Re: [Texascavers] December 3rd - Longhorn Report

2011-12-08 Thread Logan McNatt

Mark, et al.,

Just saw your trip report, so ditto the thanks I just sent to Jim.  Two caving 
trip reports sent to the list on the same day is great!

Logan

On 12/8/2011 9:42 AM, mark.al...@l-3com.com wrote:


Hey, y’all.

Before my feeble memory forgets and the weekend gets here, I just thought I’d post a report from what we accomplished this past weekend at the 
Longhorn Caverns SP Project:


*_Participants:_*

*__*

Alan Downey – Project 1

David Franks – Project 1

Kyle Leonard – Project 2

Scott Grimes – Project 2

Nicole Yzaguirre – Project 2

Rachel Saker – Project 2

Joshua Smith – Project 2

Valerie Bowen – Project 2

Leslie Bell – Project 1

Christopher Francke – Project 1

Gerald Geletzke – Project 1

Jerome ? – Project 2

Maya Liu – Project 2

Rahul Bhandari – Project 2

Mark Alman – Project 2

Total volunteer hours: 182 hours, including 92 hours drive time.

_Project One: The Search for New Passage_

*_Lumbago Alley Area Dig Team Report from Christopher E. Francke:_*

At first inspection, the dig passage looked about 25+ feet long, with rocky sediment, and filled the 2.5 foot high passage to about 2 feet. 
Basically a 6 inch gap, from sediment layer to ceiling.


We, first cleared the outside entrance of the passage, in order to level the area so a digger's body would not be at a down sloping angle 
while digging.


The next few hours, all diggers removed the sediment, rocks and debris.

At the conclusion of the dig, the passage was opened to about 16 feet, where there was about 2 feet long of "tubular" passage remaining, 
before the passage opens to a "room" about 4+ feet wider, the ceiling raising to about 3+. This "room" had a depth, from the end point of the 
dig, about 6 feet, and appeared to veer to the right of the passage.


It is apparent that the floor sediment of the room begins to slope near the walls and water is settled in those areas. It may be likely that 
the passage will become more watery at this point. There was no water settling in the passage during the dig, although if one dug deep enough, 
the sediment became more wet and muddy and less rocky.


I'm excited to go back, knowing that we are about 2ft (say 1hr) away from getting in to 
the little "room" ahead.

Thank you, Mark for the opportunity to help the folks at Longhorn Caverns.

_Project Two: Lovers Lane Trail and Drain Rebuilding_

__

__

*_Team Report from Mark Alman_*

*__*

*__*

Let me first compliment the Project 2 folks, made up mainly of young cavers from the A.S.S. (Aggie Grotto) as consistently being one of the 
hardest working and most pleasant to be around group of cavers I have ever encountered.


We got a *_LOT_ *done this past weekend!

Using fill material removed from the heavily silted and compacted floor near the dam below the Pigs Trough area of Lovers Lane, we have 
managed to replace all of the material that was washed out during heavy flooding that exposed the large drainage pipe.


This area is now filled back in and all sign of the drainage pipe has been eliminated. Next project weekend, we will begin hauling in gravel 
and rock to give the area a more “natural” appearance and, hopefully, minimize erosion during the next big rain.


The trail there is also now very smooth and has been taken down to the original 
trail and stone. Much easier to walk, now!

After a short and enjoyable lunch in the LCSP cafeteria (yeah, we really rough it) we tackled removing anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of the 
silted in and dried material that covered the original trail just down from the drainage pipe area. The “youngsters” managed to remove a 
section 2 to 3 feet wide and approximately 12 to 15 feet long of compacted mud and top soil that revealed the original trail through this area.


A very efficient bucket brigade system moved several large buckets of material that were deposited just behind a stone wall ~50’ away to help 
reinforce it against future flooding.


Their amazing work increased the head room through this area immensely, making it easier for visitors to pass through without bashing their 
heads.


We still have ~12 to 15’ of trail to complete before exposing the original 
trail. And then, on to a plethora of other Lovers Lane projects.

We finished up this project around 3 PM and Gerry escorted 11 of the crew on a 
through trip to the Crownover exit.

