few passenger cars in the caver community. Bustamante was a very sleepy little village with no traffic lights and very few amenities. There were no formalities required to visit the cave. Many visitors who planned more than a day visit recruited local burro-wranglers to get their heavy and bulky equipment up the steep trail to the cave. In short, those early visits were something of an exotic experience. For many, it was their first exposure to Mexico other than border towns and almost always their first experience in a cave of such mind-blowing proportions. You had free-run of the cave. In time, visits became more routine and the cave became a traditional “break in the newbies” trip for several grottos. Later, Texas cavers spearheaded efforts to clean the cave of decades of trash and graffiti. Cavers were continuously promoting the recreational and economic aspects of the cave to the Mexican people but things moved very slowly. Through the years, the efforts of the Amigos de la Gruta program made a huge difference in the appearance of the cave. Slowly but surely, support came from the people of Bustamante, the State of Nuevo Leon, and the Federal government of Mexico. Now, half a century after some of those early trips, it is a classic case of “shooting yourself in the foot.” We promoted and popularized the cave so well we finally lost access to it. Grutas de Bustamante is not a wild cave anymore. You reach Bustamante on a nice paved road and perhaps have a cold drink at the Plaza. Then you buy a ticket and drive to the base of the mountain on another paved road. From there, you are transported up the mountain on a winding road to the new tunnel entrance. Now, you follow the guide for a tour of the entrance room. Leave your hard hat at home. We helped restore, preserve, and protect the cave that we loved but in the process we lost the opportunity for an amazing caving experience. The caving literature is full of stories and photos about this great cave but you can most conveniently learn more about Grutas de Bustamante on pages 435-440 in 50 Years of Texas Caving. ===Carl Kunath From: Mimi Jasek Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 11:14 PM To: Louise Power Cc: texas cavers Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Remembering I'm one of those girls who has all kinds of special dates on my calendar, but that day probably tops them all. That trip changed my life, it's direction, and gave me my best friend for life. Took me into a world I did not know existed, asked of and gave more to me than anything I could have imagined, brought me in touch with a lot of amazing people, and the trip has yet to end! How can one not celebrate that? Mimi > From: mjca...@gmail.com > Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:32:46 -0500 > To: texascavers@texascavers.com > Subject: [Texascavers] Remembering > > 40 years ago right about now sitting in the border crossing building on my first trip to Mexico, first cave trip, first camping trip. Destination - Gruta del Palmito. Met my own future cave man on that trip, and have never stopped wanting to go underground. Don't think anyone ever wrote up that trip, either. > > Time flies when you're having fun:) > > Mimi Jasek > > Sent from my iPhone > - > Visit our website: http://texascavers.com > To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com > For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com >
[Texascavers] Remembering Palmito
Mimi: Palmito has made a lasting impression on many of us. Your story reminds me that it is now just a few days past 50 years ago that I went to Bustamante and Gruta del Palmito for the first time with Bill Gray and others of the original Alamo Grotto. I remember it well. I was stunned! In a way, Palmito (now Grutas de Bustamante) is a time capsule of Texas caver’s experience in Mexico. In half a century, the situation has changed drastically. In the early days, cavers rode the train to Bustamante because the dirt road was too difficult for the few passenger cars in the caver community. Bustamante was a very sleepy little village with no traffic lights and very few amenities. There were no formalities required to visit the cave. Many visitors who planned more than a day visit recruited local burro-wranglers to get their heavy and bulky equipment up the steep trail to the cave. In short, those early visits were something of an exotic experience. For many, it was their first exposure to Mexico other than border towns and almost always their first experience in a cave of such mind-blowing proportions. You had free-run of the cave. In time, visits became more routine and the cave became a traditional “break in the newbies” trip for several grottos. Later, Texas cavers spearheaded efforts to clean the cave of decades of trash and graffiti. Cavers were continuously promoting the recreational and economic aspects of the cave to the Mexican people but things moved very slowly. Through the years, the efforts of the Amigos de la Gruta program made a huge