Two of the Aggie cavers ran in to Burnet for supplies and, after securing the Crownover key from LCSP staff, I met the mud-encrusted intrepid 
travelers around 5:30 at the LC Back door and transported them all back to camp in the back of my truck.


During their trek, a nice nap was enjoyed by yours truly near the Crownover 
gate.

After cleaning up, some stayed in camp, while 8 of us went in to Marble Falls for a delightful dinner and the highly recommended Peanut Butter 
Pie at the always satisfying Bluebonnet Café.


Alan, Rahul, Maya, Christopher, and Leslie said their goodbyes and headed home 
after dining, while Gerry, Josh, and I heade

Re: [Texascavers] December 3rd - Longhorn Report

2011-12-08 Thread Logan McNatt

Mark, et al.,

Just saw your trip report, so ditto the thanks I just sent to Jim.  Two caving 
trip reports sent to the list on the same day is great!

Logan

On 12/8/2011 9:42 AM, mark.al...@l-3com.com wrote:


Hey, y’all.

Before my feeble memory forgets and the weekend gets here, I just thought I’d post a report from what we accomplished this past weekend at the 
Longhorn Caverns SP Project:


*_Participants:_*

*__*

Alan Downey – Project 1

David Franks – Project 1

Kyle Leonard – Project 2

Scott Grimes – Project 2

Nicole Yzaguirre – Project 2

Rachel Saker – Project 2

Joshua Smith – Project 2

Valerie Bowen – Project 2

Leslie Bell – Project 1

Christopher Francke – Project 1

Gerald Geletzke – Project 1

Jerome ? – Project 2

Maya Liu – Project 2

Rahul Bhandari – Project 2

Mark Alman – Project 2

Total volunteer hours: 182 hours, including 92 hours drive time.

_Project One: The Search for New Passage_

*_Lumbago Alley Area Dig Team Report from Christopher E. Francke:_*

At first inspection, the dig passage looked about 25+ feet long, with rocky sediment, and filled the 2.5 foot high passage to about 2 feet. 
Basically a 6 inch gap, from sediment layer to ceiling.


We, first cleared the outside entrance of the passage, in order to level the area so a digger's body would not be at a down sloping angle 
while digging.


The next few hours, all diggers removed the sediment, rocks and debris.

At the conclusion of the dig, the passage was opened to about 16 feet, where there was about 2 feet long of "tubular" passage remaining, 
before the passage opens to a "room" about 4+ feet wider, the ceiling raising to about 3+. This "room" had a depth, from the end point of the 
dig, about 6 feet, and appeared to veer to the right of the passage.


It is apparent that the floor sediment of the room begins to slope near the walls and water is settled in those areas. It may be likely that 
the passage will become more watery at this point. There was no water settling in the passage during the dig, although if one dug deep enough, 
the sediment became more wet and muddy and less rocky.


I'm excited to go back, knowing that we are about 2ft (say 1hr) away from getting in to 
the little "room" ahead.

Thank you, Mark for the opportunity to help the folks at Longhorn Caverns.

_Project Two: Lovers Lane Trail and Drain Rebuilding_

__

__

*_Team Report from Mark Alman_*

*__*

*__*

Let me first compliment the Project 2 folks, made up mainly of young cavers from the A.S.S. (Aggie Grotto) as consistently being one of the 
hardest working and most pleasant to be around group of cavers I have ever encountered.


We got a *_LOT_ *done this past weekend!

Using fill material removed from the heavily silted and compacted floor near the dam below the Pigs Trough area of Lovers Lane, we have 
managed to replace all of the material that was washed out during heavy flooding that exposed the large drainage pipe.


This area is now filled back in and all sign of the drainage pipe has been eliminated. Next project weekend, we will begin hauling in gravel 
and rock to give the area a more “natural” appearance and, hopefully, minimize erosion during the next big rain.


The trail there is also now very smooth and has been taken down to the original 
trail and stone. Much easier to walk, now!

After a short and enjoyable lunch in the LCSP cafeteria (yeah, we really rough it) we tackled removing anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of the 
silted in and dried material that covered the original trail just down from the drainage pipe area. The “youngsters” managed to remove a 
section 2 to 3 feet wide and approximately 12 to 15 feet long of compacted mud and top soil that revealed the original trail through this area.


A very efficient bucket brigade system moved several large buckets of material that were deposited just behind a stone wall ~50’ away to help 
reinforce it against future flooding.


Their amazing work increased the head room through this area immensely, making it easier for visitors to pass through without bashing their 
heads.


We still have ~12 to 15’ of trail to complete before exposing the original 
trail. And then, on to a plethora of other Lovers Lane projects.

We finished up this project around 3 PM and Gerry escorted 11 of the crew on a 
through trip to the Crownover exit.

Two of the Aggie cavers ran in to Burnet for supplies and, after securing the Crownover key from LCSP staff, I met the mud-encrusted intrepid 
travelers around 5:30 at the LC Back door and transported them all back to camp in the back of my truck.


During their trek, a nice nap was enjoyed by yours truly near the Crownover 
gate.

After cleaning up, some stayed in camp, while 8 of us went in to Marble Falls for a delightful dinner and the highly recommended Peanut Butter 
Pie at the always satisfying Bluebonnet Café.


Alan, Rahul, Maya, Christopher, and Leslie said their goodbyes and headed home 
after dining, while Gerry, Josh, and I heade

Re: [Texascavers] December 3rd - Longhorn Report

2011-12-08 Thread Logan McNatt

Mark, et al.,

Just saw your trip report, so ditto the thanks I just sent to Jim.  Two caving 
trip reports sent to the list on the same day is great!

Logan

On 12/8/2011 9:42 AM, mark.al...@l-3com.com wrote:


Hey, y’all.

Before my feeble memory forgets and the weekend gets here, I just thought I’d post a report from what we accomplished this past weekend at the 
Longhorn Caverns SP Project:


*_Participants:_*

*__*

Alan Downey – Project 1

David Franks – Project 1

Kyle Leonard – Project 2

Scott Grimes – Project 2

Nicole Yzaguirre – Project 2

Rachel Saker – Project 2

Joshua Smith – Project 2

Valerie Bowen – Project 2

Leslie Bell – Project 1

Christopher Francke – Project 1

Gerald Geletzke – Project 1

Jerome ? – Project 2

Maya Liu – Project 2

Rahul Bhandari – Project 2

Mark Alman – Project 2

Total volunteer hours: 182 hours, including 92 hours drive time.

_Project One: The Search for New Passage_

*_Lumbago Alley Area Dig Team Report from Christopher E. Francke:_*

At first inspection, the dig passage looked about 25+ feet long, with rocky sediment, and filled the 2.5 foot high passage to about 2 feet. 
Basically a 6 inch gap, from sediment layer to ceiling.


We, first cleared the outside entrance of the passage, in order to level the area so a digger's body would not be at a down sloping angle 
while digging.


The next few hours, all diggers removed the sediment, rocks and debris.

At the conclusion of the dig, the passage was opened to about 16 feet, where there was about 2 feet long of "tubular" passage remaining, 
before the passage opens to a "room" about 4+ feet wider, the ceiling raising to about 3+. This "room" had a depth, from the end point of the 
dig, about 6 feet, and appeared to veer to the right of the passage.


It is apparent that the floor sediment of the room begins to slope near the walls and water is settled in those areas. It may be likely that 
the passage will become more watery at this point. There was no water settling in the passage during the dig, although if one dug deep enough, 
the sediment became more wet and muddy and less rocky.


I'm excited to go back, knowing that we are about 2ft (say 1hr) away from getting in to 
the little "room" ahead.

Thank you, Mark for the opportunity to help the folks at Longhorn Caverns.

_Project Two: Lovers Lane Trail and Drain Rebuilding_

__

__

*_Team Report from Mark Alman_*

*__*

*__*

Let me first compliment the Project 2 folks, made up mainly of young cavers from the A.S.S. (Aggie Grotto) as consistently being one of the 
hardest working and most pleasant to be around group of cavers I have ever encountered.


We got a *_LOT_ *done this past weekend!