difference in the appearance of the cave. Slowly but surely, support came from the people of Bustamante, the State of Nuevo Leon, and the Federal government of Mexico. Now, half a century after some of those early trips, it is a classic case of “shooting yourself in the foot.” We promoted and popularized the cave so well we finally lost access to it. Grutas de Bustamante is not a wild cave anymore. You reach Bustamante on a nice paved road and perhaps have a cold drink at the Plaza. Then you buy a ticket and drive to the base of the mountain on another paved road. From there, you are transported up the mountain on a winding road to the new tunnel entrance. Now, you follow the guide for a tour of the entrance room. Leave your hard hat at home. We helped restore, preserve, and protect the cave that we loved but in the process we lost the opportunity for an amazing caving experience. The caving literature is full of stories and photos about this great cave but you can most conveniently learn more about Grutas de Bustamante on pages 435-440 in 50 Years of Texas Caving. ===Carl Kunath From: Mimi Jasek Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 11:14 PM To: Louise Power Cc: texas cavers Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Remembering I'm one of those girls who has all kinds of special dates on my calendar, but that day probably tops them all. That trip changed my life, it's direction, and gave me my best friend for life. Took me into a world I did not know existed, asked of and gave more to me than anything I could have imagined, brought me in touch with a lot of amazing people, and the trip has yet to end! How can one not celebrate that? Mimi > From: mjca...@gmail.com > Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:32:46 -0500 > To: texascavers@texascavers.com > Subject: [Texascavers] Remembering > > 40 years ago right about now sitting in the border crossing building on my first trip to Mexico, first cave trip, first camping trip. Destination - Gruta del Palmito. Met my own future cave man on that trip, and have never stopped wanting to go underground. Don't think anyone ever wrote up that trip, either. > > Time flies when you're having fun:) > > Mimi Jasek > > Sent from my iPhone > - > Visit our website: http://texascavers.com > To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com > For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com >
[Texascavers] Remembering Palmito
Mimi: Palmito has made a lasting impression on many of us. Your story reminds me that it is now just a few days past 50 years ago that I went to Bustamante and Gruta del Palmito for the first time with Bill Gray and others of the original Alamo Grotto. I remember it well. I was stunned! In a way, Palmito (now Grutas de Bustamante) is a time capsule of Texas caver’s experience in Mexico. In half a century, the situation has changed drastically. In the early days, cavers rode the train to Bustamante because the dirt road was too difficult for the few passenger cars in the caver community. Bustamante was a very sleepy little village with no traffic lights and very few amenities. There were no formalities required to visit the cave. Many visitors who planned more than a day visit recruited local burro-wranglers to get their heavy and bulky equipment up the steep trail to the cave. In short, those early visits were something of an exotic experience. For many, it was their first exposure to Mexico other than border towns and almost always their first experience in a cave of such mind-blowing proportions. You had free-run of the cave. In time, visits became more routine and the cave became a traditional “break in the newbies” trip for several grottos. Later, Texas cavers spearheaded efforts to clean the cave of decades of trash and graffiti. Cavers were continuously promoting the recreational and economic aspects of the cave to the Mexican people but things moved very slowly. Through the years, the efforts of the Amigos de la Gruta program made a huge difference in the appearance of the cave. Slowly but surely, support came from the people of Bustamante, the State of Nuevo Leon, and the Federal government of Mexico. Now, half a century after some of those early trips, it is a classic case of “shooting yourself in the foot.” We promoted and popularized the cave so well we finally lost access to it. Grutas de Bustamante is not a wild cave anymore. You reach Bustamante on a nice paved road and perhaps have a cold drink at the Plaza. Then you buy a ticket and drive to the base of the mountain on another paved road. From there, you are transported up the mountain on a winding road to the new tunnel entrance. Now, you follow the guide for a tour of the entrance room. Leave your hard hat at home. We helped restore, preserve, and protect the cave that we loved but in the process we lost the opportunity for an amazing caving experience. The caving literature is full of stories and photos about this great cave but you can most conveniently learn more about Grutas de Bustamante on pages 435-440 in 50 Years of Texas Caving. ===Carl Kunath From: Mimi Jasek Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 11:14 PM To: Louise Power Cc: texas cavers Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Remembering I'm one of those girls who has all kinds of special dates on my calendar, but that day probably tops them all. That trip changed my life, it's direction, and gave me my best friend for life. Took me into a world I did not know existed, asked of and gave more to me than anything I could have imagined, brought me in touch with a lot of amazing people, and the trip has yet to end! How can one not celebrate that? Mimi > From: mjca...