Using fill material removed from the heavily silted and compacted floor near the dam below the Pigs Trough area of Lovers Lane, we have 
managed to replace all of the material that was washed out during heavy flooding that exposed the large drainage pipe.


This area is now filled back in and all sign of the drainage pipe has been eliminated. Next project weekend, we will begin hauling in gravel 
and rock to give the area a more “natural” appearance and, hopefully, minimize erosion during the next big rain.


The trail there is also now very smooth and has been taken down to the original 
trail and stone. Much easier to walk, now!

After a short and enjoyable lunch in the LCSP cafeteria (yeah, we really rough it) we tackled removing anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of the 
silted in and dried material that covered the original trail just down from the drainage pipe area. The “youngsters” managed to remove a 
section 2 to 3 feet wide and approximately 12 to 15 feet long of compacted mud and top soil that revealed the original trail through this area.


A very efficient bucket brigade system moved several large buckets of material that were deposited just behind a stone wall ~50’ away to help 
reinforce it against future flooding.


Their amazing work increased the head room through this area immensely, making it easier for visitors to pass through without bashing their 
heads.


We still have ~12 to 15’ of trail to complete before exposing the original 
trail. And then, on to a plethora of other Lovers Lane projects.

We finished up this project around 3 PM and Gerry escorted 11 of the crew on a 
through trip to the Crownover exit.

Two of the Aggie cavers ran in to Burnet for supplies and, after securing the Crownover key from LCSP staff, I met the mud-encrusted intrepid 
travelers around 5:30 at the LC Back door and transported them all back to camp in the back of my truck.


During their trek, a nice nap was enjoyed by yours truly near the Crownover 
gate.

After cleaning up, some stayed in camp, while 8 of us went in to Marble Falls for a delightful dinner and the highly recommended Peanut Butter 
Pie at the always satisfying Bluebonnet Café.


Alan, Rahul, Maya, Christopher, and Leslie said their goodbyes and headed home 
after dining, while Gerry, Josh, and I heade

[Texascavers] December 3rd - Longhorn Report

2011-12-08 Thread Mark . Alman
Hey, y’all.

 

Before my feeble memory forgets and the weekend gets here, I just thought I’d 
post a report from what we accomplished this past weekend at the Longhorn 
Caverns SP Project:

 

 

Participants:

 

Alan Downey – Project 1

David Franks – Project 1

Kyle Leonard – Project 2

Scott Grimes – Project 2

Nicole Yzaguirre – Project 2

Rachel Saker – Project 2

Joshua Smith – Project 2

Valerie Bowen – Project 2

Leslie Bell – Project 1

Christopher Francke – Project 1

Gerald Geletzke – Project 1

Jerome ? – Project 2

Maya Liu – Project 2

Rahul Bhandari – Project 2

Mark Alman – Project 2

 

Total volunteer hours: 182 hours, including 92 hours drive time.

 

 

 

Project One: The Search for New Passage

 

 

Lumbago Alley Area Dig Team Report from Christopher E. Francke:

 

At first inspection, the dig passage looked about 25+ feet long, with rocky 
sediment, and filled the 2.5 foot high passage to about 2 feet. Basically a 6 
inch gap, from sediment layer to ceiling.

 

We, first cleared the outside entrance of the passage, in order to level the 
area so a digger's body would not be at a down sloping angle while digging.

 

The next few hours, all diggers removed the sediment, rocks and debris.

At the conclusion of the dig, the passage was opened to about 16 feet, where 
there was about 2 feet long of "tubular" passage remaining, before the passage 
opens to a "room" about 4+ feet wider, the ceiling raising to about 3+. This 
"room" had a depth, from the end point of the dig, about 6 feet, and appeared 
to veer to the right of the passage.

 

It is apparent that the floor sediment of the room begins to slope near the 
walls and water is settled in those areas. It may be likely that the passage 
will become more watery at this point. There was no water settling in the 
passage during the dig, although if one dug deep enough, the sediment became 
more wet and muddy and less rocky.

 

I'm excited to go back, knowing that we are about 2ft (say 1hr) away from 
getting in to the little "room" ahead.

 

Thank you, Mark for the opportunity to help the folks at Longhorn Caverns.

 

 

 

 

Project Two: Lovers Lane Trail and Drain Rebuilding

 

 

Team Report from Mark Alman

 

 

Let me first compliment the Project 2 folks, made up mainly of young cavers 
from the A.S.S. (Aggie Grotto) as consistently being one of the hardest working 
and most pleasant to be around group of cavers I have ever encountered.

 

We got a LOT done this past weekend!

 

Using fill material removed from the heavily silted and compacted floor near 
the dam below the Pigs Trough area of Lovers Lane, we have managed to replace 
all of the material that was washed out during heavy flooding that exposed the 
large drainage pipe.

 

This area is now filled back in and all sign of the drainage pipe has been 
eliminated. Next project weekend, we will begin hauling in gravel and rock to 
give the area a more “natural” appearance and, hopefully, minimize erosion 
during the next big rain.

 

The trail there is also now very smooth and has been taken down to the original 
trail and stone. Much easier to walk, now!

 

After a short and enjoyable lunch in the LCSP cafeteria (yeah, we really rough 
it) we tackled removing anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of the silted in and dried 
material that covered the original trail just down from the drainage pipe area. 
The “youngsters” managed to remove a section 2 to 3 feet wide and approximately 
12 to 15 feet long of compacted mud and top soil that revealed the original 
trail through this area.

 

A very efficient bucket brigade system moved several large buckets of material 
that were deposited just behind a stone wall ~50’ away to help reinforce it 
against future flooding. 

 

Their amazing work increased the head room through this area immensely, making 
it easier for visitors to pass through without bashing their heads. 

 

We still have ~12 to 15’ of trail to complete before exposing the original 
trail. And then, on to a plethora of other Lovers Lane projects.

 

We finished up this project around 3 PM and Gerry escorted 11 of the crew on a 
through trip to the Crownover exit.

 

Two of the Aggie cavers ran in to Burnet for supplies and, after securing the 
Crownover key from LCSP staff, I met the mud-encrusted intrepid travelers 
around 5:30 at the LC Back door and transported them all back to camp in the 
back of my truck. 

 

During their trek, a nice nap was enjoyed by yours truly near the Crownover 
gate.

 

After cleaning up, some stayed in camp, while 8 of us went in to Marble Falls 
for a delightful dinner and the highly recommended Peanut Butter Pie at the 
always satisfying Bluebonnet Café.

 

Alan, Rahul, Maya, Christopher, and Leslie said their goodbyes and headed home 
after dining, while Gerry, Josh, and I headed back to LCSP.

 

After seeking shelter from the cold and rain on the second floor of the 
Observation Tower, hilarity and banter and repa

[Texascavers] December 3rd - Longhorn Report

2011-12-08 Thread Mark . Alman
Hey, y’all.

 

Before my feeble memory forgets and the weekend gets here, I just thought I’d 
post a report from what we accomplished this past weekend at the Longhorn 
Caverns SP Project:

 

 

Participants:

 

Alan Downey – Project 1

David Franks – Project 1

Kyle Leonard – Project 2

Scott Grimes – Project 2

Nicole Yzaguirre – Project 2

Rachel Saker – Project 2

Joshua Smith – Project 2

Valerie Bowen – Project 2

Leslie Bell – Project 1

Christopher Francke – Project 1

Gerald Geletzke – Project 1

Jerome ? – Project 2

Maya Liu – Project 2

Rahul Bhandari – Project 2

Mark Alman – Project 2

 

Total volunteer hours: 182 hours, including 92 hours drive time.

 

 

 

Project One: The Search for New Passage

 

 

Lumbago Alley Area Dig Team Report from Christopher E. Francke:

 

At first inspection, the dig passage looked about 25+ feet long, with rocky 
sediment, and filled the 2.5 foot high passage to about 2 feet. Basically a 6 
inch gap, from sediment layer to ceiling.

 

We, first cleared the outside entrance of the passage, in order to level the 
area so a digger's body would not be at a down sloping angle while digging.

 

The next few hours, all diggers removed the sediment, rocks and debris.