@gmail.com > Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:32:46 -0500 > To: texascavers@texascavers.com > Subject: [Texascavers] Remembering > > 40 years ago right about now sitting in the border crossing building on my first trip to Mexico, first cave trip, first camping trip. Destination - Gruta del Palmito. Met my own future cave man on that trip, and have never stopped wanting to go underground. Don't think anyone ever wrote up that trip, either. > > Time flies when you're having fun:) > > Mimi Jasek > > Sent from my iPhone > - > Visit our website: http://texascavers.com > To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com > For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com >
[Texascavers] Project X-Ray
See also 50 Years of Texas Caving, page 22, first paragraph. “The story of Dr. Lytle S. Adams and what was eventually named “Project X-Ray” is truly a Texas-size tale. Briefly, the time was 1942-1943, the US was at war with Japan and the idea was to capture bats, attach incendiary devices and release them over strategic areas of Japan. The bats would take refuge wherever they could and the resulting simultaneous fires would wreak havoc on the enemy. It is reported that the search for the largest concentrations of suitable bats included 1,000 caves and 3,000 mines. Eventually, Bracken and Ney caves were selected as best suited and their entrances were screened to collect the free-tailed bat, Tadarida mexicana. This bat, weighing only one-third ounce, was selected for its ability to carry a bomb-load of one ounce. Although never put into action against Japan, the idea was proven viable when a couple of bomb-equipped bats escaped and the resulting fires burned most of a military installation near Carlsbad, New Mexico.” ===Carl Kunath From: Bill Bentley Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 12:01 PM To: Louise Power ; texas cavers ; s...@caver.net Subject: [Texascavers] Re: [SWR] Curious about WWII bat bombs? You should read the book about Project X-Ray called the "Bat Bomb"... very interesting reading Bill... - Original Message - From: Louise Power To: texas cavers ; s...@caver.net Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 11:54 AM Subject: [SWR] Curious about WWII bat bombs? Take a look at this: http://msnvideo.msn.com/?channelindex=4&from=en-us_msnhp#/video/a028c91e-8f5e-43bf-a6a3-4fa70c9f4613 -- ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[Texascavers] Project X-Ray
See also 50 Years of Texas Caving, page 22, first paragraph. “The story of Dr. Lytle S. Adams and what was eventually named “Project X-Ray” is truly a Texas-size tale. Briefly, the time was 1942-1943, the US was at war with Japan and the idea was to capture bats, attach incendiary devices and release them over strategic areas of Japan. The bats would take refuge wherever they could and the resulting simultaneous fires would wreak havoc on the enemy. It is reported that the search for the largest concentrations of suitable bats included 1,000 caves and 3,000 mines. Eventually, Bracken and Ney caves were selected as best suited and their entrances were screened to collect the free-tailed bat, Tadarida mexicana. This bat, weighing only one-third ounce, was selected for its ability to carry a bomb-load of one ounce. Although never put into action against Japan, the idea was proven viable when a couple of bomb-equipped bats escaped and the resulting fires burned most of a military installation near Carlsbad, New Mexico.” ===Carl Kunath From: Bill Bentley Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 12:01 PM To: Louise Power ; texas cavers ; s...@caver.net Subject: [Texascavers] Re: [SWR] Curious about WWII bat bombs? You should read the book about Project X-Ray called the "Bat Bomb"... very interesting reading Bill... - Original Message - From: Louise Power To: texas cavers ; s...@caver.net Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 11:54 AM Subject: [SWR] Curious about WWII bat bombs? Take a look at this: http://msnvideo.msn.com/?channelindex=4&from=en-us_msnhp#/video/a028c91e-8f5e-43bf-a6a3-4fa70c9f4613 -- ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[Texascavers] Project X-Ray
See also 50 Years of Texas Caving, page 22, first paragraph. “The story of Dr. Lytle S. Adams and what was eventually named “Project X-Ray” is truly a Texas-size tale. Briefly, the time was 1942-1943, the US was at war with Japan and the idea was to capture bats, attach incendiary devices and release them over strategic areas of Japan. The bats would take refuge wherever they could and the resulting simultaneous fires would wreak havoc on the enemy. It is reported that the search for the largest concentrations of suitable bats included 1,000 caves and 3,000 mines. Eventually, Bracken and Ney caves were selected as best suited and their entrances were screened to collect the free-tailed bat, Tadarida mexicana. This bat, weighing only one-third ounce, was selected for its ability to carry a bomb-load of one ounce. Although never put into action against Japan, the idea was proven viable when a couple of bomb-equipped bats escaped and the resulting fires burned most of a military installation near Carlsbad, New Mexico.” ===Carl Kunath From: Bill Bentley Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 12:01 PM To: Louise Power ; texas cavers ; s...@caver.net Subject: [Texascavers] Re: [SWR] Curious about WWII bat bombs? You should read the book about Project X-Ray called the "Bat Bomb"... very interesting reading Bill... - Original Message - From: Louise Power To: texas cavers ; s...@caver.net Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 11:54 AM Subject: [SWR] Curious about WWII bat bombs? Take a look at this: http://msnvideo.msn.com/?channelindex=4&from=en-us_msnhp#/video/a028c91e-8f5e-43bf-a6a3-4fa70c9f4613 -- ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[Texascavers] Joe "King" Carrasco
Some of you may not have heard any of Carrasco’s music which has variously been described as “wavo nuevo” and “tequila reggae.” Dig around and see if you can give a listen to such classics as Jalepeño Con Big Red, Federales, and Caca de Vaca. You can get a sample by surfing around on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3DyiElJV14 What a pity he was not available for ICS 2009! ===Carl Kunath From: speleoste...@aol.com Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 6:36 AM To: gi...@att.net ; texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Austin Lounge Lizards Here's a little morsel about Joe "King" Carrasco. In 1979 the Huautla Project held a benefit concert at Soap Creek Saloon in Austin to raise money to buy caving rope. Through Jim Lawless, a housemate of Blake Harrison's, I lined up Joe "King" to play at it. His band was to be one of three bands playing that night. But at the last minute he had to go to his mother's unexpected wedding in Utah. He told me that he would make good on it someday. Fast forward nearly 30 years. When I was recruited to be in charge of the Howdy Party for the ICS in 2009, and starting in 2007, I contacted Joe "King" through Ruff Daniels, who owns property next to some Joe "King" has near Marble Falls. "King" said he'd do it and to keep checking back with him. So I did. When it got to be within a few months, and he was living in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California and playing in bars there, he told me, "I can't tell you for sure that I can be there! You're asking me to play in Texas in eight months, and I don't know where I'll be in eight days." So I canceled on Joe "King" Carrasco performing at the ICS Howdy Party and went instead with the Dusty Britches Band. Joe "King" knows some cavers and knows about caving. Bill Steele In a message dated 5/5/2013 8:07:16 P.M. Central Daylight Time, gi...@att.net writes: Does anybody know anything about this song, supposed to be released on 7 May 2013 by the Austin Lounge Lizards? “Spelunking with Joe King Carrasco” (a brilliantly layered, corrido-inflected ballad about, well, you get the idea). A friend of mine from Maryland said he heard it on the radio today. Some of yall will remember when the Austin Lounge Lizards used to play at TCR back when they were affordable and we had some insiders working magic.Others of you won't. --Ediger
[Texascavers] Joe "King" Carrasco
Some of you may not have heard any of Carrasco’s music which has variously been described as “wavo nuevo” and “tequila reggae.” Dig around and see if you can give a listen to such classics as Jalepeño Con Big Red, Federales, and Caca de Vaca. You can get a sample by surfing around on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3DyiElJV14 What a pity he was not available for ICS 2009! ===Carl Kunath From: speleoste...@aol.com Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 6:36 AM To: gi...