At the conclusion of the dig, the passage was opened to about 16 feet, where 
there was about 2 feet long of "tubular" passage remaining, before the passage 
opens to a "room" about 4+ feet wider, the ceiling raising to about 3+. This 
"room" had a depth, from the end point of the dig, about 6 feet, and appeared 
to veer to the right of the passage.

 

It is apparent that the floor sediment of the room begins to slope near the 
walls and water is settled in those areas. It may be likely that the passage 
will become more watery at this point. There was no water settling in the 
passage during the dig, although if one dug deep enough, the sediment became 
more wet and muddy and less rocky.

 

I'm excited to go back, knowing that we are about 2ft (say 1hr) away from 
getting in to the little "room" ahead.

 

Thank you, Mark for the opportunity to help the folks at Longhorn Caverns.

 

 

 

 

Project Two: Lovers Lane Trail and Drain Rebuilding

 

 

Team Report from Mark Alman

 

 

Let me first compliment the Project 2 folks, made up mainly of young cavers 
from the A.S.S. (Aggie Grotto) as consistently being one of the hardest working 
and most pleasant to be around group of cavers I have ever encountered.

 

We got a LOT done this past weekend!

 

Using fill material removed from the heavily silted and compacted floor near 
the dam below the Pigs Trough area of Lovers Lane, we have managed to replace 
all of the material that was washed out during heavy flooding that exposed the 
large drainage pipe.

 

This area is now filled back in and all sign of the drainage pipe has been 
eliminated. Next project weekend, we will begin hauling in gravel and rock to 
give the area a more “natural” appearance and, hopefully, minimize erosion 
during the next big rain.

 

The trail there is also now very smooth and has been taken down to the original 
trail and stone. Much easier to walk, now!

 

After a short and enjoyable lunch in the LCSP cafeteria (yeah, we really rough 
it) we tackled removing anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of the silted in and dried 
material that covered the original trail just down from the drainage pipe area. 
The “youngsters” managed to remove a section 2 to 3 feet wide and approximately 
12 to 15 feet long of compacted mud and top soil that revealed the original 
trail through this area.

 

A very efficient bucket brigade system moved several large buckets of material 
that were deposited just behind a stone wall ~50’ away to help reinforce it 
against future flooding. 

 

Their amazing work increased the head room through this area immensely, making 
it easier for visitors to pass through without bashing their heads. 

 

We still have ~12 to 15’ of trail to complete before exposing the original 
trail. And then, on to a plethora of other Lovers Lane projects.

 

We finished up this project around 3 PM and Gerry escorted 11 of the crew on a 
through trip to the Crownover exit.

 

Two of the Aggie cavers ran in to Burnet for supplies and, after securing the 
Crownover key from LCSP staff, I met the mud-encrusted intrepid travelers 
around 5:30 at the LC Back door and transported them all back to camp in the 
back of my truck. 

 

During their trek, a nice nap was enjoyed by yours truly near the Crownover 
gate.

 

After cleaning up, some stayed in camp, while 8 of us went in to Marble Falls 
for a delightful dinner and the highly recommended Peanut Butter Pie at the 
always satisfying Bluebonnet Café.

 

Alan, Rahul, Maya, Christopher, and Leslie said their goodbyes and headed home 
after dining, while Gerry, Josh, and I headed back to LCSP.

 

After seeking shelter from the cold and rain on the second floor of the 
Observation Tower, hilarity and banter and repa

[Texascavers] December 3rd - Longhorn Report

2011-12-08 Thread Mark . Alman
Hey, y’all.

 

Before my feeble memory forgets and the weekend gets here, I just thought I’d 
post a report from what we accomplished this past weekend at the Longhorn 
Caverns SP Project:

 

 

Participants:

 

Alan Downey – Project 1

David Franks – Project 1

Kyle Leonard – Project 2

Scott Grimes – Project 2

Nicole Yzaguirre – Project 2

Rachel Saker – Project 2

Joshua Smith – Project 2

Valerie Bowen – Project 2

Leslie Bell – Project 1

Christopher Francke – Project 1

Gerald Geletzke – Project 1

Jerome ? – Project 2

Maya Liu – Project 2

Rahul Bhandari – Project 2

Mark Alman – Project 2

 

Total volunteer hours: 182 hours, including 92 hours drive time.