@att.net ; texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Austin Lounge Lizards Here's a little morsel about Joe "King" Carrasco. In 1979 the Huautla Project held a benefit concert at Soap Creek Saloon in Austin to raise money to buy caving rope. Through Jim Lawless, a housemate of Blake Harrison's, I lined up Joe "King" to play at it. His band was to be one of three bands playing that night. But at the last minute he had to go to his mother's unexpected wedding in Utah. He told me that he would make good on it someday. Fast forward nearly 30 years. When I was recruited to be in charge of the Howdy Party for the ICS in 2009, and starting in 2007, I contacted Joe "King" through Ruff Daniels, who owns property next to some Joe "King" has near Marble Falls. "King" said he'd do it and to keep checking back with him. So I did. When it got to be within a few months, and he was living in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California and playing in bars there, he told me, "I can't tell you for sure that I can be there! You're asking me to play in Texas in eight months, and I don't know where I'll be in eight days." So I canceled on Joe "King" Carrasco performing at the ICS Howdy Party and went instead with the Dusty Britches Band. Joe "King" knows some cavers and knows about caving. Bill Steele In a message dated 5/5/2013 8:07:16 P.M. Central Daylight Time, gi...@att.net writes: Does anybody know anything about this song, supposed to be released on 7 May 2013 by the Austin Lounge Lizards? “Spelunking with Joe King Carrasco” (a brilliantly layered, corrido-inflected ballad about, well, you get the idea). A friend of mine from Maryland said he heard it on the radio today. Some of yall will remember when the Austin Lounge Lizards used to play at TCR back when they were affordable and we had some insiders working magic.Others of you won't. --Ediger
[Texascavers] Joe "King" Carrasco
Some of you may not have heard any of Carrasco’s music which has variously been described as “wavo nuevo” and “tequila reggae.” Dig around and see if you can give a listen to such classics as Jalepeño Con Big Red, Federales, and Caca de Vaca. You can get a sample by surfing around on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3DyiElJV14 What a pity he was not available for ICS 2009! ===Carl Kunath From: speleoste...@aol.com Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 6:36 AM To: gi...@att.net ; texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Austin Lounge Lizards Here's a little morsel about Joe "King" Carrasco. In 1979 the Huautla Project held a benefit concert at Soap Creek Saloon in Austin to raise money to buy caving rope. Through Jim Lawless, a housemate of Blake Harrison's, I lined up Joe "King" to play at it. His band was to be one of three bands playing that night. But at the last minute he had to go to his mother's unexpected wedding in Utah. He told me that he would make good on it someday. Fast forward nearly 30 years. When I was recruited to be in charge of the Howdy Party for the ICS in 2009, and starting in 2007, I contacted Joe "King" through Ruff Daniels, who owns property next to some Joe "King" has near Marble Falls. "King" said he'd do it and to keep checking back with him. So I did. When it got to be within a few months, and he was living in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California and playing in bars there, he told me, "I can't tell you for sure that I can be there! You're asking me to play in Texas in eight months, and I don't know where I'll be in eight days." So I canceled on Joe "King" Carrasco performing at the ICS Howdy Party and went instead with the Dusty Britches Band. Joe "King" knows some cavers and knows about caving. Bill Steele In a message dated 5/5/2013 8:07:16 P.M. Central Daylight Time, gi...@att.net writes: Does anybody know anything about this song, supposed to be released on 7 May 2013 by the Austin Lounge Lizards? “Spelunking with Joe King Carrasco” (a brilliantly layered, corrido-inflected ballad about, well, you get the idea). A friend of mine from Maryland said he heard it on the radio today. Some of yall will remember when the Austin Lounge Lizards used to play at TCR back when they were affordable and we had some insiders working magic.Others of you won't. --Ediger
Re: [Texascavers] TSA Spring Business Meeting Minutes
Incredible! TSA has been blessed with some wonderful Secretaries through the years but I believe Heather has just raised the bar another notch. Imagine! Minutes made available a mere 75 hours after the meeting! Heather, you are a gem! ===Carl Kunath From: Heather Tucek Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:10 PM To: Texas Cavers Subject: [Texascavers] TSA Spring Business Meeting Minutes Hi y'all! Thanks to everyone who can out to the TSA Convention this past weekend, and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who put their time and effort in to making it happen! The minutes taken from the TSA Business Meeting on Saturday afternoon are now online to be viewed (Thanks, Butch!) You can find the minutes at: http://cavetexas.org/PDF/TSA/Minutes-2013-04-06.pdf (direct link). Homepage link: http://cavetexas.org/ Minutes Menu page: http://cavetexas.org/TSA/meetingminutes.html -h -- Go find out! -Heather Tuček UT Grotto, DFW Grotto TSA Secretary & Membership Chair NSS 59660 (512) 773-1348 trog...@cavechat.org
Re: [Texascavers] TSA Spring Business Meeting Minutes