 

 

 

Project One: The Search for New Passage

 

 

Lumbago Alley Area Dig Team Report from Christopher E. Francke:

 

At first inspection, the dig passage looked about 25+ feet long, with rocky 
sediment, and filled the 2.5 foot high passage to about 2 feet. Basically a 6 
inch gap, from sediment layer to ceiling.

 

We, first cleared the outside entrance of the passage, in order to level the 
area so a digger's body would not be at a down sloping angle while digging.

 

The next few hours, all diggers removed the sediment, rocks and debris.

At the conclusion of the dig, the passage was opened to about 16 feet, where 
there was about 2 feet long of "tubular" passage remaining, before the passage 
opens to a "room" about 4+ feet wider, the ceiling raising to about 3+. This 
"room" had a depth, from the end point of the dig, about 6 feet, and appeared 
to veer to the right of the passage.

 

It is apparent that the floor sediment of the room begins to slope near the 
walls and water is settled in those areas. It may be likely that the passage 
will become more watery at this point. There was no water settling in the 
passage during the dig, although if one dug deep enough, the sediment became 
more wet and muddy and less rocky.

 

I'm excited to go back, knowing that we are about 2ft (say 1hr) away from 
getting in to the little "room" ahead.

 

Thank you, Mark for the opportunity to help the folks at Longhorn Caverns.

 

 

 

 

Project Two: Lovers Lane Trail and Drain Rebuilding

 

 

Team Report from Mark Alman

 

 

Let me first compliment the Project 2 folks, made up mainly of young cavers 
from the A.S.S. (Aggie Grotto) as consistently being one of the hardest working 
and most pleasant to be around group of cavers I have ever encountered.

 

We got a LOT done this past weekend!

 

Using fill material removed from the heavily silted and compacted floor near 
the dam below the Pigs Trough area of Lovers Lane, we have managed to replace 
all of the material that was washed out during heavy flooding that exposed the 
large drainage pipe.

 

This area is now filled back in and all sign of the drainage pipe has been 
eliminated. Next project weekend, we will begin hauling in gravel and rock to 
give the area a more “natural” appearance and, hopefully, minimize erosion 
during the next big rain.

 

The trail there is also now very smooth and has been taken down to the original 
trail and stone. Much easier to walk, now!

 

After a short and enjoyable lunch in the LCSP cafeteria (yeah, we really rough 
it) we tackled removing anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of the silted in and dried 
material that covered the original trail just down from the drainage pipe area. 
The “youngsters” managed to remove a section 2 to 3 feet wide and approximately 
12 to 15 feet long of compacted mud and top soil that revealed the original 
trail through this area.

 

A very efficient bucket brigade system moved several large buckets of material 
that were deposited just behind a stone wall ~50’ away to help reinforce it 
against future flooding. 

 

Their amazing work increased the head room through this area immensely, making 
it easier for visitors to pass through without bashing their heads. 

 

We still have ~12 to 15’ of trail to complete before exposing the original 
trail. And then, on to a plethora of other Lovers Lane projects.

 

We finished up this project around 3 PM and Gerry escorted 11 of the crew on a 
through trip to the Crownover exit.

 

Two of the Aggie cavers ran in to Burnet for supplies and, after securing the 
Crownover key from LCSP staff, I met the mud-encrusted intrepid travelers 
around 5:30 at the LC Back door and transported them all back to camp in the 
back of my truck. 

 

During their trek, a nice nap was enjoyed by yours truly near the Crownover 
gate.

 

After cleaning up, some stayed in camp, while 8 of us went in to Marble Falls 
for a delightful dinner and the highly recommended Peanut Butter Pie at the 
always satisfying Bluebonnet Café.

 

Alan, Rahul, Maya, Christopher, and Leslie said their goodbyes and headed home 
after dining, while Gerry, Josh, and I headed back to LCSP.

 

After seeking shelter from the cold and rain on the second floor of the 
Observation Tower, hilarity and banter and repa