Incredible! TSA has been blessed with some wonderful Secretaries through the years but I believe Heather has just raised the bar another notch. Imagine! Minutes made available a mere 75 hours after the meeting! Heather, you are a gem! ===Carl Kunath From: Heather Tucek Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:10 PM To: Texas Cavers Subject: [Texascavers] TSA Spring Business Meeting Minutes Hi y'all! Thanks to everyone who can out to the TSA Convention this past weekend, and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who put their time and effort in to making it happen! The minutes taken from the TSA Business Meeting on Saturday afternoon are now online to be viewed (Thanks, Butch!) You can find the minutes at: http://cavetexas.org/PDF/TSA/Minutes-2013-04-06.pdf (direct link). Homepage link: http://cavetexas.org/ Minutes Menu page: http://cavetexas.org/TSA/meetingminutes.html -h -- Go find out! -Heather Tuček UT Grotto, DFW Grotto TSA Secretary & Membership Chair NSS 59660 (512) 773-1348 trog...@cavechat.org
Re: [Texascavers] TSA Spring Business Meeting Minutes
Incredible! TSA has been blessed with some wonderful Secretaries through the years but I believe Heather has just raised the bar another notch. Imagine! Minutes made available a mere 75 hours after the meeting! Heather, you are a gem! ===Carl Kunath From: Heather Tucek Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:10 PM To: Texas Cavers Subject: [Texascavers] TSA Spring Business Meeting Minutes Hi y'all! Thanks to everyone who can out to the TSA Convention this past weekend, and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who put their time and effort in to making it happen! The minutes taken from the TSA Business Meeting on Saturday afternoon are now online to be viewed (Thanks, Butch!) You can find the minutes at: http://cavetexas.org/PDF/TSA/Minutes-2013-04-06.pdf (direct link). Homepage link: http://cavetexas.org/ Minutes Menu page: http://cavetexas.org/TSA/meetingminutes.html -h -- Go find out! -Heather Tuček UT Grotto, DFW Grotto TSA Secretary & Membership Chair NSS 59660 (512) 773-1348 trog...@cavechat.org
[Texascavers] TSA Convention 2013
I’ve been to many TSA Conventions. This must rank as one of the very best. Thanks, to Roger Moore and the many, many others who played important roles in making this event a great success. Thanks to the many Texas cavers who attended in support of this gathering. Very special thanks to Tom Summers, gracious owner of CWAN, for agreeing to host this Convention! The weather was cooperative and the venue was extraordinary. I believe this was the best-behaved, most considerate audience for many years. Those in attendance gave the presenters appropriate attention, rarely came and went during the programs, and generally refrained from inappropriately chatting with their neighbors. If you read the foregoing and say, “well DUH,” think back to the horrible situation we had at Kerrville State Park a few years ago when those in the back of the room were repeatedly admonished to “settle down or take it outside.” This year it was all good. Thanks everyone! ===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] TSA Convention 2013
I’ve been to many TSA Conventions. This must rank as one of the very best. Thanks, to Roger Moore and the many, many others who played important roles in making this event a great success. Thanks to the many Texas cavers who attended in support of this gathering. Very special thanks to Tom Summers, gracious owner of CWAN, for agreeing to host this Convention! The weather was cooperative and the venue was extraordinary. I believe this was the best-behaved, most considerate audience for many years. Those in attendance gave the presenters appropriate attention, rarely came and went during the programs, and generally refrained from inappropriately chatting with their neighbors. If you read the foregoing and say, “well DUH,” think back to the horrible situation we had at Kerrville State Park a few years ago when those in the back of the room were repeatedly admonished to “settle down or take it outside.” This year it was all good. Thanks everyone! ===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] TSA Convention 2013
I’ve been to many TSA Conventions. This must rank as one of the very best. Thanks, to Roger Moore and the many, many others who played important roles in making this event a great success. Thanks to the many Texas cavers who attended in support of this gathering. Very special thanks to Tom Summers, gracious owner of CWAN, for agreeing to host this Convention! The weather was cooperative and the venue was extraordinary. I believe this was the best-behaved, most considerate audience for many years. Those in attendance gave the presenters appropriate attention, rarely came and went during the programs, and generally refrained from inappropriately chatting with their neighbors. If you read the foregoing and say, “well DUH,” think back to the horrible situation we had at Kerrville State Park a few years ago when those in the back of the room were repeatedly admonished to “settle down or take it outside.” This year it was all good. Thanks everyone! ===Carl Kunath
[SWR] Meador Remembered
Actually, there was a portion of the Guadalupe Room extension at CCNP that was known as the "Meador Pincher." This constriction was near the beginning of the route and had to be enlarged to allow Tom to pass. I'm not sure if the name was official enough to make it onto the maps. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Bob Buecher Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:56 AM To: Pete Lindsley ; Jim Evatt Cc: Southwestern Region Subject: Re: [SWR] Remembrance Disappointed Jim, Thanks for remembering Tom! I must say that I have always been disappointed that no one has named a cave or portion of a cave after Tom. Perhaps it might be appropriate to name some feature of Ft. Stanton's Snowy River after Tom. It may be Snowy River but it is also a river of milk ... and where else would you expect to see Tom. Bob Buecher ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[SWR] Meador Remembered
Actually, there was a portion of the Guadalupe Room extension at CCNP that was known as the "Meador Pincher." This constriction was near the beginning of the route and had to be enlarged to allow Tom to pass. I'm not sure if the name was official enough to make it onto the maps. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Bob Buecher Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:56 AM To: Pete Lindsley ; Jim Evatt Cc: Southwestern Region Subject: Re: [SWR] Remembrance Disappointed Jim, Thanks for remembering Tom! I must say that I have always been disappointed that no one has named a cave or portion of a cave after Tom. Perhaps it might be appropriate to name some feature of Ft. Stanton's Snowy River after Tom. It may be Snowy River but it is also a river of milk ... and where else would you expect to see Tom. Bob Buecher ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[SWR] Meador Remembered
Actually, there was a portion of the Guadalupe Room extension at CCNP that was known as the "Meador Pincher." This constriction was near the beginning of the route and had to be enlarged to allow Tom to pass. I'm not sure if the name was official enough to make it onto the maps. ===Carl Kunath -Original Message- From: Bob Buecher Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:56 AM To: Pete Lindsley ; Jim Evatt Cc: Southwestern Region Subject: Re: [SWR] Remembrance Disappointed Jim, Thanks for remembering Tom! I must say that I have always been disappointed that no one has named a cave or portion of a cave after Tom. Perhaps it might be appropriate to name some feature of Ft. Stanton's Snowy River after Tom. It may be Snowy River but it is also a river of milk ... and where else would you expect to see Tom. Bob Buecher ___ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr ___ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
[Texascavers] Phantom Lake Cave
There is considerable exciting news about Phantom Lake Cave these days. Here is the best pictorial site I have seen thus far: http://www.admfoundation.org/projects/phantomcave2013/phantom2013.html There is much more background information in the caving literature. The most accessible is probably page 214 in the 1994 NSS Convention Guide Book where there is a description and map showing the relationship of several other small caves nearby. In addition, there is a selection of pictures and a description of some 1990s diving activities on pages 298-300 of 50 YEARS OF TEXAS CAVING. Looks like we are in for some exciting cave news in Jeff Davis County. ===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] Phantom Lake Cave
There is considerable exciting news about Phantom Lake Cave these days. Here is the best pictorial site I have seen thus far: http://www.admfoundation.org/projects/phantomcave2013/phantom2013.html There is much more background information in the caving literature. The most accessible is probably page 214 in the 1994 NSS Convention Guide Book where there is a description and map showing the relationship of several other small caves nearby. In addition, there is a selection of pictures and a description of some 1990s diving activities on pages 298-300 of 50 YEARS OF TEXAS CAVING. Looks like we are in for some exciting cave news in Jeff Davis County. ===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] Phantom Lake Cave
There is considerable exciting news about Phantom Lake Cave these days. Here is the best pictorial site I have seen thus far: http://www.admfoundation.org/projects/phantomcave2013/phantom2013.html There is much more background information in the caving literature. The most accessible is probably page 214 in the 1994 NSS Convention Guide Book where there is a description and map showing the relationship of several other small caves nearby. In addition, there is a selection of pictures and a description of some 1990s diving activities on pages 298-300 of 50 YEARS OF TEXAS CAVING. Looks like we are in for some exciting cave news in Jeff Davis County. ===Carl Kunath